Once a year gathering..

I am not sure how other people celebrate Hari Raya.. but for my family, since I first came to this world it has always been house visits.. We would usually start from our late grandmother's house then our aunts and uncles.. My mother has about 10 siblings.. So you can imagine the number of houses we visit in a day and how long will the celebration continue...

It has been 3 years now since my maternal grandmother passed away.. but the tradition continues. Though we do not have a "kampung" to go back to during Hari Raya, we still celebrate it with full of excitement. So we still continue going from one house to another. And during this month of Syawal that we cousins, nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles, meet very often.. almost everyday in the first week and once a week thereafter.. and at each house we would spend hours and hours.. never bored and tired talking to each other.. we make jokes, update each other about our lives, we talk, we eat etc.. Sorry colleagues, hence the reason for me to take long leave during Raya though my "kampung" is just in KL.

Each house would have their own special delicacies.. Lontong, Ayam Golek, Laksa Asam, Laksa Johor, Beriyani, Soto, Lamb Kuzi, Chocolate Cake etc.. Everything is just delicious and mouth-watering. But as our aunts and uncles are ageing gracefully, food had to be catered nowBut that still do not spoil the spirit of togetherness.

The family grows each year. There is always new addition to the family... either someone just got married or just give birth.. This year, I see that little baby sleeping on mommy's lap and next year, I see her crawl and the year after that, I see her running around!

There were suggestions to cut this tradition short. Instead of going from one house to another.. we spend the whole day in ONE house (taking turns).. but most of my uncles and aunts did not agree to this. So continue with this current tradition. Though this current tradition is tiring... but it's fun!

I had them coming to my house yesterday.. Extremely tired.. worked all day long and did not manage to entertain most of them.. but we were happy.. Glad celebrate Hari Raya this way.. and more houses to visit next weeks!

After Syawal.. most of us will continue with our lives.. rarely get to meet and chat.. Luckily we have facebook and twitter.. a great way to update and share some pieces of our lives with others... :)