Our new apartment proves to be very comfortable and is larger than I imagined. We have signed a contract for a year with the opportunity to renew the lease. The 3 bedroom apartment is modern and spacious with veranda and is fully furnished. The Petronas Towers light up in the distance. My excitement turns to dismay when I find there is no hot water in the kitchen. Undeterred I contact the rental agent who explains that in Malaysian homes this is normal. I hope she does not hear my gasp as I contemplate this new information. Obviously I need to adapt quickly. Washing up by boiling hot water in a kettle is proving rather tedious. Time for a new strategy. Armed with bottles of bleach, I try new methods of removing tea stains from cups. Guiltily I know this is not a good solution as I worry about the planet with the chemicals I am adding. Defeated and complaining, I decide we either have to go out to eat or my significant other can do some work in the kitchen! After all he brought me here. Hot tears of frustration stain my face. I will allow myself thirty minutes of self pity and then educate myself on how to live like a Malaysian. If millions of people have the ability to cope, then I will too.
