FIRST DAY OF RAYA

Raya for the Jamil Sulong family has always been 'systematic' (not that we don't like it). On the day before Raya, most of the family members would return to the family retreat in Janda Baik.
My mother has already gone back two days earlier to start preparing for the Raya. I reached the homestead about 3 pm on the eve of Raya, bringing along my father.
My brother would be arriving around 6pm because he had to wait for his youngest daughter from college. His wife and eldest daughter would arrive the next morning.
My sister Murni came with my mother, whilst her family will arrive later today, after attending a dinner at her in-laws.
Once there, me and my dad begin making the ketupat, using (for the first time), ketupat leaves from our own lawn. It is part of the family tradition to learn the ketupat weaving skills. To date, my eldest, Buddy, and my daughter Adylla, has learnt how to weave the ketupat.
My youngest, Iliya, would be busy playing his P2P.
The kitchen would be busy with mother and sister preparing the rendang minang and the kuah lontong. For the first time in many years, my mother is also preparing soto for the first day (usually soto is made for the second day). She's changing the menu because me and my brother would not be around for the second day. My brother, Arjunaidi would be working on the second day (flying to Sydney). Me? I've got nothing arranged but the kids had promised their friends to go out on the second day.Anyway, Raya eve was always a night for the young ones to play their fireworks. Luckily this year, I got hold of some really great ones including some really neat rockets. Fireworks, when properly supervised by adults, can be safe and fun.
On the morning of Raya, the menfolk got up early and went to the kampung mosque. Later in the day, most would drop by my grandmother's grave, to offer her doa's and prayers.
Upon returning home from the mosque, the family would gather and my father would lead the usual Raya doas before our first Syawal meal of the season.
We received many visitors from village and some friends.
But the highlight of the day was when my old best buddy, Prof Madya Dr Wan Fauzi (above), from school dropped by (Iit's been over 20 years since we last met). I appreciated his visit and wish him well for his future. It was great chatting about old days.
To all my friends, relatives, colleagues and fans - Selamat Hari Raya and Maaf Zahir Batin. Eat well, eat good and drive safe. And don't forget to see tonight's episode of Bilik No. 13.