I need to go backwards in time. I guess I should be blogging every day because I have not been speaking of important news – not emphasizing the most important thing I have done in decades, if not my whole life. Faithful readers do have a glimmer of my victorious achievement which is the Sarawak ten-year visa. Instagram (Alexis alaa Mcbride) spoke of this major achievement. My immigration agent took a photo of me kissing my Canadian passport which now holds the Sarawak visa. I sought the help of Cap Cut app finding the following words which thundered the message.
“Let me tell you something important. Not everyone is going to be proud of you. The truth is some people are just surprised that you keep making things happen. They see your progress, your consistency, they do not understand how your do it. They expected you to fail; to give up and you didn’t. That is the power of determination. You do not need their applause; you do not need their approval. What you need is the belief in yourself; that burning desire to keep pushing even when no one else believes in you. Because success is not about making everyone proud; It is about proving to yourself that you have the strength, the courage and the drive to keep going, no matter what!! Let their doubt push you further: their surprise remind you that you are capable of more then they ever could imagine. The only person you need to impress is the one staring back at you in the mirror. So keep going! Keep pushing!! Keep making things happen. You are unstoppable!!”
I used Instagram to respond to myself ‘publicly‘.” I got the Malaysian visa. Kissed the visa. Then got hazed in Kuching. Hahaha”
Other responses were SO rewarding.
She: Alhamdulillah. All praise to Allah.
I responded, privately
Me: It is Allah, it is Allah that gives me the strength. I only need to impress Allah.
Others responded; ‘Alhamdulillah”; others offering their congratulations.
Then, some time later, I turned to Nouri My Light. There on page 61 I found the perfect poem. .
Secrets to Being Brave
When your thoughts, heart and actions
Are in sync with Allah’s command.
Happiness and peace are at hand!
Rejoice and go forth.
Live your life bravely.
A verse from the Quran, an Hadith and Pearl of Wisdom are on the facing page (60)
Quran 11: 55-56
Scheme (your worst) against me, all of you, and give me no respect. I put my trust in Allah. My Lord and your Lord! There is not a moving creature, but He has grasp of his forelock. Verily, my Lord that is on a Straight Path.
Hadith. Sunan Timizi #2516
Be mindful of Allah, and Allah will protect you. Be mindful of Allah, and you will find Him in front of you.
Pearl of Wisdom
“When you approach something that scares you, face that fear. Think of Allah, how nothing can harm you except if He had already willed it, how He is the Protector of the believer; how He is Merciful and Appreciative. If He does decide that you get harmed for His sake, you’ll only get stronger than before and be rewarded for that.
Your desire of attraction to Allah should make all harms seem insignificant. This relaxed and focused mind-set clears you mind, allowing you to make a proper decision as to what you should do to bring the situation round to your favor. This mind – which is focused on Allah will remove any feelings of pain, since focusing your inner self on something of a greater purpose removes or reduces any sense of pain.
Your feelings and emotions shouldn’t stress you out – rather, you should allow those emotions that you’re the one in control. Tense yourself and then relax if you have to, and that will prevent excessive emotions from releasing through you. Or you can just remember they’re passing by, like clouds rolling across the sky.
The final result should be of you being in control of your own body, ready to respond to anything in a sensible way. “
This poem, with its Quran verses, the Hadith and the Pearl of Wisdom gave me greater courage, and a clearer mind-set enabling me to relax – at last. This relaxed mind-set enabled enjoyment in my everyday activities. This can be described best using messages to My WhatsAppers.
My morning greeting was captioned: “Good morning! A placemat from lunch yesterday at Alexis Restaurant, my sparkly nails and a new ring 💍 on my left hand. Allhanduillah!
Received messages from friends.
She: Good morning.
Me: Just the keeper ring💍 is new. Hahaha. The other fake but an amusing story behind it involving a Malaysian multibillionaire. Hahaha
She: Always good to decorate our fingers with shiny objects.
Me: Indeed, and of course. My rings are gorgeous, complete with funny, rather unbelievable stories. will tell you about it when I see you.
Do let me tell YOU of my ‘trip’ to Alexis Restaurant. It was, actually, my second visit to the restaurant. My dear KL Muslim friend arrived in her chariot, spiriting me off for a nearby lunch. She chose the restaurant. Her choice could not be MORE perfect.
I joyfully sent messages to my friends. One friend, commenting on my message of the day before, asked.
She: That’s interesting breakfast choices. What is for lunch?
I sent her a photo of the Alexis placement, saying.
Me: Here I am having an Alexis burger.
Then I later sent a photo of me, clad in my Malaysian scarf eating the burger.
Me: Me, eating Alexis. Hahaha It was yummy in my tummy.
She: Enjoy!
Me: I did!! Then dessert. 🍰 including a photo of the chocolate cake with salted caramel icing.
I took home many ‘souvenirs’ of Alexis Restaurant, all gifted by the restaurant They have always been most impressed with my insistence that they NEVER asked my permission to use my name. I did take half of my Alexis burger as takeaway so I could have room for my dessert. I will have it for dinner or lunch later. I will see if I have a photo or two of my earlier visit or perhaps I wrote about it on my blog. Went to the search engine, typed Alexis Restaurant, Found a July 12, 2025 entry. The Low Down of My Trip to KL; Expectations Met and Others Not; Wedding Invitation from Elephant Man; Quackteow Food Truck Delivered Fabulous Food; Teapot Deli Delicacies; Discovering Two ALEXIs restaurants and Inside Scoop; Canadian Humor; Photos of Late Sunrise; Balloons, Tea Pot Deli, Food Truck Family Gathering, Short Reel of Hell Fire; Two Cougars
If you are too lazy to link I shall copy and paste a portion of the blog.
Looked at the restaurants and shops on the opposite side of the street and saw my name ALEXIS. On a dare I walked into the restaurant.
Me: What are you doing naming this restaurant after me without my permission. My name in Alexis.
To prove my point I handed out my blog cards. The serving staff and manager were most amused.
They: We will give you a discount.
Me: A discount?? You should at least give me free food for stealing my name.
Much laughter ensued. I collected several bags and boxes, my name emblazoned upon them
The manager insisted I pose with him, by the door with the boxes and bags in hand. It was such fun.
We walked to the next block where Inside Scoop was located. The ice cream was totally delicious and nutritious I am sure. There were balloons all over the place. Took a picture of the balloons.”
Such fun it was to go back in time, recalling a prior visit to KL. There is still a great deal in KL to see and do – TOO much actually. For example, there is a bookstore which I would love to go to. My dear Muslim KL friend sent me a reel. The place is called Kanya Kopi. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DbhpMRPCeQN/?igi= Look it up, I left a message.
Late breaking news.
I looks like I might be going there on Friday after lunch at the Tea Pot, then prayers either at a prayer room at the mall or at a nearby mosque, then to Kanya Kopi. What a blessed existence I lead! Alhamdulillah.
Well not that blessed. At this moment there is loud amplified drumming coming from a private home near here. This is the second night in a row that horrendous amplified noise emanated from this private home. Entitled individuals must be in residence there. Seems there is nothing to be done. Police could be called but the noise is erratic and so would not be heard when the police arrive. Sneaky. I will be mindful of the Quran and put my trust in Allah. My iPods with soothing music do not eradicate the incessant drumming. Nothing is supposed to be perfect in this dunya.
Photos of my Alexis memorabilia, my eating my Alexis burger, the burger, the dessert and other images bound to cheer.
