Kak Long and Abang Long

     This week that just passed, I got a new brother here in Malaysia. My oldest sister, Nadhira or kak long (older sister), got married this past week. It was one of the most beautiful Malay weddings I've seen. We held it at our house and had a garden theme. Ayah wanted to make it simple, but I thought it came out very elegant and grand. The decorations were beautiful, there was a photo booth, the tents were the people ate had chandeliers, the food was amazing and the deserts were delicious
     Ayah was pretty nervous, he had to repeat his speech three times before he finally got it right. When both ayah and akmal said it right, the ustaz could finally say "sah" and then Akmal and Nadhira were officially husband and wife. So now I have to refer to him as abang long meaning older brother. It was a great day filled with happiness. Not even the little rain that came down that day could ruin it.

The most perfect couple 

Ibu and Kak long were looking beautiful 

Sharing a sweet moment

The two lovers

Candies :)

Che'a was also looking adorable

Ibu gave a heart felt speech that brought everyone to tears. She was handing over her daughter to Akmal, now Abang long

Throwing candy to the children

Even the adults tried to catch some

Ibu and Kak Long holding hands

Baby in a baju melayu

Haziq and Afiqah's Wedding

      Haziq is my cousin, well host cousin. Yesterday he had his wedding reception and the day before yesterday was his solemnization. During both ceremonies I was able to see things that I have never seen before. During the solemnization, Haziq and his dad and the bride's dad and some other men who are related all sat in a a circle with the Ustaz, holy man, and they were all agreeing upon the marriage. When everything is finalized and everyone has agreed, the Ustaz will say sah, meaning that it's final, the couple is now legally married.

      The following day was the reception. There was a lot of yummy food and delicious deserts. There was an adorable photo booth and all the family had matching baju kurungs. The adults had orange and the little kids wore brown. When the husband and wife came in and made there grand appearance, there was the family behind them and behind them was the rombongang. It was as if they were royalty, there was someone holding the brides dress from behind and when they got to there "thrones' as I call it, there were two people fanning them. 

      After the wedding I went with my other cousins and we went shopping at Kotaraya, and we ate at a very down to earth restaraunt called dapur gendela. There was a lot of decorations that looked recycled and it was a nice atmosphere. We waited forever for our food and drinks though. My iced cappuccino was pretty good, but I don't think it was really worth the wait. Afterwards we went to a thrift shop. It was pretty fun because it was my first time going to a thrift shop in Malaysia and everything was super cheap.

The men and the Ustaz sitting in a circle

The newly weds <3

The adorable photo booth sign

The guest book with props for the photo booth

Table for the VIP

The rombongang

The intsruments they are holding is called kompang

Afiqah looked dropped dead gorgeous on both days

Getting the royal treatment

Me with the bride and groom

Wedding cake

At Dapur Gendela

My little sister and my cousin

Thankful for my Family

I love my host family. They have been so great to me and I am so thankful that I have been placed here. To show them just how grateful I am, I decided to make a Thanksgiving dinner (lunch) for them. They have never eaten a roasted Turkey so I thought it would be something very special. It was a little challenging making a whole Thanksgiving lunch by myself especially since it was my first time, but luckily I had some help from my cousin, sister, and aunt.I made the turkey, sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole, homemade gravy.macaroni salad, and pecan pie for desert.
In the end I was very proud of the result and my family loved it. My host dad even invited the office workers and they loved it too.

Pecan Pie

Turkey and gravy

Office workers

Me and my host dad