gearing for Raya?
Raya is less than a week and all I could talk about is school. Something is definitely wrong there. Maybe because I've only went to do my Terawih prayers twice all this while? Or the fact that three-quarter of the Ramadhan month is filled with exam-related anxiety? I haven't even checked out my baju kurung yet and Thursday is supposingly Hari Raya! I've done my Raya shopping obviously though I look horribly fat in all of my clothes. Ah well, I don't care. The first day of Raya will be spent right here in my house. Since we're moving and all. In another gazillion years to come.
We're moving after Raya. Bummer. My relatives have been so hyped about celebrating at my new house that it's kind of a letdown knowing that it won't happen. Somehow, I just couldn't care less.
There is this one time when my dad and I were driving down to Cheras and then he said,'It doesn't matter where we celebrate Raya. When you're as old as me, it doesn't really matter where you celebrate it or how you do it.'
At that point, I feel old. Not physically that is - mentally.
Raya is only special on that one day and when you grow older, it is half the fun when it used to be. Last time, we all would play firecrackers, count our money right after our aunts and uncles gave them to us, and even go as far as collecting the money packets. Eating like mad-crazy wasn't a question. Visiting other people's houses is A MUST. Second day of Raya? My family headed down to Johor for my dad's side while singing that 'Balik Kampung' song out loud. Then, visited some more relatives.
Now, it's different. The boys hogged all the firecrackers supply but then again, how long does small explosives hold your attention? Not that much anymore. And besides, you don't wanna lose an eyeball or a finger do you? Money is still a plus! But it's just money you know, my relatives are going to give me 10 bucks anyway so if I have 12 uncles and aunties, that would make RM 120, right? Not much surprise there. Especially if you know that all that dough is going to end up in the bank. But of course, it's fun to tease our married and working cousins to give up their hard-earned cash to us! haha. See kids? Growing up is not fun. ENJOY IT WHILE YOU STILL CAN.
And like I said to Diana once, my old relatives are dying off. I know that sounds a bit cruel but I don't even know some of them. I don't know their names or their kids or how the hell are we connected as family. I just know that they're supposingly my relatives so I might as well thank them as they gave me my ang pau. hahah. But recently, there's been a shortage of those unknown relatives. Sigh. My uncle is getting old and he's not too eager to go all the way to Singapore to visit some more of those unknown relatives. And my dad doesn't know them either. So usually, we would visit only two close ones and that's it. Oh and my aging auntie is also getting older and well, let's say her laksa johor doesn't taste as great as before.
My dad has 18 siblings and we usually visit only four. That's why usually I only get as much as RM200 a year. And comparing that to some people who could rake up RM 800 a year, my case is sad. Very sad. And don't give me that 'it's the thought that counts' crap because I'm sure that you're the one who got the RM 800!
Anyway!
I'm trying not to make people feel crap as we nearing Hari Raya here. But I guess it's just not the same! For me that is. Usually the Ramadhan month is the real festive. Because Hari Raya to me is just for a week. Then, it's back to normal. I remembered last year? I was so mad that my Raya is such a letdown because it was so short that I went out and get the most HORRIBLE haircut ever. Ever. Never cut your hair when you're feeling crap. But now my Ramadhan is ruined by my final exams. Next year would be worse of course. With our SPM exams...
But of course, the first day of Raya is the important part for me. Because I guess, it's the only day that really held the magic of Raya. I wish Roki is here. I really do. And in a way, I don't. I hope she doesn't come visiting. Ok, ok, I'm supposed to be focusing on happiness here! Some of my friends are even on their way back to kampung! That is so crazy! It's so early! I can't believe it.
But for those who are still here, I want to say:
SELAMAT HARI RAYA AIDILFITRI!!
I just wanna say sorry if I hurt anyone's feelings or anything. No hard feelings ok? hahaha! And I received my only Hari Raya card from Fareha. She insisted that I reply back to her but she hasn't been coming to school lately, has she? I guess she wouldn't receive her Hari Raya card then. Ah well.
Have fun now! See you later!
-- raya raya raya raya raya raya!
3 Comments:
You complain too much. it's not about the money at all. It's funny how some people see raya, I don't see raya as a time for money at all (though like you say, it is a plus) And no, I don't get RM800. Be thankful that you even get money.
Raya is the time for forgiveness and family. Azizi said I have a 'skema' family when we celebrate raya. But I don't care, I'm going to teach my kids later on what raya really means and not about the money or whatever.
I'm just being honest. If you're just surrounded with strangers, there's really nothing to be hyped about. If you're just lounging in the living room with nothing to do because the adults felt kinda too tired, there's nothing to hype about. I'm just saying that what we used to think of raya, changed as we grow older. To me, raya is another festive day. I love it but somehow, it's just not the same anymore. Skema? My cousins are now shifting from mercun to PS2. Talk about skema, huh? I think everyone has their own idea of what raya is because people grow up in different families. But don't try to tell other people that they don't know what raya really meant. It's ignorant. Happy Raya!
I agree. Back in the old days, raya was about wearing pretty kurungs, looking your best, and going to eat at people's houses, with anticipation of receiving duit raya. Even at houses we don't even really know. Of course now you still wear kurungs, try to look your best, eat stuf you always eat masa raya and this has the duit raya anticipation. But when you grow up, you just don't tend to have that little giddy feeling of it anymore. Going to poeple's houses pon, consists you of sitting at the corner, looking dainty and sopan. Thats what you get with growing up and being anak dara. Pft. The only good thing about it is that the grown ups already trusts us with making the cakes ourselves. regardless of whatever, I still love Raya.
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