Halal bi Halal & Freya's Birthday

Freya, Eyra, Keifa, Kayla: the four musketeers....모였다.

Dingdong....the bell rang...mbak.Dian and her family came.

We're celebrating Eid al Fitr or Lebaran as we Indonesians call it. Since it's still in the season's festivity...we might as well.invited some of our colleagues and friends along.

Alhamdulillah....we're having a great time though we had to squeeze ourselves in^^

Sekalian halal bi halal^^

..but...July 25 was also Freya's birthday so we had a small party to celebrate the day.

생일축하해, 프레야^^

In Indonesia you're 7...but here in Korea you're already 8 years old.^^

birthday cake provided by Yang Subin eonni....

became the kids's center of attention 

they sliced the cake into small.pieces

and....

let the party began.

Subin eonni has become a part of our extended Indonesian families.^^

...Freya...remember this always, Dear.

Freya and her friends along with Subin eonni...

keluarga besar RT Wolgok-dong^^or Subway jalur 6!!!^^

Since most of us live along the subway line 6...where we got our name from.

First group picture on Freya's Birthday and Syawalan dinner.

And...the 2nd round...Alhamdulillah the party went smoothly.

bye bye Eonni...thanks for coming.

me and my colleague mas Zico along with my students...Diko and Syarief....

Eid Mubarak Gathering After 2-Weeks!

Yes, as I promised to my students, I invited them all to our home this week. They come from other cities like Daejon, Gangneung, Jeonju, and Incheon. Yes...they're studying at other cities so..it's not easy for us to meet on a weekly basis. 

I am glad to realize that although I never officially teach them, I feel like having a close attachment to them and so do they. Yes, that's the power of "...." I don't know what thta is. But..the fact that they're being Facebook friends ..on and off the air...is a blessing in itself. 

Indri, Henry, Nida, Andri and the gang were all here. There should've been more though. 

but..having them in Seoul like this ..I didn't have to do anything but...being thankful.. 

Some are going to be in Seoul until next semester, and some are leaving at the end of this summer. Well, students come and go to Seoul every semester and...

our home has become sort of a meeting point or a temporary home whenever they have something to do in Seoul.

More Students Are Coming to Town...

On the 3rd day of Idul Fitri, my students, Lina and Norwegia, came to our open house dinner. No..it's not a real dinner...just in time when we're about to have some dinner, Lina and Norwegia..along with their newly-met friend, Tenry, from Semarang.

At around 8 pm, they were just in time for us to have dinner..so...why not just ask them..I mean invite them all? 

Lina, Norway and Tenry were..I think-- a bit sleepy--after having Lontong Opor Ayam. 

Yes...they were many other students currently studying @ Korea.  

and this time around, those three girls were the ones who came to our home.

adn next week....more are coming.

Happy Eid, everyone.

Lebaran Lunch @ Mbak Ulfa's

After having served the Eid prayer at Masjid Seoul, we headed to mbak Ulfa's house at Imundong..about 40 minute-ride by subway from Itaewon. She invited us to have lunch together at her house. 

Mas Choirul, Pak Nugroho (and his family), my family, and mbak Ulfa herself. 

What would Lebaran be without lontong opor!! Yes, a must-have dish in Lebaran.

resep lontong opor

Since I didn't have a picture of what Lontong Opor is....well...I took it from someone else's picture on the web..with the link. 

and..it was Freya's birthday a few days ago, so..why not celebrate her birthday again..^^ when other kids were around? After all, Freya kind of waiting to have a birthday party with a birthday cake.

Yes..she thinks that birthday won't do without the cake.

Oh, well....Selamat Idul Fitri dan Ultah ya, Freya.

Semoga semua yang baik-baik dan terbaik ada pada dirimu. Amin.

Eid Fitr/ Idul Fitri/Aidil Fitri/ Eid Mubarak 1435 H @ Seoul Masjid

This is our 4th Eid Mubarak in Seoul. Yes...it's been 4 times. Gee..how time flies. 

Eid Mubarak..or Idul Fitri is a celebration for Muslims across the world celebrating the end of the Ramadan, the fasting month.  I think ..thousands of people thronged the Masjid for the celebration. (it's just inside the Masjid, more were outside).

After the prayer finished, people got up and began congratulating one another.... 

Oh, this year..I got to accompany Nuri. He's the son of my friend, mbak Anna. He's half-Indonesian, half Korean. While her Mom was at the women's section of the Masjib, I got to be with him all along.

Then...we bumped into mas Iksan..who turned out to be mbak Anna's close friend as well. I was a bit taken aback when I found out that they knew each other all along. What a small world.  

Then..as we stepped out of the Masjid and saw the front yard, we could see lots of jamaah were already on their feet...congratulating, hugging one another.... 

and not to forget....selfie-ing and taking pictures to seize the moment.

Happy Eid Mubarak 1435 H.