Maaf Zahir Batin

I have a problem saying those 3 words. Sure everybody says them during Hari Raya. But I can't help wondering how many actually meant those words. Some blurt them out like parrots mimicking without any meaning. Some actually sounded like echoes repeating after the other side beat them in offering the over-used phrase.

Words and phrases will be jumping in my head as I mentally rehearse the lines. If I try hard enough, a lump develops in my throat and the words got stuck there. Maybe I'm not a vocal person. Maybe I'll have better luck writing the words down.

So here goes. I wanna say sorry to Jay. I've promised her half a dozen times to meet up when I'm in town. I don't want to give any excuses, just as I've never given false hopes. Still I feel bad.

Sorry Jay. "Selamat Hari Raya. Maaf Zahir Batin."

Raya 2009

I wish we have a tradition to take our family photo every Hari Raya. Then we can see how we age throughout the years. Luckily, everybody gets bundled together for a snap. Better than nothing. This year quite a few wore pink.