Timeout!

This was taken at a Charity Food & Fun Fair held in Petaling Jaya cerently. I couldn't imagine getting to the other corner as the air filled structure was a little shaky and with bigger children jumping on it, I was afraid I might get bounced off.

It was a scary moment but at my age, standing rock steady on it was quite an accomplishment.

The Deepavali Lunch

Every year it's customary for us to have a grand lunch on the 2nd or 3rd day of Deepavali. It depends on the Tamil Calender and this lunch commemorates the completion of the Gowri Fast. Grandma has been observing this fast annually well before me and daddy was born.


All the ingredients are prepared the day before and refrigerated prior to cooking in the morning. It's a full fledge Vegetarian meal served on Banana leaves.


Equipped with versatile culinary skills, everybody lends a hand to complete all 7 dishes. I had a chance to see so many different types of vegetables that's commonly used for south indian dishes. The cooking takes longer time to prepare and with extensive use of coconut milk, it contributes to high oil contents and sugar to our diet.


All cooked and ready to be served. Grand Uncle and his family joined us and we even packed some for our neighbour. Since everyone was on a vegetarian diet, I savoured on the Nestle Infant Cereal Rice & Mixed Vegetables.

Happy Deepavali!

Whoopee! Deepavali is here.There are various alleged origins attributed to this festival. Some hold that they celebrate the marriage of Lakshmi with Lord Vishnu. In Bengal the festival is dedicated to the worship of Kali. It also commemorates that blessed day on which the triumphant Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana. On this day also Sri Krishna killed the demon Narakasura.

There is an air of freedom, festivity and friendliness everywhere. The elders were up before sunrise while daddy and me decided to sleep in a while longer. We took our shower and put on our new clothes. We had our prayers at home before heading to the temple where the prayers are held in accordance with the ceremonial rites.


We performed our prayers at the Sri Subramaniar Temple at Jalan Ipoh in KL. It's a huge temple where parking is always a challenge; if it's under a tree, we get bird droppings but out on the open field the tyres roll-on cowdung.

After the prayers, we exchanged 'angpows' (money gifts in small coloured packets). Normally the little one in the house gets the whole loot, in our family I'll do the collection.


This year, we decided to share the joy with the rest of the KL folks by joining the celebration at the MIC (The indian political party in Malaysia) Open House held at the PWTC's Merdeka Hall. The Who's Who of Malaysian politics were all there.


I couldn't shake hands with the man himself, Datuk Seri Samy Vellu. He was the longest serving minister in the Cabinet of Malaysia. Pursued by scandals, corruption allegations, and charges of lack of effectiveness, he suffered a shocking defeat in his parliamentary constituency in the 12th Malaysian General Election.


There was not much to choose from but there were enough lines so people need not rush and stand in long que. There's a section at 4th floor where the portrait of Malaysia's former premier's were made available for public viewing. I took the opportunity to pay my respect to a profound leader who took Malaysia to another level. Thank You Sir!


That's me ... camouflage. Since my dress and the PWTC carpet has the same design, it was hard to say if i'm around. Quite a disguise I must say.

When we got home, I got a pleasant surprise. Our family friend who used to live opposite our house paid a visit with his 3 children. I was very busy extertaining them. We spent the whole afternoon playing, visiting my grand uncle and even found time to distribute goodies to our neighbours with them.


After an hour nap in the evening I was up again and back to more fireworks and we went back to Grand uncle's house for dinner. There I was introduced to his pet dachshund. Cute fellow unlike the ferocious Aathi.

Deepavali - 1 More Day to Go!

Tommorrow is Deepavali. Almost there, but certain things has to be kept till the very last minute. For example, the hanging of the cards that we received from family and friends. Well it has to be the last cause my hands gets very 'ichy'... hehe


The cookies needs to be filled up.


The cookies filled up and arranged at the coffee table. We are ready!


It's the family tradition to play the fireworks on the eve ... normally right before midnight to usher in Deepavali. My heart was pounding to every explosion both in fear for daddy's safety and the excitement in his daredevil act.

Deepavali - 2 Days to Go!

The tradition of fireworks has been associated with the celebrations of Deepavali since time immemorial and is still followed with much enthusiasm.

It is a common belief that bright lights at home and skies with fireworks is an expression of obeisance to the heavens for the attainment of health, wealth, knowledge, peace and prosperity. These days, it is said that the lighting of fireworks leads to fumes, which have the potential of killing insects and mosquitoes.


This is what it's all about, the illumination of the skies with fantastic displays of fireworks. Much like the one recently presented for the Opening ceremony of the summer olympics.


This is what daddy got for me. I know it's against the law here, but these are harmless. Even the red packet supposedly holds the fiery crackers used for Chinese New Year is of a smaller version. Daddy says fireworks is like burning money hence the limited items. Kinda sad but it's better than nothing.

Note:-

I, Satyajothey, do declare as follows:

1.) I am not part of lighting up or any action that may directly be involved with fireworks. I am below the age of 18.

2.) I do not advocate the lighting up of fireworks and no children should play them without adult supervision.

I have personal, firsthand knowledge of facts contained within this declaration, and could completely testify thereto if called upon to do so.