Dad of Four plus One (formerly Dad of Four): Khenduri

09 May, 2009

Labour Day Weekend

It has been a dream of my dad to organize a gathering to reunite his immediate family - his siblings, half-siblings, step-siblings and step-mother. They had, somewhat, grown apart since the demise of my paternal grandad who passed on when I was fifteen.

The house in Ayer Baloi was inhabited by my dad step-sister and her family with my dad's blessing since Tok Ayah's passing-on. She was the caretaker of the house until her demise a few years ago. The house was then occupied by her husband until last November, when my dad decided to refurbish the house as its condition had become unfit for habitation.

Last weekend was just perfect for the reunion; the house condition is almost fully restored and furnished (except the compound), as you can tell from the pictures. My parents organized a thanksgiving and tahlil khenduri for the reunion. Guests were feasted with nasi ambeng; a javanese traditional spread prepared by my mom's siblings who are of Javanese and Yunnanese descent served to my dad's family who are of Arab, Bugis and Malay descent! We are indeed a confused lot but proud to be Malaysian!

I would say that it was a weekend full of emotions, some even had tear-jerking moments; witnessing the reunion of siblings whom have not met under one roof for the longest time was simply awesome! My step grand-mom was there with her grandchildren whom I have not met and all my dad's living siblings were there except for Mak Bal, my dad's cousin who was taken care by my grandparents. At the end of the reunion, promises were made to have such gathering again in the near future; I believe it will be during Eid! I'm looking forward to this coming Eid as we will definitely be in Ayer Baloi (3rd day possibly) to celebrate with re-kindled uncles, aunties, cousins and distant relatives.

First living room area

Second living room area

Nasi Ambeng

Last day in Ayer Baloi; dead tired, I believe

Butterfly in the garden

Some hanging plants

Hajar napping

Newly planted lemon tree

Old-school plant; Puteri Menyembah Bumi (the flowers literally droop to the ground once bloom!)

Pokok Melati

Newly planted Pokok Pulasan

Cempaka tree

The house

L-R Pak Po (half-sibling), Pak Nan (half-sibling), My dad, Pak Ngah (sibling)

17 April, 2009

Khenduri in Muar

Early this month my sister and parents held a thanksgiving khenduri in my hometown, Muar, for my sister's recent negative diagnosis of the big C and to celebrate the addition of a new family member, my sister in law. Initially I was supposed to take a lift from my sister since it made no economic sense to drive alone when one could car pool!

But, as always, my mom (who always knows best....: )) had other plans for me! I was to pick up my uncle and aunt, who were en route to Johor Bahru, so that they could attend the khenduri and they would then take one of my dad's cars for them to drive back to JB and return to KL the following week. As wifey and my sons had extra classes over the weekend, I dragged along Khadijah as I did not want to travel alone during the return trip! I hate driving alone...That reminds me, I have to drive alone to Kuantan next week as I'll be the star witness in a trial! What a drag!

As I was loading stuff in to the car, Hajar came and put on a puppy face.....To bring along or not to bring along? That's the qustion! Following a dad's instinct (which can lead to serious repurcussions, in most instances) I immediately packed her stuff and chucked them into a holdall and strapped her in a car seat and drove off, without consulting wifey as she was already in her cupcake 101 class! Along the journey..the "what ifs" kept running through my mind and my imagination really ran amok (the diaper changing, bathing, bottle feeding, tantrums, ........)!

Surprisingly, Hajar was an angel throughout the journey and the overnight stay...She slept well, socialised amiably, ate heartily...I give her full marks! Khadijah also was very helpful taking care of her little sister throughout; thumbs up to her!

This was my first time away with an overnight stay with my two girls...I definitely will do this again...! Will post of my authentic kopitiam breakfast with the two, when time permits.

* all pics captured by Khadijah