Deepavali morning came, I was like a little kid excitedly getting dressed into my new clothes.

We started the morning at 10am, Steven and I went to get toddy from David. At first, the crazy bunch ordered 20 bottles of 1.5 litres. David, however, being the smart guy that he was cut down 5 bottles, and only sold us 15, saying 20 bottles were really too much. How correct he was! Haha!

Our first stop was at Suresh’s home, the guys started their toddy session, finished one bottle of toddy. Faces turned red. Lesson learnt, toddy attracts flies.

We went to Siva’s house. Uncle said “This is the first time in history somebody brought toddy to my house”. And to have the toddy exploded so bergaya-ly onto the carpet on Deepavali day… priceless!

Hope uncle is not too mad at us… 

We proceeded to Sara’s house. And later that nite, our last stop was to Karthik’s house, at that time we were still left with 8 bottles of toddy. Ha! Very intelligently, Steven asked Guna whether their party of visitors would want some toddy, upon his nod of the head, JW and JP carried the ice box with 8 bottles of leftover toddy to Guna’s house. 

When we walked away, light hearted, JP said “At least we didn’t waste any alcohol”(@_@!!!).

Here are some pictures of Deepavali 2008.

Moments before the being called to the pulpit, Steven was preparing his mind and soul for the sermon.

Steven began the sermon with a prayer.

Steven preaching on “Freedom In Christ”

Fellowship after the Church.

We rushed back to our homes in Bukit Mertajam to wash up before rushing to meet up with the gang in Autocity at 9.30am to beraya bersama R.P.K.

9.59 am, we went on our way to Kamunting!

Nearing the place…

On the way, we passed by Kamunting Police Station.

Upon arriving, I saw this uncle limping towards the main gate where the police were standing.

Many supporters were there to beraya with R.P.K. and Marina.

Marina said, “I love your ribbons!”. Yes, very cute indeed.

Us from Bukit Mertajam.

After that, we went to Taiping to have lunch with Dr. Sivabalan, who was on duty during Hari Raya. We went to a typical coffee shop for lunch. Sad to say, all their food were a tad too mild for our Penangites’ tongue’s. While we were commenting on this, somebody said their friend’s from Taiping or Ipoh too complained that Penang food is a bit too strong for their taste buds. O well, like they say “One man’s meat is another man’s poison”. 

I rest my case.

On the first day of Hari Raya Aidilfitri, we accompanied YB Chong Eng to Datuk Zahrin Mohd Hashim’s Open House.

All the YB’s with the host.

We took a picture with the hospitable host and hostess before departing.

After that, Steven and I make our way to Tanjung Bunga for our mind and soul retreat.

We went for lunch at a vegetarian stall while waiting for the rest.

Upon arriving at the destination, we were welcomed by this beautiful sight, in line with Hari Raya.

The floating mosque

Datuk Ong arrived to take us (Steven, Ivan, JW and me) to the sea tour.

The sea travellers

Me behind the wheel

Steven @ Pulau Tikus, it is a pulau outside of Tanjung Bunga

A bit eerie, eh? The hut behind us is a grave.

Still waters

Steven found a starfish! Btw, we saw a few dolphins in the sea, but alas they were too quick for my camera…

Our not-so-catchy catch

Light from heaven!

Barbeque preparation

Barbequing… That’s the baked bread pudding on the left courtesy of JanLyn and AiLyn, the yummy chicken wings and the honey sausages.

JP Wang looked a bit steamy here…

Ahhh… what a bliss, nice food and good friends!

On Saturday, we woke up early to do something for the not-so-well-to-do community. ADUN Berapit YB Lydia Ong was giving away some dry food to the lesser community.

I’m going of for a mind and soul retreat now.

SELAMAT HARI RAYA AIDILFITRI to all!

Preparation for the Hari Raya dry food give-away.

The arrival of the community | Motherly love       

Registration done by Joshua who was back for a holiday.

YB Lydia Ong giving a speech

YB Lydia Ong ADUN Berapit giving away the dry food.

Mr Gunabalan, representative of our Bukit Mertajam MP YB Chong Eng, giving away the dry food.

Our dear drivers (Steven and Gordon) who vonluntarily fetch the makciks and pakciks to and fro (from their homes to the service centre).

While we were downstairs giving away the dry food, our dear dear Joshua, helped us to clear and stack up all the chairs. So sweet~

After that, we went to visit a makcik’s home to bring her the dry food, her son showed us the way to their home.

The entrance to their house.

We went to visit them.

The makcik was a massaeu,  but due to her poor health condition she could no longer massage for a living. She told us that once while she was servicing her customer, she felt so weak that she fell onto her customer’s body. She is suffering some fractured bones due to an accident, asthma, high blood pressure and other illnesses.

The makcik cried while relating her story to us.

Her husband just recently passed away, and her only son is now studying first year in a local university. Their living condition is really heart wrenchingly difficult.

                         The kitchen | The bed in the living room

The broken floor in one of the bedroom | The loo outside the house                    

The bathroom condition

In every darkness, there’ll be a glimpse of light. Hold on there, makcik.

We went to the shop where the “Go Bald to Protest Against ISA” was to take place…

Joshua posing with the Anti ISA Petition Banner

I met my friend’s father there. Some of the things he said “The ISA must go, how can Malaysia be a democratic country if this draconian law does not go?”

Listening to the speeches

3 Gentlemen (seated) go Bald in protest of ISA, in line with “Go Bald to Support RPK”.

The gang from Bukit Mertajam

 Steven & Joreen

The Vigil started…

Anti ISA supporters signing Anti-ISA petition

Ex ISA detainee who was detained under ISA for 4 years

YB speaking to the crowd

The attentive crowd listening

In the previous candlelight vigil we saw our future generation, in this vigil we saw our seniors supporting the good cause.

The good crowd ~ estimated 200 - 300 ppl

The binning of ISA

Binning ISA!!!~

Before parting, the organizers requested the participants to walk together around the monument in front of Dewan Sri Pinang each one holding a candle in their hands while chanting some Anti ISA quotes.

The police stopped us just after 1 minute, what? now we don’t even have the freedom to walk around the park? Nonetheless, we did not put up a fight because we were there for a peaceful gathering. Instead we sang a song, a very meaningful song,  before we disband.

We Shall Overcome

1. We shall overcome (x3) today
Oh deep in my heart
I do believe
We shall overcome today

2. We’ll walk hand in hand (x3) today
Oh deep in my heart
I do believe
We’ll walk hand in hand today

3. The ISA must go (x3) today
Oh deep in my heart
I do believe
The ISA must go today

4. Justice will prevail (x3) today
Oh deep in my heart
I do believe
Justice will prevail today

I took some random shots here and there.

The jetty

Sunrise from the boat to Pulau Jerejak - The sun just came out, it was a cloudy morning.

The corridor

The Congkak - reminds me of the Congkak movie.

The path

The sea - we left just after lunch at 1:30pm, so this is the sunset wannabe.