The Kenduri

The kenduri started at 11 and I went to the caterers with my Mum to bring back some food. For the in-law's place, Anita went with one of the drivers.

The good thing about the caterer we had been using was they were very efficient. My Mum introduced it to me. In fact, they were the caterer for my wedding 15 years ago. And until today, they were still the first choice for us.

Not only that they were reliable, the food were also very good. They would usually send the food over, with a couple of waiters and utensils. They also did canopies. But since it was Raya today, we just ordered the food.

Not all the guests could make it though - mainly family from my Mum-in-law were invited. This being a Friday had a lot to do with it.

Anyhow, we made the best out of whoever that came. It went OK, with plenty of the neighbours able to come. I just came back from the Friday prayers and was enjoying the drinks. It turned out to be a really hot day.

The Raya Morning

Went to bed extra early last night. And by 5 this morning, I was already up awake. Couldn't get into my study as one of our cousins and his family spent the night there. So, I ended up just reading some magazines. Too lazy to get out of the room as well.

Everyone was up by 6 to prepare for the kenduri later this morning. I got to the shower and in the last hour, had been in front of the TV, enjoying my day off. My only day off, as I would be doing rounds tomorrow morning. So, better enjoy it while it lasts.

As for the weather, it was looking really gloomy outside. Hmmm! With the preparation at full swing at the moment, hopefully the rain would not be too heavy. Looked like I would have to brave the rain to get to the mosque. And imagine the qurban ...... in the rain ....

Marche oh Marche

As I mentioned, it had been almost a year since we last been to Marche. We used to go there at least a couple of times a month, but we realised that since the pizza oven broke down, the food there had never been the same. Take my steak there yesterday for example, it used to be cooked to what I asked for. Yesterday, I asked for medium well. I got rare instead. I asked for it to be cooked further, and it became medium. I just gave up.

The pizza was another travesty. For some reason, they did not cook pizza with any tomato base, and they used thick crust. I understood if they wanted to go all Italian and baked them thin-crusted, but no.

But any how, the rosti was excellent, and so were the dessert. The salad was only so and so. Nothing special. For a Sunday afternoon, I thought they did not have enough staff. The table took ages to be cleared, and we had to ask for our plates to be taken away as we piled on more food. It used to be much better.

We crossed over to IKANO, and at the main foyer, Harvey Normal was doing sales for their beddings. The "Tempur" mattress were to die for … but going at RM25K, we would probably literally die as well. Damn expensive stuff, so much so that it came with a free bed …… But once you sat on one, you just did not want to get up. It was so soft and welcoming.

It was Octoberfest at Marche that dayIdlan doing his own order

We spent some time doing some shopping for household stuff. The boys got their toys, and that should keep them going for another couple of weeks. I noticed that the traffic heading into The Curve was heavy by the time we were about to leave. We decided against staying for dinner as Irfan some homework to finish.

Finally, An Outing

After commuting in and out of Subang for the last week sorting out my Mum and brother-in-law, I finally had a day of respite. After giving a lift to my brother when he got discharged this morning, I left for Mid Valley almost straight away for the KL Photography Festival. More about that later.

When I returned just after 2, I took Anita and the boys put to The Curve. We had a nice late lunch at Marche, Anita did some shopping, and the boys got their toys. We probably hang around a bit more and buy dinner on the way home - United playing Newcastle later tonight, so it would be Tandoori tonight.

I need to stop at the chemist to get some toiletries, before heading home. And the boys need haircuts ....

Late Start

As usual, the first thing I did when I woke up at the apartment was to open the verandah door. It looked like it was king to be sunny outside. But the moment I the door open, the smell of haze struck me. That pungent, woody sensation. Really threw me off. I just wished that it won't be hazy later, since I got plans for the day.

I wanted to attend the KL Photography Festival at Mid Valley, but I would probably be stuck in traffic heading there do late. I'll take my chances anyhow .....