A Meeting With Thomas

It was a Tuesday, a working day and I realised that Pa was still at home. Hmm...I wonder what he's up to.

Well...Pa & Ma had many things to do; bank matter, Ma's previous job matter, EPF matter...etc etc. So, they had the day off without telling me.

Here goes the highlight of the day...

Hey Ma...care to tell me where we are heading? A hint maybe?

I was dragged to many places until about 4.30pm when the big surprise came...

Look where I ended up...a ride on Thomas! I just could not believe it...I have been watching it on Channel 611 and looking at the book and suddenly I come face to face with Thomas. Boy, was I the happiest girl around there then. Thanks Pa & Ma for the surprise.

Now...lets see what these knobs are for.

This is the Thomas book I was talking about. We bought it at Jusco S2 MPH. The sad part is that I accidently tore a couple of the pages from the book in my excitement to flip it. Fortunately, Ma was there to make amends. She carefully taped the pieces together; though not as good as new but better than a missing page. Sorry Ma...and thanks for making it good again.

There are four mini stories in the book. Pa & Ma would spend time reading them to me making sure I do not flip the pages myself.

After the ride on Thomas, we did a bit of shopping for groceries at the Jusco supermarket followed by dinner at MS Beriani. Pa & Ma did not have beriani but the new ala carte tomyam thai stuff which is the new menu after 6.00pm. As for me...the usual homemade porridge.

By the time we got home, I was as usual fast asleep.

Boredom...

Have you had one of these bad days?

Have you ever gone through a day when boredom is the main theme? Nothing seem to go right and nothing right seem to work.

So, what do you do?

Maybe find a nice little corner of the house and start singing my favourite tune...as if I do know the lyrics or the tune. Who cares about tune and lyrics...I am just singing or humming to entertain myself. That works but only for a short while.

Perhaps have some shut eye...but what if you are not sleepy? Naah...that would be non-productive if done excessively.

Reading! Yesss! That is more like it. Pa & Ma have bought many reading materials for me since I was a few months old. Maybe do a little revision work and look and some nice pictures.

So, how do you pass your time?

Laughter & Smiles

These series of head shots were captured last Sunday, 25th November 2007, a day after the kenduri. We were just relaxing at the gazebo area and Kak Aishah was there making faces and I responded accordingly.

Enjoy the shots. If laughter is contagious, go ahead and join me. Otherwise, its still the best medicine.

Here you can see two little teeth of mine showing up. After this I can enjoy more solid food to chew on.

Kenduri at Rantau...The Night Main Event

Soon it was Maghrib and guests would be arriving soon. Ma didn't take long to dress me up as my Baju Kurung has been ironed in the evening with Ma's kurung and Pa's baju melayu.

Pa had also fully charged his camera battery as all the shots tonight would use flash; hence would drain the battery fast.

Lets continue with the rest of the event in the series of photos below:

Around 7.30pm the first guest arrived; Atuk was there to welcome the guests who came in baju melayu of all colours and patterns. Felt like Raya again.

Thats Hj Hasan (Wan's nephew's hubby) on the left and Tn Hj Md Zain being welcomed by Atuk.

Man of the ceremony, Tn Hj A Rahman Deli, the imam of Masjid qariah Kuala Sawah arriving last.

The ceremony started with a short tazkirah and announcement by the imam on the Hajj matters with guests all ears as to what was delivered.

The doa selamat was read by Tn Hj Imam


The womenfolk at the other part of the house following the doa read by imam.

As soon as the doa was over, food was swiftly served and the makan-makan has begun.

Every part of the house was used up to cater for the guests

The ladies in the meantime were served at the other lower part of the house. This is the time when a big house really helps.

Its nice to have these kenduri where the kampung folks and relatives get to meet and new friends are made.

Afater the meal, its mingling time. Atuk sharing his thoughts with Pak Lang and Uncle Li's brother in the house while Pak Pi was trying to tease me outside.

Before long, its time for good byes and well wishes to Atuk and Wan for their Hajj next week.

After all the guests had left, its cleaning up time for the ones who stayed behind. Fortunately most of the dishes had been washed, except for the pots and pans which were left for the following day.

Atuk & Wan were happy that the kenduri went well. The weather was fine and most of the invited guests showed up. Food was plenty; enough for take-aways for all the helpers and guests.

I had a very tiring evening and had a tough time trying to go to sleep.

Kenduri at Rantau...Preparation

Last Saturday, 24th November 2007, a kenduri was held at Ma's kampung in Rantau; a Doa Selamat for Atuk & Wan's Haj trip next week.

The invitations were mostly done by Atuk himself and through his masjid connection. Pa & Ma and Mami & Uncle Li also did their parts to invite their family member for the event after Maghrib.

Of course, the preparation started very early on Saturday morning with the marketing works.

Lets follow the pictorial story Pa had captured:

Pa & Wan left for Seremban before 7am to do the marketing at the Pasar Besar Seremban. The crowd had already build up by the time they arrived at the market area. After dropping off Wan Pa had to park his car outside the market area as the parking space within the pasar area was all taken up.

Here's Wan at the chichen and meat stall to check on the order she had placed earlier in the week. The order was still being processed.

While waiting, they went for breakfast at the nearby mamak restaurant. Wan had nasi lemak while Pa had roti canai.

By 9.00am, Pa and Wan had arrived back from the market with the chicken, meat and other stuff.

Work had already started with Ma and Mami getting the stove ready for cooking while Uncle Li grated the coconut he brought from his Rembau kampung.

Pak Pi and Uncle Din were busy cleaning the chicken and fish while Kak Aishah, Abang Lutfi and me were having a good time at the swing under the house.

The pulut kuning was almost ready while Atuk was entertaining a relative who visited him. Pa, Ma & myself had to make a trip to Rantau to get more santan; typical of Negeri cooking.

The senior ladies in the meantime were busy peeling the onions etc.

The dishes were already over the fire; supervised by Wan with helping hands from Wan Aciks' sons.

By 6.30pm the rice was just about ready; Pak Ngah Jerai making a final check to see its well cooked.

Everything is all set and ready for tonight's kenduri.

See ya in the Kenduri blog....coming next.