November 11, 2026. Not exactly on the road again. Hahaha. Flying from Penang to Kuching, which is, as they say, easier said than done. What does that expression mean?? Will go find out.
“When something seems like a good idea but would be difficult to do OR easy to suggest, but much more difficult to make happen“. This and and the following sentence was found in dictionary.cambridge.org. “That is easiersaidthandone, though, for 25 countries have 25 veto rights.”
Why is getting from Penang to Kuching easier said than done?? There are no direct flights. I am traveling Malaysian Air so I am in KL for hours waiting for a connecting flight. I am not necessarily complaining. It is relaxed, moderately quiet here in the Business Class Lounge, there is wifi and there is food.
There was a slight snag but everything has gone well. Sandman arrived promptly in the black limo – sent a photo and a comment to my WhatsAppers.
Me: Good morning! On my way to the airport in the black limousine – just me and Sandman. That is my blue shoe Not his. Hahaha
I received many safe flight comments – and this one.
She: Pretty shoe indeed. I just got one in that powder blue too
Me: You have great taste in shoes. Hahaha
She: Powder blue is the seasons color now. I mean this year now that spring has passed.
Me: I got them because they matched my eyes. Hahaha 😂
She: That’s a forever shoe then.
November 12, 2026
As the title suggests yesterday was a two Dato’ day. What is a dato’?
Dato’ (also spelled Datuk or Datu) is a traditional Malay honorific title used primarily in Malaysia, Brunei, and parts of Indonesia. In Malaysia, it serves as a prestigious non-hereditary award bestowed upon individuals who have made significant contributions to the nation, state, or society. [1, 2, 3]
I met one before, on my first trip to Kuching. He turned out to be not respectful of my time, he stood me up with no excuse. Therefore I blocked him on WhatsApp – then he blocked me back. Hahaha What does that say about him? Hahaha
I met my first November 11 Dato’ sitting next to me on the flight between Penang and KL. He lives in Penang. We actually had a lot in common because he went to school in California during the 1980s. He seemed to be a very principled, and giving man. He designed and still “runs’ the access to Penang Hill – replacing the outmoded funicular cars which I viewed on a trip to the Penang Museum. The flight was on an hour long, we ‘covered a lot of territory’ – discussing many matters. We exchanged email addresses. He was attending a meeting in KL.
I had a ‘lay over’ in KL before going to Kuching. (A layover flight is where you do not not fly directly from your starting point to your final destination. Instead, you land at an intermediate airport, get off the first plane, wait for a period, and board a second plane (with a new flight number) to finish your trip.)
Malaysia Air got me to Kuching. I travel by wheelchair in airports, the vast distances are troublesome to my left knee. A cordial and efficient Malaysian Air employee pushed me about – through Immigration, picking up my luggage and then delivering me to the Hilton awaiting limousine. There were his closing words.
He: I have had this job for eleven years. In all my years I have never pushed anyone as interesting and as much fun as you are.
Me: Wow!! Thank you! But poor you with all those boring people. Hahaha
Then to the Hilton where I was ENTHUSIASTICALLY greeted by about ten employees. We laughed and joked with one another. I was efficiently escorted to my room – my signature room. I will retrieve a photo so that you can view my prayer room with a view. There is also an Instagram reel, taken on my May 29 birthday. It received 1.9 K views. My Instagram is Alexis Alaa McBride.
I arrived just in time for Executive Lounge Happy Hour (s). I was recording a selfie video when interrupted by a man at an adjacent table speaking very loudly on the phone. Much to my surprise leaned that the loud voiced man my second Dato’ of the day.
I sent my WhatsApp friend a curriculum vita of the man, receiving this enlightening response.
She: Dato’ Sri is a higher level than a Dato’. You’re going places!!
Me: Hahaha Apparently! I spent time with his 18 year old darling son and did speak on the phone to his wife.
She: Ohhh. He’s taken
Me: Yes and he has 10 children. I have to be a Datin on my own I guess
She: No no no. u should be a Dato’ otherwise you would have to marry to be a Datin.
Me: Oh Okay. I guess that is my actual ambition them. I stand corrected.
(I stand corrected is an idiom used to admit that something you have said or done was wrong.)
This morning I WhatApped friends with a photo of me and the man with the loud voice.
Me: Good morning. Me and the Sri Dato’ from last night. Look at his handsome Indonesian batik shirt.
Receiving a charming response from his son.
He: I think mine is better.
Sent a follow up photo with the following message. “Agreed!! His son’s shirt is more handsome and so is his the son.”
He: I don’t think that is a good picture of me but thank you.
Me: Don’t tell your father that I said you were more handsome.
He: Don’t worry.
Me: Hahaha I do not think it is a very good picture of you either.
He: Hahaha
I suddenly realized that I was wearing a Malaysian batik skirt, but I do have Indonesian batik dresses. Sent him a photo of me and three other women. I was wearing a, Indonesian batik dress.
Me: See I have Indonesian batik dresses too.
November 12 did not go as well as November 11. I came to Kuching intending to meet with ‘my’ lawyer. It turned out she was not ‘my’ lawyer although I had met with her once before with my agent. She was not planning to meet during this visit. She thought I would just come and sign a ‘boiler plate’ will after I provided her with the names of my beneficiaries. My testamentary plans are more complicated, for many reasons, one which is I do not have beneficiaries. My money will go to charities. So there was no reason for me to come here after all. I wrote to tell my wonderful Sarawak visa agent Theresa with the news that it was a futile trip
She: It is not futile. As you do need to fulfill your 30 day mandatory stay. Think of it as fulfilling part of your 30 days.
Me: Oh well. I met two Dato’s in one day. That would never happen in Penang. Hahaha I am more than a little frustrated but already seeing the humor in this. Where there is no will there is a way. Hahaha
My sense of humor has kicked in. My time here will NOT be spent with lawyers and bankers. I have some ideas about what to do with my time. Stay turned and I will let you know.
Wikipedia was called upon at some time during Dato’ discovery. .
Wikipedia: Hierarchy of Malaysian Federal & State Titles
Honorary titles in Malaysia follow a strict order of precedence: ]
- Tun. The highest and most exclusive federal title, limited to a very small number of living recipients.
- Tan Sri. The second-highest federal title, awarded to distinguished leaders in government, business, and civil society.
- Dato’ Sri / Datuk Seri. A higher-tier state or federal honor ranking just below Tan Sri.
- Dato’ / Datuk. The standard honorific equivalent to a British knighthood (“Sir”), though it does not pass down to children.
I am a Malaysian newbie, nonetheless I have met the family of a Tun, two Dato’s and one Dato’Sri. Not bad for a woman born in Saskatchewan. Hahaha
Yesterday was 11/11. I am remembering and reciting poem this poem
In Flanders Field.
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
Perhaps the memorization of the poem was required by my Canadian school teachers. I do have a personal connection to the author , which shall be explained.
Dr. John McCrae was born in Guelph, Ontario, known as a Canadian poet, soldier, and physician. McCrae’s well-known poem “In Flanders Fields” memorializes the April 1915 battle in Belgium’s Ypres salient. For 17 days, McCrae tended those injured in the battle. The poem, written after the death of a close friend, was first published in Punch magazine and led to the adoption of the poppy as the Flower of Remembrance for the British and Commonwealth war dead. McCrae wrote several medical textbooks during his life, and his poetry was posthumously gathered into the collection In Flanders Fields and Other Poems (1919). He died of pneumonia on January 28, 1918, at the age of 45. McCrae was buried with full military honors in Wimereux Cemetery near Boulogne, France. His family home in Guelph is preserved as a museum, and the main street in Wimereux is now named Rue McCrae.
You see, I visited the Museum, years, and years, and years ago. My dear life long friend was living in Guelph and I would often visit he and his wife Nancy. I have no idea if Bruce is alive or dead – our friendship died a natural death when my ordinary life began to change. I now lead an extraordinary life as a Muslim Malaysian, meeting two Dato’s in one day. Some days I do yearn for an ordinary life, yet again. But when one becomes extraordinary; one cannot go back.
Extraordinary’s synonyms are: exceptional, astonishing, astounding, marvelous, incredible, unbelievable, prodigious, striking spectacular; striking, outstanding, momentous, singular, never to be forgotten, unique, eye-catching, notable, out of the ordinary, unusual, surprising, curious, strange, uncanny, amazeballs, out of this world. Its antonym is ordinary. Actually all of the synonyms apply in some way. My favorite? Amazeballs.
Photos will include me and my shoe in Sandman’s black limo, a photo of the Dato’Sri and myself, the cover of the curriculum vitae. A photo of the Sri Dato’, his son and an unknown gentleman. Then a photo of me in a Indonesian bank dress with three other women. I am the one in the Indonesian batik dress. Hahaha
Two aphorisms are applicable to my situation. 1. To reduce your sadness concerning things, reduce your excitement with these things. 2. Hope is what is coupled with action, otherwise it is a wish. Hmmmm I wonder what actions I must take to be a Dato’?
