26.2.2024 Monday - speaking to Samuel L. Jackson via Whatsapp

I am using this drawing because the interested party visit this resort that we were involved in.

Two weeks ago, we received an email asking to meet to discuss a potential project. This is not unusual, our revamped website appears to be doing its job. Except this call was from someone in UK - wanting us to work with his designer on some properties that his family owned locally. 

I agree to a video call today - he suggested 5p.m. (which I declined as I have squash) and agree to meet up at 7p.m. - I end up speaking to them both in the squash court after my games with Patrick. 

20 minutes into the call, I decide not to take up their offer; lack of previous working experience, unfamiliarity with local construction practices, working remotely with teams overseas, a slight hint of condescension from the designer and a gut feeling that this will likely be unproductive. But I sit through the chat for another 20 minutes, we are nothing if not most courteous and well brought up..

25.2.2024 Sunday - many things to do

This is a list of defects and tasks to do by the entire team involved in the hospital expansion project; it is from 8.3.2022

Though I start the day early; tennis with Sean and a promise of the Jesuit brothers' company (they did not show up) there is a sense of running out of time. 

I did not read although I have a house full of books. I did not cook although I have a brand new kitchen. I did not sit and work instead wandering and wondering about without aim. And there is so much to do - - time to make another long list. (one for work and one for home). I have always made lists, they take ages to complete. I know now that the trick is to make short daily ones; those are easier to keep and achieve my goals. 

I read about the 5 goals a day - read 10 pages, exercise, learn a new skill (this must be a long term goal)

24.2.2024 Saturday - a new routine

A travel sketch of the underground

I decide on a new routine for my Saturday - run or cycle to tennis, then go to No. 40 to rest, read and work. Paint or pore over my new books. Then lunch with Sam before mom arrives. I ll do the same for Sunday as well except we will go and have breakfast. On rainy days, I will replace the tennis with a run or a cycle. 
 

23.2.2024 Friday - like an oil painting

For someone whom I used to nag about exercise, she's a completely different person. Sam exercises almost daily attending spin and tabata classes. 

Our whole family now has an exercise regime, Sean and Sara goes to the gym after and before work respectively. Sean runs on the road every so often as I'm trying to do as well. I have tennis or squash most days, though I should 'diversify' by swimming or lifting some days of the week. 

22.2.2024 Thursday - sorting out site issues

Sorting out site issues through two types of communication; drawing and talking. People forget that one of the most important skill that an architect must possess is the ability to communicate ideas, opinions, instructions in a clear and concise manner. While the most visible of this communication that we see is in the form of drawings and sketches, the majority of it is conducted via the written or the spoken word. The communication continues through the project; during the contract documentation, during construction - written in emails and faxes, on pieces of carboard and on drywall. It is one of the most time consuming tasks in our work, and one that is not taught in detail in schools. 

21.2.2024 Wednesday - counting money and blessings

A local client recommended us to a developer wanting to build a resort, near this one which did not proceed beyond sketch design.

Sam and I eat lunch in our parked car, steps away from a coffee place. So that after lunch, we can share a coffee before she heads off and I go back to the office. I realise how much I miss these minutes with her, it is not a long lunch. Long enough for a chat and remind each other of things to do, people to call, places to visit. 

This lunch time we talk about the company trip and how we fit into the programme. In the past, we have had company trips where the bosses don't attend, the young people go off and have fun on their own. 

Melvin and I worked this over the lock-down, we got paid for this recently.

 

20.2.2024 Tuesday - 'tell Samantha she's very beautiful... '

 

19.2.2024 Monday - Toni

We met Toni with Graig in 2017, when they arrived at our office looking for a team to prepare drawings for a primary school expansion. The existing timber structure was falling apart as the columns rotted away. We worked with Toni and Craig to modify and improve the design, after which we made a model and presented it to the founders of Mount Hope, Sam and Carol Soukotta.

 

18.2.2024 Sunday - WK and Janet

Today's highlight is the dinner next door, WK is hosting an open house; when he invites friends to drop by and have a meal as part of the Chinese New Year. It is good to see the once familiar faces; Ms. Tan and her mom, Mdm. Ong and her husband, late Peter's wife, TG and Anna, KC and Margaret. Even seeing Janet and Grace is a highlight since we rarely see them anymore. It is strange to hear WK chatting and joking like the DNA days, I should not be surprised though as he is the most upfront one (I am the other one) about things related to work, life, friends and family. 

 

17.2.2024 Saturday - Bonkers

 

16.2.2024 Friday - continue to curate

We are thinking of an Archdaily type of website for Sarawakian architecture, so that the projects can be featured in a non chronological fashion (the old issues do not sink to the bottom)

Yale was talking about this man, Peter Corrigan, Yale worked with his wife and partner Maggie Edmond for a time

ideas for an article about volunteering and how to be productive in the process. 

The newsletter has been active since, the 1980's I think it was started by Hulbert, I have to confirm this. My involvement started in 2012(?) when I was enlisted to help Ivy who became the Editor for the newsletter, which was called INTERSECTION at the time. We produced 4 issues per term/year, the contents included project features (usually completed), news and updates about practice, announcements about upcoming events and reports on activities that took place in the past three months. I had a publishing company to help us earlier, later a designer who left this company became our long term partner as publisher, helping with formatting and graphic design. 

When Ivy stepped down as Editor for INTERSECTION in ..., I took over as Editor with a slightly larger team; Chen Hui Joo as designer, Ar. Chai Si Yong for his contribution in practice matters, Leong Pik Shia for her skills in obtaining funding. * (were you guys involved during IVY's time?) From time to time, our long term collaborators; Tay Tze Yong, Lam Choi Suan provided articles and ideas to make up the 20 or so pages of INTERSECTION. Hui Joo is the one paid member of the team, the rest of us are volunteers. 

In ..., I resigned as Editor to make way for a new team headed by Ar. Tina Lau, Hui Joo stayed on to continue the editing and formatting the 4-issues per year/team. For me the idea of departing is to make way for suitable candidates to take over and grow the work in new ways. It is never the intention to follow a tried and test format of working; it is a personal style which is most efficient and productive for the individual. And as volunteers, we have the option to step aside and not continue for a multitude of reasons; work/family commitments, dwindling interest, desire to try something different and so forth. Sometimes a reason is not even provided, there is simply a vacuum until something else takes its place. 

In 2020 (?) during Ar. Ivy Jong's second term as Chairman of PAMSC, I was invited to re-take the helm as Editor which I was reluctant to do at first. Having left and made the way for new people to take over, it seemed like a downward slide for us to return to do more of the same.

New format

Volunteers rewarded with acknowledgement and tea cakes

When the project gets too big, the volunteers are assisted by paid employees to carry out - design, formatting, editing, publicity, administration, marketing and sales. 

Returning to do more of the 

15.2.2024 Thursday - Japanese

He asks if our office was a Japanese restaurant before - no, why?. Because the dark front walls and the pine plywood furniture reminded him of a Japanese restaurant in Melbourne. 

He visits for a chat, but I had to leave so I call him up for a chat the following day. My chat with him cover many topics: mostly architecture and buildings, he such a fan of architecture. 

We talk about mutual friends, his friends (my former interns) about how one of them is struggling to cope with a project site and its architect and what the potential solutions are: a) combat the architect with letters and complaints; b) take this as tuition and solve the problem as a contractor with architectural skills; c) or do nothing but complain. I think our young friend needs to remember that he is not the architect in this case, but the builder. I tell him that my door is open, and if a chat is needed, I am more than happy to assist.

We talk about publications and newsletters and design forum, and how their format needs to change, to engage more people; developers, land owners, builders instead of focusing on architects (if the intention is to raise awareness, the architects are (or should be) aware already. Stop preaching to the choir (lessons he learned from Maggie, Peter Corrigan's partner). He gives me an idea about how Intersection can evolve.

We talk about him returning to take over his father's practice, about how unlikely it seems at the moment. I suggest that he falling for a local girl might do the trick, and I also suggest that he speaks to Jenny about tips on how to set up his father's company website.

14.2.2024 Wednesday - clutter

Days when I don't draw or design seem like wasted days. There are days when I feel frustrated because I have not done any design drawings. Today is one of them - so was yesterday, and the day before. I realise that I only need to do two things to fulfil my day; draw/design and exercise/play sports.  

Yesterday I spent with mom, and felt so tired I slept in the office chair. This morning, I folded laundry from the past 4-5 days on the dining table. On half the dining table, to be correct. The other half of the table was covered with clutter - how I wish for a clear horizontal surface so I can put a book  on it to read, or draw. 

Perhaps I should just leave the work reading or writing at the office or No. 40 
 

13.1.2024 Tuesday - niko niko run

A 730 a.m. run around the block - just to continue the idea of starting to run again - a slow jog, smaller strides while keeping the cadence, controlling the breathing. My idea is to not stop to walk, and to continue daily if possible. The slower run is means less impact on the body, hopefully this means a longer run streak. 

Today is Jog#2: 3.2KM 

Something interesting happened along the run, Swee Chee and Sze En came out to say hi - they must have seen me on their way home. Years have passed since we saw them last - SC mentioned it as well, and I agreed. They left for Perth - and we hardly hear from them anymore, which was disappointing. We did quite a few things together as the kids were growing up, tennis coaching, cooked dinners for them, shared breakfasts. But people move on, and live their lives separately from us. That is why it is important to have good relations with your spouse. Family and friends will ultimately diverge in their paths and feature less and less in our lives. 

And before we notice, the CNY break is almost over.

Trying new things - slow runs each morning, and sketching people in pencil. 

The slow runs are meant to burnt off extra calories while getting the legs back into running. The push-ups are to regain upper body strength.

Drawing in pencil, I rediscovered the delight of sketching in pencil using the roll of trace Sam bought me. Now using it to draw other things, in books and such. Random portraits of people in different postures. 

If I maintain these two activities till the end of February - the chances of me creating this habit is high.

12.2.2024 Monday - 初三 auspicious day to start work

Sam climbed onto the ledge to hang up the firecrackers which Khaliq set off. 

It is an auspicious day to go for a 5K walk/run as well it seems. 

It is 8 a.m. when I return from a slow run around the block, and then I walk to the office. Melvin is already here, minutes later Fiona arrives and the rest trickle in getting ready to 'start work'. Though the work they are concentrating on is the preparation of the steam boat lunch friends and colleagues are coming to eat at noon. 

Many offices have chosen this day to resume work; most do so symbolically, they come in to turn on the lights, the computers and have a coffee before returning to their holidays. Our office folks seem to have learned from Sam and I, and are good at making the most out of a situation. It is a good turn out and we cannot help but feel fortunate that we have good people around us. 

One person in particular has grown to become a true equal - speaking her mind, expressing her intentions and talking to me like a friend and a partner. I am sure this happened a while back but I noticed it today, in the eyes and the smile she gave when she greeted me. 

I also notice that our office is quite 'young' in the ages; 20-somethings mostly but doing 'grown-up' work. PS expressed her surprise at how young they were (at No. 40) - and I suppose that they are, but they shoulder their responsibilities quite well and willingly. 

Former colleagues appear; Kai-wen and Bryan, former students Chris and Awang drop by and chat about university with a new friend Jean who is finding her way back to architecture. We might foster her for a while if she is interested, I leave her to speak to JoHo and RF. 

Later that evening, a sheer coincidence I am sure, Zayn text me about news with the Dean, I hope they remove him - only then will the uni have a chance. 

Even later that evening, a text message from an intern (short stay - like sushi and shoyu)

"Hi Uncle Min,

Thank you for letting me come to the office and intern there for the past few weeks. Even though it was short, it was meaningful to me because I was trying to "be uncomfortable" like how you advised me when we met at Sarawak Club. I was hesitant to take you up on your offer at first due to previous experiences but then I remembered your advice and decided to follow it.

I'm not sure what the future holds and I don't know where I'll go/what I'll do when I graduate. But I just want to thank you for this time because it at least helped me see that I don't necessarily need to do my Masters right away and also put me in touch with a bunch of other people at the office and they've all been great people to be around that have been helpful and friendly in their own ways and I'm really grateful for that. 

Writing this to you now because I likely won't be able to see you on Thursday night due to a submission on Friday 🥲

Thank you for everything: the lunches, the dinner, the site visits, the advice (about design and masters, etc), the help with arranging transport, the portfolio help, and letting me come and have my online classes there (which was much better than staying at home) and just the experience of trying something new 😊

Take care, uncle, and happy new year to you, aunty Sam, Sean, Sara and Auntie/Ah Ma"

 

The original gang Sean calls this - it must refer to the lunch gang when the office was at Upper China Street

11.2.2024 Sunday - small achievements today

Something which has been on my mind for a long time - to brace the bottom of the book shelves Sam and I built. Both ends need this support as they do not have legs. In my mind, it has been a huge task: to find the right metal bracket, to prep, to drill the masonry wall, to clean up afterwards. 

This morning, I completed the task on my own less than 20 minutes; there is no need for s store bought bracket, I use a piece of off cut timber cut into 4 inch length, I find the right masonry anchors on the shlef at home, the drill bits in the tool box fit the purpose. The screws fit and went in nicely. I wiped the dust off with a damp cloth, and took these photos. 

Putting things off makes the task harder - it weighs on the mind when the actual task is easier than expected and takes a much shorter time. Now all the heavy books in the boxes can go on the shelf and the boxes cleared away. Just in time for a 初二 dinner with the Sias

The brackets are below the bottom shelf, just where HJ is seated

Another things which has been weighing on my mind was slightly cleared up this evening, when the Sias arrived with food to share with us; a quiet ad-hoc family dinner after which we sipped hot coffee and flipped through some of Philip's books.

10.2.2024 Saturday - Year of the Dragon

 Heavy rain meant staying in, having mom with us meant staying in late. I felt like the day is seeping away from me; unproductive and inactive. Until evening when we visit my auntie (my late father's only remaining sibling) in her house in Kenyalang Park, whom we visit only once a year it seems.

9.2.2024 Friday - Chinese New Year's Eve reunion dinner photos

This year, some of the Min-ions continue the tradition of spending in photographs of their Chinese New Year reunion dinners, from where ever they are, as a small way to reunite with them. Here are some of them:

 

Kaiwen (in black - a no-no for reunion dinner) returns from Tokyo to spend time with his family, he was a former student, intern and employee who stayed on to work in Japan after his Masters.

Lek Heng (partial hidden in right of photo) whom I have known since Form 5 when he came into the office to observe how architects work. 12 years and several degrees/diplomas later, he is still in our office.

Grace Teoh (second from left) calls in from Georgetown, Penang - she is recently married and celebrates the reunion in Melaka as well with Ryan's family.

Our family members are all over the place, so we borrowed a few from other families

Yasmin (in headscarf) and her version of the reunion dinner - she was a former student, intern and employee, she is presently working in KL.

Michelle and Qilin (with beanie) - both were interns from UPM. Michelle relocated from Batu Pahat to live in Chongqing, Qilin's home-town

Mark was a former student from my earlier days of tutoring at LimKokWing

Tao's contribution (second from right) - a dinner with extended family before returning to Kampar for the New Year

8.2.2024 Thursday - and it's all quiet at the western front

 

7.2.2024 Wednesday - Launching of projects

A nice packed day - that is the plan for my day. PH will replace me at the site meeting so that I can attend the official launching of the Roxy Impiana as well as one of our apartment projects. 

Earlier in the morning, Fiona and Freddie invite me to go through the financial projection they had prepared for the year. New directors, immediately with new directions. It is a weight off my shoulders, and off Sam's as well eventually. And the projection looks good.

At 1030am we head over to the hotel, I thought that there will be the 3 of us, but the office decided to join us. And I'm glad that they did, to see their work being acknowledged publicly as well executed and significant. The videos they did for the projects are clear and comprehensive. Sean took photos using the new camera his grandfather gifted him.

At noon, we secure a corner table for the 9 of us, Freddie and I sit and chat about work until they bring dishes of food for all of us. It's like having many children.

At 230pm we meet with the client and the landscaper to select and propose trees for the PD Residences. We're not very good at it, but as a group we manage to cobble together a viable scheme. We use the large screen to show photos of the plants, it is a good and fruitful meeting, with fruit cake from Ms. Yap our engineer. 

After squash, I join our PAMSC meeting - it is not a good experience but re-assures me of my decision to quit the committee after this term. The fumbling start of our meeting, 30 minutes to log into ZOOM, no urgency, no initiative, clueless. The dinosaur speaks and give his opinion about the proposes design forum - but his glory days are over, after his failure to launch the Design Forum 2023, I would shut up if I were him. Still self important, still oblivious to the real world. Tragic. 

6.2.2024 Tuesday

 

5.2.2024 Monday - preparing to launch