This is from my December 28, 2025 blog
“I was thinking about my life and decided that the best word to describe it was improbable. Of course, I looked up the meaning of the word. The synonym that made me laugh was “hard to swallow. “Others were incredible, absurd, preposterous. The antonyms are: believable, realistic. My existence is going to turn into one that is more realistic and believable – believe that or not. Hahaha”
My life was supposed to get more realistic and believable because I was moving from Penang to KL. I hate to admit this, some three weeks later, it has not turned at all into a more realistic and believable life. It is still ‘hard to swallow’ and getting worse. Hahaha
We have to begin where my life started. I was born in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. Hardly a booming sophisticated metropolis located in a province that is flat, landlocked with only a few lakes that resemble bathtubs. My family was poor, poorly educated and worse – abusive. I was dreadfully and horribly abused as a child. Decided I was not going to be a victim and by the age of 24 had raised myself from the lowest socio economic status to the highest. I graduated from the University of Alberta, got a job working for the YWCA, paid off my student loans and married a doctor. My humble origins cannot be erased however. Just a few days ago I had a post traumatic stress attack. But even, in that blessed because the staff at KL Bamboo Hospitality were incredibly supportive, kind, caring, and concerned.
This morning, for some reason, I woke up in total funk. I prayed Fajr prayer but went back to bed. ( Funk; a state of depression. Such sad synonyms: depression, the dumps, the doldrums, low blue funk.) My phone announced I had a message. Usually I answer immediately but instead decided I did not want to hear from anyone. I did finally, some 25 minutes after the message responded.
Me: A wondrous message. So early. My goodness!! A perfect message for me this morning. When my phone pinged I was grouchy, not wanting to be in this world. When I finally looked, it was you – it was this!! I have SO much to be grateful for. Alhamdulillah.
Please look at the message. Joy is the simplest form of gratitude, it says in English. But then a message in three languages – the only one I can decipher is – start the week with happiness. 
Now talk about improbable. The message was sent by a friend, Sonny Gan. Born in Saskatchewan of poor uneducated parents receiving a message from a bald Chinese man who happens to live in Malaysia, with a retirement plan to do charity work& welfare & training for Montfort, TAR UMT etc…. Met him under improbable circumstances, he was a guest at Lyf, the hotel in Penang where I had been living. He is a director of Bamboo Hospitality and is the reason I am here in KL in a place absolutely perfect for my needs. I am retired as well – my retirement plan is to continue with my writing, expand to a new website, keep being a movie star, follow the Way of Ease and contribute my earned retirement income to educate the youth of Malaysia.
After sending a message to Sonny I rushed about, put on my bathing suit and robe, grabbed my phone and my Alexis #1 water bottle (a gift from Lyf) and began my morning ritual. Walking (sometimes dancing) in the children’s pool.
Sent a message to Sonny.
Me: I shall send it to ‘my people” Lovely morning here by the pool. The sun slowly beginning its ascent. Sent a photo
The children’s pool was the sight of greater improbability. Decided to walk/dance to music. Placed my iPods in my ears and chose a playlist which had been downloaded by a young Vietnamese woman living in Marin. She was my personal assistant, I was committed to pay for her education at Lone Mountain, a university in San Francisco across the street from the apartment my first husband and I rented from 1967-1972. (Thankfully she later reneged after I had put a nonrefundable deposit on dormitories for the year.) The music she retrieved from my favorites. It Bagan with Dancing Queen from ABBA and then one of my favorites Too Many Men Too Little Time. My former friend Dr. James Krajeski sent it me in 2017, laughingly said it described my life. It did. Obviously that was in the days prior to my reversion to the Islamic Faith. Hahahaha
Two hours later send Sonny and my Muslim friends (who received the first message) this word.
Me: And remember when your Lord proclaimed: “If you are grateful I will certainly give your more. Quran 14.7)
Got dressed, and headed for breakfast at Common Man with one of my 48 vouchers. Orders the full breakfast, sent the photo to a dear Muslim friend, Elina.
I included a message
Me: Payment!! When will services be rendered????
She: Hahaha. I’m nursing a bad cough!!!
Me: Oh no!!! Please get well soon. I am planning to come to the Masjid on Thursday and hang out all day.
I have sent Elina photos of my morning greetings, almost always includes a sunrise
She: Alhamdulillah! You’ll need to have a series of sunrises!
Me: Great idea. Maybe you could help me with it.
She: It’ll cost you poached eggs!!
Me: Several you shall be paid!! In Shall Allah Runny right???
Then the other morning I sent her a photo of my poached egg of the morning which was Spicy Beef Angel Hair pasta.
She: OMG!! My first payment. Hahaha services yet to be rendered.
Me: Hahahah It was yummy in my tummy
I shall now tell you the story of how I met Elina, the circumstances are totally unbelievable. She is a volunteer tour guide at the amazing program at Masjid Wilayah Persekutuan. I met her in April of 2025. The tour was amazing and we immediately bonded. What happened afterwards at my so-called hostess’ condo who is nearby my new home was appalling and will speak of it when thoroughly healed – the scar providing closure. Elina and I met again and again and again. HAD to be Allah’s plan.
Was having breakfast again, with the poached eggs and sent Elina another photo with this query: Payment when will services be rendered???
She: Hahaha I am nursing a bad cough.
Me: Please get better I am planning to come to the Masjid on Thursday and we can hang out all day.
Then this came with this absolute gift, this divine treasure. “ All of the morning pics you have sent me.”
` the reel I sent you
Me: I am crying. Tears of joy!! It is absolutely beautiful.
She: 
Me: Definitely going to send it to Nesh. I love the one you ended on. Perfect!! It fits in perfectly with today’s blog. My dearest Elina, It is Allah. I know it with certainty.
She: Most definitely. Alhamdulillah
Me: We are on the Straight Path. Alhamdulillah And Phew. Gotta throw in a little humor or I could not breathe. Our Creator is laughing I am sure.
She: Just realized the last picture had the pole ‘pointing’ to the sunrise. I didn’t think about it to put this last. I’ve got this pdf book on the Straight Path from the Yaqueen Institute.
Elina then sent a 123 page link to the book
She: Its a long rad Take your time but it explains the AlFatihah at such a profound level
Me: I began it The dedication and forward blew me away
She: Exactly.
Me: But you have the book and you sent it to me on this day.
She: Actually I saw the hardcover version in Singapore. Not sure in Malaysia. I subscribe to Yaqueen where they send books and articles to download. Would you like me to find it for you? Do you prefer a standard book bind or a spiral one? I have a super great printer who could do it in a few days.
Me: I am going to Singapore at the beginning of the month. But that would be great. Standard I guess but either actually. In Shall Allah Alhamdulillah.
I began forming my Ramadan Intentions. One is to read the Straight Path during those thirty days. This is from the dedication page. “To every child in Gaza whose smile was stolen by cruelty of oppressors. For every person of conscience who yearns for a just future. May Allah guide us all on the Straight Path.
What happened next?? This page was sent to Elina and my other WhatsAppers. Exciting news!! The name of my new website. Alhamdulillah
This the conversation between Nesh and myself.
He: I had a chat with my developer and he suggest for the new website, alaa.y What do you think??
Me: I love it. It seems Allah has spoken. Seriously. I will talk to you about it when I see you but it makes me SO happy. Everything is coming together.
He: Shall I buy the domain name to look it??
Me: Please lock it.
He: Yes ma’am
This morning got news that the next episode of Behind the Blogs with Alexis was on the YouTube page. Watched it over breakfast at Common Man. Had the Shakshuka with two poached eggs. Sent a photo to Elina. I had already eaten one. Hahaha
