I was searching for inspiration, knowing that Nouri, My Light would be able to provide me guidance. The book, gifted by a dear friend did not let me down. Miraculously it seemed, I found, this poem. It is so timely: A New Beginning
A new journey begins
As an old one comes to an end.
This time the world is your oyster.
All its wonders for you to explore.
Unhindered!
The hesitation will be there.
Residue of Negativity/trauma is expected;
Fear evident.
Trudge on, my friend
Let the doubts end with the old journey
Let the negatives rest in peace.
Now is the time for peace to reign.
Let the wisdom of the old journey be your guide.
Let the positivity wash over you.
Now you are ready.
How you embark on your journey is in your hands.
I say just begin with Bismillah.
Then He will be your companion.
Is He not the best of companions?
Breathe easy
And live my friend.
The facing page quotes the Quran and provides Pearls of Wisdom
Quran 20.82
But indeed. I am the Perpetual Forgiver of whoever repents and believes and does righteousness and then continues in guidance.
Pearl of Wisdom
The ultimate mercy of Allah is granted to those who make sincere efforts to to rectify their affairs. We just have to consciously and sincerely seek Allah and His path. So always remember that so long as we are serious and sincere in seeking Him, He will smooth the path for us to start again.
This the first full day of my Malaysian identity has proven to be, shall we say, a bit of a disappointment, in some ways. I posted a reel on Instagram. A photo, taken by my Immigration agent actually, of me kissing my Malaysian visa. Added a comment which said simply: I got the Malaysian visa. Kissed the visa . Then got hazed in Kuching. Hahaha
So hazing is being used as a pun, in a way, because of its alternative meaning. Hazing is an initiation ordeal, I literally arrived to be enveloped in haze. It is almost like Kuching decided: “Welcome! Before you become one of us, you must pass through the haze.”
My view included the haze but also the Sarawak flag handing a bit limply at this moment. I read that the flag has been ‘redesigned’ in 1988 – wondered why and did get an answer from AI – and a referral to the government site. The flag was issued to celebrate 25 years off Sarawak independence. . The design and the name was made to connect Sarawak with its older historical colours while giving those colours new meanings appropriate to modern Sarawak.
Yellow – the supremacy of law and order, unity and stability in Sarawak’s diverse society.
Red – the courage, determination and sacrifices of Sarawak’s people.
Black – Sarawak’s rich natural resources and weather.
The nine-pointed yellow star – represents the nine divisions of Sarawak at the time as wells the aspirations of its people.
August 20, 2026
Oh my goodness!! Today the haze is worse!! I sent my WhatsAppers a hazy photo saying:
Good morning, I guess. As you can see the haze. Is horrid. Measuring 175 to 246 AQI. Definitely unhealthy. A stay indoors day with a day of indoor appointments. . Hahaha And cannot exercise..
All sort of messages from people telling me to take care. Then this one.
She: Morning. Ok Ok. Can go to indoor gym
Me: I hate exercising so using haze as an excuse – not for more torture. Hahaha
Other news that was meant to cheer but did not.
She: OMG..this is horrible!! Penang rained cats and dogs yesterday so the air quality is decent today.
Me: I am in the right place at the wrong time. Oh! to be in Penang.
Then this message.
He: Good morning. Don’t go out lor and stay indoors. Now you have to use all those jargon. , la lo ya As a half Malaysian soon Hahaha
Me: Ya??????? I am 100 💯per cent Malaysian I heard the air quality in Penang perfect because of the rain. Why me???? Not a good day so far.
He: As of Chinese ghost month this rain all.
Me: Not here. Please chase the Chinese ghost this way.
In the beginning I stayed indoors, not a problem because for me the indoors is the Kuching Hilton where I am a Hilton Honors member. Indoors has been incredible – during each and every one of my three visits. I am treated like visiting royalty. Everyone, and I mean everyone,, know my name and treats me warmly. My dietary preferences are remembered in the Executive Lounge, where a special table by the window is reserved for me – and me alone. My room is huge actually two rooms for the price of one. Hahaha It must be the best room in the house. The view of the Sarawak River which its nightly light show presented for my enjoyment. Hahaha Of course the room is timely and meticulously cleaned. I use their limo service to get me from and to the airport. The limo driver attentively standing at the gate. It has been a delightful haven. Many appointments – the most important, of course, , was immigration. I emerged with a blessed page announcing my legitimacy for five years. Discovered good news, I can divide my month-long-required Sarawak stay into weeks. I am planning at this time to do two week intervals. Where will I stay? Well here of course – where else??? It cannot get any better than this – another hotel would appear to be shoddy, uncaring, viewless etc etc etc. Hahaha
I do love that word shoddy. Intuitively knew it was the right word – and it was. Synonyms are fun to read, think of competing hotels when reading them: inferior, third-rate,, tawdry, tacky, rubbishy, grotty. What fun it was to do that.
This blog shall end with another poem from Nouri, My Light. This one is The Pause Button
I love the beach
Sounds of the crashing waves soothe me.
The myriad blue-grey sky comforts me.
Time slows down at the beach –
Time slows doen for reflection.
Time slows down for contemplation.
Time slows down to appreciate the gift of life.
I begin to wonder what all the fuss was about.
I wondered why the stress was so overwhelming.
I wonder now where all those worries went.
I’ll need to hit that pause button occasionally.
And I do so gladly, to move forward And choose my path in life correctly
By all means you chose your pause button to;
Mine is at the beach.
The facing page has a verse from the Quran, a Wise Saying and Pearl of Wisdom.
Quran 3:19 “Those who remember Allah while standing or sitting or (lying) on their sides and give through to the creation of the heavens and the earth, (saying), ‘Our Lord! You did not create this aimlessly…”’
Wise Saying
Al-Hasab said: “He whose words are not those of wisdom, his silence is not spent in contemplation and his observations are not to take lessons. Such a person is headless and is squandering his time.”
Pearl of Wisdom
Free yourself to pause; take a break to contemplate. Contemplation is one of the greatest gifts performed by the heart: it is the key that opens the door which allows the light of guidance to enter. It is the initial step in the direction of correct understanding and comprehension. Many people know its virtue but are unaware of its reality, its essence and its fruits. We must always contemplate, because this will lead us to take actions which would install tranquility in our hearts and which will nurture wisdom.
This Sarawak Sojourn rather inadvertently forced me to push the pause button. Outside activity is not advisable – therefore I will be keeping indoors for the duration of the trip because rain is not forecasted until Sunday. I leave Kuching on Saturday morning. I have taken a breath to contemplate. I have the privilege of knowing that “I shall return”. The sights and sounds of Sarawak will be here when I come back.
Photos will include the haze. But as well the title page from Noori the Light and the title page from my ‘new’ Quran gifted by Kapitan Keling Mosque Penang Malaysia
