In the Life of DancerGal: Raya 2013

This year, I celebrated Raya for the second time around. I've been in a (relatively) steady relationship with SB for about 3 years plus now, but only started celebrating Raya with him since last year. Somehow, this year's Raya felt different.

Hari Raya in Malaysia, as most of you may know it, is a celebration of the mark of the ending of the holy month of Ramadan (fasting). So last year, I tried fasting for the very first time. I think if I'm not mistaken, I lasted like less than a week? A few days maybe? This year (and quite proudly!), I fasted for FOURTEEN days! Yupe! 14. I was super pressed for time this year though, so here's my random Raya story :)

It was the weekend before Raya when I got my Baju Kurung. I was totally traumatised by that experience. Imagine this. Last weekend of shopping before heading home for the celebration. Now imagine the number of people in ONE shopping mall. It was like hell on earth. It took me about 20 minutes to find the right one, bought it and got the hell out. To which, I actually did :)

SammoBammo and I in my yellow baju kurung! 

On the morning of Raya day 1, I arrived bright and early in the morning to SB's house. This was kinda funny but fun. Because SB was getting ready to the mosque, he shouldn't come into contact with anyone of the opposite sex that he isn't related to. So we couldn't even shake hands, let alone hug. Haha! It was pretty fun. And so, he went off while I went off with his mum.

After his mum was done with the hairdresser, we headed off to SB's grandma's house and the song that came to my head was "FOOD, GLORIOUS FOOD"!!! I was so excited to get a whiff of the food that was prepared. But of course, I went in and made sure that I "salam" everyone and wished everyone. Once that was done, we made our way over for the food!

I'm sorry I don't have any photos cos we were too busy eating! MUAHAHAHA!

After the makan-makan session, we proceeded to the living room where we had some chatting and a photo-taking session. It was very relaxing and enjoyable :)

SammoBammo and I

All in all, I had an awesome couple of hours with SB and his family :) Thank you for the awesome Raya celebration. Selamat Hari Raya to all :)

Love always,
DancerGal Sheryl!

In the life of DancerGal: Fasting for the very first time!

For the first time in my entire life, I am trying to fast during the Ramadan period. Well, many people think that it's because of SammoBammo. SB may be a very small part of it, but I also wanted to find out what my other Muslim friends go through on a yearly basis. Some of you may not know this, but aside from SammoBammo, I do have other Muslim friends, YOU KNOW? *sarcasm*

So anyway, I've asked around, proudly announcing that I'll be fasting, cos honestly, I thought it was quite cool! Little did I realize, the condemnation that was going to happen to me.

As most of you may know, I am a Christian. I come from an Anglican church. Notice how I didn't use past tense? This is because I still consider myself a Christian, regardless of what people say. Well, people tried to discourage me and blame SammoBammo for "trying" to convert me. This is complete and total nonsense! Anyway, I just basically had to buckle down and just do it, while ignoring all the negativity that's happening around me. Something I could do fairly well, with all my friends (Muslim, of course!) encouraging and motivating me :)

It's been 3 days of fasting. Day 1 was REALLY tough. I took my first meal at around 7am. Yes, I know it's not the proper sahur, but then again, I wanted to take it slow. So I told myself that I wouldn't eat for the rest of the day. By 4pm, I was thirsty and hungry!!! I honestly couldn't tahan, so I took a cup of Iced Chinese Tea. It was upon my first gulp, that I felt like such a useless person. And please bear in mind, I'm not doing this out of any religious beliefs whatsoever. Yet, I felt so.... incompetent?

It was at this point, that I truly admired all my Muslim friends. If you don't believe me, I even asked some of them, "How did you do this?". I got many answers. It was quite amazing. So on the third day of fasting, I told myself that I would try and do the full day, as in wake up for sahur and all that. So I did. Woke up at 5am, prepared myself some oats, and had that for "sahur". Went off to work, and I was due for dinner with SammoBammo and his family. It was a very simple home-cooked meal. But you know what? It had to be the BEST dinner I've ever had. Why? Because I had lasted the FULL DAY! I was so damn proud of myself. :) It meant that it was possible. The feeling you get when you buka with your friends/loved ones, after fasting with them a whole day long, is just amazing!!! :)

Since then, and even right now as I'm typing this, I am fasting. I encourage each and every Malaysian at heart to try it. Even if not the whole month, do it once and arrange for a nice buka meal with your friends <3 It truly is an amazing experience. :)

Love always,
DancerGal Sheryl