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.
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.
7 comments:
:) cool, you have a nice raya song playing in the background. i havent yet figured out how to embed mp3s onto the blog yet:(
i agree with you 100% on the dangers long distance travels on the highway, and it's something i think about everytime i drive long distances too. Everyday on the motorway here accidents happen, it's a fact. we could only pray it wouldnt involve us.
anyway pycno, hope you and your family have an excellent Eid celebration with the family :) see you guys when you get back. don't forget to post up pictures of your raya celebrations :)
selamat hari raya... maaf zahir dan batin.
have a safe journey... just remember the 80km/hr limit. :(
lalu merapoh/gua musang ke?
let mynn fine touch his skills on potraits with his dslr before taking the great shots when meeting you. let mama sarah ready her sony p&s too. ;)
again... have a safe journey.
pycno, love this entry very much! and believe me, i have tonnes to say. but too little time! I still am in the middle of altering baju raya sarah and amar. Labuh sangat.
And we are about to 'balik kampung' as well.
anyway, do have a safe journey. Salam to your Bea and children.
p/s: ikelah, i now declare the sony is mine!
Pycno,
I love it when you sit down and give a good thought into your entries. This entry is rather philosophical especially the last part which came with a good logical advice, hehe.
tak de gambar raya balik kampung ke pycno? ;)
Salaam..
Nice entry! And with nice headings as well! So what's the theme colour this year? Pink, perhaps? ;P My mother surprised me and my sister by posting us our baju raya that she picked on her own :)
I can imagine my facial expression during that meeting......
"since dinosaur ages" - exactly the way I'd describe my own family's take on the Kuih Raya :P
Especially like your food for thought.. it really did make me think. It reminds me about that "forgiven but not forgotten" thing, and to me you've put in the right words; more positive somehow.
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