26.4.2024 Friday -

2007

 

25.4.204 Thursday - unwell and not at work, Thomians' reunion.

I am credited as the organiser of this reunion, making it sound like an enormous task, when it really was not. Many like Da, and unlikely ones like ChunLing, Kah Teck, Barry helped to round up friends and teachers. Others quietly helped with sponsoring the teachers, paying for drinks, etc.

Others remind me why I won't organise another one soon, perhaps a simple dinner for a dozen people. Not a large gathering like this - there are so many that I was not familiar with, and am still unfamiliar with now.

One shouted hey hey hey, wanting me to look up when I was cutting and serving the cake. Others tell me let the waiting staff do that, it's their job. They forget that it is an honour to serve, why would I give up that privilege. Another has a lazy fatty palm hand shake: a reflection of the man that the boy has grown to inhabit. The overdressed one flitted around with his coloured hair (jealous, they'd say) pocket square, dress watch and I think pierced tongue (lisp gives it away). 

And then there are others who flew in from Singapore, Canada, Australia, KL, China - we have not met them for many years. A few have retired, while others are working just as hard - enjoying their work, having fun making money still. & school teachers attended; Charlie Chung, Felix Wong, Evan yeo, Mrs. Chong, Mrs Alice Wright, Ms Jane Ling, and Pn Cynthia Zender. (who asked if she shd contribute to the dinner costs - ' you have contributed enough, this is our small way of paying back )

24.4.2024 Wednesday - gym assessment and a sushi dinner

 My gym assessment and first session - Even asks what my goals are; upper body strength and mobility, and to lose body weight/fat. 21 days to get some improvement - there is really anything new that he teaches me. Rather a refresher about drinking more water, walking more steps and watching what I eat. And also a more regimented way to strength train. He seems surprised when I told him I want to be able to do chin ups.

It is a lazy day for me, not attending the lift interviews (Sean and Leong attend), I spend time sketching details for Peggy's 44 and 48 terraces. Later in the afternoon, I go for drinks with Si Yong before heading off to a Japanese dinner hosted by the Kansai Paints people. I drink too much whisky. 

23.4.2024 Tuesday - B.A. website coming along

 

22.4.2024 Monday - a strange start for the week.

 I feel out of sorts when arriving for work, I forget to bring my mouse, and Sean did not see the message. Quite a few people are not well in the office judging from the sniffing and coughs. At home, Sam thinks that she is coming down with something as well; her chest feels congested. 

Henry Bong came by to say hi, he has not been before and remarked that we are a big office. Each time I hear that, I am proud and worried at the same time. Louis rings me asking for Brendan's phone number, and we agree to have lunch - he has news for me. 

News which I already know - he has started work with a builder (someone we have worked with before). This is NOT news to me, having heard about this already. What is not news is that he has received an offer from JKR to work for them at HQ - now he has to decide. He facing many criticisms from his mentors, so I chose not to add to this instead I ask him about Part 3 exams, why he left his former office, whether he ended the employment in a good manner. 

His reply - I did not tell him because he (former boss) did not ask. 

L: he did not ask, so I did not tell (flippant tone) Me: sometimes older, more experienced people do not ask questions when they feel it forces people to tell a lie. They'd rather that you tell them because you want them to know. LESSON

21.4.2024 Sunday - early swim, feel good

Plans for tennis go astray as courts are wet, it rained near the club but not near home. I am secretly pleased as my legs are still sore. I go for a swim; breaststroke for 20 laps - this longest I have done for ages. Now legs are more sore, but in a nice way.

While waiting for Sam, I do a few quick sketches in a new notebook. Recording the day's activities in simple descriptive colour drawings.

20.4.2024 Saturday

 

19.4.2024 Friday - Sara organises a lunch

 The great Pamela Lau is in town, back from Miri arriving by bus as all flights are cancelled due to the volcano eruption in Java. So Sara invited the gang for a boozy lunch at the Badger Bar on Saturday.

Pam also drops by to guide RF on legal matters after her father's passing. RF waves happily to Pam as she left our office, that is nice to see. 

HY does drop by, delivering drawings for the car park block. We discuss the details, and plan for the coming week. He thinks he's still not up to speed, but will pick up. I maintain my hope for this young man, others have abandoned him. 

Bat has not informed her bosses about her uni plans for this year, I mention this to Leong. Only then, did Bat tell Arlene -  not good form. I must speak to her about this. SML needs more staff, their projects are moving - it's a good problem. 

18.4.2024 Thursday - a long lunch

Looking forward to lunch; sushi, fruits and even an offer of sake. Afterwards, we wonder why we don't do this more often.

The only down-side to the day is Patrick who is stroppy, even taking on his shouty voice (which I overhear him use with his wife) with me. I beat him 4-1, and he left a huffier than when we started. It's a sign for me, to take some time off from squash. 

17.4.2024 Wednesday - The Borneo Architecture Journal

Laila texted me from Japan, she is visiting this building and I remind her that I produced this as part of Building Technology assignment in Year 3. Kenzo Tange's Yoyogi Stadium

 Another early early morning - which I spend folding laundry from 620 to 720 a.m. before walking to meet HJ and Jenny about the new website for projects in Borneo. We have been struggling to name it, but at our morning coffee we decided on The Borneo Architecture Journal. It is a official sounding name, but I think it should be this way to encourage participation by people who prefer a more serious platform. The social media links will be the teenage children of this website.

16.4.2024 Tuesday - pools and ramps

I start the day early, to work on Sean's pool - and to have some time to think and write. I decide to continue with my personal diary, which I have lapsed in upkeeping. My current diaries are all related to work, some are travel related but none are for personal thought and planning. 

It is a sign that work has over taken my life. This is ok, I enjoy this. My challenge now is to see how to continue to produce good quality work with our young team. I need to sit with them and  work side by side more often. 

Sitting side by side is what we do when attending the kick off meeting for our new project, some of us to lead the project, others to support and some to learn. 
 

A little bonus at the end of the day - Eric texted from Taiwan inviting me to join them for a crit in May. Sam will now have a chance to visit Taiwan

15.4.2024 Monday - ramps and pools

 

14.4.2024 Sunday - Sari

 Hot day - I arrive early at the gym to row, and lift weights. I spend the morning drawing at my new (recycled) table at No. 40 - the roof framing for the Banquet Hall. I am not totally comfortable at this house yet, it is a bit too hot during the day. Anyway, I busy myself re-arranging the books on the shelves and sort through new books that PS gave to me. 

In the evening, I cycle back from squash to have dinner with the Lims, and Jenny, and later Swee who arrived for dessert. 

I hear stories about my friends buying property and about how WK bought a new house and felt the need to tell a story and reasons why he bought it, similar to the BMW story; being wealthy and wanting to appear wealthy but lacking the confidence and having to invent stories in case folks think that they are wealthy.

13.4.2024 Saturday - Ripley

 

12.4.2024 Friday - early start, late finish

Early start to the day, I come to open the door for Doreen, who cleans our office, and then get ready to meet HY about his working drawings. At 9 a.m. - I have a meeting about strata parcels and as built survey. It went well and I learn that it is better if I let the other speak first. I was a little angry about Ken's initial lethargy on this matter, and it comes out in the earlier parts of the meeting.

At noon, I visit a new gym to discuss their offer of a 21-day fitness challenge - it seems that I have to pay a deposit which they can forfeit if I don't achieve the desired results (1-kg minimum or 2% body fat loss). I have a look at their gym, like what I see and sign up. 

I spend the afternoon drawing details on butter-paper, which I enjoy tremendously. Fiona can issue these on Monday.

 

11.4.2024 Thursday - poolside sketching

We attend RF's dad's funeral. When we arrive, the monks had finished their prayers and one of them is giving a sermon. We sit on the carpet and listen from the rear of the gathering. RF turns around and catches sight of us, she comes over to sit with us. She is tired but seem relieved, and pleased to see us - we chat although we are often interrupted by folks who come to introduce themselves to her. The poor thing cannot recall many of them - friends of her late mother, distant relatives, dad's colleagues. We leave as the coffin was getting ready to depart for the crematorium. 

Today  is still a public holiday so I go to the club, sit myself in the dining room next to the pool and draw for a few hours before squash. I see Louis and Louise in an adjacent table poring over something - these two have a common bond, they are good friends enjoying each others company and simple things in life; a meal, a long table with books and papers for reading and writing. 

 

10.4.2024 Wednesday - Eid

I go for a run around the block (5k) and arrive at a kopitiam for Sam to find me, and share breakfast. After that I head to No. 40 to read books and sketch out work details for discussion, and record travel memories. It is the first day of Eid, a raining day which meant it is cool in the dining room. I am cooled by a table fan which was in our dinning room for the longest time, until Khoon took it for his house. I realise now that he has taken numerous things from the house. While I am sure he asked mom when he took them - it still comes as a surprise. The record player, records, the old granite grindstone, Pa's motorbike. 

Funnily enough, they have returned to No. 40 -  and not from my asking, Pam decides I should have them. Sean will get the motorcycle fixed, my brother told me in November that it is in good working condition. When asked by Pam over the phone, he admits that it has been two years since he tested it. Today is his birthday, but I am the one receiving gifts.

In the mid morning, we visit RF at the father's wake - we fell very protective towards her - she is an orphan now. Her uncles and aunties watch us from a distance, one comes over to be introduces, and tell me to instruct RF firmly if she misbehaves, loses her cool. How far from the truth I thought - RF is a very calm and mature individual despite her youth and slight frame. She is quite strong mentally with good discipline

9.4.2024 Tuesday - RF suffers a loss

Her father who has been ill for some months, passed away at 11.15 a.m. I know because she texts me shortly after. Yesterday - we talked about her visit to the hospital to discuss resuscitation matters with the doctors. She is 24, and I think she is very brave. Her mother left them 10 years ago. I tell her to regard us as family, and for her to come to us for help or advice when she needs it. 

I think of the little gratitudes which I enjoy each day - from unlikely sources. My blue water bottle is always filled in the mornings, and I know it is not Sean as he arrives after I do. So, one of my other 'off-springs' do this for me. And I am glad, and touched by the thoughtfulness. 

8.4.2024 Monday - ceiling details

 

7.4.2024 Sunday - more options

 

6.4.2024 Saturday - AGM

 

My last AGM, and I am relieved. I do not enjoy the short spell seated at the centre table, listening to questions from the floor; about budget, about government liaison, and so forth which the office bearers were unable to answer clearly. 5 of the present committee left today, replaced by young members which is a good thing provided that there is good leadership. Leadership that is sure about their planning with the ability to instruct clearly while able to let the young ones do their thing. It is a fine balance, and one which takes good leadership.

Poor leadership - my answer to Hulbert and Bong when asked if I was leaving the current committee, and if I were continuing the newsletter.

5.4.2024 Friday - seeking out potential

I invite the young man for lunch, and a chat. It's been a while since we sat and talked about things, about working together. He's talented and hardworking. But he seems to go walkabout at critical times.

After lunch, he reminded me that we have had a similar conversation before, 5 months before. At the time, he was doing some projects with the Sias so we decided to wait until those projects were completed. But it didn't end well, and Sia said it proved that other people were correct when they said that he's unreliable. 

I have a different quest though. A challenge to see if we can sort something out, so that we have another source of help, so that he gets a steady income, so that he has a payslip and can apply for loans. 

I return from lunch and brief FL and MC, we agree to meet him on Sunday. 

the backyard at no 40 - using this to work out the loan re-payments from Beko

He has been borrowing money for his children's studies, it is quite a bit now. 

I meet with Beko and have a man to man - I wanted to show him the amount owed and how he can re-pay. I also planned a way for him to earn money as he re-pays, and save money by cleaning No. 40 while Bren is at our place. I wanted him to work to pay it off, not his wife but him - the man who asked for the loan. 

We feel that he needs the incentive to earn money each time he works on No. 40. So we proposed a slightly higher rate for this small house, and deduct RM 100 each time, and he still get RM 50. Once a week is RM 5000, which would still take 5 years - he tells me that he is 52 this year. Plenty of time.

4.4.2024 Thursday - Option 3

This morning, FL comes into the conference room bright and early to have a chat. She has been working on a revised proposal for a presentation this afternoon, we chat and discuss the 2 options, using our hands to describe the block orientation and positions. This progresses to layout using handphones and aircond remotes - lo and behold!, we might have another variation of the block layout. We agree on its advantages and decide to quickly cobble something together for 2pm; Option 3. 

2pm. we start by talking about Option 3, using the other earlier versions as foils for pros and cons. I think we succeeded in convincing the client's team, and agree to meet up again next week. 

 

3.4.2024 Wednesday - all better