April 8, 2025
I write from Kuala Lumpur, been here since April 3, 2025. It has been a very strange and unusual trip but that appears to be the ongoing story of my life. Plans have been made to return to Penang tomorrow. There were some, shall we say – stressful times but I prefer not to talk about them – so I will not. It is very unusual where I found solace. It was from a man called Mohammed who lives in Ghana. We have been enjoying a conversation with one another over the past few days.
He: I just finished reading the blog on success in light of the Quran and I must say I enjoyed every moment of it. Quran chapter 91 and 93 are some of my favorite chapters in the Quran. How has your visit to in KL been so far?
I responded with a voice message.
He: Sorry to hear that Allah knows best. That is so unfortunate and yes you should not a man like that. Allah says in Quran chapter 30 (Rome) verse 21. “And among His signs is this, that he created for you wives from among yourselves, that you may find repose in them, and He may find repose in them, and He has put between you affection and mercy. Verily in that are indeed signs for a people who reflect. So any man that strikes you has no affection for you. Allah knows best.
These words did bring solace, Of course I thanked him, in these words. .
Me: I love your message to me. It was sent by Allah it is perfectly clear to me. You have been His angel.
He: Glad to hear that and to also know you are doing well. It’s past midnight here. I was almost about to go to bed because I have work tomorrow… Have a great day.
Me: I am having a great day. Good night my dear.
Rather methodically I looked to my Quran, finding additional solace.
Quran 30: 21. “And one of the signs is that He created for you spouses so that you may find comfort in them.And he has placed between you compassion and mercy. Surely in this is are signs for people who reflect.”
Allah (SWT) has compassion and mercy, I do have compassion and mercy as well (in smaller doses). The other individual to the threesome does not, I know see.
Of course I had to look up the meaning of solace, as I have been using the word hither and thon. Solace, a noun: comfort or consolation in a time of distress or sadness. Some synonyms: consolation, support, calm,
Nevertheless, in the words of a song.
You’ve got to ac-cent-tchu-ate the positive
E-lim-i-nate the negative
Latch on to the affirmative
Don’t mess with Mr. In-Between
You’ve got to spread joy up to the maximum
Bring gloom down to the minimum
Have faith, or pandemonium
Liable to walk upon the scene
To illustrate his last remark
Jonah in the whale, Noah in the ark
What did they do
Just when everything looked so dark?
Man, they said we better
Ac-cent-tchu-ate the positive
E-lim-i-nate the negative
Latch on to the affirmative
Don’t mess with Mr. In-Between
No, do not mess with Mr. In-Between
Do you hear me?
Oh, listen to me children and, uh, you will hear
About eliminatin’ of the negative and an accent on a positive
And gather ’round me children if you willin’
And sit tight while I start reviewin’ the attitude of doin’ right
You gotta ac-cent-tchu-ate the positive
E-lim-i-nate the negative
Latch on to the affirmative
Don’t mess with Mr. In-Between
You got to spread joy up to the maximum
Bring gloom down to the minimum
Then (otherwise), otherwise
Pandemonium liable to walk upon the scene
well, illustrate
(My last remark) you got the floor
Jonah in the whale, Noah in the ark
(What did they say?) What did they say?
(Say, when everything looked so dark?)
Man, they said we better
Ac-cent-tchu-ate the positive
E-lim-i-nate the negative
Latch on to the affirmative
Don’t mess with Mr. In-Between
No, don’t mess with Mr. In-Between
I see from the vantage point of the here-and-now that I managed to do a great job of accenting the positive, latching onto the affirmative, spreading joy to the magnificent maximum. You shall hear of the highlights My only regret? I suppose my failure to blog on a daily basis, which will mean some of the details of my experiences will be lost, some amazing people not mentioned.
Something spectacular just happened. Got a WhatsApp text from Fazil making it possible to thank him for his many contributions to my blessed bountiful way of life.
April 9th 2 pm (or 1400)
This comes to you from Business Class on Malaysian Air. Loving it, too bad it is such a short flight. The drive from KL JW Marriott to the airport took longer than the flight to Penang. Oh my goodness the announcement informed that the flight would take only 35 minutes. A fellow passenger Hannah and I fell into conversation. We were in agreement – business class on a short flight is worth it – the anticipation, boarding first, the business class lounge, being the first to depart the plane, your luggage arriving promptly. I thoroughly appreciate this, as did Hannah as I came from a poor family, earning this privilege from my own hard work.
Even though a short flight we Business Class folk were served a meal. I chose Chicken Satay and Coke Zero. Was speaking with my Business Class neighbor, a hospital administrator from Hong Kong. I guess I speak with my hands as I sent my meal crashing to the floor. How embarrassing putting everyone to work cleaning up the mess. We landed in a timely fashion, as a business class person was one of the first off the plane, met by a handsome young Malay man dressed in blue who pushed me first to get my luggage and then to Gate 3 where we were joined by Driver Din. I was so happy to see him – it had been ages as he did not drive during Ramadan. He had another commitment so GRAB took Mohan and I to the Penang airport.
Blessedly traffic was not too onerous. Soon reaching ‘home’ with my new suitcase purchased at the Pavilion for 50% off.
There is so much to write about. So many adventures during my six surprising KL days.. I could not be happier with my JW Marriott upgraded room, the breakfasts, the lunches. Perhaps will end the blog speaking of a few of the photos taken during my adventures. A photo of the limo that whisked me to the KL airport from my hotel. The ride to the airport took longer than the flight time to Penang. It was luxurious, and relaxing as I knew I would arrive at the right place, at the right time. My ride to the Penang airport on Thursday was shared – a GRAB, not my favorite mode of conveyance. No handsome men, hence no photo Hahaha.
Other adventures were trips to nearby bookstores. I had not been in a bookstore for what seemed like decades. There were two within walking distance of the Marriott. Bought a couple of books, also took photos of a couple of strange titles. One or the self help genre was titled I Decided to Live As Me. Huh? Who else are are going to live as? Then another offered One Hundred Ways to Improve Your Writing. Huh? One improves one’s writing by writing. It is the only way. A sunrise photo featuring the urban view of the KL JW Marriott. A total contrast to the peaceful Penang ocean sunrises of my daily life.
Then there are two reels revealing a Middle East Marriott lunch featuring a fiery delicious concoction. I asked Fazil if I could include it on this blog. This was our conversation.
Me: Is it okay with you if I put the funny lunch reel on the blog?
He: As long as I do not look like a greedy slob.
Me: Oh no very elegant. I will send for approval.
Sent it.
Me: See elegant.
He: Looks good.
I have returned to the peaceful Penang shores. Will write of the many KL adventures – not planning on doing much of anything for a few days. I can, therefore look back in leisure.
