Now at Mum's

It hasn't relented yet. After Maghrib, we went over to my Mum's house again in Bukit Antarabangsa for dinner and more food. I could hardly breath now with all the curry and stuff. I was stuffed. And my boys were still jumping up and down with their cousins.

I better slow down now, and relax before going to bed. I bet, I would get up late. I have already told the staffs that I would only start my rounds at 10am, having cancelled my clinic.

The Kenduri

We spent the evening doing some shopping for the kenduri tomorrow. Through to form, my Mum roped in Anita to organise the kenduri and doa for Irfan's circumcision. It would take place tomorrow afternoon at my Mum's place in Bukit Antarabangsa.

Anita brought Irfan to see our usual Paediatrician at Pantai Bangsar - right next to the apartment - concerned with his persistent cough. Nothing major. He just needed some inhalers. He was much better today. During the visit, the Paediatrician told Irfan why he needed the circumcision, and since then, Irfan was looking forward to it. That would be on Wednesday.

After groceries we're done, we brought the boys to my Mum's for dinner and Anita cooked the spaghetti for the children for tomorrow's kenduri. The rest would be catered for. My Aunt from Sungai Petani had also just arrived. It should be a nice kenduri tomorrow. And I hope that the weather would hold up ...

We were looking forward to bed now. It had been a long and tiring day especially for Anita.

Selamat Hari Raya

It had been a full day of eating, drinking and all round partying. After the prayers in the morning, my brother-in-law came to visit and hang around for a bit before I received a call from my sister to come over to Bukit Antarabangsa.

More food. I was really full even before lunch. For lunch, my sister went over to one of the celebrity who lived in my Mum's neighbourhood for more food. We did not join them, and called it the day.

Irfan and his grandparentsCome evening, we went over again to my parents house and it was havoc. The sparklers were out and the boys with their cousins were really having a ball. Even helping out clearing the mess they created after playing with the fireworks.

As I was blogging this entry, I was still at my Mum's having more food, while waiting for the children to calm down. Chelsea was playing Wigan on the TV, leading 2 nil. It was halftime. I might hang on until the end of the game.

To all my friends, colleague and family, thanks for all the Aidilfitri wishes. I may not be able to reply to all of them today, but I was sure I would get around to it soon. Selamat Hari Raya.

First Ramadan

So, where did you have your first berbuka. I try to make sure that I would be on leave the first day of Ramadan. This would allow me to have the first Tarawikh knowing that I do both have to rush to work tomorrow morning. And the second major advantage was, I could get to plan where to enjoy my first berbuka. Inevitably it would be with family.

When do I start consciously plan for this? Well, staying abroad for 13 years did put things into perspective. I've been on call on first days of Ramadan before, had exams, alone to myself. I did not mind so much back then, but your mind do wonder. How nice it would be to be with family.

Nowadays, it was not really a choice anymore. I would make sure that the first day of Ramadan was free. A bit of a personal holiday for me. In fact, I value it more than the Eid as it was a lot more hectic on Eid, and one do not have time for themselves then.

What did I do this year? At my Mum's, enjoying her cooking. I couldn't say no to that. My sister was there as well, minus Irfan who was still having a temperature. We didn't want him to pass it on to his cousins.

So, Happy Ramadan again to all ....

Impromptu Birthday Cake

Thanks to my sister Julia, I had a birthday cake this year. Believe it or not, I did not get one for my birthday, with the kenduri and all. The initial plan was to take my parents out for lunch. Julia and her family was on their way back from Melaka, and they joined us at Pavilion as they arrived in KL. We had our lunch at Madam Kwan’s, in a nice little table, tucked away at the back room.

She prefers children plastic plates. I don't really know why ....Then it was durian time ....BurpAll havoc broke loose when the children started playing with their iPads and iPhone. Even if they had one each, they would still like to fight. We had a good lunch, with all the singing and cake blowing. After lunch, we settled back at my parent’s house at Bukit Antarabangsa. Julia brought back plenty of durian from Melaka. Please don’t smell my breath tonight …….