Bleargh

A cousin, Jihan, got engaged last Saturday to Izham, who’s from, er, well not from Sabah. She’s a second cousin, and though I’m not that close to her side of her family, it’s still nice to spread the joy and share some pretty pictures…

Since I wasn’t there at the ceremony (it took place in Penampang, I believe I was shopping at Debenhams at the time), I have to "narrate" according to the pictures, which were taken by my brother Encik Roy and my cousin Encik Min (who has gotten extremely dark and unrecognisable, well to me, at least).

Jihan’s Muslim, but she’s half Kadazan, half Malay (I think so… heh) and I suppose she has a little bit of Chinese somewhere too courtesy of Nenek Lola. So, the engagement ceremony must have come pretty much as a shock to Izham and his family since it was done the traditional Kadazan style, also known as the Momuaboi (yeah, like I know what that really means). Even I have never been to one of those, though I’m sure one of my brothers had it…

Oh well, anyways, here’s what little I know of the Momuaboi:

It’s when the kampung elders come to the bride’s house dressed in their funky gear and even funkier hats (also known as the Siga), smoke some Kirai (traditional roll-ups, which normally, nobody under the age of 50 can handle), count some tiang rumah, negotiate the number of kerbau the bride’s household needs to feed the whole kampung and do some mean Mongginggat (makan sirih lah).

There’s also the whole deal of the sogit (well, part of the deal mentioned above covers the sogit), which is basically compensation for the bride should the groom decide to change his mind and flee from the commitment between the day of the engagement and the wedding day. Usually, sogit includes the all-important kerbau, the even more important pig (for Muslims, tiada lah) and cash. The more refined the lass, the more money the boy has to pay. The girl’s education, upbringing, social standings, family background and, to a lesser extent, beauty, will also be considered.

Of course, that is only what I KNOW of the whole deal. I’m sure I got some stuff wrong… oh well, on to the pics!

That’s Jihan getting ready, bright and early. Somewhere in KL, I’m still sleeping…

That’s Jihan’s dad, Uncle D.

That’s the family, Aunty S, Ji, Uncle D and Ji’s younger (and only) sister, Shireen (Shirin? Shereen?) … Badik.

Badik and friends doing the typical dayang-in-waiting thing: Cubuk-ing (peeking) from the pagar, while two other dayangs keep a look out for undesireable people walking by…

Magaggung/Tagung boys. The bigger the ceremony, the older the gong beaters. I mean, REALLY old.

Important Men in Siga line up to greet the Westside visitors. Now that’s a grand welcome! (that’s me Uncle E. in the middle, with the tallest Siga)

My guess is the dude in white, sitting down, is Izham’s dad/grandad… er, I’m not sure. Hey, I’ve never met the guy ok!

Uncle D testing the goods. >

A Kampung elder figuring out how many roll-ups he would need to smoke to make him high….

In the kampung, you drink WINE baby!

Aw….

 

Jihan’s friends. Let’s see if I can name them… From left: Tessa, er… girl in white kebaya, Julma, Jihan, Pamela, cousin Darlene, Badik and Cousin Amanda. Yay. Sorry girl in white kebaya, can’t remember your name…

I can’t believe how much Jihan looks like her mum here!

We have to do WHAT now??? This really is the best picture: Priceless.

When life gives you lemons, you damn well better appreciate it.

Lawyers suck. One lawyer told me that our "dealings" would be done by mid May. Then another lawyer stepped in and said July 9.

JULY freaking 9?????

So frustrating lor. If they had been honest with me from the very beginning I would’ve made proper arrangements. One that didn’t depend on the kindest of friends and family.

Pish posh. Lawyers suck.

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Anyways, since "the" project at work is on a break, I get to fool around in the office and disturb people who actually do have better things to do. Ah, I miss fooling around at work.

However, Lilian Too and those monthly horoscope guides you find at the back of almost all girly magazines said that May is a good month for career advancements for Leos. So I guess I have to be wary of the odd boss or two lurking about the floor when I’m in the middle of goofing off at work. Text Twist can sometimes be so engaging that you lose track of the eyes of Big Brother’s rats and weasels, who secretly watch over minions like myself every day….

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BTW, see you in KK, folks! There’ll be pics I promise you, oh you damn well better believe it!

I’m so bored.

Cousins came down from KK. Went shopping the whole day yesterday. In between shops, I made several trips to the loo. To throw up. It’s so not fun puking in public toilets, but if you gotta do it, you gotta do it, baby, ghetto or not.

East-siders, we got some serious training to do! Oh, where is Tayan when you need her the most?