Usually around this time, when I was living with my parent’s, we would be busy preparing for Hari Raya, the end of our month long fast. And the house would be in a chaotic state – we’d be hanging the curtains, baking cakes, tidying up the house, prepping for lunch and dinner for the humongous amount of relatives that will be arriving later.
My big fat greek wedding pales in comparison to the amount of MY relatives
I’ve always hated all this fuss. All these chores are extremely tiring and to be honest, quite unecessary. Nevertheless, I enjoy being surrounded by relatives and friends, despite how eccentric many of them are … you know, there will always be an uncle who loves to blast his karaoke set, an aunt who would chatter non stop, the emo cousin and such.
For fun, I’ll put a picture of me and my non emo cousins and aunt back in 2004
And so, I was thinking of baking some cookies during the weekend, and planned to make Nasi Lemak for the guests to eat when they arrive later. After all, if they can’t take the heat of curry or even ayam masak merah, I should be fine with Nasi Lemak right? It’s the mildest (and relatively easy to make) Malay food that I can think of.
And then I found out that all of my Muslim friends aren’t in Rome, and even my family in laws won’t be able to make it since it’s not a public holiday in Rome and they had to go work.
And while trying to gather the ingredients, I started to get emo and mind started to go into a monologue :
“Why bother with the cooking? No one is coming over anyway? There is no one to cook for”
And I suddenly felt so lonely and started to feel depressed.
After skyping my family and friends, I feel better now though.
Sidenote : Just wanted to clarify why I prefer inviting Muslim friends over for the first day is because we’ve all went through the gruelling 30 day fasting together. Of course everyone else are welcome too. We’ve invited a couple of friends over already :-)
i celebrate with you tomorrow. we can skype and eat something together? :) haha. say about… 4pm SGT when i meet up with sayanee? we can video skype u! hurhurhur.
Oh my gosh! So sorry! Cart and I were so busy that we didn’t have time to say hi to you and Sayanee even on skype! Shall we do this during the weekends?!
4pm to you is like 10am for me by the way :-)
it’s okay. sayanee and i ended up not meeting thats why i didnt whatsapp u too! lol. soon! i w/a u whn i have time and a good connection ok, thn if u’re free we can skype a bit. ;)
cook for your friends in Rome :)
In the end, we invited some friends over. I want you to cook for me also leh :-)
Selamat Hari Raya Kak Marina, Mohon maaf zahir & Batin. Maybe to ease the loneliness, you can listen to raya songs and eat your cookies while skyping with your family :)
Selamat hari raya Jannah! I hope that you had a lovely time during the first day! You know the funny thing is that the last time I went to geylang to find some hari raya cd’s I couldn’t find anything! Haha! Sedihnye!
Selamat Hari Raya Rinaz and Cart cart :)
It may not be a PH for you and Cartcart but having friends over to celebrate and enjoy the festivity helps ease it a little and gives you more to look forward to, till you come back in Dec? :)
Hang in there, you’ll be back soon to spend quality time with family and friends :D
Thanks … I’m really looking forward to meeting friends and family again. I don’t know why this time round I’m extra emo this year :\
Selamat Hari Raya Marina and Cart! You’ll always have friends online to keep you company through festive occasions even though the atmosphere may be different there. Remember that the spirit of the season can be in you and shine through you! :)
Thanks Walter, I suppose if all goes bad, there is always livestreaming :P
Selamat Aidilfitri Marina! May the new year bring you many good health, happiness and love :) I can be yr guest… if Rome was nearer to Venice. I quite understand yr feelings esp during such a festive occassion to spend with yr loved ones. Hope u feel better and think of the time you’ll have when u go back to Singapore.. family and friends to lift yr spirit up!
Thank you Sally dear, you know Lina was just talking about doing a raya celebration in Turin … let’s all go and raid her house next year and we’ll both stuff our faces with food … WAHAHAHA!
Sounds like a good idea.. good local food, here we come :p
Can! You an Emanuele are always welcome in the Cart and Rinaz household :-)
Thanks so much Marina! I loook forward to the day we can meet in person and share our passion for food :)