Hi there, you look familiar!

I’ve missed you. After a 9 month (labour, LOL) hiatus from my precious space – TheJessicat.com – a new blog is born. How’d you like the new look of it? 😀

In case you’ve forgotten how this blog used to look like, here it is!

But first! Before I go into the details of this brand new, revamped blog that you’re looking at, I think I owe you – my dearest readers – an explanation on why I totally went missing in action on you.

Read on to find out what I’ve been up to! 🙂

Express blogpost with my iTouch! 🙂

Just got home from dad's Malay aristocrat friends' houses after our rounds of visiting & sharing the festive joy

To be honest, I had no idea we were going to visit our Muslim mates so I totally did not bring anything decent back to Penang. Yikes.

We ought to be respectful towards the Islam religion anyhow, so I sorta panicked when I had nothing "proper" nor formal to wear.

And so I thought to myself – the Malays are going to wear their traditional Baju Kurung, Baju Kebaya and Baju Melayu; the Indians are going to wear their traditional Sari and Kurta.

What about the Chinese? Why don't I wear a Cheongsam instead? ^___^

It is our traditional attire after all.

And so I did.

I know it's not common for the Chinese here in Malaysia to wear Cheongsams or Samfoos just because we're assumably "modernized" enough not to wear our traditional outfits, I take that as plain garbage.

Cheongsams and Samfoos are hot! 😉

Especially if whoever wearing it is able to pull it off (not making any reference to myself whatsoever just to clarify)

Although Hari Raya Aidilfitri is celebrated my Muslims everywhere,

this festivity has been essentially part of my family as our housekeeper (for 19 years) is Muslim.

ANYWAY

We had all sorts of local delicacies like Roti Jala, Ais Batu Campur, Cendol, Satay, Laksa, Mee Rebus, Nasi Tomato, Popiah, Char Koay Teow, Mee Hoon, Beef Rendang, Lemang, Nasi Goreng, Kari Ayam Masak Merah, Kuih Raya, Teh Tarik… and the list goes on.

It's just insane how much we ate. Hari Raya only comes once a year; what's there not to indulge? 😉

The VVIPs soon arrived. Guess who?

Daddy, Mom and I with Former Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Helmi Yahaya

….and that's our Governor!

Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Dato' Seri Haji Abdul Rahman bin Haji Abbas

Sad! Didn't take photos while we were at Yang Berbahagia Dato' Syed Mohamad Aidid Syed Murtaza's house.

He was such a down-to-earth and friendly man, despite being a multi-millionaire. And coincidentally, his daughter Sharina and I were from the same high school together. T'was funny when we saw each other, we were like, "OMG! Heyyyy!!!!"

She was 2 years my senior so we hardly hang out; I had no idea that Datuk Aidid was her daddy! 🙂

At the final house we visited, I just couldn't take it any longer. I simply *had* to find out how to recreate these awesome Malay food.

So I seized the chance to ask the chef – personally – how she made everything from scratch.

It will be my turn to cook these Ramadhan delicacies soon!

Uber spicy beef & chicken curries with Tomato flavoured rice. Delish 

After visiting so many Raya houses in a span of 6 hours, all our stomachs have hoisted the white flag.

ENOUGH!!! We were bursting at the seams anytime now.

Daddy : my point illustrated

I love how I always enjoy myself during Raya every year. That being said,

SELAMAT HARI RAYA AIDILFITRI TO ALL MY MUSLIM READERS & FRIENDS OUT THERE!

Much love, Jess