Knowing I had gone through many changes, and knowing I had written about it I went to my trusty search engine to find that indeed I had and had done it in spades. Up popped 21 blogs. It seemed the first blog was written on June 26, 2017. Began to read it, to be shocked actually Why? Read it and you will see. I had just returned to Canada after my stay in London, where I had gone to study and the blog began.
“Chris, my computer expert, sent me the statistics of last week. The blog, in existence for less than five months, had 11,828 visitors making 50,320 visits So to all my readers:: ”You Are Not Alone”. Some of you are friends but as popular as I am I do not have 11,825 friends. But there are amusing stories stemming from the universality of the blog, I emailed Bruce who was taking one of his arduous hiking ‘vacations’ in Switzerland. He emailed back instantly saying that he was reading my blog just as my email came bouncing in. What do I make of all this? I really do not know, and I am not sure that i will ever figure it all out. The blog would not have been born save for my being in London and meeting up with Chris who enabled it and is a necessary source of support.
But here is the paradox. For so many reasons London was a necessary transitory period but, as I contrast my recent experiences in Canada, it was all a bad dream. It was a miracle I survived the two and a half years.”
The blog goes on to speak of the horrors, the nightmarish events which characterized my London sojourn. It was not pretty but there seems little reason to recount them at this point in time. It ended with feelings of gratitude being back home “in time for Canada’s 150th birthday. I left Canada in 1967 – the year Canada turned 100. When I told people at the Greek Festival of my absence from the county they all said: “Welcome Home”. It was the best day of my life. Well so far, I am optimistic!”
In the long run, (or even short run) there was no reason to be optimistic. Vancouver proved to be an utter disaster in the end – a definite train wreck. Left in 2019 returning to San Francisco, experiencing extremely isolation during Covid. Then to Corte Madera, where there were lesser restrictions. Leased a Lexus, having a grand time. Most surprisingly and rather uncharacteristically became a Muslim on October 20,2020. Islamophobia forced my fleeing California, for the UAE, then back to Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, then to Saudi Arabia and then to Malaysia. .
I used the expression train wreck. Shamir had come to Lyf, we were sitting at the breakfast bar. He was on Personal Assistant paid duty. This was more, of less, our conversation.
Me: I used the expression train wreck in my writing. I am thinking of using AI for help with the definition, rather than using Google as I usually do. Can you help me with this ?
He: Sure. Give me your phone I will type “What does the expression train wreck mean” in your Chat 5.
He did and held iPhone so I could type the answer
“The expression train a wreck is often used metaphorically to describe a situation, event or person that characterized by chaos, disaster or complete failure. It evokes. The image of a catastrophic train accident signifying something that has gone terribly wrong, but with a certain level fascination or inevitability.
An example sentence: The project was a total train wreck, we missed deadlines, exceeded the budget and the final product was unrecognizable.
In summary ‘train ‘wreck’ is a vivid metaphor that conveys situations which are dramatically negative or chaotic, often compelling enough that observers feel drawn to them, despite the disasters unfolding.”
Shamir marveled at my magic fingers, quickly typing in the words. He used his phone to video me at work, later sending the 21 second reel.
He: U won typer of the century. Or typist.
Me: Nobody is going to see that. I love the fingers not the face. Hahaha
We proceeded with other items on my list. Paying Din, paying Chris, paying Shamir. Then filled out the Royal Canadian Mountain Police form for a criminal record check. This a requirement for my Malaysia as My Second Home application. He print the form, I will sign it and off it will go. Then I get fingerprinted, sent to a Canadian company for digital translation and that step will be done. Baby is picking up my Canadian passport on Tuesday. Shamir helped int hat process as well, sent a WhatsApp to Baby.
Me: With Shamir’s help I sent the email to you and the Canadian Consulate.
She: Thanks so much/ Shamir is too good.
Me: One can never be too good. Hahaha
She: So true
Me: You and I are too good for words.
She: Yes darling we sistersssss
Talked to Shamir about the RCMP
Me: Their motto used to be: We always get our man. That did definitely describe my life.
He: It still does. Hahaha
Me: Well for awhile anyway. Until they are proven not to be such a good catch and they are thrown back in the sea.
He: Hahaha
At this point realize that there is a slight gap in your knowledge of my life. Shamir and I were in Mojo Pojo, the restaurant in Lyf. He had already had breakfast but my room rate includes the Lyf Guest Exclusive breakfast choice, served from 10-3.
You: How did you get that, A room rate at Lyf?
Me: Well, when I came back to Lyf after Paradise (which it is not) I was greeted by Nixon, the manager of the Penang Lyf. I told him the chaos of Paradise, he asked me the room rate there and gave me an offer I could not refuse. The requirement was to pay a month ahead and it would be nonrefundable it if left and the room rate he gave me would be secret. All of the conditions have been met.
However, another catastrophe struck. Shamir gave me a ride back to Paradise to get clothes, chargers, pills, luggage, all those essentials. We arrived back at Lyf. My purse was not in the car. Shamir said I must not have brought it. It was must be in my Lyf room. Went to the room, it was not. I was in sheer panic. Briefly went to sleep but woke up most anxious and troubled. Prayed, but then took reasonable steps. Eva, a wonderful staff member was on night duty. She was so patient and kind and after considerable effort we got Find My Phone on my Mac computer.
She: There it is. Your iPhone is back in Paradise.
Me: Alhamdulillah
Shamir drove to Paradise, brilliantly during Friday prayers when there was no traffic and no Paradise elevator congestion. My purse was on the table – its contents – glasses and two phones are now in my possession. What a vast relief. I did learn something from the experience. WhatsApp communications are taking too much of my time – will cut down on the nonessentials. First defining to whom and to what essential communication really is.
This is an essential communication., speaking with Alina. Wait until you read this, it will knock your socks off. I sent a photo of Nixon, the Lyf manager and me to Alina.
She: By the way. I had dinner with my brother Hisham last night. The one working with Ascott group. I mentioned u stayed at Lyf and he mentioned his ex-colleague Nixon.
Me: I absolutely love Nixon and the feeling is mutual. The owner was here, walked by when Nixon and I were in conversation. Nixon said he told him I was their star guest. Hahaha
Unbelievable how our paths cross Alhamdullah
Me: Alhamdulillah
On my own, after watching Shamir and knowing it could be done, I asked Chat 5
Me: What are the antonyms of paradise.
AI: Antonyms of ‘paradise’ which signifies an ideal or blissful place or state of being, can include:
- Hell – Often used in religious or metaphorical contexts to denote a place or condition of suffering and misery.
- Purgatory – A state of temporary suffering or waiting, often used in a spiritual sense.
- Despair – A feeling of hopelessness, which contrasts with the joy typically associated with paradise.
- Dystopia – An imagined society characterized by human misery, oppression, or deprivation, serving as a stark contrast to a utopian paradise.
- Nightmare – A situation or experience that is extremely unpleasant or distressing, opposite to the blissfulness of paradise.
At least three of the antonyms can be used to describe and explain my time in Paradise. Purgatory as it was temporary suffering – in the beginning the apartment met my needs, its magnificent sunrises and sunsets, the Floating Mosque, the hair salon, befriending Yasmin who works in her brother’s jewelry store etc etc etc. But it was time to move on as its isolation and run down conditions were filling me with despair, a feeling of hopelessness. Then the last moments which were an absolute nightmare, extremely unpleasant and distressing.
Bravely I decided to rely upon the services of AI.
Me: What is the meaning of knock your socks off? :
AI:: In summary, “knock your socks off’ is a colorful and engaging way to express that something has made a significant impact, often through excitement or excellence.
Back to the beginning: my thoughts upon reading the June 26, 2017. I was utterly, totally and thoroughly amazed to see I had 50,320 visits way back then. My blog master is not a statistician he says and so has been utterly useless in this regard. But if I had that many visits back then and my blog has remained equally popular during the years then I have had MILLIONS over the years sharing my thoughts, my reflections and, in recent years, my growing knowledge of the Islamic Faith coupled with my attempts to integrate its precepts into my daily life A laughingly think that it is best I just came to this realization – not knowing kept me humble. I am finally ready to accept the responsibility at a time when I am surrounded by so many good and helpful people. Alhamdulillah
Photos will include one of me, sent to Baby with the following message:
Me: Waiting for Din at the Kashmir for our EId. Wearing your scarf as you can see. Also the beautiful dress.
She: WOW so nice and so beautiful
Me: Thank you my little sister.
Also a photo of Shamir, also sent to Baby.
Me: Waiting in the lobby for Shamir to come and help me. He is wearing your pomade. Much better than his usual stuff.
She: Nice. He looks good.
Me: He looks great. Hahaha
Alina had sent two photos, which will be included as well. These were her messages.
She: Was greeted by these bright blooms this Eid morning. Alhamduillah. There were some bees busy choosing their pick.
Me: How beautiful. Alhamdulillah I will show you my view.
Sent her a photo
She: You are at E & O now? Or a view from Lyf?
Me: View from Lyf. Lyf is full of life. E & O an old relic. Hahaha.
