Unplanned Party

The best parties were often the unplanned ones. The spontaneous ones. Well, Rabat as what happened when we wanted to celebrate Irfan turning 12. Initially there was no party. Then maybe it would be a quiet family dinner.

The weather was certainly inviting ...Uncle Razak getting the cakes readyWaiting for the visitorsThat expanded to his cousins and my Mum. Irfan then suggested we have a small get together with his old classmates from Sri Utama. Just the boys.

A slew of SMS and texts flew. The girls wanted to join. Or at least their parents. They wanted to come over as they haven't met Anita for a while since Irfan changed school.

Getting the tools readyHappy Birthday IrfanThe friends were here ...Before we knew it, it was a semi-proper party. With me being on call that day, everything were just ad hoc. But it turned out great. The friends had a great time and the apartment was turned upside down in the end.

The cakes were outThe found their spotA great day ...

Scones Time

Dina and Azmel came to visit and Anita promised them scones. More to the point, the scones would have to be as good as the ones we had together at the Lake Districts back in 2001.

Fresh out from the ovenHot stuff ...A tall order but Anita was determined. She spent the day before scouring for the ingredients from the supernarket, woke up super early to prepare the dough.

All was set and the scones turned out lovely! Unfortunately I was called out to the hospital when Dina arrived. They were done with the scones when I returned and Anita baked a second tray.

Why does it always shine when I am on call ...Gorgeous end to the dayDefinitely this time around, the scones turned out better then her previous attempt. They were gorgeous ...

Glitzy

It wasn't often that we get to out for a fancy party, let alone dress up. We had one such chance when our friend Zura and Faizal invited us to attend their 20th wedding anniversary.

It was a black tie event, held at Le Meridien with Anuar Zain being the main attraction - exclusively for the girls. But I must admit that he was charming. See the video below ...

It took me a few days to get my attire in order, having not own a dinner jacket, I decided to buy one. I might need them again in the future. Anita bought a brand new dress of course and had a make-up artist coming to the apartment to get her ready. It was worth it.

The food was great and the company was amazing. Anuar Zain appeared while we were being served dessert and belted up a few of his classics, going round the room working his magic. Then came the selfies and photos, plus in the end we had a personal audience with him being Zura's close friend.

Faizal invited many of his school friends and business associates, dining us with fine food. Great memories.

It was past midnight when we finally left the hotel. A great night indeed and certainly we would me looking forward to their 25th anniversary.

Open Apartment

Last Sunday, the day before my and my father-in-law's birthday, we hosted an open house at our apartment - hence the dubbed open apartment - inviting mainly Anita's cousins and my father-in-law's siblings. The turn out was better than expected. Mixed with that, we also had an impromptu cake-cutting and all the usual birthday stuff.

It was just beginningMy parents-in-lawOne of Anita's auntIt was an excellent day all around and some of our friends stayed until the evening. Food was curtesy of Anita's excellent soto as well as a few orders of biryani and "laksa Johor". Everyone was entertained, even our new driver - who was a pastry chef - chipped in with some desserts for good measures.

Most of our cousins only visited us for the first time, and many had not been here since the renovations last Christmas.

The four of us ....A close-upEven the baby was behaving ...Good time all around ...Everybody had a good time and Anita was the most pleased. She put plenty of effort for the afternoon, and her mother actually spent the evening with us. We also got the help from a friend of our maid as there were plenty to do during the event. But everything went well.

Idlan and Irfan though only made sporadic appearance, although one of their cousin joined them in Irfan's room playing with the PS4. That left us adults to chill out while enjoying the food. The main problem our visitors had was the security and parking arrangements. To make things easier, we stationed our driver at the visitor's car park to fetch them through the main lifts rather than them having to go through the visitor's route and the main entrances.

Peace!The day's entertainment ...Group photos with friends ...We were stuffed by the late afternoon, and the party was only halfway then. My father-in-law did not stay until late as he was getting tired from all that. He did however gave a speech after cutting the cake. Off came the story when I called Anita's home when we were both still in college. Hilarity ensued! But great day all around ...

Sunday Wedding

It was more of a reunion of sort with Idlan's former classmates from kindergarten attending a wedding of one of his friend's brother. Being held at Dewan Perdana Felda, it was a place all of us were familiar with. And being a Sunday, I was actually able to make it on time .... Amazing!

Idlan meeting his buddiesGreat food and company although I was still feeling rough recovering from the bug. It was a colourful event and one of Idlan's buddies actually followed us home afterwards ...