The words to that song suddenly came to mind, perhaps because this morning is decidedly difference from yesterday morning. Do think I will hunt up the lyrics. From what I can remember it s a typically romantic gushy song. I laughingly remember asking an older woman for advice, years and years and years ago.
Me: There is this man who says he loves me. What should I do?
She: Love him back!
Me: Okay
At this point in time I have no idea whatsoever who the man might have been. Its not bad advice, as long as the guy is around. Long distance romances NEVER work out. Having a series of long distance romances is not exactly notches on my belt, rather the opposite.
AI tells us about notches on the belt.
“Notch on the belt” is an idiom that refers to a success or achievement, especially one of many that contribute to a larger record of accomplishments…The phrase often suggests a series of accomplishments rather than a single isolated event. The origin of the phrase is often traced back to the Old West, where people would literally make notches on their belts to keep track of significant events, such as kills. While the literal practice is less common today, the idiom persists as a way to describe the accumulation of achievements.
But sometimes breaking away from a hopeless long-distance relationship can be an accomplishment. A guy (shall we say) bit the dust and I was immediately filled with a sense of peace and joy. I got on with my life. It was hopeless, when I gave up all hope my existence improved immeasurably. Bite the dust, another idiom means to die. to end in failure. Well the guy didn’t die – I don’t think but I would never know as I no longer have any contact with him. Phew!!! By the way, Another One Bites the Dust” is a song by the British rock band Queen.
Wikipedia tells us
“To “bite the dust” means to die or to lose in a contest or game. The beginning lyrics set up a scene similar to a mobster movie, with “machine guns ready to go”. Later lyrics refer to a failed relationship as “another one bites the dust”. The singer is not going to let it get him down, “standing on my own two feet”. “
I am definitely meandering. This blog is now meeting the following definition: convoluted or undirected thought or language. Used in a sentence: She has a penchant for obscure verbal meanderings. Hahahaha
Back to What a Difference A Day Makes
What a difference a day made,
Twenty-four little hours,
Brought the sun and the flowers,
Where there used to be rain.
My yesterday was blue dear,
Today I’m a part of you dear.
My lonely nights are through dear,
Since you said you were mine.
Lord, what a difference a day made,
Theres a rainbow before me.
Skies above can’t be stormy,
Since that moment of bliss;
That thrilling kiss.
It’s heaven when you,
Find romance on your menu.
What a difference a day made,
And the difference is you.
It is another romantic song. This romance is certain not to meet the test of time. But another one might come around, who knows? Those things happen. Well to me anyway. Hahaha
What I was really thinking of was the difference between my two mornings; this morning and yesterday morning. Yesterday mornin my WhatsApp folk received a sunrise photo which you shall view at the conclusion of the blog. The caption: This photo taken at 7:18, official sunrise at 7:14. My morning so far: a virtual call regarding my Canadian banking accounts an Fajr prayer. A juxtaposition.
Then this morning, a very different photo, which you can also view at the end of the blog. The very colorful wall behind the bed of the tiny room. This was the caption. This my view from Lyf this morning. Very different from the sea and sunrise. Nesh had written:
He: Amazing. Are you at Lyf morning Alexis.
Me: Yes, It sort of seems like prison. No views, and one tiny room. Not my two bedroom, two bathroom splendor at Paradise. Hahaha
Nesh and I had a more lengthily conversation the day before yesterday which would make it July 23rd.. Nesh, you will recall, is my newly acquired Content Manager. The sunrise photo included a Kashmir table and chair in the foreground. This was the caption: my perch as I meditated and watched the sun slowly rise. I am indeed blessed.
Nesh: This is beautiful, with the sun just creeping in at the side and I see your Emotional Intelligence book you told me about too. Would like one myself, a morning like this.
Me: You have emotional intelligence to see that and tell me. You do not need the book. Hahahha.
You will be hearing more about Emotional Intelligence as the days go by and I get more of the informative and fascinating content under my belt (so to speak.)
Nesh wrote that the videos will soon be up on Youtube due to the excellent collaboration between he and Shamir.
Me: I am SO happy that it will be up and running!! I absolutely love, and an SO grateful, that you and Shamir work so well together. Shamir told me the other day that I should hire seven guys. Then it would be Alexis and the 7 Dwarfs. He sent me a GIF of the seven guys which I have attached. I said NO . Those guys are probably gay – living together with no girls. And they are ugly. I will stick with my two handsome straight guys.
He: Hahahahaha That is so funny.
My Paradise days are rather solitary, here at Lyf I am surrounded by tourists Many, if not most, sit, stand and interact with either blank faces or frowns, I walk about smiling away, engaging some in conversation.
Me: It is fun to smile. Try it, you might like it!
Usually this brings a smile to their faces. But sometimes not. When no smile was forthcoming, sometimes say:
Me: Smiling is cultural, actually. Some cultures frown upon smiling. Like yours for example.
That usually does not bring forth a smile. Some people, adapt to the cultures in which they live, and also to the cultures in which they travel. Others do not – not saying please or thank you or showing gratitude for service (if not English speaking). I do pity them. If one is accommodating and friendly it is possible to get to know the people in the lands you visit and a cultural exchange can often take place.
Here is an examle. I had the greatest surprise the other night at my Paradise apartment. There were several happy little children playing on the patio of the in the apartment adjacent to mine. .
Me: Hello!! You guys seem to be having a good time. I am happy to see that!
A woman, the mother to three of them appeared
She: I am so sorry if they are bothering you.
Me: Oh no. Not at all. It is fun seeing their joyous place.
Went next door meeting them all. Two mothers and about six kids. Gave them my blog cards. Learned they were from China, living a city I had visited about twenty years before. But wait until you hear this coincidence!
We were swapping life stories.
Me: I was born in Canada, but went to live in the US when I was 24.
She: I went to university in Canada. The University of Western Ontario.
Me: What is the likelihood of this, You from China, visiting Malaysia, next door to a woman born in Canada. What did you study?
She: Finance.
Me: That is so wise. I am terrible at math,finance and economics. We do not have everything in common. Hahahah
Many photos were taken but the little girls became restless. So the only photo I have on my phone, which you shall see, is me with the the two young boys. You are going to have to take my word for it,t there were many darling ittle girls in attendance.
AI tells us:
“Take my word for it” means to believe what someone is saying is true, essentially asking the listener to trust their statement without needing further proof or verification. It implies that the speaker is confident in the truth of their statement and is asking the listener to accept it on their word.”
Expressed my joy at meeting my next door neighbours in a text to Nesh.
He: Oh my goodness. That is amazing!! Hahahaha. It is ALL YOU!!
Me: Maybe but I need some support and encouragement and you and Shamir provide it. Not had it before. And Mohan there behind the scenes. I met the family on 1/5/2025 and they have changed my life. For the good.
It is because I travel alone, meet the ‘natives’ and adapt to the culture in which I am visiting. I am making the ultimate adaptation, making Malaysia my home. Exciting plans are in the offing, offering me a volunteer opportunity to make a contribution to Penang and to the Faith. You shall hear more about this as plans gel. Everyone who hears of my ambition is very happy for me. Of course, writing shall continue to be my major preoccupation, so to speak, but this shall be an opportunity to be with people – mixing and mingling. I do not consider writing to be my occupation as I receive no renumeration for my words – the opposite actually. I pay fmy work force.
It is to early in the game to access how my management team will alter and perhaps illuminate, my eight years of solitary blogging. Interesting days ahead.
