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What a journey…

Yes, it was. It was on Saturday afternoon – after Asar, to be exact – that I decided to 'balik kampong'. Initially, the journey back was promising even when you take into consideration the mamak who virtually slaughtered us with his pricey (and may I add, unpalatable) curry at a restaurant in a quaint, small town three hours away from Kuala Lumpur. Yes, that was where we broke our fast. But that did not dampen our festive spirit. In fact, my Elvis was singing non-stop his latest craze, a song entitled “But It’s Better If You Do So” by Panic! At The Disco. Musical bands today have such funny names, wouldn’t you agree?

It was only when we reached the next town, that the nightmare began. As we were ascending the steep hills, traffic was at almost a standstill. I had frightening thoughts that probably an accident had occurred ahead of us. Thankfully, it was only a very heavy lorry in the way. Still……

So how was my Raya?

It wasn’t so much of the celebration, neither the place nor the food. Instead, it was more of spending time together with my aged mother. Raya this time around was all about her. In fact, I was hardly moving around, going out. I wasn't even going around visiting my relatives. Time was not only short, but also precious to me and the children. It was more of me staying at home and reminding my children to go sit down and make small talk with their grandmother.

What made me feel so proud was when Bea and my only daughter helped my mother to 'mandi sunat Eidulfitri'. My old mother was so touched by this gesture of kindness that she couldn’t help but cry. In fact, she cries a lot now. When we salam, kiss and hug her on Raya morning, tears roll down her cheeks. Deep down inside, I know that they are tears of happiness. And I am the kind of person that can’t help but feel choked with emotion everytime I see another person crying. As she was being bathed, my mother asked Bea whether she (Bea) had the opportunity to do the same thing with her own mother. Bea replied that she did not have that chance. You see, my mother-in-law suffered for only a brief period before passing away due to cervical cancer, which was only discovered at a very late stage.

That simple episode, to me, was a chance for Bea to do something which she never got to do with her own mother. And for my own mother, it was an opportunity for her to see another side of her daughter-in-law which she has never seen before this.

I’ve told you that I am now helping to repair my mother’s house to make it more comfortable for her. As a result, she is at present staying with my eldest sister, whose house is just a couple of houses away. I was hoping that the renovation work would be complete before Raya, but it turned out that progress was a bit slow. This is how the repaired house looks like, as of now. What do you think? Can it be ready by Raya Haji?

Raya pics

Mama Sarah and Mynn were asking for my Raya pictures, but unfortunately, the only pictures that I can share with readers here would be the one above and the one below. So, to both Mynn and Mama Sarah, can I present you with a bouquet instead?

Sorry Mynn and Mama Sarah. You see, if Pycno shows himself, then he will have to stop blogging. You wouldn’t want that, would you? Both DITH and Ikelah already know the reason to this because we’ve already met in person. But believe me Mynn, as a ‘celebrity’, I am quite sure that you’ve seen me around. Try looking back in all the entertainment magazines that you possess, or you can either go to the World Wide Web. I’m really, really sure that you must have seen me once or twice without realizing that it was me. Here’s a tip for you: Wikipedia hehehehe……Sorry, just kidding Mynn. But don’t worry. I’ll reveal my true self when the time is right.

Lastly, much as I’ve reminded DITH to start on Puasa 6 as soon as possible, I’m ashamed to admit that I haven’t started with my own. But I’ll get to it. I promise. Let’s have a challenge to see who’ll finish first, shall we?

Selamat Hari Raya everyone :)

And Finally...A Ramadhan/Syawal Entry

Jangan Raya lagi, we’re still in Ramadhan…

Just a couple more days of Ramadhan left. A good friend of mine sent me a message at the beginning of the fasting month, reminding that this may just be the last Ramadhan of our lives. It was somewhat a shock treatment to me. But when the message finally sank in, how true it can be. And sometimes, we take for granted our Ramadhans, and then Raya comes by and we have fun. And then another year goes by, and by the time we realize it, the fasting month has once again arrive at our doorsteps. And so the cycle continues. Just goes on to show how we take things for granted; our loved ones, our fasting, and indeed, our lives too sometimes. But what if, this year really was the last Ramadhan that we get to celebrate? Hmm…..

Balik Kampung

I have not yet decided when exactly to begin the long journey back home. As of now, I am still waiting for the masses to finish with their ‘exodus’ (the news predicted that these two days would see a massive convoy going back to their respective kampungs). To those who decide to drive this Raya, please do take care. It was only just tonight, as I was fetching my eldest son did I witness an accident along the Genting-Klang road. Send shivers down my spine, it did; and I don’t think that the driver survived, judging from how bad the state of the vehicle was in. I don’t enjoy driving, especially long distances. If I had my way, balik kampong should be either before or after everybody has gone back. But mental images of my aged mother waiting in anticipation for our return push away any thoughts of procrastination. Just as I am happy now that all my children are back home, I am sure that my mother too would be happy to see us arrive at her doorstep.

Baju Raya

I once wrote that in my younger days, Raya was quite full of suspense since I would be always asking “Will there be a Baju Raya for me this year?” This is not so with my children since they already know that they will get Baju Raya. Instead, the question that they frequently ask would be “What colour is our theme this year?” It has been for many years now that I try to have the family members wear different shades of the same colour. I am tempted to tell you what colour we’re wearing this year, but I think I’ll keep that as a surprise. Who knows? Maybe you will get to see....hmmmm……..

Kuih Raya

Pycnogenol has not made any kuih raya since…dinosaur ages, I would say. We have always been busy and friends have always been so kind hearted to give us their kuih raya. Of course, as a saving grace, I do also buy my own kuih, to bring back to the kampung. Kak Zah (if you remember her) has given up on asking me whether the kuih that I bring back are bought or made, as she already knows the answer – and so do you, I think. What is your favourite kuih raya?

Raya gatherings.

Last year has got to be one of the more memorable Rayas for me since it was the Raya where I had the opportunity to meet a number of good friends. And even now, I am still smiling as I remember the looks on both ikelah and drroza‘s face when they finally found out who pycnogenol really was *wink* They were so surprised that they managed to forget about asking for an autograph. Not forgetting, nurelhuda and her lovely children. It was such a joy to finally meet all these wonderful people in person. Of course, it was only this year that I was able to meet sofi, sarah, habibah and solehah. But the same facial expression was painted on all of their faces – especially solehah and habibah ;) Actually, all this talk about raya gathering is just to tease mynn and mama sarah. So mynn, if you want to have a personal raya gathering with pycnogenol, do tell my ‘secretary’ earlier – three months in advance would be just nice. And do bring along that DSLR of yours. You wouldn’t want to miss out on the opportunity of taking pictures with me, would you?

Selamat Hari Raya

As much as pycnogenol likes to make jokes and pull the legs of others, I always remind myself not to go too far. But as a human being, I may be unaware of the mistakes that I have made. So to those who may have felt a bit disturbed by my banter, do forgive me. It wasn’t intended to be malicious; just to lighten up the festive spirit. So guys, Selamat Hari Raya and Maaf Zahir Batin dari pycno, bea and anak-anak.

p.s. you will realize that there’s a raya song accompanying this entry. Thanks go to sofi for her help. I know that you’ve sent me the instructions a long time ago, but it was only after my eldest son came back today, did I manage to make the thing work (Yes, I am that bad with technology).

Food for thought

Some people misunderstand the meaning of exchanging ‘salam’ and seeking for forgiveness during Raya, or any other day for that matter. I have given this some serious thought and am I right to say that: Forgiveness is a gift that you can give anyone - the dead, the dangerous or even The Big Creep, your enemy - at any time, without strings. And such a gift may be the healthiest thing you can do for yourself. Reconciliation, however, is not always possible or even desirable. For example, you can forgive someone who has battered you, but your safety requires that you keep away. Or you may forgive a compulsive gambler, but never loan them money. So forgiveness is always a good first step, but the next step, reconciliation, takes careful consideration because it takes two.