Discerning readers will have noticed two columns in the country breakdown of my statistics. Viewers and views. Viewers are the people, views are the number of visits. If views are the criteria then Malaysia is the winner of the Alexis McBride Blog Reading Contest. Malaysia’s view count is 1,294, followed by USA 1,120, Canada 864.
I am according to experts in the field, unique amongst bloggers. Most people visit a blog once or twice – scroll down, that is it. Not true with Alexis McBride.com. Viewers come back time and time again and remain on the blog for a long period of time. It has always been so -from the very beginning, more than seven and a half years ago.
Here is a stranger phenomena. Someone with greater math skills than I possess can divide the number of viewers into the views and come up with a formula. One country wins, shall we say, hands down. Bahrain. 22 into 128 equals about 6. Whereas the US at 541 divided into 1,120 equals about 2. Canada at 319 into 866 equals almost 3. Malaysia is also almost 6 What does all of this mean? I have no flipping idea at all. But yeah Bahrain and Malaysia. You will kindly note that I always feel the truth – I am very poor at math.
Finally my attention has been returned so to the folks of Malaysia. As mentioned in the August 3, 2024 blog the Malaysian people are the jewels in the crown. Of all of this country’s resources it seems to me and many others that they are their very finest resource. I shall proceed in my self appointed task to praise them.
“I am not an expert,” she (being me) said humbly. Nonetheless I shall now list my credentials. At this writing I have lived in Malaysia for eighty-two days. However, while living in living in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (2017-2019) , I had my first, shall we say, Malaysian experience. I met and then endured an unusual relationship with a Malaysian 34 year old (at the time) multi-billionaire. (Yes, billion, not million) Also very briefly met is KL residing parents. He was the first, and for the longest time, the last Malaysian I had ever laid eyes on. Of course, he was not exactly a typical Malaysian for many reasons: his inherited fortune, his faith (born again Christian) his education (Oklahoma Oral Robert University, then Masters in Australia) and his residence (living in Canada, preferring it to Malaysia) So he was totally atypical, not representative of Malaysians. For several years I was Malaysian free.
My next encounter with a Malaysian took place in Medina on July 22, 2023. A Malaysian Sister was visiting Prophet’s Mosque, after the completion of her Hajj. Quite surprisingly we began a rather intense WhatsApp correspondence. The end of April 2024 found me weary of Saudi Arabia, where I had been living for six months. I needed a resting place, one that allowed tourists with US and Canadian passports. She suggested I visit her, she lived her whole life in Penang, Malaysia. I knew nothing about neither at the time. This Penang Lexis Suites five star hotel has served as an excellent vantage point.
Lexis Suites was chosen solely because of the name, Using booking.com made reservations for four days, planning to probably stay elsewhere. Much to my amazement I fell deeply in love with the place, happy to say the feeling is mutual. It seems I have found a home. The guests and the staff at this hotel made it an excellent vantage point. I shall first speak of the staff
Unlike most hotels the world over, the majority of the staff are Malaysians, working in their own home.country. 91.8 percent of the Malaysian population are citizens, 63.5 % of the people practice Islam, 18,7% are Buddhists. Wikipedia informs us.
“The Malaysian constitution strictly defines what makes a “Malay”, considering Malays those who are Muslim, speak Malay regularly, practise Malay customs, and lived in or have ancestors from Brunei, Malaysia and Singapore.[164] Statistics from the 2010 Census indicate that 83.6% of the Chinese population identify as Buddhist, with significant numbers of adherents following Taoism (3.4%) and Christianity (11.1%), along with small Muslim populations in areas like Penang.” (I did not realize until completing this research that we Muslims in Penang are in the minority.)
Guests can, and do, come from many countries. The weekend guests are the ones I look forward to. Malaysian families from all over this country make this a destination. Their children play in the private pools found on Lexis Suites balconies. There is a huge influx of Malaysian families every weekend. The second week was a week of Malaysian school holidays, never have so many Malaysian families been packed into a five star hotel – it was crammed. I am convinced I was the only foreigner in attendance during that week. This has been an immense privilege – I have seen Malaysian families in action, observing hundreds of them during breakfast. It is a joy to behold, as you soon shall learn.
I have never observed this phenomena in any of the 38 world countries in which I have traveled, often residing for weeks and months at a time. The phenomena: Muslim men. They are maternal, assist with the care of their children, partner with their wives, taking turns bring food from the buffet, holding the infants, playing with their toddlers, joking with their adolescents. They are involved, an integral part of the family. Not just a sperm donor, a phrase used in California dependency statutes meaning the father after the moment of conception has nothing to do with the child. Mothers are often the disciplinarians. Little girls run, play freely, laughingly when their fathers are taking care of them. Mother returns to the table and they are mannerly and well behaved.
Malaysian women, surely with the support of their husbands and children are traditional – covering with modest clothes and brightly covered scarves. They are, nonetheless, independent, self-sufficient, clearly comfortable in their skins with self esteem and confidence.
The children are well respected and well behaved. My July 3, 2024 blog spoke of a little boy who reverently kissed my hand twice, , encouraged by his father. It captured my heart.
I do realize, as I write, that this is healing. I was abused as a child by my father, my mother did nothing to protect me. Therefore, she ended up lacking self-confidence, esteem or self worth. My manners were self taught. I was understandably afraid, not outgoing- not playful, never protected by my father (or anyone). My excessive empathy serves a purpose being surrounded by Malaysian families. I can feel what it is like to be from a caring, supportive, and nurturing family. I am blessed.
I enjoy a bountiful breakfast – often exhausted by the time I return to my room. I retire to write, to pray, seldom emerging. Self care is important taking bubble baths in my huge tub,, having frequent manicures, pedicures, massages and scarf tying lessons at Lex Spa. I am the recipient of may gifts, scarves from Mira and Amy, a blue-eyed eagle ring from Elephant Man. I live in complete order provided by the daily attention of staff – no bed making, no cleaning of toilets for me. I do feel lI am Alexis, the Blue-Eyed Queen.
Lexis Suites is conducive to me writing, as it contributes to my peace of mind. One young woman, hearing of my ‘stay at home’ habits said:
She: Aren’t your bored? You never seem to leave the hotel.
Me: Oh no! Quite the opposite. One has all of the resources necessary for an interesting life with a computer, the Internet and a curious mind. I have all three here at this peaceful haven.
I shall continue to explore, research and observe, in my attempt to discover how Malaysians got this way. In many ways the uniqueness of the Malaysian people was summarized in a WhatsApp conversation with a Saudi friend. I spoke of the Malaysian people
Me: You see how darling Malaysians are!!
He: I know them well. They are a joy. ASWT bless all.
Me: I am planning on writing about them on my blog.
I shall now speak of two Malaysian women I have grown to love and respect. Amy and Mira of Lex Spa, Penang Lexis Suites. The kindness, generosity, and care shown to me throughout my stay has been exemplary. It pleases me,, puts me over the moon and on top of the world. Four days ago they gifted me with six of the most beautiful scarves you have ever seen. (And you shall see them.) Those of you, who are not familiar with Malaysian culture (as I was not) do not know how Malaysian women cover their hair. Instead of basic black their head scarves are bright, colorful, with exquisite patterns. \ I have never, in any other country, seen such beauty. It is both respectful of the faith AND a celebration of the beauty of Creation. It is infinitely practical as well. A woman could wear the same dress every day, just wear a different scarf – no one would notice. Malaysian women wear simple comfortable clothes – they are dressed modestly but practically. Their clothes do not get in the way, do not interfere with their mobility. Getting dressed is easy, the results colorful and commendable. Women of other cultures and countries visit Lexis Suites, their clothes of two extremes. Saudi women, covered from head to toe often wearing niqabs; the other side of the coin are women in the shortest sorts I have ever seen, coupled with tight revealing t-shirts. Discussed the manner of dress with a woman from Yemen, wearing a colorful abaya and matching head scarf.
Me: I wonder who those women are dressing to please? Wearing shorts in the heat is dreadfully uncomfortable. Abayas allow for circulation, one can actually not even wear underwear. Tight shorts are restrictive and hot.
She: Yes it does not make any sense. It is not attractive and is expensive. Often in Muslim countries the fabrics of the country are used – cotton usually – which provides employment for those native to the region.
Me: I have noticed that women traveling in tour groups are the worst offenders. Tour group leaders should tell their clients that this is a Muslim majority country and it is respectful of the people and their culture to wear loose casual long pants or dresses.
She: I agree. Saudi Arabia is stricter, but I have heard there is lessening in Riyadh and other cities – other than Medina and Mecca.
Me: Yes, that is true from what I have seen. Come to think of it, have not worn shorts in years but now I remember – you can stick to seats with your bare legs. I love my abayas and you can wear pajamas underneath them. It seems so sinful – but who cares, it is fun.
Photographs of my six gifted scarves, arranged on my spare bed will be shown. The dress in the middle was gifted by Amy – traditional, most comfortable, loose fitting, a lovely color – the fabric does not wrinkle. I am blessed,
I have developed a new talent. Following the example set by Amy I have learned to make reels with messages. Posted them on Instagram and now you shall see them. So much fun!!!
