Raya = YAY!(enough said)

Among my close buddies, i've always been known as the most excitable one when it comes to the Hari Raya celebration.We used to take our final exams before going back for Raya, so most of my question papers are full of sketchings of my kampung, raya cookies i plan to bake,my fave Raya songs, and, (obviously) my 'baju Raya'. I could still remember when i was about three or four(when all my cousins were still adorable) my gran used one 'papan' of cloth to make our kurungs. We look so comical in the faded pictures that my gran still keeps, which my cousins and I love flipping through everytime Raya comes.I enjoy being part of a large family because you never feel bored, and though there's loads of work to be done for the Raya preparations, it doesn't seem tedious because you WANT to get involved. Even the small ones want to help,(filling the woven ketupat cases with rice, and spilling half of it while doing so) and the only distraction(s) will only exist if some smart guy brought the Playstation 2 or a PC to kampung.
My task would always be,(surprise, surprise!) the dishes! I don't really mind as i love playing with water. The only thing that i can't stand is having to serve large jugs of rose syrup to guests.Why? Imagine: balancing a large platter of fragile glasses and a humongous jug while ignoring cruel jeers from your obnoxious cousins, taking the walk of shame(okay, i'm exaggerating),then laying the platter while trying to make the least noise as possible,filling a dozen of glasses meticulously so it would not stain gran's brand new tablecloth,... and doing all these with a smile on your face (don't fake one, guests can detect anxiety). It doesnt help when the guests start being friendly (i mean the wrong way:"Mari la rumah mak cik, ada banyak orang bujang")or your mum starts introducing you to the guests while you stand grinning awkwardly with the platter still in your hands (nobody can look good with one, unless you wore one of those mini maid uniforms sold at fancy shops).. you then dash back to the kitchen where everyone are having the biggest laugh of the day at you. Hmmph.. It's no big deal, actually but the fact that you know you are going to be laughed at is kind of a bummer.
My mum is actually thrilled because i'm going home quite early this time, so i can bake lots of cookies, instead of the usual three i used to make for Raya annually (choc chip, Almond London and pineapple tart). Can't wait to go home! Happy Raya everyone!