.....Syawal Jottings.....

          Yes, the last few days of Ramadan 1433H were okay, Syukur Alhamdulillah. Drew up a list of Syawal chores and started to tackle them on Thursday, 16.08.2012. Slowly but surely, managed to get them done with Dilah's and Bijou Boy's help. On Saturday morning (18.08), Dilah did the marketing and by early evening, she started with the cooking of the chicken rendang, which was ready by 1.00 AM Sunday morning. The instant ketupat cubes were also boiled at the same time. The sayur lodeh was tackled by yours truly very early on Sunday morning and by 7.30 AM, our 1st Syawal breakfast was served.

          As always, 1st Syawal was spent indoors, waiting for the 'Larkin Jing Bang' to come a-calling. Also spent most parts of our time resting and recuperating from the exhaustion. This Syawal, we had the heart to go a-visiting. Hence, on 2nd Syawal, we started off by visiting our beloved Sultan's "Open Palace", so to speak. Had an awesome time there, although we had to jostle with the HUGE crowd of the Sultan's well wishers. Managed to taste plates of fried mee/kueh tiow with KFC and the Sultan's special herbal brew. Delicious! But the best part of it all was that we managed to greet the Sultan and members of his family and also to pose for photographs with them.

          After Istana Pasir Pelangi, we were Bukit Mahmoodiah bound, to visit our beloved dearly departed final resting places. In the scorching heat, we did the needful. Al-Fatihah for all of them.

          The third stop was the 'Larkin Cattery', and after that, after dropping off the Household Head at TUTA, the three of us went gallivanting, first to Taman Munsyi Ibrahim (Aunty Nor's and Nani's residences), and then to Taman Sutera, Perling to grace Chah's Open House. We were bushed by the time we reached home that evening.

          3rd Syawal saw the three of us gallivanting again. Had a whale of a time Raya visiting Hani and Shahain and family at Taman Kota Masai, Aisyah at Taman Johor Jaya and finally to the 'Kempas Cattery'. We hit home base at around 7nish. Needless to say we yet again!

          Yesterday, 4th Syawal, we entertained guests with the likes of my siblings, Rashidah and Rosnita from Kempas, my niece Ana and her hubby from KL and Hani and her Mom from Taman Kota Masai, Pasir Gudang. The dishes served were well received and by evening, it was quiet again on the home front.

          This afternoon, 5th Syawal, we attended Nab's Open House at the Bayu Puteri Apartments at Permas Jaya. Enjoyed the delicacies served, but we didn't stay for the 'Qiqah Ceremony' since we had a couple of important errands to run.

          Thus far, Hari Raya Aidilfitri 1433H has been a-okay for me, Syukur Alhamdulillah. Healthwise too, I've been alright, save for that little headache I had on 2nd Syawal morning, which I managed to squash off with a Ponston tablet. I know that I'll have to watch my diet again soon, after indulging in the uncontrolled consumption of the 'poisonous stuff' during the past few days! Oh yes, I must note that I had 'uncomfortable cramps' in both my upper extremities on Raya eve. Luckily the discomfort eased off after the application of a lot of Axe Medicated Oil. Reckon both my hands were tired out after doing all the chores earlier on. Anyhow, needless to say, I panicked for a bit. I've resolved not to over-tire my hands and my whole being, for that matter, after this.


"SELAMAT HARI RAYA AIDILFITRI, EVERYONE! MAAF ZAHIR & BATIN"