Just wanted to post this to share with you guys my backdated vacation in 2018 to London (part 1.)
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What House do you belong to?
Tag: family
Oh, Syawal!
We are still in the month of Syawal. Happy Eid’ Ul Fitri to all my Muslim readers.
This year too, my family did not celebrate this special day because we are not in Brunei. Early morning of the first day of Syawal, I didn’t even greet my husband and in-law because I was waiting for the 2nd day of Syawal where all Bruneians celebrated the Eid’Ul Fitri (1st Syawal in Switzerland fell on 21st April) so that we could feel the Syawal mood together.
It was also my older brother’s 42nd birthday on the 1st Syawal. Through the WhatsApp video call, I could see they had a blast celebration. I was so happy to see everybody smiling and having a good time, including my mom and dad. These are the only faces I want to see first thing in the morning of Syawal.
As what our family tradition would always be, (when we were not yet married) early morning around 6 am together with my siblings, we prepared last minutes all the cakes and biscuits on special crystal containers to be served to the guests who later coming that day. We always wear our new sometimes old or new baju kurung (traditional female Malay costume) whilst my brother and dad wearing their baju cara melayu (traditional male Malay costume). My mother always the one who turns on the radio and takbir (proclaim the greatness of Allah s.w.t. which is recite during first Syawal) could be heard early in the morning. I was also my mother’s co-cook and kitchen assistant, preparing ingredients, doing the food tasting, washing dishes and cleaning the kitchen afterwards. FYI, my parents are great cooks. So first Syawal they usually cook Chicken Kurma, Curry Beef, and Mixed Veggies. These are the main dishes and are well known for the delicious taste among our relatives. Once all is ready, it is time for me and my siblings to ask forgiveness for our past bad deeds to both my parents. No angpau (green packet contain money varies from $1-$10) be given unlike what you see in the Raya Tv commercial. We never expected that from them, and I don’t think we have to. But now that we were all married and have a family of our own we give the angpau to our nephews and nieces and the kids who come to visit the house. It’s a different vibe if you’re away from your family. I miss that moment so much. Wish I was with them now.
My first EidāUl Fitri in Geneva, as usual, just like any normal day, but this year I was given a task to make Serimuka, a traditional cake made from sticky white rice with pandan layered on top. My first attempt surprisingly, was successful, but never have I expected the Brunei ambassador wanted me to make 3 trays of Serimuka for the 2nd day of Eid-Ul Fitri where she invited some guests to come to her residence. I had to do all 3 of them a day before and only around 2am I could finally go to bed.
So my Muslims readers how you celebrate your EidāUl Fitri in your country?
Catching Up
The Lost
There are a lot of things I need to catch up on especially releasing seasonal Etsy products that I made in advance since July. I just realized I couldn’t do all of them at once.
First, in August my father-in-law passed away unexpectedly. My family had to leave Geneva to return to Brunei the next day. It was as if it was a dream. Although I did not get to know my father-in-law as much, but he is a great ‘father’ who taught me many things that my own father couldn’t. He will certainly be missed.
The Change
Because of the sudden things that happen in our lives, there are very few changes that have to be made prior to our return to Geneva. First, after a discussion and a suggestion I have made, my mother-in-law remains with us. I suppose this is understandable because my husband is the only child and we could not let her live alone in Brunei, although she has many siblings. They have their own lives, their families, their commitment, and so on, so bring her here, it’s a great idea, and maybe it might help alleviate the grievance. I just hope I could adapt to the changes since I used to be alone doing things around the house like a housewife normally do and taking care of my autistic child’s needs. It’s still early to tell, but I’m just looking forward to a peaceful day.
Reopening My Etsy
Ever since we were in Brunei, I’ve been putting my Etsy on vacation. But we are back in Geneva now, so just a few days ago, I reopened the shop because I have to do the updates which were supposed to be released during the summer. I still don’t know what are you guys thinking about late-seasonal stickers though, but I think a journaler or a planner who documents their memories pretty late (I know I used to do that) would maybe appreciate them. If you guys are interested in having a Cottagecore sticker sheet, cute sticker flakes and art prints, you can browse them here in my Etsy shop. I updated the shop with 17 more items. Hopefully, this time they find home to yours.
This time, there are more art prints that have been produced. Some are old illustrations that I drew digitally and it was the first time, I’m selling sticker pack. Next update I’m going to do more.
Any suggestion on what should I draw next?
No A Baby Anymore
Last Saturday was my daughter’s 7-year birthday. I see how she grows up and quite a few times I felt it seemed like yesterday her height was below my waist and now I could embrace you without getting down to my knee. And you already know how to pout? I know it’s good for her to be more expressive now, but I’m still not used to it. Oh, the good news happened on 22nd October she blew out her birthday candles for the first time. Sigh. I don’t want time to go by so quickly. I realized how valuable every moment is.
Celebrated with the broken red velvet cake I made one day before her birthday. Thank God I can cover it up with the cheese frosting. Lol.
Happy birthday my sweet Omeng. I can’t believe youāre 7 years old already! Youāre growing up so quickly and becoming such a big girl *sobs* I hope you know just how proud everyone is of you! May Allah showers you with so many blessings and help you to spend the future with lots of happiness and joy. I love you so much.
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