Safuan's Wedding

Today is my good friend Safuan's wedding with his chosen one, another friend and former colleague Siti Hajar.
They both came from Terengganu but still their homes are over a hundred kilometers apart. We departed from Kuala Terengganu at 8:40 AM and arrived in Besut a few hours later.
The bride arrived even much later so we had our fair share of waiting today.
First the kadi (religious officer) came followed by the bride. He then proceed to ask the bride's permission for the marriage.
Then it was the akad nikah (marriage contract) ceremony which Safuan executed smoothly the first time.
And after that they are officially husband and wife. The bride then returned home to change and make the final preparation for the bersanding (enthronement) ceremony. Of course we had to wait another 2 hours for that.
Finally late in the afternoon, we arrived at the bride's place and made a little procession bearing gifts for the bride.
These are some of the hantaran (gifts) exchange between the bride and the groom. The little handsome kid not included.
The newly wed then sat on the ceremonial dais for the bersanding ceremony. Since this is a real simple ceremony, there were no sprinkling of rice and scented water by close family members, kompang instrument being played during the procession or pencak silat being performed in front of the bride and groom.
Finally the wedded couple and their guests attended the celebratory feast called the makan beradab (formal meal). This involves the bride and groom feeding each other sweetened rice and the celebrations are concluded by posing for family photographs.

So congratulations to Ahmad Safuan and Siti Hajar. May you live happily ever after. The End.

Buka Puasa at IOI Mariott Putrajaya

Just when this blog is about to be filled with cobwebs, at last something happened that is worthy to blog about. This evening some of my colleagues and I had buka puasa dinner at the IOI Mariott hotel near Putrajaya.
Almost every year, my company would organize this buka puasa event at a hotel somewhere. Unlike the previous year however, this year's event was sponsored by our kind suppliers.
Since I had to pick up the kids and wife from the train station first (including getting stuck in traffic for half an hour) I only got to the hotel 5 minutes from time. While waiting far Maghrib time, my friends had nothing to do but stare at each other.
I had a plate of briyani rice and mutton and another plate of pasta for dinner and that's about it. After a couple of cakes and 2 glass of drinks I just can't take anymore food. Generally, all the food we tasted here today were quite good. Worth every penny that our sponsors paid for.
These are some of my colleagues who came sitting at the other, not so cool table. To my surprise, over half of my colleagues decided not to come to the event today especially from the CFMS department. Too cool to eat buffet? Had other business? Beats me.
And this is the VIPs table (sort of) where my Boss and the sponsors sit. Thanks a lot guys. I'm still waiting for our next sponsored trip to oversea!
This is me sitting at the seriously cool table. Sitting next to me is Bro Din showing off his magic glass. This glass, if I finish all the drink in it today I can get refill for free he said.
After done eating some of my friends like to clap and sing along to the live band that's playing in the background. How merry!
Don't be fooled by her petite size. Siti Nadia definitely can eat a lot! See all those plates over there? That all belongs to her.