We’ve been married for the past 2 years but 2012 is probably
the first time we celebrated Hari Raya as a couple since last we celebrated our
first in Australia. To tell you the truth, I was really concerned on whether I
could adapt into a family that have very different lives from my own. To
complicate the matter and to make things a little more interesting, Fea’s heritages
are of both Jawa and Banjar….talk about learning to learn and adapt quickly. My
learning curve for that week took significant strides forward.
This year’s strategy to celebrate Raya by taking the train
& plane method…and by gosh it worked to our advantage. Will consider this
method for visits to come. The day began by first saying goodbye to the
neighbourhood twins before we made our way to Embah’s place in Bagan Datoh.
Since it was my first time, I was really excited with the scenic routes that ayah
took just to give us a sense of how it felt to ‘balik kampung’. We made it to
BG during Zohor time and ayah brought us to a nearby mosque that ayah says was
made by embah’s embah quite some time ago. The wooden old school architecture
was like nothing I haven’t seen before and it was nice to be part of this
place.
One of the reasons that we had come home early for Raya was
because there was much to be done in preparations for the big day tomorrow. We
got straight into it with making lemang and (attempted) ketupat. I had also a
go at making chicken rendang. In the evening the children had a go at the bunga api, which I had not played for in
years. It took me back to memories when things were just simple. To be honest
with you, I miss those times. By the end of the day, I was physically drained
with the activities that we had throughout the day and the non-stop eating
session we had as a family. However I was fill with excitement to the prospect
of celebrating my first raya in a kampung ever.
After sorting the duit raya for the children, the men
proceeded to the mosque where we had Eidulfitri Prayers meanwhile the ladies
proceeded to get the meals for the day ahead ready. Upon returning, we then had
a bersalam session. (This is an
interesting custom because everyone set in a circle of their own families and
then they each will move to bersalaman with
other families around the circle). It was definitely somewhat unique to me. During the time here we went to
few family houses within the area including Fea’s great grandmother’s place. In
the short two days I got to have a crash course of jawa life and the atmosphere
here (i.e baby crying, markas PAS, no-stop eating, no kitchen access etc) would
be a good reminder that everybody lives different lives from my way of life in
Penang.
To think that the culture shock was over, the very next day
we headed to Nenek’s place in Chenderong Balai. Due to the Raya Holidays, a 30
minute drive became 3x the time and distance but we were really glad to finally
arrive. The place however was a different shadow then I remembered it to be.
Nenek hasn’t been feeling well and the place has not been cared for some time.
However this Raya has taught me to accept everything as what it is. There is
still love in this house and I was determined to enjoy this leg of the Raya. Nenek’s
house is unique as there is an abandoned surau literally right infront of it.
So for our prayers the boys will make way into the surau. Back at the house I
noticed that most of the boys were still teenagers and young adults like
myself. We got the bonding session off to a kick-start by playing FiFA 2012 on
Omar’s laptop. It felt like playing with my brothers especially with all the
trash talk and all but then as the matches progress into the night I was just
lucky to survive the games. I must say that games (even video games) bonds
people together.
After spending a fun few days in Perak, it was now time to
head up north to Penang for Raya. This time around Raya was pretty quiet as
most of the time we were in hospital caring to opah whom is now suffering a
stroke. It was not as festive as before but there were a few highlights that I
will forever remember:
i)
Ashraff b’day at Queensbay where he had a pain
in the neck…no smile
ii)
Lunch at Tao….buffet to the max
iii)
We found out that we will be having a baby Ilhan
and all is well so far =)
iv)
Heart-to-heart discussions with my siblings
v)
Made a promise to make a different to change my
life after this raya (especially the weight
dept)
vi) Found out how people could be sooooo self
absorbed with themselves that it was so
emotionally draining for me
vii) Managed
to beraya at the hospital…finally
viii) Joined
a Ketupat Eating Contest @ Island
Plaza….and became Champion (RM 300 CBTL
voucher)
I have to say that the Raya
celebrations this year had its ups and downs but it was probably one of the
most memorable ones I had in years. It was also a great break from the hustling
and bustling office life and a good & much needed recharge indeed.
