Haze Relief!

Thank heavens the haze has dissipated almost completely and we are experiencing relief from the smog! It seems that two men were arrested in concern with the burning.

Smile, Malaysia! You can take off your surgical masks! (This is not a professional medical opinion. So don't quote me on this one, folks.)

"Blue skies! Nothing but blue skies! Nothing but blue skies do I see!"

You really do appreciate the fresh air and sunshine after being "under a cloud" for a week or two! It was eery. It was like living in a mystery novel or something.

It reminds me of the time in the Netherlands when we were walking along the canal and as the sun went down, the mist moved in. It was thick as pea soup, stringy and white. And like a Sherlock Holmes mystery. Eery!

So, back to business as usual.

As for me, I'm house-hunting in Seremban. The above house is called a double story terrace house and although it is not attached to the houses on either side, it is attached at the back!

The above is the 5-bedroom home my son rented a while back. It's close to Seremban. Now, as I may have mentioned, Seremban is actually two different towns, Seremban 1 and Seremban 2. Seremban 1 is the old part which means Seremban 2 is the new. Homes like the above are a rare find in old Seremban.

You won't find them in this great condition because this particular house was hand-painted by my son! It's immaculate compared to most rentals. He even built a floor in the kitchen. It was rented to him with cement floors but he went out and got a tile-cutter and laid his own tiles. Now it has lovely grey-blue Italian tile in the kitchen.

We have a motto in our family that says, "Try to leave a place in better condition than you found it." So, our landlords are very happy campers by the time we move out. My diligent son painted the entire fence and the inside walls as well.

"You're welcome, Mr. Landlord!"

The more modern housing is to be found in Seremban 2. Here you can find mansions. But, the home I rented a few years back was a single story "bungalow" detached all around, front back and sides. It had an alarm system installed so that if the windows or door were touched, it set off an alarm. That doesn't mean that the Police will automatically come. It's just a deterrent to scare off thieves.

Every home in Malaysia has bars on the windows. Ugly and useless, they really don't add any beauty. And, they really don't add protection. Sorry to say, but it's true.

I learned that the bars used on the doors and windows here are hollow. They can easily be cut and the glass can be just as easily cut. Although the cages of bars are always locked with pad locks or some-such-lock, the thief doesn't bother with it. He just goes straight through the bars and the glass. Easy as pie.

So, what Malaysia needs is better security systems for the home-owner. And an active Police force wouldn't hurt. But, for now, get yourself a can of mace. Or a Taser!