20.09.2009 | 1 Syawal 1430H

This is my first experience to celebrate Ied al Fitr overseas. Lucky me the situation in Sydney was very lively with many supportive Indonesian students here. Although I could not meet my family directly to address forgiveness tradition, a tradition where Indonesian seeking for apologies during last year mistakes or misconducts. I just realized that this tradition may be practiced in Malay Culture only, since other ethnicity did not do the same, only congratulating that's all.

Anyway, I am so lucky that Ied Al Fitr this year is on Sunday, so I have more time to enjoy the atmosphere of peacefulness of Ied Al Fitr. No matter where I am, this feeling remains the same, dunno why? May be it is such a blessed from The God to us..Alhamdulillah! Moreover the days was only 29days, quite rare to happen, normally 30 days..it depends on lunar appearance.

Talking about celebration, this year it began from Doncaster House, where they cook delicious cuisine with cute lontong 'rice cake' and rendang...thanks for the hospitality, if only I knew that they would invite for stop-over lunch, I would prepare to make prawn crackers :D After that, I managed to come to Teh Dewi invitation, I taste very nice sio-may!..yummy! Then, I went to Wisma Nusantara with ADS 2009 fellas (meet them on the street while waiting a bus heading to Rosebay)... This is my first time going to WN, I can feel Indonesian culture since from the gate, coz many Balinese sculptures lining on it. Like we predict before that there will be so many Indonesian foods there..I taste Chicken Satay and Risoles (it's from Holland though!)..again in WN, I ate, making me so full!..

The good things were I met lots of new friends, coz this is the essence of Ied Al Fitr, which is friendship and family togetherness.. After that we are heading home by Ferry via Circular Quay, it's wonderful experience, where we passed Sydney Opera House from front facade.. hope to see dolphin but I didn't..hehe..

Now, it's Monday where the life should back to normal with many exciting assignments I should do as student.. I wish I could meet Ramadhan again next year, and looking forward to my Ied Al Adha in Barcelona, November 21, 2009.

Thanks for reading, written in my randwick unit, 7:59pm
Wassalam