So everyone has got ants in their pants about Hari Raya which is just around the corner! First and foremost, Hari Raya Aidilfitri is also known as Feast Of Breaking Fast. It is an important religious holiday that marks the end of Ramdhan.(the holy month of fasting). 

Hari Raya is one of the two most important celebrations for muslims (and even non muslims) Many would take this opportunity to return home (kampung) to their families and loved ones. Hari Raya Aidilfitri sees families and friends seeking forgiveness from each other, visiting their ancestors at cemeteries,saying prayers at the mosques and visiting relatives and friends.Malay delicasies like ketupat, lemang, rendang, satay and curry are usually served. Besides that, children (and sometimes teenagers) are given sums of money from their parents, relatives or from the elderly people.

What is the fuss all about anyway?

 I am definately looking forward to Hari Raya this year because it may be last year celebrating this festive month with my friends and family. InsyaAllah, I will be flying off to this country i shall not speak of to further my studies. So I really would like to take full advantage of this month and spend it with my family members and close friends.

Every first day of Hari Raya, we would have an open house where we invite relatives and close friends. The day before raya would definitely be stressful and hectic for my family and I. We would be busy cleaning the house, plates and glasses, we would make last minute cakes&cookies and what not. Not forgetting the deco of the house. Flowers, flowers....everywhere. Even after a long day of preparing, it is definitely worth it.

This year, we planned ahead. We started cleaning the house and plates,glasses,forks... and made raya kuih muih's early. So far so good, no one has freaked out yet. Raya to me, is the month where I get to see my long lost relatives from God knows where (haha kidding) Relatives from Kedah, Sabah, Sarawak,Indonesia,Melaka and Negeri Seremban would come down to KL and drop by our house.Besides meeting all my relatives, I would invite some close friends and we would hang,eat and just chit chat about stuff. Oh, not forgetting my most favourite part of hari raya... Duit raya! Though I seem to get less over the years.

Raya to my grandfather (age 94) means,being with his siblings, relatives and children ( my mum and uncle) He spends his raya afternoon with his younger brother. The fact that they have shared so many wonderful years together amazes me. Unfortunately, my grandfather is not able to see his sister because she lives in Binjai, Kedah. We used to drive up to Kedah every few years for raya to visit my grand aunt however we stopped after my grand got weak.

Raya to my parents mean spending it with family. Relatives from both my parents side will feast with us on the first day of Hari Raya. Besides that, raya to them is spending time with their child( me) especially this year. 

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Today, my dad and I went shopping. Shopping with my dad basically screams "Nothing is Impossible"   Most girls would take advantage of the situation by going crazy in retail shops like Topshop, Forever 21 etc. So instead of hitting all the retail shops, my dad and I went to Kinokuniya,KLCC and bought 4 new books to read.

After buying those, I went to Topshop with intentions of buying something. I was really surprised to see that there were no attractive wears. What lightened my mood was that I bumped into Piqa. It was so good to see her! Definitely been ages since we last met. 

SJY