Sunday, March 17, 2024

17.3.2024 Sunday - she coming undone

I'm itching to travel again, I ask Sam if she wants to visit her parents. They are older than mom, who is coming undone. Her memory fails her more and more these days; she fails to describe taste (ginger, coffee or tea) , recognise simple objects (apples, papaya) and her sequence of doing simple tasks like dressing herself is off.

There will come a time when I'll have to speak to my siblings about putting her in a home. I forget how long we have been babysitting her on our weekend afternoons.



https://www.archdaily.com/465030/abedian-school-of-architecture-crab-studio#



16.3.2024 Saturday - run into town.


There is still plenty on my mind, mostly work, some about own health, and some about trivial things like the state of our garden. I have been feeling out of sorts lately. I have been falling asleep in the afternoons eventing I get my 7 hours of sleep at night. Maybe it's the daily hour of squash 5 times a week. Maybe it's my body telling me that variety is important. 

This morning, I run into town: the same route as before. It felt good, the cadence is still there but I must train the running endurance. I'm running in spells this morning, 600 to 800 metres stretches. 

I decide that Saturdays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays are running days. Again. 

 

Friday, March 15, 2024

15.3.2024 Friday - a meeting, an early lunch and tennis at 4


Fiona and I head off to an early meeting to finalise phasing for a planning submission, it doesn't take long. But it's good to settle these things in person with all the parties involved confirming the decision. 

People are always nicer than they seem when they text or email, and I'm reassured by that. 

14.3.2024 Thursday - asking for help



Today, I ring Penghui and ask for help with 4 projects. I have been wanting to do this for some time. I finally decide  when Melvin and HP poke their heads into the conference room wanting to discuss some work that they have done. Only for me to turn them away because I want to finish the Promenade housing sketches. 
I tell Penghui I need him to oversee these projects by overseeing the people doing the work; both our colleagues and consultants. Essentially, I'm inserting him between me and the day-to-day work - 'I need time to draw' - I tell him. He is glad to help, and Fiona thinks it's a good idea as well, nodding sympathetically in agreement. 

More conscious decisions by others to place themselves between me and the daily grind. Freddie taking charge of Sean and Jenny, with Jiayan's help. I might have time to paint after all... 




 
Another type of help, the carpenter for the hotel cut these 2 makeshift pickleball bags from plywood for me