So there Ramadan goes and Eid is finally here. Ironically, even though Eid is supposed to be a joyous occasion, I know some of you can’t be bothered with celebrating Eid. You feel uncomfortable wearing your baju kurung, you dislike the inconvenience of traveling to your relatives’ places under the hot sun, you get tired of eating ketupat after ketupat and chugging endless glasses of Sarsi and finally… the exhaustion of heading home late at night. It seems that Hari Raya was much more fun when you were a kid and since you are now all grown up, its starting to be a chore… Isn’t that true?
I understand your point of view because I too share the same sentiment and dreaded going through the whole Hari Raya routine… to such an extent I would only follow my family on the 1st day. And by the 2nd day of Hari Raya, I will be off spending time with my friends.
However, all that changed when I spent a bunch of Hari Raya overseas. What happens when a Malay guy lives in an Ang Moh country and get cut off from family, friends and everything Muslim and Malay? Let’s find out shall we… 
No More Baju Kurung for you
I used to live in a part of Los Angeles with zero Malays. Trying to spot Malays overseas, at least in my area, is similar to spotting the elusive Bigfoot. Free roaming Malays are very rare and I get excited when I spot one in the bushes.
Anyway, before Hari Raya hits, my Mum would mail me a spanking new set of baju kurung, but I never did have enough courage to wear it outdoors. I bet those ang mohs will freak out.
I will only look like a confused homeless person wandering with his pajamas on. And the samping short skirt with the black cube songkok will just remind them of a bad Halloween costume. At least if I have a bunch of Malay friends, we can be seen together…. But the thought being stared at, alone on the bus, just doesn’t sit right with me… so that means, no Baju kurung for me on Hari Raya D:
What Hari Raya Songs?
When I was in Sg, the Engrish language is my preferred choice. I don’t know how I pass my Malay O levels to be honest with you. And there are some just Malay words I quite disagree. The most recent Malay word I learnt is “bagasi”, which means… luggage. Now who in the right mind would use bagasi? Even my Mum don’t use bagasi. Every Malay I know would use the word “bag” for any container than have straps and can hold stuff.
My Malay teacher insisted we used the word “margasatua” (which means animals) instead of “binatang” or “haiwan”. Talk about being impractical.
*Teacher: From today onwards, instead of using the word “animals”
we are going to use the word “zoomorphic beings”.
Anyway, since I am Engrish- leaning, I would listen to bands like Nirvana , Pearl Jam and Radiohead. If I am caught with a CD of a Malay Rock song, I would be labeled as a “Mat Jiwang” (an annoyingly romantic Malay guy) and be an outcast by my image-is-everything bunch of “friends” back in the day. Anyway, just when I thought I don’t have any real need for the Malay language.. living in an Ang Moh country would literally make you miss listening and have conversations in Malay. I realize that the Malay language can give you a sense of belonging among other things.
It got so bad that I am asked my Mum to send me some P Ramlee Malay movies.. just so that I can hear somebody speak Malay. Malay rock songs that I would normally avoid suddenly becomes a must have and quickly filled my playlist on my iPod. Imagine being teary eyed listening to Ella’s “Pengemis Cinta” on the bus to work.. -__-“
“Pengemis Cinta” means Love Beggar.
Anyway, not living within in a large Malay community just means that you don’t get to hear Hari Raya songs on the radio. You will find yourself singing along to festive songs on YouTube instead, in front of the PC, all alone at night. Do you know how depressing that is?
No Family For You
When you are in Singapore, the 1st day of Raya would most probably mean you spending time with your family and visiting relatives. When I am overseas, the 1st day of Raya would mean having a meal at a burger place and watching a movie. -__- Followed by buying something for myself as a gift. Last couple of years, I bought a damn magazine to make me feel happy. Pathetic much? I mean, I just finished a month long fasting so I need to come up with something.. ANYTHING… to get the Raya vibes on.
By night time, I will have a routine session of long distance call to my family while I cry my eye balls out. 
How’s THAT for Hari Raya celebrations?
No Rendang for You!
What’s worse, after a couple of days goes by, my sister would post 50 + pics of food on her Facebook and tag my name on everyone of them! I have been eating burgers, sandwiches, burrito and salad for years and my throat is begging for a plate of beef rending, nasi minyak or satay.. I would commit murder plus rape and a side of vandalism for a cube of ketupat!
Since I can’t get any, I’ll just content myself with clicking on the “Like” button instead. Imagine browsing images of food late at night and clicking on the Like button of a half-chewed satay… in the trash. My sister is cruel.
I’m kidding you guys. I would never lick my PC monitor no matter
how strong the cravings get…. Or have I? 
Your Body is Overseas, Your Heart is Elsewhere
Soon living overseas away from your family and friends will take its toll and you will find yourself researching for the cheapest flights just to go on short visits. The cheapest airline ticket I got was from a South Korean airline. Cost me USD$800 and it had a long 8 hour transit! Do you have any idea how its like to kill 8 hours without games or the internet?
Life in Singapore is very tough, no doubt about it! Opportunities in other countries are way better, no doubt about that. However, all I’m saying is, you gotta be aware and not take your family, relatives, close friends and your Hari Raya celebrations for granted.
Visit your relatives when weekend hits,
Evil Bunny