Tag Archive for Raya

Day 2: Tanjong Bunut, Baitul Athirah, Mata-Mata then Lambak Kiri.

I feel my Raya is simple today, nothing much exciting about it. We left home @ two pm. Started at my 1st cousin, which is somewhere at Tanjong Bunut. It was really a hot day, and I was a driver to my dad, while my sister use her car to drive the rest of the family. My dad complained: I drove too fast. Dad, I think your car is a sport car?

After that we went to Baitul Athirah, a private compound somwhere in Beribi. Two of my Aunts live there, which we like to address them as Babu Yayah and Babu Wawa . I used to spend  there 1mnth + at the end of 2003. It was fun, I spend most of the morning shopping at Tamu Bandar with Babu Yayah or Pasar Gadong. Yes, I really did bond with Babu Yayah for a while. And one day, me and my cousins was so bored, we clean one of the car. haha yeah! it was totally random and surrounded by ducks or was it a Swan?! Babu Yayah and Babu Wawa is the most friendly and kind people that every one should meet, yeah they are awesomely nice people.. I always pray for their health and prosperity.

Oh we went for a short visit to Kg. Mata-Mata one of my mum family reside there too, its like Babu Yayah and Babu Wawa niece live there (family of Babu Qula). I can’t remember when Babu Qula pass away.. my memory is fading.. I think its was two years ago. Babu Qula is one of the sisters of Babu Yayah and Babu Wawa, and yes we all miss her. Al-Fati’ah.

My last destination of the day was… My Aunt Hjh Armah of Lambak Kiri. haha She’s the best. bullied by her and her sons and daughters.. I don’t know why? but it become a natural phenomena every time I meet them. We have a very-healthy-funny-fighting relationship LOL.

It was my last destination of the day because I wasn’t feeling well. So dad let me drive alone and go straight home, while the rest of my family continued their Raya journey.

I told you it was simple..

Thought of a usual peaceful 1st day of Raya, but this one is a dysfunctional

Since we live in a private area, clustered with four brothers of my dad; who is living in the nearest neighborhood, we assume that, this Raya will be the typical Raya.  But NO, Our Zuhur Time Prayer hit with unusual “visitors”; visitors of more than 40 people (adults and children). An idealistic to our heart will be, “Open with a welcoming heart to our visitors” True.. but this time my heart went for the sins.

Our 1st day typical Raya, is the most precious in our Raya month. Its when, we visit and we get visited by the 1st cousins and least from the 2nd cousins. But the 40+  people are beyond expected. Out of the 40+ people only 4 were recognized as my dad’s sister, her husband and their two daughters.

The feelings is horrible; part of it is being ashame of ourself, and part of it I question “Why?”

We are running out of Sake cup, literally. We only have about special 60 cups for our Raya season. Since our house is small; our living room is even smaller. Probably 15-20 visitors are ideal to be seated on our provided couch.

As I mention earlier we live near with four houses, it would be a grateful thing, if the 40+ people would divide themselves in 3 groups, thus going into a rotational scheme.

I just don’t get it, my family don’t get it either. My mum peacefully says, “more the merrier”. But not for me; this is some kind of upsetting and it give a sense of difficulties to our own rights. I put on a heavy smile, and it is very hard to content it.

With this tragedy, this won’t be an easy mood. Its usually peaceful, and fun during the 1st of Shawwal. Usually I got the chance to- you know make certain jokes and all, but after 1 o’clock my energy is no way to be found. I’m seriously exhausted. Extreme exhausted.

We have different style of “open house”. The 1st day is FOR the 1ST COUSINS. Friends open house will be on a different date set up by my sisters and I usually don’t invites my friends. hehe. And before I lived in Subok Villa, my dad has his own open house for his colleague.

We question, why is this year different? We believe that since His Majesty’s Palace close due to the H1N1 precaution.

We have decided we should take two maids for next year Hari Raya, just to be easy on the work loads. At least we hope it to be a functional Hari Raya like all the previous Raya.

My Mum side visited us, and some from my dad side, so I’m happy again.. Happy Raya Aidil Fitri Everyone.. But seriously, I’m not a fan of Raya.. The meaning of Shawwal have change: Free food and Ang pow only. It should be about being united and thankful after a months of fasting.

Lastly visiting to a house you barely know, WHAT IS THE POINT!!? The “Aunt and Uncle” should know better, they visit our house yearly, and bringing the unknown 40+ people, what is the point? They create a dysfunctional to our Raya. But the system of giving ang pow faster, does work.. after ang pow.. they vanished.  They only came for the sake of the $$? Who knows? You tell me, Waalahuaklam =)

For the record, i skipped my Aidil Fitri Prayer, Yeah I’m a bad boy.