Penguin RushThe dawn of Raya....
This year, Aidilfitri (Raya) fell in the middle of the week, which was on Wednesday and Thursday (1st and 2nd October). For most Muslims (and those who want to take advantage of the holidays), Friday was the last day of working, so the whole week that followed was a 'festive' week for them.The timing was right. When my wife started her first day at the new workplace (a bigger and better-manned district hospital), it was already half way through the Ramadhan. So, the duty roaster for Raya was already out and the names of hospital staff needed to be working during those days were already up. After all, my wife was still tagging, so her superior willingly allowed her to take the whole week off too - no questions asked!
We already had the house 'decorated' a week before the festive week. We had a cleaner dropped by to do the difficult cleaning jobs. Once that done, we decided to rearrange the furniture and the stuffs that we displayed on the racks.
Here are photos showing what we did, together with description of them, written in interior-design-magazine style :)
This cabinet was a surprise that I got for my wife who went back hometown during her 1-month confinement period (after giving birth to Ikhwan). The family photo frame was taken during last year's Raya. The green flowers were part of the 'bunga hantaran' for our wedding.
We just love this section at the corner of the wall, flanked by the sofa sets. We try to make it simple - a big frame with four photos of our beloved Ikhwan on the top shelve; a glass gift that my father-in-law bought when he attended a fish show (yes, fish!) in Germany together with another glass gift that I bought in Switzerland on the second shelve; the bottom shelve has the 'fruit holder' that we bought in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. Next to the rack are vases with flowers and a small magazine/paper rack (not shown).
We want to limit putting too many stuffs on the larger dining table. So, all those jars containing Raya cookies are placed on the S-shaped coffee table. As you can see from the photo here, Ikhwan also did not want to be left out from being photographed - 'talking' his way through to be captured by his dad's camera :) He is indeed the love of our lives - seeing him growing up really takes our worries away. He's the main attraction in the house, really...
This photo was taken from the entrance door. Funny, we never thought of doing it this way - the hall sure looks more spacious.
Despite the preparations, this year's Raya was in sombre mood due to the recent death in the families (she was related to both my side and my wife's side). My wife already got her a Raya gift. As for me, the usual Raya cookies for her and her husband.
The first few weeks after her death and after Raya began, were extremely difficult for her husband. Actually, I don't think he has fully recovered from the loss till now....
P/S: Although it's already the third week of Raya, think it's not too late for me (heck! we celebrate it for a month right?) to wish Selamat Hari Raya to all Muslim readers. To everyone (regardless of faiths) - I seek forgiveness from you, should after reading my blog, your feelings are hurt in any way (directly or indirectly). Although the 'hurting' may sometimes be intentional, hehee... but let's bygones be bygones, shall we...?
Up next! The 'little' things about me....
Labels: My Children, My Families, My House, Ramadhan, Raya
posted by The Pisces Man @ 7:07 am
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