Spending a quiet Eid in London

The sign of Syawal approaching is often associated with the sound of Takbir Raya. It is a sad time especially being away from the family so I decided not to go to Malaysian Hall in the eve of Syawal to hear the Takbir raya this year in case I started to feel down and sad being away from home.

The first day of raya was spent in Brentwood at the client's office so for the whole day it didn't really feel much of raye except for the raya messages and calls I received throughout the day. Thanks guys for the best wishes and remembering me in London.

In the evening, I bumped into Fareesha who was kind enough to invite me to her and Jo's place for makan2 sempena raye celebrations. It was fun lepakking with them and we ate and played a few rounds of the 'wolf and hunter game'. :P I think I still need to practice my 'sly poker face' though to do well in the game. Later on that evening I went to a late night feast at Bobby's place and met up with Ija and Kak Shina.

I wasn't able to go out to celebrate on Saturday since I had my tutor date throughout the day but on Sunday the London crew gathered at Fazly's house and watched the Rugby World Cup semi finals. Looking forward to the final this weekend! :)

It was a quiet Eid this year but it's nice to know that I can still spend raye with my 'second adopted' family here in London.

In other matters, I have been following the Coffee Prince and this is one song which cheers me up in the morning..if only I can find Goo Yoo's version singing this song to download...I love the bit when he goes "Woah Woah Woah..one more time"..comelnye....

Tagged

Ok since I'm currently an insomniac I'll do this tag by my sis...

5 Things In My Handbag

I've got more than five things in my handbag but these are the top five things I would not be able to live without:

1.Wallet
2.Phone
3.MP3 player
4.Vaseline
5.House keys

5 Things In My Purse
1. Cash
2. Bank cards (credit, ATM)
3. Boots Card
4. Receipts & slips to claim for expenses from my outstation jobs
5. Work pass

5 Things In My Favourite Room
Since I'm living in a studio flat I don't really have a room but here are a few of my favourite things
1. My laptop to keep me connected with home
2. My pics to remind me of the good times
3. My Sex and the City dvd sets which will always keep me entertained when I'm feeling bored
4. My pink polka dot converse shoes...I just love converse...funky and comfy at the same time
5. My Karen Millen shoes which always brightens up my day for work

5 Things I Would Like/Love To Do

In the short term:
1. Pass my final case study paper so I can put those files and books away...forever!
2. Go to Paris on the Eurostar and visit the Louvre and have croissant and coffee at a chic French cafe for breakfast

In the long term:

3. Visit Japan & Korea during the sakura /(spring) season
4. Go for Umrah with the family
5. Take part in the Volunteering Service Organisation scheme (VSO) and help out in the deprived areas in the Southeast region like Aceh.

5 Things I’m Currently Doing
1. Updating my blog
2. Recovering from the chocolate fondue I had with the guys at Cafe Rouge
3. Listening to Amy Winehouse album which is wicked..loving the song Back to Black
4. Planning the day ahead not much to do except my study date with my tutor *sigh* three more weeks to go
5. Contemplating whether to stay up late to watch the K-drama Coffee prince on youtube with the danger that I might not get enough sleep tomorrow. I've done a whole night marathon before watching Spring Waltz...hmmmm should i do it again i wonder?!!

5 People to Tag
1. Imran
2. Babah
3. Kak Nor
4. Lini
5. anyone else who are insomniacs like me who have 5 mins spare...

Puasa and raya di perantauan.. four years in a row!

So…it is 2007 and I am spending yet another puasa in London.
This year puasa in London has been low key-since it’s the charity audit peak season so I have been on away jobs outside London so haven’t been able to attend MSD tarawih as often as I would like to.

I am grateful that I'm near to Malaysian Hall and Nahar if i ever miss Maaysian cooking. Also I'mlucky to have friends in London who are just a doorstep away. It makes a difference having people around so puasa isn’t so lonely and I don’t get too homesick. I’ve also discovered Fatoush restaurant near where I live. It’s a Lebanese restaurant and the biryani rice is soooo tasty. But the best thing about the restaurant is the service. The waiters at the restaurant always remember us when we go there. We’ve even be so lucky to get desserts free of charge there. It must be the goodwill gesture of Ramadhan.
There is a space at the back where you can reserve for private functions which is cool with its comfy couches. To be noted for another place to hang out in London…and it’s just down the road from where I live. Yeay!

One thing that I’m struggling with is working and studying during puasa…it’s hard enough for the brain to function after work to study but it’s even harder when you’re fasting.
Insya-allah this will be the last time I have to write another 5.5 hr case study.. ever !
Roll on October so that I can sit for this exam and enjoy November and the Christmas break.

Until then, I will be spending another low key raye celebrations….In Malaysia raye is for a whole month but in London raye is only for a day or two days at the most….! Hopefully this year lebih meriah since both raye days might be in the weekend.

Wishing all the Muslims out there Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Maaf Zahir Batin! To those at home….think of us in London who have to spend raye once again away from their loved ones…..