The Rest of Raya

Irfan reluctant to pose for picturesI spend a large chunk of Raya yesterday at my parents house in Bukit Antarabangsa, finally returning to the Gombak home after 6 pm. We just stayed and relax, rather than going around as most of our friends were away to their kampung.

Irfan and his cousinsIn the morning, before going out to my parents' house, my brother-in-law and his family came to visit. All in their baju Raya, and Dad-in-law was especially happy to have all his grandchildren around, all six of them. We dined and consumed way too much food. As soon as I reached my Mum's, we had more food, and by mid afternoon, I was dozing away on the couch.

All six grandshildrenAnd the four of usTheir Startroopers kasut RayaSoon after, Idlan was back into the swings of thingsThe evening was quiet. We spent time with dinner and television, and it was almost midnight when we finally hit the bed. We have yet set a plan for the rest of the week yet, but it was very likely that I would make a quick trip to Penang on Saturday without Anita. Just a quick visit to say hi to the family and visit my elderly Grandmother.

The photos from the day was uploaded here.

Aidilfitri

Woken up by Anita this morning to get ready. As usual, I would be the designated driver for the Aidilfitri Prayers. It was not that far away, but still quite a walk for my Dad-in-law.

The mosque was packed. And I was sure at least 10 to 15% of the crowd were Somali. They had a huge population over around Gombak. Most of them being UIA students. Allegedly. But it seemed that they had their extended family along with the as well.

After prayers, it was time for the family. With the new clothes and all ..... Can't blog much. I got food to eat!

The photos from the day was uploaded here.

Iftar at Latest Recipe

For the final Iftar for this Ramadhan, my brother-in-law took all of us out to Le Meridien. Unfortunately, Latest Recipe stopped doing the Ramadhan buffet since the weekend. So, we settled for the standard buffet there.

While I was settling down, I heard a voice calling. It was a friend from Sheffield, who was with his family for Iftar as well. I last saw him about three years ago when I visited him at Prince Court Hospital. I I was not mistaken, it was during Ramadhan as well. How time flies.

Food there was great as usual. They had all my favorites, salad, sashimi, tandoori, laksa. They also had pasta, where my children's eyes lit up when they were able to order off the menu straight to the chef, and the food was prepared in front of them.

The boys started out, appropriate I might add, with the chocolate fountain. That kept them hyperactive all dinner long. Irfan, especially enjoyed the dinner. He had the chocolate-covered marshmallow of course, then pasta, biryani rice and waffles. Really worth his buffet admission price.

Irfan enjoying his startersStarting things off with a bowl of salad. I'm civilised that way ....Then came the raw stuffsThe tandoori was especially nice this evening, although I was disappointed that they did not have the spiced pappadoms like before, which went down brilliantly with the mango chutney. I was full by the time I had dessert - ais kacang, custard pudding and sago gula Melaka. A hefty dinner indeed.

The boys mesmerised by the chefBuffet here at Latest recipe had long been my favorite as they serve all my favorite dishes. They had at one point Peking Duck - not tonight. A good place if you wanted variety, or simply if you were in a group and you were not sure what the rest of the group prefer to eat. You could't really go wrong here. And again, Selamat Hari Raya.

If you want to know more about Latest Recipe at Le Meridien, please click here.

Coming to an End

Ramadhan was coming to an end. No more Tarawikh. No more Pasar Ramadhan and as usual, the city dwellers left for their kampung. And KL was practically empty. Traffic was going to be a breeze.

But I was sure the Raya break would also turn KL into another atmosphere all together. Where else could you get to visit Dhaka, Jakarta and Yangon within a space of a few minutes? Come to central KL during the holiday period and you would get to see that!

Selamat Hari Raya.

Home to Arsenal

It was a privilege. A sort of birthday present. Asking for a clean sheet would be a tad ungrateful, but the eight goals were taken very well. And it was clear that the turning point was the penalty save by de Gea. Not only it lifted the team, that save would have given his confidence a world of good. A low hard penalty to his left from van Persie. Got down well to palm it away for a corner. That shot was poised for an equaliser.

We were cruising after a lucky goal from Wellbeck. How did he managed to get his head to the ball while being surrounded by three defenders and the goalkeeper would make Arsene cringe. Then came the first of two Ashley Young wonder strikes. We were playing champagne football by the time Rooney chipped the keeper from a free kick. We shut down before half time and conceded a goal in the dying minutes of the half.

Arsenal started the second half with impetus and got a few half chances. Then came another chipped free kick, again from Rooney. 4-1. Nani missed a glaring chance in front of goal a few minutes later, but atoned with a goal later, put on one-on-one by Rooney. No mistake there, but that was his last kick of the match before being replaced by Giggs. The sixth came from Park, before van Persie volleyed from point blank range to make it 6-2. United then wrapped things up when Arsenal was down to ten men. The seventh came as Rooney's hat trick from the penalty spot after Walcott clipped Evra inside the area. No mistake or penalty safe this time. The final goal came with the second wonder strike from Young in injury time. And that was how it stood when the fat lady sang. 8-2.

United could easily scored more, well into the double digit. Jones was solid at the back, de Gea was growing in confidence, but the man of the match was certainly Ashley Young. Arsenal did not help their cause, when they decided to play a high defensive line against a quick team like United. Even Alex Ferguson was sympathetic during his post-match interview. Arsenal could have made Rooney think twice about chipping the free kick if they had had a man to guard the post. They just did not learn their lesson, and did not change their tactics during halftime. Something very atypical of Arsenal. The only reason for that must be lack of personal. Arsenal definitely need to buy.