This Raya 2005

Raya Eve (2nd November) Tuned to the TV to wait for the announcement of Hari Raya. Actually we all know when Hari Raya Aidilfitri (1st of Shawal) is going to fall. The dates have allready been calculated by our ahli falaq (asronomists) but as it is a necessary ritual,groups of religous officials make their way to the selected points of observation to peek at the sky to see the moon dot. The same procedure is done for determining the 1st of Ramadan (the fasting month) and also for the 1st of Zulhijjah. After all the said officials have come to an agreement on the date,the word is sent out to the Man of the Hour,the Keeper of the Rulers' Seal. The Keeper comes on tv in between the news and declares on behalf of the King that Hari Raya Aidilfitri will be celebrated tomorrow 3rd November. Hari Raya Aidilfitri (3rd November-1st day) The day begins with a mandi sunat Aidilfitri (raya bath).Then to the mosque for Sembahyang Sunat Aidilfitri (Raya prayers).Shake hands and salam with friends in the mosque . Gather the family and apologise to each other (minta ampun & maaf) kiss and hug each other.Give duit raya to all my kids and grandson except Firdaus and Zu.Firdaus gives duit raya to all his brothers and sister.Even Fahmie is giving duit raya to his brothers and sister. I feel so happy that I could cry.I'm so sentimental. Breakfasted on ketupat,nasi impit,rendang ,kuah kacang and kuih raya. Soon our kids' friends start visiting.Milah and I called on our nearest neighbours to wish them Selamat Hari Raya. My siblings Maher and wife Faridah,Izron and wife Fauziah,Helinna and hubby Kali,and their kids had gathered together and descended on my house that morning.More hugging and kissing,this is normal in our family.The kids recieved their duit raya from their uncles,aunts and older cousins. Catch up with the latest happenings in the family circle,discuss some current events and reminisced about mum and dad,old times,old friends. Then they all left and the house was peaceful again. This year,not many kids came to beraya, I think that at the time they make their rounds there were so many people in the house,so they bypassed our house. Firdaus,Zu and kid,with Lina and Fahmie went to beraya in Penang to visit the uncles and aunts.They returned to Alor Star that night.On the 2nd day of Raya they are visiting Zu's uncles and aunts.Zu starts working on Saturday. What can I say, its their life now.Anyway they were here 2 days before raya. 2nd Day of Raya This is the first time Fadzlil is going out to celebrate Raya outside Tasik Gelugor. First to Brown Garden,my family home.When we got there ,we were informed that Helinna,Kali and family had just left for KL. Bro Maher,Fari,Bro Fajar and wife Hasmah were home.Izron and family had to go to Fauziah's kampung in Bandar Bahru. Sis Jeniffa and hubby Dzol (Yo) just arrived this morning with daughter Fatina & Sushi. Attended Friday prayers at the Taman Sardon Mosque. After lunch we left for Balik Pulau.This is the first time Shahman is driving to Balik Pulau.We took the new road,thats not so winding,but very steep. Shahman handled the car very well. Kak Bedah (Milah's big sis) and Abang Mat (bro in law)invited all the relatives to her open house. Sorry to say,but there was only a little bit of beehoon soup left. After that we went to another of Milah's big sis ,Kak Naidah's house. Left Fadzlil and Fahmie there for awhile,and went to Nooripah (lil sis) flat. Ate a little kuih raya and then wnt back to Kak Naidah's. Sorry again,not much food left,only some curry(minus the meat) and fried eggs. Went home ,not so full. Body all aching from carrying Fadzlil in and out of the car. 3rd Day of Raya Kak Tekah (Milah's big sis) and Mohtar (bro in law) open house.She is serving soto and roti surai. This time we ate a lot.We came earliier.Her house is in Bukit Mertajam,not far from home. After we returned home,Kak Pah (Milah's no.one big sis) came with her kids and grand kids,also Ari (Milah's lil bro) Yati (sis in law)and family. Served them kuih raya.We didnt cook anything. Kak Pah came to invite us at the same time to her youngest son Danny's wedding.this November 27th. Try to catch up on sleep this afternoon. After dinner (Milah made nasi lemak with sambal udang) writing the blog. Selamat Hari Raya to one and all. Maaf zahir dan batin. To my wife,children,dauhter in law and grandson.....I love you.