The conversation/competition between Bloggingbrooke and Alexis McBride continues. Yesterday I moved to my new abode, send her a photo to be viewed at the end of this blog.
Me: Got one extra bedroom, you must visit. My view
She: Your view is amazing. You are living large.
Me: Indeed but with some hardship to be overcome. Nothing is perfect.
Then the next morning sent a reel of the sunrise.
She: : Oh my goodness it is beautiful.
Me: It was breathtaking. I plan to turn it into an Instagram reel.
Living large can mean one to two things. “Living large” is an idiom that means to live a wealthy and successful lifestyle, often by spending money on luxury goods and experiences. It can also mean to live a life that’s full of purpose and meaning.” I am not spending money on luxury goods, the stay apartment is inexpensive, especially compared with rentals in the USA. (I therefore think she meant that my life is full or purpose and meaning. Brett Legg spoke of it in these terms:Living large is milking the most out of everything in life. Living large is about maintaining the wonder in life, even if the wonders of life are in short supply.” He used three E words to describe the process: Enlightenment, Engagement and Empowerment,
Enlightenment the big E word for understanding knowledge and learning. If you want to grow, the more you need to know.
Empowerment is authority and power to do something.
Engagement is about doing something, getting involved, trying something. You cannot live large by sitting on the sidelines.
The Islamic Faith offers believers guidance, hope and optimism and, of course, Allah (SWT). My Muslim driver Din speak of the faith and the challenges we face in our everyday existence. After one of these conversations he texted this.
“If your stress is cause by Duniya, your dhikar is ‘La ilaha illal Allah’ for it brings to mind that there is nothing worth fearing or adoring but Allah
If your stress is caused by yourself, your dhikar is ‘La hawla wala quwata illa billa’ for it brings to mind that people have no power.
If your stress is caused by yourself, your habits etc, your dhikar is ‘Astagfirullah’ for it wipes away sin which is the chief cause of anxiety.’
I responded:
Me: Thank you. This is profound it speaks to me.
He: Good.
The Arabic word Dhikr means remembrance, it is a kind of worship to Allah. All Muslims must to Dhaka. The are many benefits of dhikr according to Islamic theology. It is a way of polishing the heart, a way of gaining closeness to Allah.
My New Abode
Abode is a place of residence. I have a new place of residence, much larger than my tiny Lyf room. It has two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen, a living room, a wrap around deck facing the sea. Mohan, with his vast connections and influence, found it for me, negotiating the reasonable price. It is an owner apartment, separate but adjoining a hotel. One can use the facilities of the hotel; pool, gym, shops, restaurants, a spa, a convenience store, a long sandy beach on which to stroll. It is nothing short of paradise.
The sunrises are spectacular, the sunsets less so as adjacent buildings block the sky. I am NOT complaining. Yesterday I filmed the sequence of the sunrise. It was most colorful at 7:14 although the actual sunrise was at 7:32. Watching the evolution was riveting. I did use one for an Instagram reel. It is called Sunrise at my New Home. I shall attach it to the blog and give you the link. I also posted a reel with the caption Everything is Temporary. It is, a basic tenant of the Islamic Faith. The going ons of that evening were most temporary, mentioned in a previous blog. But what has evolved is a close friendship which will last longer than a disastrous marriage. Hahaha
Off to Singapore
Well it has been an eventful morning. The preceding was written just after sunrise. Then a WhatsApp ping sent an alert. Din, my driver’s brother died and he couldn’t give me a ride to the airport as scheduled. Oh my Allah!! It slowly but surely became panic city as I had people to rely on. I would have done better on my own and in the end I did. Eventually, and I do mean eventually a taxi was found for me. An English speaking Malay driver and I had a fascinating conversation about the wisdom of NOT having children. Got to the airport on time. I love Singapore Airlines, totally and always will. A wonderful check in, easy efficient, no lines. A wheelchair immediately appeared. I was pushed by Amir, a handsome young Malaysian man. I went to the business class lounge (the round about way). Used Apple Pay at a reduced rate as I was only there for a short time. The wonderful woman took my Apple Pay and later brought me food – a perfect selection. The line was long – my purse and computer were left in the seat and although Malaysians are so honest, there were foreigners in our midst. (Hahaha). Amir fetched me, I was first to board the plane. I was enthusiastically greeted by Singapore Airline staff as I had knowledge of the strenuous training program that must master and knew Singapore Air had a enormously profitable year. The Airlines distributed the profits to its employees, I believe their received eight months salary.
They: Thank you for your knowledge about us. We appreciate it.
A beautiful young flight attendant asked to have her photo taken with me. I laughingly complied, WhatsApping it to Shamir and Mohan. The flight attendant and me.
Mohan: (sent a Waaa emoji) You look prettier than she .
Me: You are blind. Hahaha I won’t tell anyone, Not her anyway. Hahaha
Well, I did.
She: He is so sweet.
Me: Sometimes. Hahahah
My conversation with son Shamir was a little different.
Me: Me and the flight attendant. She asked for the picture. I told her you were handsome. I lied. Haha
He: Well Hahaha So lovely. You guys have almost the same hairstyle.
Me: Not the same color, stupid
He: Haha Of course not.
I was seated in 45H, the aisle seat for my left knee. A man at the window seat. My imaginary husband was in the middle seat. Every middle seat I could see on this crowded flight was occupied. Hmmmm. Passengers were served pizzas. announced we were there and soon would land. The flight time is only a little over an hour. A wonderful woman handed me a note and cookies. I could not believe my eyes. I started to cry tears of joy but stopped, knowing people would not understand. You shall see a photo of the note, back and front. It said:
Dear Ms. McBride We hope you enjoyed the flight as much as we enjoyed having you on board! Love the energy.
I took a photo and sent it to members of my ‘family.’ Pam.a niece of Mohan, a cousin to Shamir was the most expressive. Pam, an only child, is visiting her mother, who was born and lived in Penang her life. Pam lives in Kuwait with her Irish husband. She is a tailor, as is her mother. She is fashioning beautiful clothes for me. All made exactly to measure of beautiful fabric.
She Awesome. Ur a star.
Me: Apparently
I had to wait until the plane emptied before I could be wheeled out of there. Many of the cabin crew gathered around me.
Me: Excuse me. Are any of you Muslims?
They: No sorry you we are not.
Me: Well. When a believer makes other Muslims happy, it makes Allah happy. Oops guess I wasted it on nonMuslims. Of course I am joking. You people are absolutely wonderful. I will forever treasure this experience and keep flying Singapore Air for sure.
Well I have to. I have a return ticket to Penang. Hahaha. They are an amazing airline. I will fly with them if they will take me where I want to go next. I can live inexpensively in Malaysia and take wondrous trips to other countries. I lead a blessed life.
Checked into the Hilton. More wonders from there. I had a bath. What luxury. Lyf only had showers. I am in heaven. An incredible room with a magnificent view. Alhamdulillah. I am a Hilton Honors Diamond member. I recommend to that as well.
At this moment I remembered my raison d’être. Hope was my survival; Success is my revenge – Patricia Cornell
Raison d’être/ˌreɪzɒ̃ ˈdɛtrə/ is a French expression commonly used in English, meaning “reason for being” or “reason to be.” The most important reason of for being or reason to be is the Islamic Way of Ease. But this has been a day of ultimate revenge, and I did not hurt anyone except indirectly, those who treated me grievously. I was not defeated by their inhumanity, rising above it and was able to trust again. I am able to lose all memory of those who have hurt and abused me. It is a gift from Allah (SWT). Their ultimate fate will be in Allah’s (SWT) hands, not mine.
Photographs of my tremendous experience on Singapore Air. Videos of Sunrise in My New Abode and Everything is Temporary
