Aidil Adha...

The Aidil Adha celebration was successfully held at the Sports Center near my neighborhood. I was waiting for the bus at the grocery store parking lot as early as at 7:50 Am. By 8:10 Am the bus came to take me and the other 4 people to the prayer hall. The weather was cold but it was not cold enough for me to exhale cold air. I am glad I did not park the car near the center. The parking area was small. It was packed.

The prayer went well. I like the spacious prayer hall. The coordinator kept announcing to the ladies area to quiet the children. He thought oters cannot hear his speech. I could hear him clearly over the loud speaker and the screaming kids, they did not bother me at all.

After the prayer, I went home to my rice and fried salty fish. I didn’t get the chance to cook any special meal for the celebration this time. I only ate some cookies and bakso at one open house. I didn’t go to any other houses after that.

On Saturday, I was at the breast cancer coalition conference. My MIL and my SIL were there too along with Mupy’s niece and her son. We occupied the whole table. As usual, the food was great except for the raw carrots and raw string beans. I am not used to the taste. We were laughing over the white sauce vegetable lasagna and the apricot black pepper chicken. I have tried to make Mupy eat the white sauce lasagna I cook. But he will not budge. His lips are sealed. I have to make sure to use the tomato sauce for the lasagna.

The city mayor gave the opening speech for the event. My favorite cancer doctor, Dr. Harvey was there too as one of the speaker.

Raya Celebration 2011

As soon as I arrived at Anita's house, I asked Anita to take me to David’s new vegetables garden. He grows tomato, cucumber, beans, zucchini, rhubarb, strawberry, blackberry, lettuce, radish, etc. I have never seen such a beautiful homegrown radishes. For the past 10 years I have been trying to grow radish. I got only 2 or 3 radishes to none each year.
I really enjoy picking the blackberries. Some are a bit sour but most are sweet. David also grows bunga telang. I picked some to bring back. I told my sister the blue flower of the sweet pea can be used in making the nasi kerabu.

The takbir we had at the end of the Ramadan was really touchy. All the time I was thinking of my mom and dad. May their souls rest in peace. I captured a video but I don't have sound. I found out today that my camera doesn’t have a good microphone. It was a poor investment. I didn’t forget to tell Murph that it is about time for a new ipad, ipod and blackberry too besides the camera. Technology changes so fast that it is expensive to keep up.

Then we had our last breaking fast meal for the year. We were blessed with so much food. There were satay, lontong, briyani rice with dalca, cendol, cookies, fried chicken, serunding, etc for everyone to enjoy.

The night ended with a spectacular shower of fireworks. We had to stood far, outside the fence for our safety. The fireworks were superb. I am glad no cops came. The loud thump reminded me of meriam buluh at kampong.

The first day of raya was really happening. I put on my new raya dress but it was too big for me. But I don’t mind. All I could think off was to have fun and to eat. No more fasting. I always travel light and so I didn't bring my makeup kit. I was in my natural beauty most of the time. I don't share comb and was lazy to dig in my suitcase for my brush, and again, I walked around with my frizzy hair. So many cameras took my picture and some are already published in facebook.

 Adam looking handsome on his first day at school. He is only 4 going on 14.
I continue enjoying my time at Anita’s house. The second day raya we went to London for merdeka- raya celebration at tyt. I didn't expect to see my high school friend. We talked and took pictures. Unfortunately my stay at Anita’s was too short. I couldn't squeeze any time for a drink with her.

I had a good rest on the third day of raya. All the eating and talking was tiring.

On the fourth day, we went to Fazura's house. I ate too much of heavy food that I could hardly open my eyes.  The homemade cendol was delicious.

On Sunday, we went to see Wishn new born baby boy. Again, I ate delicious food cooked by kak Ita. She is a great cook.

I am grateful to my sister and her family for making this year raya aka eid Mubarak an enjoyable event. I was too busy with the event. These past 3 years, Raya was always the most sad day for me. I miss calling mom on the morning of eid. The friends and families at Anita's were amazing. They are friendly and fun to be around with.

Baju Kurung is done

Finally, my dress for the Syawal/Eid is ready. Mupi bought this fabric about 5 years ago maybe and I never really care for the pattern he chose. When I showed the dress to him, his remark was..."It is about time..."
I was frankly to him and told him why I didn't care. I do like the color but not the design of the embroidery. I find it too wild. But I guess, I should just be thankful. I haven't decide the stone I want to add to the collar of this dress. I do like to google for some design. It is fun to go through the thousands images in the internet for the pattern. I have just recently found some youtube on sewing clothes. I do smile to myself when I see home made video where the mother was cutting the fabric and the baby who is in his diaper sit on the fabric. And of course the baby was trying to get the scissor. The mother hide the scissor under her lap and continue the video. I can also hear the cameraman, could be the father told the baby to step away.

This dress doesn't come with extra fabric for the veil. I guess I could use my old scarf to go with this dress. 

Ready for Fall

For some reason, I am feeling really tired these past few weeks. But I do need to clean my garden. The weather is getting colder at night and sometimes during the day. Vegetables have stop growing but for some they are still growing. After breakfast this morning, I went to the garden. I removed the fences I used for the tomato and the peas. I can reuse them for next growing season.
My Raya meal  is over. I refuse several open house invitations this weekend. I need to recharge my energy.

Honey cook this simple meal for our dinner last night. He steamed the lobster tail and the corn. And then he rolled the corn in melted butter.

Can you see the green hornworm between the tomato? The worm is skinny but enough to gross me out.

This area used to be the potato patch. There are no weeds or grass growing in this area after I removed the potato.

I am the only gardener today. The temperature went up towards noon. I managed to clear half of the area.

The long string beans still growing but the beans are not edible.

I found this butternut among the grass and tall weeds. Murphy keep asking,
"How many did you get from how much of the price for the seeds?"

I brought into the house the kaffir lime tree and the curry leaf plant since the temperature at night drop to 40 degree F.

I thought having this one butternut squash is not bad although I was hoping for more.

My baju raya.

Baju Raya

I know it is too early to talk about Baju Raya. I woke this morning feeling really excited to start my Baju Raya project. Remember while back, I mean many years before when I had the luxury of buying tons of Indian fabric in London? Well, I still have two more beautiful fabric that I can make baju kurung (dress) for Raya.

My Avon meeting is not going to start until 2 PM today. I am signing another 2 ladies as my downline. No, this is not a pyramid or a quick rich scheme. Every rep must have a mentor or a leader. So, I will be their leader until they are comfortable to be on their own feet.
Back to the fabric above, I managed to cut one of the fabric and half hemmed the selendang (scarf). It took me more than an hour to cut the fabric. It was really hard to decide where to cut on the fabric for kurung moden. The fabric was already syled for indian dress.  And so I decided to create my own style. It will be a short sleve on the outside and inner long sleve.

Stay tuned for the finish product.

Happy Ramadan!