For multiple reasons peace of mind has returned, to a degree never before experienced. As I relax, create and experience contentment did remember that once upon a time spoke of air conditioning hell. So I typed it into the search engine of the blog. Indeed I had, more than once. The most pertinent entry was November 23, 2023. Again I HAVE to congratulate myself on my great titles. I Would Rather Shiver Than Sweat; My Past Life Seen as a Futile Attempt to Air Condition Hell; A Heater to the Rescue of Frigid Air Conditioning; The Retrieval of Lost Apple Air Pods; Winning and Losing a serious Discussion Bigwig Defined; Wikipedia Discusses Keffiyeh: The Heater, A Book; The Air Pods at Home
This is what I wrote at the time. At the time I was living next door to the Medina Prophet’s Mosque
“At this exact moment I live an incredibly blessed life; I am immensely grateful. Grateful beyond measure. My gratitude is enhanced, made viable by the hardships, the woe, the betrayals, the abuse suffered in the past. Last evening walking ‘home’ from the Prophet’s Mosque I reached the sudden realization that I had been nobly, diligently and tirelessly attempting to air condition hell. Needless to say, success in that endeavor was not achieved.”
I continue, defining terms to reach greater understanding as I usually do, but then lapse into conversation with my Alter Ego.
I realize, become increasingly cognizant of my blessings by recognizing and thoroughly appreciating the diametrically opposed situation encountered at this moment n my blessed existence. The ‘air conditioning hell’ has a counterpart, an opposite. It is rather amusing. I do hate the heat, become totally nonfunctional and grouchy in temperatures considered cold in this part of the world. For years and years and years, this phrase conveyed the depth of my feeling. Me: If I lived near the equator I would become a mass murderer. Alter Ego: Really?? Why do you say that? Have you said that for ages? Me: When hot, I cannot sleep, everything irritates me. I am miserable, see no beauty in the world.
Alter Ego: May I point out to you that you now live in a part of the world known for, , shall we say,, tropical conditions? Me: I know! But as I say to any and all who warn about the heat: they have air conditioning.”
I go on endlessly speaking of getting a heater in my room so I will not continue to freeze in the subarctic conditions. Onward then to the air pods.
My next move was to speak of my feeble attempts at air conditioning hell but instead stall focus and direct our attention to another example of the blessed situation in which I find myself. I am missing two items of important, my Apple air pods and my blue rimmed glasses. I first thoroughly organized my room, not finding them decided to go to Reception to inquire as to weather there was a Lost and Found. Reception is so entirely helpful. I have stayed in other hotels where the response would be as follows. Me: Is there a lost and found? They: I do not know, that is another department. OR: How best can I NOT serve your needs. (This by the way is an example of me trying to air condition hell. I thought I could in some way have an impact on the mismanagement of these hotel)
However, much to my delight the air pods were found by reception. I was absolutely elated. Thought about all of this with wonder.
I felt totally blessed by Allah (SWT). You must understand, during my whole life I have had such a difficult time summoning the courage to ask for help. It never was forthcoming, led to feelings of loss, frustration and despair. I was left with the feeling of being utterly alone. As a result became entirely self sufficient and/or the a misplaced sense that I could do something to remedy to fix an impossible system or situation. In this magnificently managed hotel, this AJ (AlmostJannah), I find the answer to my prayers. Relief from the frigid air-conditioning and the return if the missing air pods. .
Then more miraculous events occurred. Met people in the Tea Room of the Oberio Hotel. I speak of these miracles for a reason, for a purpose, clarified in a short conversation over coffee with FAME. He promised his presence in the Tea Room, fI was speaking and laughing with a a wonderful woman from Turkey. She had been siting at an adjacent table, somewhat summoned me. She: I love your energy. Me: Thanks!! I will come to your table and tell you a secret. She was sitting with her husband, mother and father. Me: I know! I am not this energetic every minute of the day but yes, I find energy when I am around people. Here is the miracle. I am 80. They: I would NEVER have thought that. She and I had a fabulous conversation, speaking of the Islamic Faith. Finally FAME made an appearance. . Me: Here is my date, at long last he made his appearance. . Simultaneously I picked up a date from the plate and looked it in the eye. When one orders Arab coffee it comes with a plate of the succulent dates. Medina is famous for its dates. More about that in an upcoming blog. Stay tuned. Hahahaha
I then had a serious conversation with FAME, who real name is Mr. Marwan.
“Not sure why, or how, FAME and I got onto this topic but we began to discuss my role in the Islamic Faith. Do ave to admit this, the argument began with an argument. I am convinced I won, you shall here only my version however. . Me: I disagree. There has to be a new role for women within the Islamic Faith. I am utterly alone, but I am a role model. You can be utterly alone with no husband or family, unencumbered by girlfriends and be happy, be fulfilled. That is never acknowledged, in the literature or in life. Conventional Muslims pity me my aloneness. I enjoy it. He: We are your family, You are not alone. Me: I know!! I love that! So I guess you just won that argument. He: Thanks. I am going to leave quickly before you change your mind about that. Me: Good idea! I will give you a virtual hug. I am positive that it is not harem. He: It is not! Thank you. He scurried of for another meeting. This hotel does not have useless meetings; there is a highly tuned system of communication amounts the staff members. The big wigs (as I call them) have worked within these hallowed halls for over thirty years.”
I was stunned to read of this. Everything was soon to dramatically change. I left the Oberio Hotel exactly one month later – under a cloud. Never to return. Almost went back there to get married but that did not work out either. Do read the November 23, 2023 blog in its entirely. It was enlightening.
I lead a very unusual life, that is for certain. I guess I am glad I have the blog to remind me of the past. It would be impossible to comprehend or accept without the Islamic Faith which instructs its adherents that life on this earth is only temporary. The good times are temporary but so are the bad times temporary.
This may be a temporary phase as well. I have developed a new persona. Persona is defined by Wikipedia, A persona (plural personae or personas) is a strategic mask of identity in public,[1] the public image of one’s personality, the social role that one adopts, or simply a fictional character.[2] It is also considered “an intermediary between the individual and the institution.
Yesterday, over the incredible Tomato Rigatoni brunch at Mojo Jojo decided that it might be fun to be a foodie. It just came to me, all of a sudden. Googled foodie, I SO love the definition. A foodie is a person who has an ardent or refined interest in food, and who eats food not only out of hunger but also as a hobby.
The term “foodie” first appeared in the early 1980s. Originally, it was used to describe someone with a particular interest in eating and dining out, but over the decades, this definition has expanded significantly. Wow! I was made for this – well for about two months. Then the operation is going to shut down as it is Ramadan. It will just be me and dates – the edible ones not the guy ones. The guy ones are definitely not working out for me.
I got inspired this morning, again. I ordered the “Duck Milanese, mash, soft egg, house gravy”. It was quickly brought to my table. It was absolutely delicious, a total epicurean delight. The duck was shredded and made into a sort of paddy, the mash potatoes were light, fluffy and very tasty. The off was soft boiled to perfection, oozed all over everything when I began to ear. Yummy!!! Good for the tummy! Hahahah
I have the perfect credentials to be a foodie. I have taken tens, if not hundreds, of cooking classes. Go to the Books section of the blog and you shall see Adventures in Paris. The adventure was a cooking class at the famous Cordon Bleu. The last cooking class I took was one at the Bali Hilton Resort. It was an amazing experience. First going to the fish market in the early morning. There is a reel on my YouTube channel. I will direct you to it at the end of the blog. I am made for the job, there’s no doubt about that!!!
I shall not, of course, be a foodie forever. But it is fun at the moment. It is the right time, the right place for Alexis the Foodie to appear. There is not only the innovate Mojo Jojo restaurant in this hotel, there is the traditional Kashmir Restaurant just around the corner. When I go there to eat at night a kind employee walks me home. It is a blessing to be escorted in kindness. We speak of being kind, the importance in the Islamic Faith and the dearth of kindness to be found in this earthly existence.
First – YouTube directions to the Bali fish market reel. It is on the fifth reel on the left hand side under Shorts. It was recorded on August 15, 2024. It was such fun as you call see. So colorful
By the way, there is a new reel number one now under shorts already received 136 views. It is Trump,it says Trust in God the Foundation. On Instagram I said: “That is me hiding from Trump. He could never find me. Allah (SWT) os lee[omg me safe. Protection from Trump comes from the Islamic Faith, nothing else can do it. Protection from Trump, Israel and all evil.
There are three food photos. The Tomato Rigatoni and two photos of the rapidly consumed Duck Milanese. I am having such fun. There are sad times of course – many losses but old doors must be closed before new ones are opened.
