So this is the New Year...

Happy 2007 yaars!

If you haven't already read my facebook new year's greetings, let me take this oppurtunity to wish everyone a great 2007. I'm sure it'll be a blast.

As for yours truly, within minutes of the new year being dong-ed in, one of my uncle's commented that '07 should be the year I find a wife - egads! I'm still looking for a plasma set and a new computer! Maybe THEN I'll consider bridal prospects...

For all of my non-Muslim friends, New Years eve was also Eid-ul-adha for us. As clarified last year in my eid post, this Eid is all about sacrifice - epitomized by Abraham who was willing to sacrifice his son Ishmail for his Lord. As with Abraham, Muslims are encouraged to give portions of a humanely sacrificed lamb to their friends, family, and poor ones. There are allotments for how much each gets, I'm not sure how much. It goes without saying that the poverty stricken are given a better portion. (Our family tends to send money to Pakistan where my Aunt/Uncle will purchase a lamb and distribute it amongst the poor).

Before Eid even began, I must say it was a bit hectic getting prepared. I planned to buy some clothes on Friday, and after a few hours of shopping bought a few blazers and shirts - which were totally rejected by Commander Mom. One jacket was nice, but too tight, while the other was too dark. Subsequently, the next day was left for me to run around Fairfew looking for something. And upon finally finding a nice 'set', I come home to discover that my mom has bought a strikingly similar getup, for my brother! I'm still not amused!

The festivities for Eid were actually quite pleasant this time. As it was a Sunday, getting to the International Centre was no problem. Even though my mother had her obligatory anger attack in worries of being late, we actually got there 10 minutes early (in spite of missing the exit and going on a detour for a few minutes). Met with almost-family members for coffee afterwards, also presenting birthday presents to a 'cousin' (this by no means is sarcastic, I just think our families are pretty close).

Arrived home to catch some football on the tube. After bribing Zan to massage my tired head (running on 3 hrs sleep), I 'passed out' in the living room for a few hours, until awoken by Zan to get ready for dinner. And since we unanimously decided not to indulge in the trademark Chinese food we laboriously have to eat at each function, we decided to go to Jack Astor's and have a meal on our own. Believe me, this first only happened as I was willing to open my wallet! Even upon leaving, my mom was trying to convince me to go to Popeyes as restaurants would be "too full".

To be fair, she was half right. We had to wait about 20 minutes to be seated. Luckily the meal went without a hitch, with the mom and bro digging their meals. I regretted not ordering a cherry coke, as I forgot about it being an Astor's staple. After picking up the check, we were off to the traditional Eid party, which I figured would be much more sombre, as my 'uncle' had a stroke a few days earlier and had just arrived home.

Of COURSE I was wrong! As always, there were loud kids running around, laughter in the ladies' room, men watching loud Urdu programming on satellite, and of course the smell of the odd cigarette. As long as I could park myself in front of a TV to watch Packers/Bears, I'd be set. Of course I discover all their TV's have illegal satellite, and not one of them gets NBC for goodness sake! So alas, I missed the last NFL Sunday Night Football game for the year :(

Anyhow, I managed to stay awake until the clock struck 12, went downstairs to chit-chat with adults, and managed to drive home. And of course, upon arriving, I passed out and slept for about 15 hours. I think I MAY know what being wasted is all about now :P

I'm sure this post dillied and dallied a bit, hopefully it was enjoyful all the same! I'll try and write soon, but for now, I have some blazers to return :P