Salam Lebaran

First and foremost, I would like to wish all my Muslim friends all over the world and wherever they may be, Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri Maaf Zahir dan Batin. And to the rest, Happy Hols, rehat cukup-cukup and makan cukup-cukup as after the holidays we have many things to do.

This year, unfortunately, I don't feel the festive mood of Eid-Mubarak. Perhaps because I am in Penang where the populations are predominantly Chinese. In fact, the Hungry Ghost Festival and the coming soon Mooncake/Lantern Festival felt much more happening here. Quite disappointing actually.

The Ramadan bazaar was less happening (ada yang siap gaduh-gaduh masuk paper lagi), the shopping complexes less appealing. Luckily my mum came over and we had our "ladies nite" out ... shopping for office attire, household appliances (my dad and I moved to a new house at Loh Boon Siew Road) and dresses for little Gina ... mum said her dresses have all turned into "shirts".

Gina is not my flesh and blood but it's amazing seeing her resembling me at her age, especially in the cuteness department (chewah) and our passion for music. Told my mum, I don't want her to be a Barbie girl, so I bought her all Power Puff Girls stuff (with exception to Barney).


Looking back when I was in my former office, the fasting month is usually a merry-making (or money-making for my cakes and hampers) and entertaining month. Usually, it was the time of the year that I could use to slow down a bit and make plans. But here in new office, "business is always not as usual" .... often I found myself worn out at the end of the day. Usually it's due to last minute decisions and sometimes "program wahyu".

Despite that, I often found indescribable satisfaction, in the after party of a successful event. Tak kiralah if it's at a mamak shop or in the sanctuary of my bedroom. Like the recent visit of the Empress Dowager ... on Raya Eve when everyone in the office expecting to "balik awal". She was so happy of how things turned out in Penang, it really makes my day (though I didn't eat a single meal that day .... puasa). So later that evening, my driver for the day Bob, and I went to Kapitan Restaurant at Chulia Street and break fast with big helping of Nasi Beriyani Ayam Tandoori ...

Sedap sehingga menjilat jari ... not a single grain of rice left. Licin! So much about wanting to loose weight!