27 June 2022 Monday - moving office

 

We have been at 44 Upper China Street for almost 7 years.  It is a lovely location for so many reasons: 

1. It's in the old Kuching Town where I grew up. My grandfather's former hardware store is nearby, and linked to this are many childhood memories. 

2. My alma mater is nearby also, its church just up the street. I hear the church bells as I cycle in to work.

3. The neighbours are lovely (but eccentric) people. The kapitan who oversaw the welfare of the locality, sorted car parking problems and hosted noisy Taoist ceremonies at the same car parking space. Our next door neighbour who is very fond of Mao, I found him meowing at the door one morning, trying to coax Mao out.

4. The renovated interiors were lovely to work in; cosy, warm and practical. 

5. The shop was almost 100 years old, and people told us stories about it; where MN's mom saw her first wedding, where they bought pork from the family who lived at 44.

6. And the rent was cheap. 

But we have outgrown our space. With distancing, with more people joining us, and with my urge to have interns and trainees again - we have to move to a bigger office. 

At lunch today, I settled my mind after settling fee share issues with Freddie. It was only an issue in my mind, because I'm not good at talking about money with friends. 

Then we talked about staff, and workload, and work environment. He mentioned how he is always looking forward to coming to 44 to chat to Peggy about work, and have a coffee with me. But his mood would dampen after looking for a car park, and further dampen after the long hot walk.

I asked if he knew of any empty lots near his own office. There is one, which is likely too small. I rang Arlene who informed only then that she viewed 2 units last Friday and they looked promising. 

And that's how we started the plans to move from 44.

26 June 2022 Sunday - long run

It's amazing how a day can be defined by one event; unplanned, on my own and almost 90 minutes long, the first 10K in years and in Xero shoes. 

It made my day, and whatever else happens for the rest of the day - I'll be fine. 

25 June 2022 Saturday - mom visits and stays the afternoon

A long day, of my own doing. Cramming too much things into what should be a day of rest, but it has become habit to make the most of each day. 

It was a nice day, so we played tennis with Richard. Rewi had time so we met over 2 coffees to review work we were doing for him; Sibu apartments, PJOP and landed housing. 

As he was leaving, Yvonne texted wanting to buy me lunch and to hand me her resignation letter. We talked about her plans after leaving the company, it seems that she is leaving the country as well. She will go to New Zealand to travel and work for a year with Lance. I told her that I was excited for her, and a little envious. I wished I could do that as well, (thoughts about escaping) or perhaps Sean and Sara can experience this. She has grown very close to us, me in particular. I was reminded of this again when she picked out portions of her meal to share with me: half an egg, some tamago and pickles. Like mom, and daughter at the same time. 

By the early afternoon, I felt too drained to sit with mom at the club so we decided to try a new routine. We brought her home to be amongst our dogs and cats (only Malala had to be confined upstairs). The new routine works, she is more comfortable in a house and I get to lie down to rest a bit. 

I have lost both my Saturday and Sunday afternoons - time to relax and lie down in front of the telly. Me-time, as Yvonne refers to it when she mentioned that I looked over tired sometimes. And wondered if I thought of retiring. 

I'm tired but I am not retiring, I have people to support. 

24 June 2022 Friday -

 

23 June 2022 Thursday - last project for the semester

 

22 June 2022 Wednesday - building houses

Teck on the left of the photo sent this to me from Melbourne. I designed and supervised the construction of his house 17 years ago. We are currently working on the  refurbishment of one of his hotels.

He must have discussed this with Dollah whose house I designed as well. 

Many of our larger projects are from clients whose houses we designed. (although Dollah has not given us any new work yet) Graeme gave us PD residences, HuiJing gave us the hospital and now Teck gave us the hotel. This is likely because of two reasons: one being the building of a close working relationship when designing a private home. And the other reason might be the thinking that if the architect can manage a private home project well, there is little which would pose a challenge in a commercial or housing project. 

Teck's house under construction

One-tree house

21 June 2022 Tuesday - work partnerships

I am working upstairs again, and enjoying it. It is quieter, and I missed being around my stuff (books, sketches, photos) I also missed our chats (Leong and I) about work, design, people. He looked over my shoulder as I talked my way through this design. We worked out the creases and finalised the design concept: of providing a garden at the doorstep of each unit. 

As we talked about the design, I decided (and told him) that Sean would work under his guidance if this project were to proceed into the next stage. Sean is working out the CAD details while I sort out the massing and unit mix. He agreed, I think he will be a good mentor for Sean. 

20 June 2022 Monday - mangoes

harvest from our little garden which we share with friends in exchange for other fruits and pastries

This is a post about generosity. My grandmother was generous to a fault. I lived with her for a number of year before entering primary school, and saw many instances of this. I remember that the gardener from her sister's house would cycle one mile to bring a 'gift' of a mango, for which Grandma would give him RM 10. A princely sum in the 70's. 

I also remember that my uncle laughed at her for being 'conned'. But I think she knew what she was doing - she was helping out while preserving the other person's dignity.

19 June 2022 Sunday - straight or steeple?

 

18 June 2022 Saturday - all sorts

 

17 June 2022 Friday - job banking

 

16 July 2022 Thursday - last class of the term

 

Tay remarked that I was in a good mood this morning - 'you are not like your usual self'. I did not give one of the students an earful for not submitting her work as agreed. He claimed that I would have done so in the earlier years.

He was right - I was in a good mood. Our students took up our challenge to have the studio pin up one week before the actual deadline. All but 4 students prepared their boards, and half would have passed if they submitted this work as their final submission. This was reason to be happy, when young people challenge themselves and succeed (some were surprised at their own efforts, and those are the ones I was happiest for)

He was also wrong - my usual self has evolved, I am calmer about set-backs now. I believe they happen for a reason; karma, the world righting itself, life teaching me lessons - I pause and then continue. I do my best given the circumstances and wait for the results. 

Today is likely that last class we will have with this batch, They seem to enjoyed our tutorials. Many have grown bolder, producing better work and asking more questions. Tay told me that our group sessions were more productive, he thinks it is a result of the constant 'push-push-push' at the students to produces ideas, sketches, models, words. 

15 July 2022 Wednesday - housing ideas

 

15 June 2022 Tuesday - Sibu

 

14 June 2022 Monday - on the run

 

13 June 2022 Sunday - train journeys

 

11 June 2022 Saturday - Min-ion reunion

(Brown) Ken, Bryan, Yasmin, Sean and Ellie

 I love it when former interns (now friends) get together and rekindle friendships - especially when they did not even train at the office at the same time. They may have met through other Min-ions and become friends despite distance, different professions and age. It means a lot to me, bexause we provided a connection for these folks to have a relationship, and hopefully their lives are a little bit richer because of this. 

10 June 2022 Friday - raising the roof

 

9 June 2022 Thursday - Love in foreign climes

These series of love portraits are a selection from the PAMSC study trips; a departure from streetscapes and buildings, and perhaps a result of too many days away from the ones we love. 

On a distant Sunday, these two people caught my eye.

How he listened as she spoke, and never took his eyes off her.

Now years later, I wonder he still has eyes only for her.

(and listen when she speaks). 

Florence

We came across this park on one of our walking tours; Sara said it reminded her of the Paris parks she had seen in movies. It is clear why - the tree-lined avenues with lawns in between them, vistas guided towards fountains and statues, the crunchy gravel underfoot and couples cuddling on park benches. Clear signs of the French influence in Shanghai's past - so it seemed appropriate that we would meet this spritely couple; not young in years but still youthful in their step. Sara took this series of shots; as they practiced - coaching and encouraging each other - quite oblivious to the crowd which gathered to watch them; envious of their dancing skills and also their obvious enjoyment of each other's company.

FuXing GongYuan, Shanghai

 

Their hands were not touching, but their heartstrings must be intertwined like their feet.

As the bus slowed to round the corner at the United Nations Memorial in Casablanca.

Young love has winged feet.

Red Fort, Agra

8 June 2022 Wednesday - Glass and Steel

 

7 June 2022 Tuesday - Sibu