14.5.2026 Tuesday - stressful but folks are still kind

 

13.4.2026 Monday - allowable protrusions into the setback

No exercise this morning and although Sean was going to take me to the gym in the evening, it rained heavily so we went home instead. Some highlights of the day to share: JY, MC and I had a good laugh about our understanding of a planning guideline; at my age, I should be able to explain this clearly to them already. But no, we had to debate and then arrive at the correct interpretation of the Rule. The highlight is the camaraderie that I see in our team; they learn and teach each other (including me).

Another highlight comes from West Malaysia; the editor of AM (Architecture Malaysia) offers to link their website with ours in Borneo. This is good for several reasons; one is the wider reach in readership, the 

12.4.2026 Sunday - tidying up around the house, without my help

after visiting grandfather, they visited Suzen for her roast pork noodles

quite a task shifting the large timber shelf, it almost fell on them but did not. 

We try to make this like any other Sunday, going out for breakfast followed by an mini excursion - this time to buy second hand books. The young ones have very sweetly decided to pay their grandfather a visit at the columbarium, both their partners went along which is a lovely gesture on their part.

In the afternoon, mom visits as usual although her visits are getting shorter (she gets picked up at 445pm). Sam and Sean set to work cleaning up the car porch, in time for Sean's car charger to be installed. I like the new look, and realise that this would be my new carpentry area in the future.

The wound is healing nicely and it has stopped bleeding, I am able to move my foot a bit but still not putting any weight on it. Tonight, I will sleep downstairs, and this will be the next space to tidy up in the house.

11.4.2026 Saturday - recipe for Roast vegetable pasta with siew-yuk

trying out a new series for my social media posts

still able to cook though it is a bit clumsy, we invite Wawa over dinner; a small reprieve from caring for SJ. She packs a small pasta supper for him, when she returns for 'night-duty'.

10.4.2026 Friday - a good person

Sean and I were working for this the whole afternoon, only to have it pop up on my FB post.

In my capacity, people have been helpful - doing things for me. They are still getting the hang of it, I don't think that they are used to seeing me less than 100% - I say this because my own child neglects to get me a drink from the kitchen once in a while. I can't carry a coffee mug while using crutches.

KM thinks that I have a positive mind-set and that this will take me far - this comes quite easily to me, so long as I exercise daily (gym, weights, sit-ups, press-ups). I don't miss playing squash, I do miss tennis a bit (being in the sun) and pickleball (because Sam is starting to play).

Jowie is disappointed that we cannot continue our pickleball sessions, I discovered that she is vey concerned about my condition. She asked for a photo update and asked if I am in pain. She is very sweet and thinks that folks around me help out because I am a nice person. I have not thought of myself this way before, perhaps last year's resolution to be kind(er) is worked.

I feel that it is also a good thing for people to NOT have me around to do things for them all the time. 

 

9.4.2026 Thursday - sharing misery

 Starting to construct things in Revit, though I am far from anything useful yet. But it is a start, and I can see how precise and productive we can become once we master this software. I have a feeling that our tutor is also on the road to fully learning, and it is ok - we can develop together. 

My ankle was looked at this morning by the surgeon who thinks it is healing well (we shall see). I have not missed the sports so far, and this morning Sam and I go to the gym for a joint Tabata workout. 

This evening, we have dinner at Sean's with the objective of feeding this young one; she has been nursing her husband who had a fall and hurt his spine. He is in the hospital so she pops by to share a meal and a drink with us, and talk about things over than health problems

8.3.2026 Wednesday - new routines required

Back at work, bright and early so that Sam can park nearby and push me up to the office. I am getting used to the crutches, tomorrow I will use them all the way to the office. 

Sean suggested that I use my spare time to learn Revit, so I start by listening to the lessons Henry sent me. It does not seem too complicated, I understand what is going on. 

At lunch, Chuan brings his nephew Xiong to our office, he has been practising in Bali and is curious about local practices. I wonder how many other offices Chuan brought him to see - I ll ask. 

Once again, our website comes in handy, Sean and I explain some of our projects and some of our work habits - it all seems to interest the young man, and I offer him a base if ever he has work in Kuching or KL.