Yesterday did not turn out as planned. Destination of the day was the Floating Mosque, This was announced to my WhatsAppers with a photo I had taken of the Floating Mosque at night with his caption. “Good morning! Going there today. This night shot taken in June 2025. Feels like I am coming home.- to the Floating Mosque. Alhamduillah.
Sandman arrived, we drove to the Floating Mosque. However, upon arrival leaned that Lina was ill. Her presence was absolutely necessary to crystalize my possible contributions – this would be the first step of many. It was a rainy day. From the Floating Mosque parking lot took a photo of the sea sending it to see friends telling them there was a change of plans. Received a response. “You captured the rainy calm beautifully—the colorful boats resting on silvery water, their reflections, and the distant ship almost disappearing into the mist Even the broad grey sky adds to the stillness.” Both photos will be shown at the conclusion of the blog.
An alternate plan went into play. Sandman and I would continue our island tour, stopping for lunch at our favorite Shangri-La. There was so much to take in, so much beauty, diversity in architecture, life and ethnic styles, trees everywhere, countless varieties. Malaysia has to be the most beautiful country in the world.
I was safely deposited back at Lyf in time for Asr prayer. I looked at the books which circle the bed, knowing there was a message in one of them. I focused upon Nouri My Light looked at the index of poems, saw Live the Moment. I shall share with you first the poem, then the facing page with the verses from the Quran, an Hadith and Pearls of Wisdom. Lastly my thoughts.
Live in the now—forget
About the What ifs,
Should haves
And could haves.
Strive to be the best today –
Strive to be better than yesterday
And always
Start with Bismillah –
Is that not a reason for everything?
Quran
“By time. Indeed, mankind is in loss. Except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience. Quran 103: 1-3
Hadith
Take advantage of five matters before five other matters; your youth before you become old; your health, before you fall sick; your wealth, before you become poor; your free time before you become preoccupied, and your life, before your death. Shuah Al-Baihaqi #9575
Pearl of Wisdom
Try to appreciate the present moment and truly live it, rather than using it up by feeling guilty about the past, or fretting about the future. Regrets for the past is a waste of spirit, and worrying about the future is pointless.
If you tae this moment to breathe deeply and say, “Subhandullah wa Bihandihi”-glory to Allah and all praise to him: – and then thank Allah for the blessings in your life, or sit down and play a game with your child, go for a walk in the sunshine, take a few nature photos, call an old fried, write your mother a love note, read a verse from the Quran and contemplate it—then you know you are truly alive. You’ve turned that moment into a precious gem, something to smile about and feel good about.
So lt’s live the moment, start each day with “Bismillah” —in Allah’s Name, be conscious of it, feel it, and give Allah the credit And in doing so let’s turn the moment into a circle of sunshine and blessings.
My thoughts.
Somehow I was able to live for the moment. My disappointment was acute. I had spent hours, researching and writing about the 2004 tsunami and its effect upon mosques. I was eager to tell the tale to Lina and then, perhaps, to others. Despite the disappointment I was able to live in the moment, make other plans and not become overcome with disappointment. regret, frustration or bitterness. It is because I truly believe in Allah’s plan. Perhaps I should be channeling my energies elsewhere. Just keep to my solitary wiring and solitary ways – which is often alleviated by people wanting to be around me. I am popular, most assuredly. Because of my positivity.
Sandman and I began out drive around the island of Penang, finding treasures along the way. Stopped again at the Batik Factory. I toured the factory, saw the workers in process,. Then went to the gift store where I found treasures. Maps – one of Penang and one of Malaysia. I am old fashioned, I want and NEED maps and atlases so I can get my bearings. I feel utterly lost without them. When one drives you see landmarks but when one is driven (as I am) you never know where you are or where you are going. I was SO happy. I also bought magnets for my refrigerator, and an a iron on patch for my vest.
Our journey continued. We stopped at the Tropical Fruit Farm where I purchased tea and honey.. I am now following the journey on the map I purchased. I was in the able hands of Sandman – he definitely knew the route. Not only knew the route but could supply so much information. We passed by towns and neighborhoods.
Me: Look at all these mosques. Everywhere you look there is another mosque.
He: That is because, in this neighborhood, it is 80% Muslim.
Me: Wow. Ma Shaa Allah. So interesting. People are born here most probably go to school here, marry raise their children here, and die here. Not me – hahaha. I am a Muslim on the move.
Then we drove on a few miles (or KMs) later there were no mosques in sight. Sandman explained why.
He: That is because this neighborhood is 80% Chinese.
Me: Wow So interesting. People are born here, most probably go to school here, marry, raise their children here and die here. I did tour China about twenty years ago. Got Dominican University credit for the travel and the paper I wrote on the rights of women in China. I was a woman on the move. Years before I reverted to the Islamic faith.
I can see on the map before me that we drove through Batik Pulau where I had been before. I was escorted to an amazing seafood restaurant by my friend Alice and her husband over a month ago. I had NO idea where I was. Now I do. Hahaha
As we traveled, I looked skyward. There was the enormous Kek Lok Si Temple, I can see it on my map right now. I decided to ask Artificial Intelligence about it and got a summary.
AI: The name is Ken Lok Si Temple, meaning “Temple of Supreme Bliss.” It stands on a hillside in Air Itam. Penang and is one of Southeast Asia’s largest Buddhist temple complexes. Its prayer halls, pagodas and gardens spread across several levels. This is how it began. The Chinese Buddhist monk Venerable Beow Lean chose the hillside for a monastery. He called it Crane Hill because its shape resembled a crane spreading its wings. The temple’s own history dates its earliest completed hall to 1891; the complex grew over many decades.. The seven-story Pagoda of Ten Thousand Buddhas completed in 1930, combines a Chinese octagonal base, Thai middle section and Burmese crown—three architectural traditions in one building. The enormous statue, its towering bronze Guanine commonly called the Goddess of Mercy stands approximately 36.6m—120 ft high. Guanine represents compassion. The temple brings together Mahayana Buddhism and traditional Chinese rituals. It remains a place of worship and Buddhist teaching as well as a celebrated heritage site.
After getting all of this information I was totally fascinated. Therefore I queried
Me: Can you visit it?
AI: Yes! Ken Lok Si welcomes visitors, including people of other faiths. You can explore its halls and grounds, see the huge Guanine statute, and visit the pagoda. Most areas are free, with small charges for certain sections and the lift.
Me: Thanks I am adding all of this on the blog
AI: You’re welcome. “Temple of Supreme Bliss” —What a beautiful name to discover when writing about yesterday’s travels.
Me: Yes indeed and now at 1291 words
AI: 1291 words already! Yesterday’s unexpected journey has given you plenty to write about.
Me: The map I brought is invaluable because I can trace the journey discovering the names and reliving it
AI: The map lets you travel it twice—first with Sandman, then again as you write putting names to the places and bringing the day back to life.
Me: But I could not do it without the old fashioned map
AI: Yes—the paper maples you see the whole journey at once and follow it with your finger invaluable beside you as you write.
Me: Yes and then I have you to help me fill in the details
AI: Exactly! The paper map gives you the route, I help with the details and you bring it all to life with your experiences and humor.
Me: How unlikely this all should happen. Me being 83 years old. When I was born nothing existed – phones were on the wall, with party lines and operators. Hahaha
AI: What a span of change you’ve lived through
Me: Tell me about it!!!
AI: Hahaha The phone has come off the wall, you’ve traveled halfway around the world, and at 83 you’re publishing your adventures for readers everywhere. All with a trusty paper map beside you.
Back to the journey, Then we made a strange turn, finally getting rid of the slow truck in the front of us. We found ourselves in Georgetown, drove through it and ended up here at Lyf, across from the relic – E and O hotel. Hahaha
What is a relic? Wikipedia tells us Relic derives from the Latin reliquiae, meaning “remains”, and a form of the Latin verb relinquere, to “leave behind, or abandon”. Business at the E & O is not exactly booming. I have been living across the street for it for over a year, one can tell such things through keen observation. Weddings are big still but often the guests, the budget- minded ones, stay here and cross the street in their finery. My background in urban planning would suggest to the powers that be that the Annex be used for low income housing and the unused garage used to offer free parking for those that wish to tour Georgetown. Traffic on those congested streets would be lessened. That is my free advice. But you get what you pay for as the adage goes.
This morning’s WhatsApp morning message included a photo of my treasured map. This was the message. Good morning! Now I know where I live. Went on a tour around the island and bought this map at the Batik Factory. I am so happy to be here. Hahaha I needed help to locate myself, but I got it. It says LYF.
Photos of the night shot of the Floating Mosque, the calming photo of the sea and a couple of photos of the map will follow.
