Today is June 1 – therefore May is no more. To say the very least it was an eventful May – most possibly the most eventual month of my entire long life. I did manage to live to tell about it. – not even any near misses, I laughingly report. It is very difficult, almost impossible to single out one day, one experience that was the most improbable – the quirkiest, the crankiest, the zaniest, the most mad cap, the furthest far out, the most outlandish. It HAS to be this one. Being met at the Jakarta International Airport – the Soekarno–Hatta International Airport,( which is a weird name come to think of it) by Baby, her friend Jenny, and the chauffeur (with the unlikely name of Boy Man) driving an enormous, and I do mean enormous, Lexus Limousine. Then being driven miles and miles, most congested traffic ever to be seen drinking my favorite beverage, listening to tunes and being massaged by the rear seat. It is unforgettable and totally improbable. I did not even know that Lexus made a limousine – most of you, my gentle readers, did not know that either, I am convinced.
I was indeed feted during the days (and nights) surrounding my May 29 birthday. The English language, is again most complicated and unusual, the pronunciation of feted its also the pronunciation of fetid with entirely different meanings. Fetid, an adjective is foul-smelling, stinking to high heaven, malodorous. Fete is a celebration, a gala, a funfair, a jubilee. It makes me SO happy that English is my first language – and also my last as I am inept in math, foreign languages, and singing. Inept means I do not have, nor do I show any skill. I am clumsy, maladroit, all thumbs, bungling, blundering, bumbling botched and klutzy in my linguistic abilities, my singing and math. Nobody is perfect, not even me. Hahaha
What was the quirkiest, craziest, zaniest birthday ‘present’ I received, and from whom??? It was a photograph of approximately one hundred bottles of halal (non alcoholic) beer. The gift giver is a man who met and knew me in my KSA days. He knew of my love of halal beer, which possibly was greater than my love for him. It would have been very impractical for him to have shipped the real thing, as I was in Jakarta Indonesia and he was in Kano, Nigeria. It was an instance of being the thought that counts, which is “used to say that good or kind intentions are the most important thing, even if what you do or give someone is not perfect: Even when people do things for you and give you things that you don’t actually want, you must always remember that it’s the thought that counts.” I am sure that finding the photo (or assembling the beers) too k a lot of effort. He can remain anonymous – he has had several nicknames which have appeared in this blog (and elsewhere). His current nickname is HOW (which stands for Hammad Or Waiter, which is an in-joke) “An in-joke is a private joke that can only be understood by a limited group of people who have a special knowledge of something that is referred to in the joke.”
What is SO unbelievable is that an Instagram Story ad keeps flashing selling real estate in Abuja Nigeria The VoiceOver keeps saying I am available. Hurry to be by my side.
Sent a thank you upon receiving the halal beer photo
Me: Oh my Allah. It is my favorite drink as well you know. Hahaha Such a gift!!!
Me: So strange this ad shows up all the time for urging the purchase of property in Abuja. ??? How weird. That is where my dowry condo was going to be. Hahaha
He: Hahaha maybe the ad is delivering a message Hahaha
Me: I think it is. That is why I told you stupid. Hahaha I have a family here. Shamir is so great and is my PA. We joke that I am is long lost mother, in a way.
He: I am happy you got him. Hahaha you guys are reunited.
June 2, 2025
I write from the Jakarta JW Marriott Breakfast Buffet on this the last day of my stay here. My good morning photograph pictures my suitcases with the following caption.
Me: Good morning. What is this?? My packed bags. Baby and her friend Jenny gave me the ultimate gift last evening and packed me for my trip back to Penang.
Baby responded.
She: Good morning. I will sendthe car at 1, ok darling.
Me: That would be fantastic to see the car and get in it my precious younger sister.. Unfortunately it is taking me to the airport and away from you.
She: I will see u in Penang my darling with your Canadian passport.
She has promised, and will bring my Canadian passport when it is issued. The ten year renewal will allow the application for a Malaysia is my second home visa.
On May 19, 2025 HOW sent a reel from Mauritius advertising a retirement visa, promising that for a mere 1200 a month I could live there permanently or part time. I immediately responded.
Me: Fascinating. Because my Umrah guide in 2022 came from this island. Such a small world. I made a commitment to people in Malaysia to fund educations etc but it looks like a fabulous alternative. I could do both come to think of it.
But first things first. Back to Penang, then on July 16 leave my three week Umrah tour with Alina. I am truly bless. Alhamdulillah
Spending less time and effort on Instagram, but did respond to one of the endless ‘To Hijab or Not to Hijab’ reels.
Me: On the other hand if apiece of material scares people and blinds them to who I am – why wear it?? It is not a requisite in the faith and it labels me and restricts my freedom. I am a revert of four years. Lived in Saudi Arabia for six months but also the US, Canada, UAE and Malaysia. I covered for about three of these four years. At this time I do not. Everyday I strive to act and believe in ways to please Allah (SWT) not to merely look like I am a Muslim.
I received eight Likes for this comment.
Photographs will include my lovingly packed luggage. The Lexis Limo that drove me to the airport. A photo of Baby taken at the Marriott Pearl Restaurant, one of the other guests and myself at the Pearl Restaurant. A photo of Eggs Benedict prepared at the Jakarta JW Marriott Executive Lounge. There is also a photo taken during prayer. me I am now writing from the Lexus Limo that is escorting me to the airport. Never have I been taken care of in this style and manner. I am truly being blessed by Allah (SWT). My prayers are ones of gratitude for all of the blessings in my life at this moment. Alhamdulillah.
