My self appointed task this Saturday morning is write this blog focusing upon Nesh’s blog breakdowns, giving recognition to is words, his abilities, his dedication and his devotion.
This is how the Dream Team operates. Initially, I write the blog, usually from bed, usually in the morning. When completed, Shamir is informed by WhatsApp saying it is on the way. At the same time, photographs for use in the blog are sent, along with GIFs.
He: Got it. I will post it. Sometimes, in a few minutes, sometimes in after six, sometimes after the gym..but sometimes.
Then:
He: Posted. Then for some reason adds some rhyming to amuse me (which it does)
Blog posted. Chicken roasted. Bread toasted, for example.
Then I WhatsApp Nesh.
Me: Blog is posted!
He: I will write the blog breakdown and get it to you, in the morning, after five, right away,
He: I love your comments back to me after my breakdowns, inspires me more to write and makes me wait for your next blog. Ahahaha. All this makes the process of reading your blogs all the more fun.
This our correspondence on Thursday.
Me: What a blessed morning this had been. For me. All praise to Allah, I get to welcome the day with a blog breakdown. Yippee . Oops not electricity. Nothing is working.
He: Oh no, at Lyf?
Me: Yes, how weird But I was able to read the beginning of the breakdown but not able to swipe.
He: No worries. I will send it through WhatsApp.
Me I absolutely loved the photo of me and you saying that the Islamic naming touched the hearts of people across the world.
After reading everything I responded.
Me: Wow are you talented. It could not be more perfect. Truly!! I am loving ‘my’ message which our message actually. We are not alone when we have Allah. Allah HAD to be responsible for your most unlikely meeting. Allhanduillah. Blog of today is written. It now moves into the legal paper Muslim dilemma and then, hopefully, to the solution. The transition so perfect. I had written some of it before.
Me: The blog is posted , Love everything. Will talk about my reactions to the last blog breakdowns on the upcoming blogs.
He: Alrighty I can’t wait to read.
Me: It is gonna be good I promise. No great. Hahaha
Then Friday dawned.
Me: Just read your blog breakdown of yesterday. I cannot believe it. You too, it seems to me, have been inspired by Allah. I cannot believe a better summary of it all. Interesting that Shamir does not seem to be as inspired. But it is good in a way, as it makes for a better story. Need to think more and have lunch. I am in awe of what you do.
He: Why, thank you Alexis. Have a great lunch Alexis.
Me: Thank YOU
Lunch then led to Din’s arrival, a trip to Paradise, retrieving clothes and other necessities back for food and drink at nearby Beach Bar. Earnest conversations about the faith. Returned to my monastic room at Lyf texting Nesh.
Me: Writing tomorrow morning again. But now going to sleep. A very busy day.
Finally this morn. I get to write. I love writing but one has to perform certain necessities of life. I cannot lay around and write all day.
The blog breakdown sent by Nesh during the electrical shutdown down Begins;
Now Idea Who I Do It. Whatever It is
From bathtub sunrises that feel like Jannah to WhatsApp disasters that went south, this one swings between panic, patience, and a whole lot of laughter.
Some mornings feel like Jannah on earth sunrise views. Bubble baths, coffee in hand. Other moments? They go completely south (WhatsApp crash, anyone?)
But here’s the thing: out of chaos, comes clarity. Traffic in Jakarta cleared, Instagram announced August crushed with 19K views (+178% from July), and bedtime stories about names in Islam touched hearts across the world
Back in Penang, Shamir worked his usual magic (yes What’sApp restored). By nightfall we were back to our old rhythm me winning “joke of the day,” him claiming “GIF of the day”
Balance restored Faith confirmed. Proof that Allah really does know best.
Because in the end, joy always finds its way back. Even when life temporarily goes south.
Swipe the Carousel., then read the full blog, link in bio.
(I was totally blown away by two sentences, when I read Nesh’s ‘translation’. “Bedtime stories about names in Islam touched hearts across the world” I could imagine that happening. Chris, my blog master, sent statistics yesterday and there are indeed readers across the world, in the most far flung places. Nash’s sentence brought it home to me, made the work that I do seem worthwhile. It was SO rewarding.
Then this profound truth. Balance restored. Faith confirmed. Proof that Allah really does know best.” It was as if Nesh had read my mind. Even when seeming catastrophe strikes, when it gets straightened out – it makes me thankful for the catastrophe. That it made me appreciate a functioning WhatsApp AND Shamir SO much. Otherwise I might take both for granted. It truly does confirm my faith. I have been put to the test many times during my almost five Muslim years but never have I despaired, holding onto my belief. Eventually, and I am becoming more patient, I am so blessedly rewarded).
I swiped and was rewarded with the photo I had taken of the sunrise. The day had begun dismally but somehow I managed to get out of bed, raise the curtains in the enormous bathroom and was greeted with the sunrise. I whooped in delight: “Alhamdulillah” said I. It brought back that moment. Back to Nesh’s writing.
The day began in what felt like Paradise. A sunrise poured through the window as I sat in a Terry cloth robe, coffee inland, texting Shamir. He said it sounded like Jannah on earth, He wasn’t wrong. It was peace, comfort, beauty, heaven without the dying part.
(I do love that description, peace comfort beauty, heaven without the dying part. It made me laugh!) Think of the collaboration, to get to this realization. I text Shamir describing a moment, he responds, I write about it, Nesh reads it, he writes about it, and now I respond to my original feeling, it has been enhanced, and purified. Each of us played a part, played a role.
The swipe continues, disaster suddenly strikes.
But then it happened. WhatsApp broke down completely. My lifeline to Baby, Boy Man, Shamir, everyone gone. No contact, no communication, no driver. Google confirmed.the idiom, it went south means exactly this. But oh, did it ever.
Nesh’s words brought back the panic of the moment, with the words. My lifeline to everything and everyone cut off. I was totally adrift AND I cannot swim. HELP
Swiped again to see what happened next (come to think of it, I already knew as I had lived it).
.
Yet in true Islamic fashion, hardship, carried ease. Jakarta’s notorious gridlock vanished because of the riots. The car sped to the airport in record time. Out of chaos came calm. Out of fear came relief. Proof again that Allah writes wisdom, even in the strangest detours.
YES, love that Allah writes wisdom, even in the strangest detours. Sometimes a detour can be necessary to get you where you are going it seems. Well it did get me where I was going – I was going to Penang and I got there. On time even. Hahaha
Back online, blessings returned in another form. Instagram sent its August recap; 19K views, 178% higher than July. Over half the audience were non-followers. The post about names in Islam not just labels but prayers, has gone viral. Proof that even bedtime stories can change views.
Golly Gee. Gone viral. I have heard of it but never done it. Probably had just did not realize it. The thought of going viral is going to my head .
Artificial Intelligence told me what that means: “It went to his head” is an idiom meaning that success, fame, or wealth made someone overly proud, arrogant, or vain, causing them to think they are superior to others and behave poorly”.
Hmmmmm. Some people think I behaved poorly even before my fame. I wonder if that will be defined? Another comment assists: “If something goes to someone’s head, it makes that person think that they are very important and makes them a less pleasant person.” But I am a pleasant person and will continue to be- except when I am crossed. Another definition: “If someone lets success go to their head, they start to think that they are better or cleverer than other people, and they begin to behave in an arrogant or silly way. Well sometimes I act silly, no doubt about that. And besides, I think that I am cleverer than other people, because I am. Cleverer than some people not all people, of course.
Back to Nesh.
By the time I returned to Penang, Shamir had worked his usual magic. WhatsApp was restored, GIFs were flying again, and we were back in our rhythm. Alexis gets joke of the day, Shamir claims GIF of the day. Balance is restored. Faith confirmed. Allah knows best.
Swiped once more to get this.
Our laughter stitched the day beck together. <y riddle? How is laughter like Covid. Shamir’s guess: both positive. The real punchline: both contagious. He crowned me the winner, but his GIF still stole the show. Between jokes and faith, truth beats lies and joy beats sorrow.
Ain’t that the Truth?? Truth always beats lies, and on a good day joy beats sorrow. I discovered this years ago while living in Vancouver. One man, his last name was Posh as I recall, was a liar. He was the GM of the Trump International Hotel and Tower. He lied, I always caught him. This is why. When you tell the truth one only has one thing to remember. When one lies, the liar has to remember who he told what to, multiple versions to different people Truth is fundamentally important in the Islamic Faith. In that way, I am a natural.
Swiped again to get Shamir’s utterly funny GIF. It was in response to me winning, as I recall. Then another swipe brought everyone to a GIF where we reached a compromise.
Then another swipe found a goodbye cake from the Latham Mrs. Alexis We hope to see you soon.” (Now I am not complaining but it is Ms. Alexis, not married at the moment, Alhamdulillah).
Back to Nesh again:
Our laughter stitched the day back tougher. My riddle? How is laughter like COVID?” Shamir’s guess: both positive. The real punchline: both contagious. He crowned me the winner but his GIF still stole the show. Between jokes and faith, truth beat lies and joy beat sorrow.
Ain’t that the TRUTH, bye bye sorrow, here comes the joy.
Photos of Alexis (Alaa) McBride and a Gif following this WhatsApp conversation.
Me: Did you win or lose? And where is my hug? The suspense is killing me.
He: Lost badly. Good morning. I am at gym now. Will shower and be there around 8pm
Me: Okie Dokie. Looking forward to a clean but defeated you.
He: 🤣
Me: I am dirty but victorious. Dressed for success and off for breakfast. If you want proof I will send photo.
He: I trust u
Me: Thanks dear but perhaps you should be prepared for my sheer beauty. Off to find a photographer.
Then he send an GIF (of course)
Me: Never could be.
Sent him to photos.
Me: Dressed for success Guess where I am??? Hahaha
Then sent a version in black and white.
Me: Or do you prefer me in black and white?
He did respond. This better.
Me: Okay. Living color. Great answer
