Measuring Up

Anita had her clothes ready for Raya already and had decided what would be the theme colour for us this year. Then, it was time for us to get our measurements taken for our clothes - all three of us, Idlan, Irfan and I.

In the years before, we went to a tailor in Melawati, but he tended to prepare our clothes late. On one occasion, it only arrived on the evening before Raya and it turned out that the top did not fit well. It was too late to make any alteration by then.

So, we went to another place this time and we were promised that the clothes would be ready a week before Raya. Hopefully they are true to their words .... Too late to back off now since I had already made the payments ....

Pasar Ramadan is Back

Yesterday was the first day of Ramadan for this year. And as usual, it also marked the return of food stalls at Pasar Ramadan. A quick fix that not just the Malays would enjoy.

We broke our fast - or as my more Arabinised friends wold call it performed iftar - at my in-law's place. And with that, Anita and I went out on a rampage at the local Pasar Ramadan at Melawati! Anita even collected her small change into her handbag for the occasion.

A drink with a twist ....They changed the layout of the market this time making it more compact, turning one of the carpark into 3 rows of stalls. I reckoned there were about 70 stalls all together, with great variety of food this time compared to the last.

We bought all the usual suspects, mostly from the same stall we had frequented over the years. But, the disappointing thing was our usual drinks vendor was not there. In fact, he wasn't there since last year. Another vendor which was missing was my favourite cucur udang stall. The alternatives - although plenty - were not as good.

After filling up both my hands with carry bags - should have brought with us a couple of shopping bags with us - we decided to call it the afternoon, although if she had had her way, there would be more!

Surprisingly, we finished most of the food yesterday, if not during berbuka, the left overs were gone by sahur. Idlan however asked for Nando's chicken for his breaking fast, so we had to stop by the mall to get that for him. Irfan wanted chicken rice. That was easy enough.

So, for the second day, we planned to eat out as the boys wanted chicken teriyaki for their berbuka. Plotting being done as we speak ....

The First Day

After a struggle getting the boys up for sahur this morning, the day started smoothly. I don't think Idlan especially would be awake for long since he did not go back to bed after waking up. I was sure he would doze off in class, and then when he returned home.

We planned to break our fast at my in-law's today, having booked a couple of days off. I would still be doing my rounds in the morning though, followed by a meeting during lunch. Then I would be free after 2.

Program for today? Anita had arranged for me to go the the tailors later to get my attire for Raya sorted out. Then of course, Pasar Ramadan, likely at Melawati, if it was not raining. So, watch this space!

The Night Market

I had the chance to take my camera for a quick spin after dinner on the last evening at Kota Kinabalu. I started off at the famous Filipino Market before drifting with the crowd towards the main market.

There were nothing much for me to buy actually. In fact, I would definitely get ripped off the moment I opened my moth at the market, so rather than spoil my mood, I decided to just enjoy the sight.

After about 20 minutes, I was basically done. It was time to head back to the hotel and pack.

Back to Normality

The last week had been a long one. Long hours. Long tired hours, ended with a long Sunday and a very busy Monday with cancellation of clinics and the likes.

My colleagues had been away and the combination of three people's responsibility was just real hard work. And the main problem was the Saturday call which I had with some really sick patients needing looking after.

But, my colleagues were back today. And as the school holidays had come to an end, the heavy morning traffic also came back, with a vengeance. Heavy morning clinic followed by lunch soon brought some normality to the proceedings and by the afternoon, I felt much lighter with spring back in my steps.

To top it off, I will be taking both Thursday and Friday off for the beginning of Ramadan although I would still be coming in the morning to do my rounds. Time to chill out a bit I think.