Yee ‘O Lost Souls

It’s funny how your day could start out so bright, then took a huge downturn that just leaves you emotionally bruised for the rest of the day. And then, I look at my green raya card, at that blown up picture of Aoi, and found myself drawn to it like a beacon of light in my sea of despair. I feel pathetic at myself for a while, but then realized, that even in my slowly turning into an ‘I-DONT-CARE’ world, there is still light at the end of the tunnel.

But this is about raya. Let’s leave all the sad stuff behind.

First day, was very ‘ritualistic’. We went to all the ‘compulsary houses’, which are of course, families and uncles and aunts of my parents. However, I managed to squeeze in two friends’ house at the end of the day. I was so tired at the end of the day I was glad we didn’t have that much to do that night. Though I still feel kesian that my mom and house maid had a lot of cooking to do.

I cannot cook :/.

My dad roused us out of bed early the next morning. He rubbed me the wrong way yesterday so I promptly went back to bed after I answered the door, pretending I was awake :P. I woke up about half past eight, and was surprised to hear my sisters’ voice downstairs. I thought it would be unfair to leave the work to them, so, fresh from sleep, I gingerly made my way to the kitchen. I can’t quite remember what I did there, but later on I made myself useful in the garden terrace, where the guests will be. I took a wet towel and wiped clean all seat-able surfaces, from chairs, to benches, to the fountain edges.

I know the others took for granted that these surfaces are clean. But after one whole year of neglect, they have gathered quite a bit of dust, though not very obvious. But don’t worry all of you who came. The chairs were all clean, and I continued cleaning them throughout the day :D. I am proud of my handy work.

That morning, I purposely made myself look busy so that I won’t be told to do anything else.

People take really little attention to the micro condition of the garden. It’s my post for the whole day, so I am keen on them. *am proud*

You see, our open house is ran almost at military efficency. Everybody has a clearly defined role. So everyone knows what to do. This has been briefed a few days before raya. Yes, we have a briefing. But the problem with our system is that, when one person messes up, almost the whole thing could collapse. That’s why it is important sometimes to just shut up and put up, and for someone else to jump into another’s shoes. Quickly. Argue when there are no guests around and whip the lazy ones back to work or answer to the boss.

The best part is that, nobody argues back. And when your hands are tied, you can just tell those on ’stand by’ to do just about anything XD. Like sweep the floors or pick up rubbish.

This open house is huge. It’s bigger than any of us. We even have people over helping out with the dishes and all the behind the scene work, while we, the family members, concentrate on the guests. We even wore identical clothes yesterday so people could tell us apart from the crowd XD.

Even during my busy state, I managed to squeeze in a few conversations with the children of the guests. Those my age, of course. I even got one phone number. I am impressed by my pick up skillz.

I wanted to ask for the number of one of my second cousins. It wouldn’t have been weird because I have talked to him before, and had talked to him again that day. And besides, I am always keen on staying connected with family members.

But then again, what am I going to do with it? Call and say hi? and then what? Hang out? So I thought, well we’ll see each other again next year. It’s less awkward when you are established as friends.

Anyway, I didn’t ask. If we see each other again, we will, if not, then there’s always the next year XD. So mafan.

The thing with raya ‘ang paus’ is that, the job of giving them out is divided between my sisters. Most people (kids, mostly) make the mistake of looking out for the sizes of the angpau packets, thinking different sizes have different amounts. Although it is partly true, it’s actually the one giving them out that they should look out for. The older that person is, the higher the amount XD.

Luckily, I was the one handing out the most angpau that day, not my younger sister, and my elder sis only gave to the ’special’ ones. She is our Mistress of Finance.

Second day ended funnily, because we’re so used to having regulars coming over year after year, most of them we don’t know with them usually coming in the day. Then this one family showed up at night. We all glanced at each other and shrugged because we have no idea who they were!

But for the sake of being polite, my parents just talked about random things with them until they left. Usually guests who come at night get special treatment because there are less people and they get more attention. But that family was just…odd. Coz none of us knew who they were.

Oh screw it. It’s raya. Anything goes.

Third day I have an open house especially for friends. People ask why I don’t go out. I told them, once I go out I don’t stay home. I hold an extra open house on the third day so people could come visit me (I like having guests at home :D). After that, on the fourth day onwards, I’ll be out visiting people. I will start by visiting those whom had visited me, to return the favour. It matters not if their houses clash direction.

I was quite happy with the number of turnouts today. Me came with her Northern friends! One of her friends remarked how funny it was to finally see me after talking to me online for so long! And she said it several times. They even volunteered information about themselves, which spares me the trouble of asking. We even made plans before they left hehehe. I gave the nod for Bing, but would have to consider the cultural village trip. It’s easy for them coz they have a student card. Me??? My student card is in KL!!

Most of the food is finished today. I’m so happy, coz I made most of them myself, see (Meatloaf, spaghetti, and baked potatoes). I didn’t make a lot, knowing how unpredictable the turnout is. But I made sure it was sufficient.

Tomorrow! Is the day I go out! I have two open houses to attend tomorrow :D. Get ready world! I’ve been itching to go! Wheeeee!!!

Ta’ra!

p/s during raya my priority has been to sleep early coz I have to wake up early. Now I could finally get the most sleep in my three days of raya.

p/s/s I would post up pictures if I could connect Sasarai to Towers. But Towers is cold to Sasarai. He is still saddened by Katan’s voyage. Sorry Towers…:/

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