the last Raya weekend this year...

... Was spent by going to open houses. Today's Deepavali, so it's a public holiday, which meant an extra day off. But not really, considering that it was the last weekend of Syawal, so we made full use of it.

Went for two open houses on Saturday night; one at my Sayang's granduncle's place in PJ, and the other at Lyana's. Stayed on a tiny bit longer than we should have at her place, but I missed her, so I hope they didn't mind all that much. Didn't eat all that much since we already binged out at Tok Chik Rashid's, so it was more of lepak-with-Lyana kinda thing than it was a open house.

Sunday was spent in Ipoh, for my Wan Saha's [my dad's younger sister] open house cum doa selamat, as she is leaving for Mekah to perform the Haj early next month. Since we were already in the area, we decided to give Arnie a lil visit at her home in Kampar, and I finally tasted the finest Laksa Penang EVER. Seriously, if I didn't have too much too eat already, I would have asked for seconds!

And Monday was spent at home. Not leisurely, though. My Babe's parents invited my family over [excluding Abang Wan, there were 12 of them including the little ones!] for a little get together. It was noisy, the food was great, and there was a bit of drama as well - typical of most Syed Nor Azlan clan's get together.

And now I'm beat. But happy. And I blog about my weekend, which may be mediocre by some people's standard, as a way to say 'so long' to Syawal. And also because I don't have much to blog about haha~

So now, I shall dread for the things to come tomorrow: Work, and more work. *grumbles*

And because this is my blog, here is a photo:

With Fadlan and Dina. Comel terlampau.

13th July 2008

And then, there was my Sayang's reception. At this point, I was done stressing out, and chose to just relax. We took our time to get ready, and I WAS SO GLAD I CHOSE KAK FIDA for this reception. She did a grand job, don't you think?

My Babe's parents took care of pretty much everything because... well, this is more for them than it was for us. And we understood that from the very beginning. You can say that we had the best of both worlds; a nice, simple, informal, modern-ish reception on my side, and a formal, grand, traditional event for his side. If you ask me to choose which one I like best, I honestly wouldn't be able to choose. Both were different in theme, in etiquette even.

My only qualm is that I did not get a family shot with my dad, siblings and little ones. Sucked as heck, but it was late by the time the reception ended, so we can't blame them.

I am vain. So sue me.


On the pelamin. Something we chose not to have on my reception. Kak Pa was my pengapit terjun haha!


Just Noran and Animz this time. Lyana, Along and Azzura couldn't make it.


The US Army. Nana, we look good!


Siblings-in-law and... siblings-in-law to be? Insya Allah :)

*Edited: By the way, having the best man sing a song for us after the reception simply ROCKS. haha. I just had to mention it.

12th July 2008

The preparation was one of the most stressful experience I had ever endured; one with countless tears, sleepless nights, anxiety, and fear.

But the end result was one of the most beautiful, perfect time of my life; I was surrounded with (almost) all of the most important and treasured people in my existence, and I don't remember a time where I felt truly, truly blessed like I did on the 12th of July.

We wanted to keep it as simple as possible, and I think we managed to do so. There were hiccups, due to the lack of experience to managing/arranging something of that scale. The solemnization ceremony was especially stressful, especially when I found out that the mak andam forgot to about the banquet chairs for the bride and groom, when I was up on stage ready for the akad! And yes, my Sayang said the lafaz [just once! he rocks!] on stage. And then there was the one-hour interval, which was not enough considering that I had to change clothes, touch up on my make up, re-do my hair within that short period of time. (by the way, my hair and make up sucked. but in pictures, it didn't look too bad).

But the most memorable part ought to be that cheeky poem Fadhil [Kak Pa's friend] recited when we were eating. My Sayang even covered his face in... I don't know... what's the english word for segan? But yeah! It was the most random thing ever. But actually, I like that poem. Melayari bahtera. fuh!

The solemnization. When he said the lafaz, I thought he was rehearsing!

It was our day, so we'd be silly if we want to!

Alhamdullilah :)


My girls. What would I do without them? Even at the last minute, they pulled through for me.


My family. My rock.

To be honest, I fretted for a while, thinking about the things that I could have done to make the event better. And yes, I sighed ever so often, hitting myself mentally about how stupid I was to choose the mak andam. But then I looked at these photos, and I really couldn't ask for more.

It was more than enough. It was... yes, perfect.

:D

So much for one lengthy post over the weekend. blergh.

The weekend wasn't too busy, but between catching up with my sleep, hanging out at my dad's with the most precious but naughty Dina, lepaking with Lyana and furniture shopping, I didn't really have the time to update my blog.

Hence a serious update is postponed, yet again.

I'll make it worthwhile, and that is a promise I can safely make.

But for now, its sleepy time~ haha. Seems like I do nothing but sleep, huh?

pledge.

So many things to say, but alas sleepiness takes precedence.

This weekend. I'll blog this weekend. About my wedding [I know, almost three months overdue], my honeymoon, and tanjung mental. Right now, I'm sleepy. And tired.

By the way, for the first time since I began working with REDmoney, I felt like running off and just leave things be. And not care.

But of course, I didn't. And I do care. haih.

So this weekend. At least one lengthy post, I promise.

reminisce.

I never realized that eating can be tiring.

But still, samprits and makmurs call out to me every time, at every houses I go to.

But Alhamdullilah. For the food, my family, and those I'm newly related to now that I am married to my Babe.

I miss the Raya I had when I was younger. The trip back to Ulu Kinta, playing bunga api to my heart's content [not mercun though, I'm such a coward], my late grandma's dodol, the image of my mom as she prepared the casing for the ketupat. All that hoopla.

I gradually grew up, but Raya was still an event I look forward to. We stopped making a priority to balik kampung a few days before the first of Syawal, but we try to go back when we can.

Then Mama passed away, and Raya became incomplete.

It's probably a stretch to say that the meaning of Raya has returned now that I am married. I won't lie. But things have definitely improved when compared to last Raya, for instance. Hopefully, things will further improve with each passing Syawal.

But one thing is for sure. I want my children [Insya Allah] to have great Raya celebrations. With bunga api, home-made ketupat, running around and making nuisance with the cousins, and so on. Yes, all that hoopla.

Who knows. Maybe by then Raya will have a new, better meaning.

Salam Aidilfitri!

Just a quick one, to say:

Selamat Hari Raya everyone! If I ever crossed you, made you upset, say things or do things that might hurt you, I am sorry. I hope you are having a blessed and wonderful Eid with your family and loved ones. If you eat kuih samprit, ingatlah daku. That's my favorite kuih raya EVER!

Now. I think I go lie down. The only solution to four different servings of raya treats that I know of is sleep.

By the way, first Raya as a wife ROCKS. Well to be honest it really is no different than spending Raya with your family, but being together with your soulmate on the first day of Eid is just... splendid.

Ok. I go now.