Woke up to an amazing cloud formation out the window, deciding it MUST be photographed. Opened one of the double pained windows to find rain drops. Took the photo but then went raining around the hallway looking for a window with no drops, and the clouds. None found, went back to room to edit the existing photo. It was amazing, if I say so myself. You can see it at the conclusion of the blog. Gives you something to look forward to. Hahaha This was the caption: Good morning! Love ❤️ this. It is like an abstract painting, Thought rain drops got in the way but NO. They are essential.
One woman responded: Good morning The raindrops actually elevated the photo Adds to the vibe and feels 😍
Me: Thanks!!! Yes they did.
Received a longer response from Nesh. We had gotten into a conversation last night. Not sure how it started but he said:
He: You are loved because you are lovable. Hahahaha
Me: No my precious I am loved because I love ❤️ Allah And he loves me. He gave me you. Proof. Singing in the rain is playing on the Mojo sound system. It is raining in Penang. I am crying, tears of joy not sorrow.
This was my morning greeting from Nesh
He: Good morning Alexis. The latest blog breakdown is live and 10 swipes this time. Hahaha Go ahead, give it a read and let me know what you think. When you get time of course.
Me: What a fabulous gift you have given me. Of course I have the time. Off to read and swipe but first I will send you a good morning photo. Here it comes.
He: Oh wowww,,what a beautiful picture Alexis. Can’t even begin to imagine how you captured that through the hone, looks so wonderful, Thank you for sharing.
After reading the blog breakdown I responded.
Me: It was absolutely one hundred per cent perfect. Captured the mood of the day precisely. This morning I woke up in peace and Now I understand why! What a gift you are All praise to Allah.
He: Oh beautiful words Alexis. Thank you. Made me whole weekend! Ending with Relief. Ot crystallized in my mind the utter relief I feel – seeing the truth through the fog of lies that characterize the entire ‘group’ (for want of a better word). Seeing the truth in anything is what liberates us. Sir Walter Scott is buried in Dryburgh Abbey in Scotland. His quote: What a wicked wee we weave when we practice of decide. Everyone is caught up in the wicked web of this ‘group’. I was, but no longer. The final realization was reading your swipe. Hahaha Dryburgh is my birth name. I guess you know that. It makes the quote so poignant. I will send you a photo when I find it and I may speak of the importance of truth on my blog soon.
The truth is fundamentally important in the Islamic Faith. I am NOT going to ask Artificial Intelligence this time – terrible habit I was getting into. Hahahah Instead will look at the search engine of my blog. I am SO happy I did that because on September 25, 2025 I wrote.
“At times a particular chapter from the Quran speaks to me, directs me, answers my prayers. As usual, it was found randomly. In the Name of God -the Most Compassionate and Merciful. Wake up Call to Humanity. By the ‘passage of time ‘ Surely humanity is in grave loss., except for those who have faith, do good, and urge each other to the truth, and urge each each other to perseverance. (Quran 103 Al-Asr) This, I found particularly instructive. The importance of having people around you urging you to the truth and to perseverance, without such people I find myself feeling adrift, questioning, alone. Truth is easy to define, perhaps more by its antonyms: lies, falsehood. Perseverance has many descriptive synonyms; resoluteness, staying power, firmness of purpose; patience, endurance, diligence, dedication, commitment, indefatigability. An antonyms: complacency, laziness, carelessness. It is the lying and the carelessness that is most troublesome. The solution? I suppose make a list of known liars, design a check-list and cross them out of one’s life. When you look at it that way, with the blessings of Allah (SWT) it seems manageable. Many are obvious, not even on the list of associates, but there are others who are not exactly ‘on board, perhaps not telling lies, but refusing to look the truth, using denial. I always did love that saying: Denial is not just a river in Egypt. Of course, Artificial Intelligence has something to say about it: The saying “Denial is not just a river in Egypt” is a pun that highlights the psychological state of denial, using the Nile Riveras a clever wordplay. It means that denial is not merely a geographic feature, but a powerful and pervasive human phenomenon that can affect anyone, even when they are in the process of avoiding the truth. The phrase also emphasizes the cyclical and elusive nature of denial, implying that someone trying to deny their denial is caught in a paradoxical situation.
Getting back to the truth. The truth is fundamentally important in the Islamic Faith Chapter Seven of Muslim Character is entitled The Truth. Since Islam respects truth most strongly, it turns away liars very harshly. It admonishes them very severely. Aishah narrates:
“Allah’s messenger did not hate anything as strongly as he hated falsehood..Another narration by her states. “For the messenger of Allah falsehood was the worst habit in a person., If any man told a lie in his presence that man’s thought always troubled him until the time he was informed that he has repented, Iban Habban. “(pg. 52 Muslim Character)
So there is this ‘group’- it is larger than just this huge family its tentacles, the web, also include employees, friends, business associates. Looked to find a synonym that would describe it better. Some were rather amusing; like junta, cabal. I suppose clique might be close, but still not perfect. I have been caught in this wicked web or deceit for months and months. I wonder how I was able to survive. The peace of mind that descended upon me when I realized what the nature of the problem was – the deceit. One never knows what is going on, unearthing the truth is impossible – it does not seem to exist. The solution is many ways is simple – disentangle by avoiding all contact, not only with the person that wronged me but also with those caught up in the web. Not difficult, except for one individual. The, shall we say. , protagonist, who constantly inquires of hotel staff and anyone that might know me, about my well being. He could just read the blog – or the blog breakdown. I always tell the truth.
But enough of that. Went on to send Nesh an email, commenting on his breakdown.
To Nesh
I always love the photos you pick to announce the breakdown, you did it again. Friday Morning Did Not Go As Planned is a great title and does describe succinctly what went on. The photographed views that greeted my sleepy eyes “His gifts, reminded me, even in my shortcomings, He send beauty.
Mercy At Dawn
Exactly!! Instead of of guilt, I felt grace. The next swipe brought me to the gift of photographs.
Nesh’s Breakdown Arrives then My Email Back to Nesh
Yes, the speedy arrival is exactly like holding up a mirror showing me the beauty in what I have lived. And I do always tell the truth, not dwelling on the negative but admitting it exists. My reply is a further reflection, rather like fine wine, maturing, aging well. Our conversation is woven with words, expressively.
Shamir, Genius of the Day
No doubt about it, he was. Arriving so timely and so surprisingly. He got the genius award. Not sure if he can keep up the good work. Hahahah
Gaza Reels and Reflections
With great trepidation I addressed the rather fanatical obsession with the horror of Gaza. There is really nothing that most people can do to alleviate the inhumane condition of the Palestinians. I continue to think that such images are designed to mislead. It is mandatory for Muslims to believe that Allah is All-Knowing and somehow this suffering will serve a purpose. We now can see so clearly the evil that lurks under the surface in most countries – specifically the United States and Israel.
Gratitude in Small Things
Yes, the scarf, and laughing about moving quickly in the nearby Christian cemetery so they don’t think that this is my final resting place.
Ending with Relief has already been discussed on this blog. Your words brought everything to fruition, allowing peace of mind.
I loved the final photo of me resplendent in my Muslim scarf. And so true: Sunsets, GIFs , scarves and laughter are stitched together by small mercie
I am now at Yasmin’s apartment, a blessed Muslim sister, met at Paradise. She worked in her brother’s jewelry story. At this moment Yasmin is reading the Quran, reciting in both English and Arabic. What a treat, what an amazing experience to hear her, so impressive . She reads the entire Quran and then goes back and starts all over. Alhamdulillah.She was born in the faith, in Sri Lanka. Tenderly showed me a Quran, given to her by her grandfather when she was 15. It was purchased in Mecca, is hand lettered, in Arabic. I laughed with her, telling her I read the Quran on my iPad. How things have changed I am truly blessed. When In Jakarta I brought Indonesian batik.. Yasmin fashioned dresses for me – three of them. Lyf staff are teasing me – saying I should stage a fashion show. I am the age of Yasmin’s deceased mother – she has adopted me. Oh my goodness, she has three children and a grand daughter. My family is growing constantly – most of my sons and daughters are Lyf hotel staff. When I announced the additions to our family to Shamir he, of course, sent me a GIF. Cheaper by the dozen. It definitely made me laugh. I told him our family was growing by leaps and bounds and sent him a GIF,
That is all for now. Photos will include the abstract that began the day. Yasmin and Alexis, you should be able to tell which is which. A page from Yasmin’s Quran.
