Sasatung

The Golden Tiger year has come. The fengshui reading says it'll be a good year for those born in the year of the rabbit (moi). yeah... we'll be the judge of that.

Birthdays

My brother turned 14 yesterday. The age difference doesn't really show. Ever since he started sprouting like a well-nourished sappling, overshooting me and thereby relegating me to the rank of the shortest of siblings, he has even started looking a bit older for his age - sometimes. We had lunch at Hyatt. Why there of all places? My mum's choice and liking. Oh, I have no complaints. Nagisa is always a pleasure to go to as well. I simply adore the steamed egg served there. Although I've tasted better sushi, the ambience certainly make up for any other shortcomings.

Later last night, all of us headed over to Uncle Arius' residence. Sis and hubs had come over from Labuan the night before, bringing with them much cheer and chocolates and Vodka-coctails (thank you loads you two!!!). Anyway, I brought them over with my silverado around 6.30pm. Food and drinks were aplenty. The twins had set up the karaoke and since there were not many around yet, I of course found it much comfortable to belt out a few tunes.

There was much cause for celebration. Arnaz and Bradley had just had their church confirmation, the twins had happily graduated from UMS (each with a degree in Biochemistry and Geology - forgot which is for who), it was the birthday celebration of Joanne(14), Brandon Jedd(12), a few other cousins and uncles who celebrated their birthdays in October. Songs were sung, cakes were cut, drinks were drunk to much laughter and merriment.

Met cousin Lita after not meeting her for quite a while. Still the same girl, new hairstyle (she lost the Shakira look though), a new tattoo on the inside of her right ankle. sigh, didn't have time to catch up with her though. Spent my night eating the delicious long simmered Tilapia (my grandmum's recipe of course!), and singing and drinking this marvelous coctail of v.s.o.p corvoisier and sprite. Never knew it tasted so smooth..

The party was still in full swing when I decided that enough was enough. I needed to send sis and hubs back to the hotel. Why weren't they staying over at my parents'? Apparently there's this chinese custom that says the daughter cannot stay overnight at her parents place for 4 months after the wedding. So, there. After sending them over to the hotel, I drove back to Sierra. I took the time to wind down, checked my FB, washed my face, put on the elastics on my braces.. and finally hit the sack.

It was a Saturday well spent.

What's the date today?

Wishing muslims around the world a very merry Eidl Fitr. The world is ever changing but let's hope brotherhood in man lives on.

Introducing..

Mr. and Mrs. Fawzi Leon Gregory Harrison...

Congrats to both of you..

Semoga bahagia sampai cicit and piut..

Kimaragang + murut (re-designed) costume

"Oiii..dayang sarina... ".. Roslee belting out a song.. representative from groom's side.

(selalu practice suda ni..)

Kota Marudu Gong players imported specially for the occasion.

Teen dancers entertaining the bride and groom and guests.

Kaamatan Month

Kotobian Tadau Tagazo do Kaamatan to all.
As usual, KDCA is the venue for the month-end celebration this year. Wish I could go and have a brief tour...but the thought of meeting acquaintances and having to explain why my teeth are wired shut deters me. Panat tu... explain balik2..
Anyway.. school holiday is in.. more hols for me. To recuperate.. to stabilize.. to reminisce..

Ox, Bull, Cow...

As usual, the yearly visit to Aunt Agnes' residence for the Chinese New Year...
This year, the New Year was done in a much smaller scale. Only family ka... and close friends. Hung Pao?...got la some. hahah.. c gontua ni..

Youngest cousin (so far)... baby Hannah

Ah soon with Maybel (aka Molondoi)

Unc. Denis, flanked by Douglas and Melissa (liang cai and liang moi...)

kongsi kongsi..angpau..

Alwyn.. pasang fireworks..

wuuu... wa.....

place your bets!!

Introducing....newlyweds...Denis and Dorin@ Ann.
A small group of us from Penampang drove to Keningau on the 28th. After about 2 hours of driving up the meandering route of Moyog-Tambunan and the almost straight stretch of Tambunan-Keningau, we arrived at Keningau town. After a short makan stop, we checked in at Keningau Perkasa.
Around 7pm, Uncle Johny came to Perkasa to accompany us. I forgot the jalan ba. The last time I went to Patikang Ulu was early this year and it wasn't me driving. I was just the passenger, so... tidak ingat jalan. Upon reaching the venue... discovered that the whole(i think) surrounding kampung folks were there to make merry. The sound of bandboys could be heard miles away. Uncle Denis looked...almost serenely happy. Dorin...the nervous but happy bride. What was it the Ketua Kampung said that sort of tickled me? He was a bit tipsy but tried to be serious at the same time... he said something like this," ...Pada hari yang bahagia ini, kita semua ingin sama-sama meraikan perkahwinan antara Denis dan Dorin...Pada sesiapa yang mengganggu ketenteraman majlis ini, sama ada dalam bentuk pergaduhan..akan mendapat hukuman yang setimpal...atau disebabkan oleh pergaduhan atau apa-apa...yang menyebabkan kerugian atau kerosakan barang-barang perkakas di tempat ini juga... kamu akan menerima akibatnya...kamu akan dikenakan bayaran yang sepatutnya..."
Practical...I suppose. But I must say...this kind of wedding scene is the kind that has almost died a natural death in the Penampang area. The kampung style. The kampung folks seem to be really enjoying the food and the music. And oh...the music alternated from the modern (bandboys) to the traditional(the gongs).
When the gongs were beaten, a few folks would come out in the middle of the Kem - a 'dancing' space was made/cleared for that purpose- and dance. While the rest of the crowd would sit and drink and eat. What was yet another fun turn of even to watch was, when it was the bandboys' turn to play, Wah! almost all the people sitting would just stand up rush to the floor to dance. Kosong itu kem oh...
And the tajaus...sisiopon... two stations were made. All the tajaus..neatly arranged on long tables...with never-ending visitors. They flocked around the tajaus like bees to honey. No chance mau booking... If you want, you stand in line. I tell you...
It was almost midnight when we finally made it back to Perkasa.
To Mr Denis and Ms Dorin. I wish you happiness. My best to both of you.

Munchies...

One of the many good things about Raya is...

it's celebrated for a month...

means I get to enjoy a month long

Raya munchies...

These are just some Raya cookies my friends have given me..

Momom sadap..
Also momom sadap...

a student of mine gave me this small container of cookies

(all good food fall under 'momom' ..eheh)

Raya time

Raya is tomorrow. I thought I'd drive to KK last night to pay some last minute credit card bills. The city was not as jammed as I thought it would be. It wasn't really a bumper to bumper ride. I managed to park just next to Standard Chartered and made my way to the atm and deposited some moolah into the machine. Next, I drove to Public Bank near Wawasan. Wanted to pay my Astro and Celcom bills at the atm but last last paid the Astro only. Too many people queueing up and since I'm not a pro yet with the machine, I decided to pay the Astro only. Nanti sala takan button, kan susa.
Here's wishing all the muslimin and muslimat of the world, Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

New Kid on the Block

Introducing...the proud parents introducing... Raphael Olivin Moosom. :). Here's Dr.Rachel Fran Mansa and proud husband, Melvin Moosom with their sons. Congrats!

Raphael Olivin Moosom

kay, okay, mm...

Tomorrow is hari raya. Fasted for a few days this puasa month. :) Here's wishing Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri to all celebrants.