Our first day was yesterday.  Somehow I knew it was going to be just that because Metin's Turkish calculator said it was so and last year the same thing happened.  But I was still hoping it would be Wednesday so that my leave plans would fall into place.  So on Sunday night whilst making my 6th kuih raya...  I told sayang that I would make the jam tarts, kek batik and kuih lapis on Tuesday when I had the day off.  So part of the surprise announcement was due to me not completing my labour of love kuih lapis.  I have been making it for Raya since 2002...  and every year it would be the preparation ushering the happy day...  till 4.00 am!  Going back and forth for every five minute layer with Raya songs in the background makes me feel thankful that I have what I have and will be sharing it with the special people in my life.

Mummy and Mas were busy preparing for their big open house today (1st day for Malaysia) an hour before they were going to break their fast for the last time this year.  Mas was helping Mummy fry the potatoes for the bergedil...  Mummy makes the best soto!  I can imagine the maid cursing the whole family for making her take out each and every bontot tauge because Mummy would never serve her guests substandard beansprouts.  I think there were more people around that night in Shah Alam because I managed to speak to Adam and I am sure Nazrin (my favourite cousin) came a-visiting.  That's the simple preparation in my kampung.  No obligations.  No drama.  A happy time.  That's what Raya should be. 

This year I exchanged Eid experiences with my other Muslim friends from around the world.  They cannot comprehend why us Malays make it such a sad and solemn event.  It is suppose to be filled with joy...  but not for us.  For us it is a day where we shoot ourselves in the foot and beg for forgiveness and hyprocritically be our normal selves two minute afterwards.  Only one day in a year where suddenly we are on our knees and grovel.  Only one day in a year we think of our loved ones.  Why can't we do that as and when we make a mistake?  I do!  I have heard the lines "takper...  Raya boleh mintak maaf..." so many times which so does not go in line with the "Dengan Ingatan Tulus Ikhlas" in the cards from Malaysia.  Where is the ikhlas-ness in that?  Live for the moment.  Say sorry and think of your loved ones from the heart and if possible at the time.  And celebrate the Raya with happiness and joy.  I am going to teach Leelwan to do that.  In the first place...  my love for her is unconditional so there is no sorry between us.  And to think that people say don't celebrate Mother's Day, Father's Day and all other days because you should love every day of the year...  so why is this so different?  Holes in the pockets.  You only give duit raya to young kids I guess...  and since they don't know the value then you don't have to give too much.  Muekekekkekeke. 

Yesterday was a great first Raya for us.  It was family time.  We got ready when we were ready to get ready and had our Raya brunch (nasi impit, lemang, rendang daging, sambal kacang and the chicken orang Ipoh used to make which I finally managed to decipher...  which was a hit with Leelwan!).  The four happy Raya songs were on repeat because Leelwan doesn't like the sad ones.  Good for her.  I think I will follow in her footsteps.  She teaches me so much!  Then we introduced Leelwan to the legendary P.Ramlee but she wasn't really into it...  so we sent her to bed for a nap.  Then since it was an unexpected Raya and a work day...  our dearest friends came over from 5.30 pm onwards.  And it was a blast.  Our kita-kita gang had lontong with sambal sotong and the usuals and the kuih and biskut Raya and we all had a karaoke session.  Yusuff and Lilly fought over the Bumbo which made it feel like a real Raya and I was in the company of my loved ones.  Thank you so much Fay, AmyMatt, Mimi (and her friend Kas), AdiLi, PreRul and kids Yusuff, Lilly and Haidan for sharing your first day with us.  Love you!

Today we had leftovers.  Sayang is in the room studying damn smart so that we can go Raya-ing today.  Leelwan is watching Peter Pan.  I don't know what to do coz it is too early to prepare for Saturday.  Tried to speak to Mummy and Mas but they are probably busy entertaining and did not hear the phone.  Left a voicemail for Daddy and he called back and I made sure there was no drama.  Bless him for understanding why we don't do Rayas in Malaysia.  I do wish that he would come over to see where I live and what I have become...  for him to see his firstborn make it in this world.  I imagine myself making him his favourite toast with onions and cheese on rye bread; Leelwan counting his numerous vitamins and feeding him one by one; and Sayang getting the best golf lesson from a proper Pro at the driving range...  I wonder if Daddy would tell him off like he does to me and Mas.  But the short occasional phone calls and brief meals and meetings we have with him is probably what was written for me.

Mummy will be reunited with her first baby, favourite son-in-law (for now) and favourite grandchild (for now) on Friday and I am so excited!  She will be here for longer than usual because Sayang is busy with his exams so we can only spend time properly with him after the 5th of November!  So she's going to be here for more than a month!!!  Aaaahhhh I can imagine all the goodies she's going to cook...  scchlllurrrppp!!!  And I am going to learn to make Bak Chang from scratch (oh you will so love it Mimi!!!). 

Leelwan has gone for a nap.  I think I'll switch off Peter Pan now.

Thank you Allah for blessing me this year.  It has been wonderful.  Having my birthday and Eid back to back.  Bliss.