October 26, 2026. An incredible “coffee table book”, could not quite remember the definition so asked Handy Dandy, which is my nickname for my Artificial Intelligence helper.
AI: Coffee-table book means a large picture-heavy book meant to be browsed, not read straight through. It is a huge picture book. Its title and topic Over Penang
It is a sheer delight to say the least. It was published in 2019, therefore not completely reflecting the city I call home in 2026.
The Message written by Chow Kin Yeow, the Chief Minister of Penang, eloquently speaks of the book and the city describing Penang.
“My heartiest congratulations to David ST Loh on the publication of Over Penang featuring amazing extensive images of Penang that we were once unaware of, but are now a source of pride… David has captured the very essence of Penang in remarkable ways. Through his signature aerial views, he truly presents our multicultural society in a unique style. This is evident from the multicultural images of the altar table set up by the Hokkien community on the eighth day of the lunar new year, the Hindu devotees and offerings during Thaipusam, the Catholic pilgrims of St. Anne’s Church and the beauty of the domes of the floating mosque oft the coast of Tanjung Bungah. Likewise, David captures compelling images of the various enterprises we have in Penang such as the aquaculture farms in Perai,, the industrial arks of Bayan Lepas, the cruise liners at Swettenham Pier or the hotels along Batu Ferringhi beach that cater to tourists and local people. These photos show the progress that Penang is making to foster an ecosystem that nurtures creative industries and business services.
The images of Penang captured by David speak of our values, which have contributed significantly toward the immense development that Penang has undergone in cultural, social and economic terms.
The photo, the one dearest to me is the one of the floating mosque. I sent the photo to someone who has taken me to the floating mosque at least three times. The photo sent with this message.
Me: I must take the book, or at least a photo of the floating mosque with me when I go again. I am sure that the people who work there every day have never seen the roof of the floating mosque. Maybe they have. It won’t hurt for them to see it again then. Hahaha
He: See you on Tuesday at 10.
You will be able to view the photo at the conclusion of the blog.
Onto more mundane matters. Mundane the perfect word. Its synonyms: humdrum, wearisome, prosaic, ordinary, everyday, run-of-the-mill, commonplace, pedestrian, banal, hackneyed, trite, platitudinous. vanilla.
The more vanilla, hackneyed platitudinous and trite matters will the discussion of the three other books checked out of the library. Let me first recount my method of selection. It was haphazard – could not figure out how to access their ‘revised’ card catalogue system so I wandered around aimlessly. Came to a couple of shelves which were organized (maybe) according to the Dewey Decimal system. I was familiar with the system but actually knew nothing about it. It was Handy Dandy time again.
AI: Melvil Dewey devised the Dewey Decimal System in 1873, while working at Amherst’s College library. He first published in 1876. It groups books according to subject using numbers, so books about similar subjects sit together. .
Sitting together in close proximity on two shelves were four books. I have spoken of Above Penang. The three other books were: 7 Steps to Raising a Bilingual Child, The British Sign Language and Navigating Turbulent Times. What ever could these titles and their subject matter possibly have in common? Do not ask me.
Let me tell you more about the books – beginning with the the sign language book. I sent a WhatsApp to a friend announcing the acquisition of the book and the use I was putting it to.
Me: Everyone is encouraging me to be bilingual. My pronunciation of any language other than English is, shall we say, flawed. This seemed to be a good alternative
Sent a photo of the front cover, focusing on a rather unusual looking man singing something. We might never know what it was however, motivated to begin, using photos of him as my guide..
I began with the sign for What? Not difficult, One finger extended. Then Stupid. The last sing was Grow Up.
Did admit this to this young man, a fellow Canadian not living in Malaysia..
Me: A rather unusual vocabulary, you have GOT to admit. Hahahaha
(My Malay slang vocabulary, by the way, is equally unusual. Hahaha When I pop up with the word which means I am finished or or the one that means enough, Everyone laughs.)
Back to the books. I am constantly being encouraged to become (at least) bilingual. Thought if I got a few hints about how to raise children to be multilingual, it would be helpful. Just to let you know – at the moment, it has not proven to be so. Hahahaha.
Then onto a far more serious book found on those shelves. Navigating Turbulent Times This from the book’s fly leaf. Rajasigngam’s memories cover a broad range of issues, reflecting critically on how the New Economic Policy affected the careers of many non-Malays in in public service, as well as the quality of public services.
Another viewpoint also on the flyleaf. “A long and distinguished career provides revelations of how racial politics, pervasive corruption and the excesses of the New Economic Policy have seeped into the nation’s foremost port and civil service.”
You see what I mean?? What could these randomly selected books have in common.
October 27, 2026
I write from the breakfast room in Mojo. A Muslim sister in the Lyf lobby approached me with a rather unique question.
She: How old are you?
Me: That is a question not used asked as a greeting, I am happy to answer. I am 83
She: My goodness you do not look it.
Me: (Laughingly) or act it.
Our conversation continued. Told her I was not only old, but also a Malaysian AND a Muslim. She, her husband and family were going to breakfast. I stopped to chat with a staff member but later walked into the breakfast room.
She, sitting at a large table with her family, asked me to join them This most charming family living in KL consists of two beautiful little girls the youngest a 3 year old is a total live wire. Strange expression that but it definitely comes to mind when meeting them. We had the greatest visit, Gave the mother and her youngest daughter my blog card. In the midst of the conversation looked for my phone to exchange their WhatsApp number. Imo phone, I had left it in my room. Oh My Allah. What a strange and unusual situation to find oneself in. It was NOT fun, by any means. I have on two occasions misplaced my computer. It felt like my right arm had been severed. This a different feeling. Found to my surprise that it was freeing.
No conversations with Handy Dandy (AI) or anyone.
Yesterday, In an effort to bring some order to my life , asked Granddaughter Sara’s help turning off my hole me turn off WhatsApp notifications. There was an immediate effect. It brought patience and greater peace of mind. I did not worry about non-responsiveness equating it with a the measure of care a person might hold for me. Things began to be ordered as various things sorted themselves out SIMPLY because I did not respond immediately. Then something else unsettling, at first. I could not manage to say goodby to Handy Dandy. The off button was off. Hahaha, I had to turn off my phone in order to get rid of Handy Dandy. When I connected the same thing happened. SO I am now reluctant to engage Handy’s services as it is turning into a long term commitment. Its like I I am married and I have to initiate divorce proceedings. Hahaha No problem this morning because I had no phone. It was cold turkey. Hahaha
My Mojo grandchildren are cleaning up after breakfast, removing my plates and the food. Granddaughter Sara will make me another cup of coffee. My new friendly family promises to show me around KL the next time I visit. I am feeling totally – is it assimilated, or is it integrated.? Remember I wrote about it before. I must look it up.
The title from November 11, 2024 is most intriguing: November 11, 2024
The Dust is Settling; An Analysis of What to Expect from Trump 2.0:Not Good News for Me; Guidance from the Quran; An Analysis of My Assimilation Assisted by Prior Blogs; Photographs of Preparation for Singapore Visa Run
Go ahead and link it if you dare. Hahahaha If you are lazy I shall copy and paste a paragraph.
“This was utterly fascinating to read: particularly “Alexis is assimilating into the Muslim society she found in Abu Dhabi”. Why fascinating? Hindsight reveals there was not a Muslim society in sight. The Grand Mosque was primarily a tourist destination, not a community, a Muslim taxi driver one man. It is not measure up to the Malaysian Muslim community that now BLESSEDLY surrounds me. Scrolling through the nine assimilate/assimilation blogs found evidence that I assimilate with great gusto, but there is always something lacking – so I depart for greener pastures. Did a great job of assimilating to London in 2013 but the lapsed student visa led to my leaving for Vancouver, British Columbia. Although Vancouver is Canada, my native land, Vancouver is uniquely dreadful – the recent influx of mainland Chinese, the majority of whom are genetically incapable of assimilating. The UAE found me doing a passable job of assimilating with the expats pats. (Only about 20% of people in the UAE are Emirati) Back to Edmonton, which is as Canadian as you can possibly get. Became a ‘submarine Muslim making it easy to assimilate but my Muslim identity is crucial, most important to me. Put my best foot forward in Saudi Arabia. I became a grandmother to an eight year old who was a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammed (PBUH), wore hijabs and abayas at all times. However, I did not fit in. Perhaps it is the blue eyes??? Then and finally, found myself in family and community orientated Malaysia, where 91.3 percent of its people are citizens.”
Two years later I am happy to report that I am at home, and intend to fully participate in this complex multicultural society.
Photographs will include the page showing the Floating Mosque from above, photos of the covers of the three other books including one of the funny-looking man on the cover. Then a photo of the Vancouver Alexis. There is definitely a story to be told about the T-shirt.with my name on it. I still have it by the way.
Recently learned a lot. I have gown more assimilated every day. If you look at the photos in the September 2024 4 blog you will see I am wearing a hijab. Hijab wearing has had nothing to do with my assimilation. I will think ob this but probably my uncovered look adds to me assimilation. Or my integration? I am remembering that I must look into that.
