Potpourri is a a mixture of things, especially a musical or literary medley. Definitely this is going to be a mixture of things. You will observe this as you read on, if you do not become bored and give up. As you can see, I am in a good mood.
I am in a good mood for several reasons. It seems I am in a different country, a different place since leaving Lexis Suites Penang. There is an enormous measure of hope, optimism and innovation amongst the staff and guests at this hotel, appropriately called Lyf. I can now see that my underlying stress and alienation was a result of being surrounded by narrow-minded people at Penang Lexis Suites. It does feel like being released from jail. I am more open to the world and more trusting. Penang Lexis Suites never did deserve my trust. I wonder how I was ever able to survive such hardship. The great news is the hardship made me appreciate benefits of Lyf with profound enthusiasm. For that reason, believers often are thankful for the hardships they encounter during their lives on earth.
I am also inspired by Instagram in this manner. A post brought readers to the momentous life of Ahmad Knut Holmboe who was the first documented Danish convert to Islam. He later changed his name to Ali Ahmed el Gheseri. Learning of his life, his accomplishments, his commitment to the faith and to the Truth was enlightening. He was murdered on his way to Makkah in October 1931, Readers were invited to learn more on Wikipedia. I wrote a response which has earned 21 Likes already.
Me: Thank you SO much for the enlightening story of a scholar and a martyr. If Allah in His mercy grants me entrance to Jannah I will definitely look him up. Fortunately I was not killed on my way to Mecca in December of 2022. Alhamdulillah
I did an excellent job of interjecting humor into the media as well. There was a hilarious Dame Edna reel in which she asked KD Lang the following question, apologizing for her course terminology when asking this serious question. .
Dame Edna: When did you first learn you were Canadian.
There was much laughter as people were expecting a rather ribald question. I responded:
Me: As a born Canadian I ABSOLUTELY love this segment. I would answer that I tried to hide it from myself so it was not until I was 24 and could get out of there did I first let myself know. I shall now become a target of those people, the Canadians. I have not been a target of rebuke so far. I have received 13 Likes.
My mail Inbox this morning contained some good news. The Walrus informed the world of Justin Trudeau’s resignation. He served as the Prime Minister of Canada for ten long years. Hid father, the amazing Pierre Trudeau was the Prime Minister when I left Canada. I lived under the reign of Justin for almost a year in 2022-2023. The other good news was financial. The E and O submitted a refund to my credit card. Haven’t checked the numbers yet but probably one night there is equal to about four nights at Lyf.
Now onto something totally different. My new found persona – Alexis the Foodie Along came another inspiration from Instagram, this totally and entirely different. This from a DM with Bloggingbrooke.
Me: Following your fine example. I have become a foodie. Food, not drink, is more substantial.
She: YES!! Good for you.
Me: Thanks my dear. It is fun. You are my role model. Your enthusiasm is your strength.
She: Awww Thank you. Your ability to live life to the fullest is yours. A true gal on the go!
Me: I love, love, love you said that. It is going on the blog. I am discussing my new persona – that of foodie. I will include our conversation. My previous bloggingbrooke, who knew a chance encounter at the Abu Dhabi Louvre years and years ago would lead to this? Hahahah Precious Bloggingbrooke not previous. How I hate autocorrect.
Suddenly disaster struck. Our conversation went into Vanish Mode. I know nothing about Vanish Mode. I rushed around the lobby of Lyf frantically asking about ten people if they know anything about Instagram,
Me: This is a disaster. If I were in my room I would have killed myself (almost)
I ran into my Mojo Hojo, the restaurant which provides food I praise A young man saved me. I threw my arms around him in sheer gratitude, Then wait until you hear about what happened next!!! I asked him a technical, sort of question. Between the two of us we figured it out. Now I have a Professional Dashboard. Oh my Allah. This is what it said. I have had 4.8K views in the last 30 days. I cannot even count that far, not enough fingers and toes. Hahaha
Please do remember my mantra. Hope was my Survival; Success is my Revenge. Thank you Patricia Cornell. I am revenging myself on SO many people. Occasionally I think about them and smile. They have lost their power, their authority over me. I know they are miserable. I am sure some of them read my blog, view my Instagrams. Of course, they do not Like the Instagrams. They cannot get through to me on the blog. But guys even surrounded by their wives and girlfriends can just sneak over to to the Internet and look me up. I do not get THIS popular by writing about the faith, interspersed with the occasional joke and real life experience and now YouTube reel. I do love the Helen Reddy song. I AM WOMAN. Here are the lyrics.
I am woman, hear me roar
In numbers too big to ignore
And I know too much to go back an’ pretend
‘Cause I’ve heard it all before
And I’ve been down there on the floor
And no one’s ever gonna keep me down again
Yes, I am wise
But it’s wisdom born of pain
Yes, I’ve paid the price
But look how much I’ve gained
If I have to, I can do anything
I am strong (strong)
I am invincible (invincible)
I am woman
You can bend but never break me
‘Cause it only serves to make me
More determined to achieve my final goal
And I come back even stronger
Not a novice any longer
‘Cause you’ve deepened the conviction in my soul
Yes, I am wise
But it’s wisdom born of pain
Yes, I’ve paid the price
But look how much I’ve gained
If I have to, I can do anything
I am strong (strong)
I am invincible (invincible)
I am woman
I am woman, watch me grow
See me standing toe to toe
As I spread my lovin’ arms across the land
But I’m still a little embryo
With such a long, long way to go
Until I make my brother understand
Oh yes, I am wise
But it’s wisdom born of pain
Yes, I’ve paid the price
But look how much I’ve gained
If I have to, I can face anything
I am strong (strong)
I am invincible (invincible)
I am woman
I am woman
I am invincible
I am strong
I am woman
I am invincible
I am strong
I am woman
I am woman
Go ahead, listen to the Helen Reddy Official Video. It is certain to inspire. It certainly did that for me.
Food photographs will follow. Kashmir Restaurant’s Sizzling Snapper with Saffron Rice. There will also be a reel, an unpaid commercial of me talking about the delicious food. The Kashmir Restaurant sign announcing it has been in business since 1984. The absolutely delicious kale salad from the Mojo Jojo restaurant. I had an intense hatred of kale. Past tense, in that salad I love it.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DEhJM1UzRhQ/?igsh=bnU2aWh1YjV4YTJs
