My first raya as a wife -- i was tragically happy!

When we first got married, hubby promised to celebrate raya this year with my family. i thought it's a standard practice for a newly wed, the first raya will usually be spent with the wifey's family. *but not if they live with the wifey's family lah kot?* However, something came up at the very last minute my father in law requested us to join them in Kedah as he said that this would probably be the last raya for Tok as she is terribly ill. After a long conversation with my mom, I finally decided to sacrifice my first raya; this time without my family. Actually it wasn't about Tok's condition. Because i believe in Qada' and Qadar. We could never tell how long a person can live. But I agreed with mama. Of course she's upset. Sad. Since my sis is abroad, with her family. Moreover, both me and hubby live with the in laws. What more could a mum ask than to be with her daughter during such an important day. However mom was right, a wife needs to obey and satisfy her husband. So, I agreed and did not want to make a fuss about it. :) But with a condition, which was to iftar and sahur with my family before raya. :) Actually since we're going back to Johor, I would like to bring my hubby to visit my arwah ayah's kubur. We did not manage to visit Arwah Ayah since it was raining heavily everytime we passed Kulai. I hope next year we have the chance to do so. Amin. :)

So raya started early for us, well at least it was for me. Cause mama cooked raya dishes during our last iftar (2nd day before raya) as the next day we rushed back to Putrajaya. We spent 2 nights with my family, long enough for me to actually help doing the house chores since Along (my eldest sis) was not around. Well, all of us has been depending too much on Along for the house chores, so this year was quite a melancholic experience without her blabbering about this and that when she started to do the spring cleaning. :P However, thanks to Skype as we managed to video talk during the 'early raya' we had back in Johor. :)

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On Monday, we started our journey back to Putrajaya after sahur, around 6.30 am. It was raining heavily when we reached Kulai. We stopped at Kulai Tol to pass Ibu's handphone as she left it at our house during the 'early raya' celebration. Got the first and the only angpow (so far). It was from my cousin, Ayin(Ibu's first and only daughter). :)

We reached Putrajaya around 10.30 am. No cars, no jam. Plus we took my mother in law's car. Hence awal gila smpai. Took 3 hours nap. Actually less, cause did the packing and what not. Then off we went to Kedah at around 2+ish, almost 3 due to last preparation of rendang and all the packing thingy.

pic 1: nursing hubby, who was not well First Raya. we spent our Pagi raya in the hotel room. *was thinking how do i look in short hair, now*

pic 2 : salam raya with hubby at the in law's hotel room

pic 3: salam raya with mama in law

The traffic to Kedah was bad especially along the highway in Perak. Glad we finally reached Sg Petani just before azan maghrib. Fil checked in at Park Avenue, SP while the 3 of us (me, hubby, MIL) waited in the car and we went straight to his kampung for iftar with Mak Teh's family and Tok. Yes, Tok was not well. At times, she depends on the oxygen tank to breathe. *My prayers for her best, always* "Macam ni lah orang dah nyanyuk", I could clearly recall my Father In Law's statement about Tok. Well, yg terbaik saja untuknya, insyaallah, Amin. :)

pic 4: went visit his aunties, uncles and Tok

pic 5: yeah us again!

pic 6: we went to Pantai Merdeka with his cousins

pic 7: mama insisted to take my photo at Park Avenue's lobby before we took off :p

pic 8: makan makan at Mak Teh's before trip to Penang

My hubby brought me jalan jalan. The best thing was he kept saying that he is lucky to have me as his wife, and i did not question much to find out why. * I thought, his smile looks genuine to me, hence no further question asked*. :)

pic 9: the view from our hotel room in Penang

pic 10: it is indeed located at the end of the world in Batu Feringghi.

After the 2 nights spent in Kedah, we headed straight to Penang the 2nd Raya. We then spent a night in Penang, went to End of the World Seafood for dinner, managed to get a tee at Rock Shop, Bt Feringhi. The next day planned to have Nasi Kandar for lunch (though me and hubby did not fancy), yet *fortunately* the in laws canceled the plan sbb ramai sngt org beratuq. Then we stopped at KLCC around 6+ish for Lunner (lunch+dinner) before went back to Putrajaya. LOL.

pic 11: i had to post 11 photos. haha 11 is my fav num. btw i took this photo during the bad traffic otw back from Penang

All in all, despite the massive traffic jam, I had a blast this raya! It was a meaningful experience for me. Raya with his family was not that bad. They are good, pleasant and warm ppl. and indeed I was too exhausted to be upset for not having my family around. :P Though it was my hubby who was the chauffeur, Johor - Putrajaya - Kedah - Penang - KLCC - Putrajaya. For that, my utmost gratitude to Allah, Ya Rabb, for the marriage with this wonderful man, the love of my life, JF.

Love,

nr