Eid Report - Part 2

("My Mosque" - Baitul Islam Mosque in Maple. It looks even better in person, but unforutnately has become too small to fit our community for large occasions such as Eid!)


Hey yaars!

Just got back from the Eid party. Decent time was had I must admit. Here's a quick recap:

After taking a light 90 minute nap, my mom wakes me up to go. I quickly spruce up and am ready, leading to my mother saying "your face is glowing today!". She was probably right, as I was eagerly anticipating my Eid money from friends!

So on the journey to Markham, my mother managed to blurt out that today she met her sister's in-laws after prayers. Upon meeting them, the mother managed to say that my mom "didn't look good alone" and "needed a daughter-in-law to accompany her in public". Now seeing as how my brother's only 17, guess who the finger got pointed at today! The WORST part is that this woman has two big-boned daughters whom are looking for suitors. I was NOT amused.

This family of theirs (mother's sister's in-laws) have been secretly eyeing yours truly for years! When I was in London in '01, they managed to have their ENTIRE family visit my aunt's house to see us, bringing not only their daughters, but the grandma! At the time I had a goatee, and they had nothing but compliments upon my "mature" look. Two weeks later when I had shaved it off, they said I looked "innocent" without facial hair. My aunt joked that they were hunting me down for their cow daughters, and at the time I thought it was quite funny. It's not so funny anymore. Thank GOD my mother has enough sense to realize that a) their family is notoriously big boned, b) they aren't exactly the most educated lot, c) not the cleanliest of people, and d) I have ZERO interest!!! Despite this, I'm beginning to worry what with her talks this week.

Back to the day's thoughts. We ended up reaching Feroza Auntie's (we tag on the auntie as a term of affection - we're not related) and had a decent enough time. I got to see a bootleg copy of Flightplan, while enjoying some Chinese food which I gave a passing mark to. During my traversals in their home to meet and greet the men, women, and children, I managed to get suckered into yet another marriage talk. Being the eldest unmarried boy there, it was bound to come up. I tried my best to use witty banter, and Abid Uncle (Feroza Auntie's husband) ate it up! Their family has known our since I was 10 months old, so he totally enjoys ribbing me on these matters. Plus, I'm probably the only child there who manages to intermingle with the men fluidly, without looking strange.

I managed to talk to my "Uncle" about my late night escapades, and how my mother worries too much. He managed to take her aside near the end of the evening and give her a seal of approval on me, saying he knew I wouldn't do anything stupid, and that she should trust me. Thank God he did that, because he's one of the only people my mother would trust with advising me. I just might get a carte blanche soon enough!

So the evening ended with most of us guest families leaving at about the same time. As always, it was at this point that my "aunties" managed to sneak some Eid money into my pockets. I managed to net a nice $75! On the way home, we managed to listen to my new mix CD, with everything from Madonna to Dandy Warhols to Bollywood music!

Now I'm here writing as much as I can remember, I'm sure there will be details I'll fill in within the coming days!