28.6.2025 Saturday - saying goodbye

 

27.6.2025 Friday - the cover gets judged before anyone turns a page

 

26.5.2025 Thursday - a sad day

Mother in law left at 5 am. Sam tries calling me but I was still fast asleep. By daybreak, everyone has heard the news, Sean goes about his chores a little subdued, I leave him alone. Later that day, I suggest that he takes the afternoon off, and follow him home to nap.

Everything feels out of sync, and I feel out of sorts. I am not well, that is obvious; it is my neck and my head, the slightly dizziness and a bloated feeling (yet I am hungry). I eat an early lunch and try to work, but fall asleep instead.

At 430, I show up at the squash courts hoping that a workout will make me feel better. It does, but I am still a little out of sorts. I feel unproductive, I have not drawn anything for a few days. 

25.6.2025 Wednesday (初一) - we did not win anything but made new friends

This morning, we cook breakfast in the office because it is the first day of the month in the Chinese calendar. I cook rice porridge which folks seem to enjoy more than my shaksouka - I enjoy that fact hat HP helped to cook the omelette and other bought this and that to complement my cooking.

After that we go to the HSL Air design competition announcement of winners, meet with familiar faces and friends some of whom must wonder why we are there - we did not submit an entry for the competition. Perhaps they do not know we are about to embark on some projects with HSL, Datuk is very gracious - dropping by our table to thank us for attending the event. Quick work too - the necessary salutations and speeches by dignitaries, announcements of the winners, lunch, press release - all done by 1pm (3 hours)

In the evening, I make new friends at the pickleball court when we go to play with Zam's gang in Petra Jaya Dewan Serbaguna Kampung Tunku (unfamiliar territory) 8-1030 pm (unfamiliar timing as well)

24.6.2025 Tuesday - a bit of a mess

23.6.2025 Monday - documenting local heroes

 Months ago, SY and I had the idea of producing series of documentaries recording the achievements of the architectural pioneers in Sarawak - they would 5-7 minutes long with interviews, archival material and perhaps a retrospective look at their projects. The conversation was triggered by PAMSC's announcement that they intend to celebrate the Chapter's 50th anniversary in January 2026.  So when IJ asked SY and I if we were able to help her in the production of the documentary (the original PIC withdrew from the team) - we said OK. 

This afternoon we sit down to listen to her plans, and to find out who are her internal team members, who she intends to engage as external support (videographers, art direction, etc) Since she has only recently taken over the reins, she does not have many of the answers neither does she have the experience of doing this - and is unclear about the role of the production companies. But she seems genuine interested in our ideas and promised to engage with her people and recruit more deputies from her committee. 

Later I speak to SY, and his tone is not optimistic (and he points out that neither was hers) - but he wants to be open and open-minded about this project. At the lunch, he pointed out something which I value - that if he and I set our minds to something we can usually make it happen. Let's see if she make it happen, if they revert to the original idea of the 'corporate' pet-yourself-on-the-back video, then our help is not needed. 

22.6.2025 Sunday - bed, breakfast and painting

I go for a long walk and end up having breakfast at gala - we talked about mutual friends and I ask for an opinion about JC's future involvement in our office. A clean cut is preferred - we will pick up the loose ends ourselves. 

I achieve a small sense of achievement when ew complete the planters, locate them and dress them with the leftover paint from the office. I do so while listening to Ruthie's table 4 podcasts; 2 Davids - Beckam and Adjaye

Here is a list of work things to do:

1. Wait for the hostel appointment (contact EJ and ask)
2. Temple Street renovation (work with Milan)
3. Check Toorak house floor plans and 3D views (80%)
4. Super Santai - club house
5. School library (Clarissa)
6. Impiana BOMBA inspection (Freddie)
7. Ask for LH's semi-d drawings (look)
8. Status for 4.5 Mile
9. Ryan and the hostel
10. draw up Singgahsana details
11. Impiana water leak issue
12. BSC lounge (review)
13. Singgahsana ID details

List of non-work things to do

1. Record food intake
2. Line the bottom of the planters
3. Clean and clear up kitchen
4. go look at IKEA catalogue for tall pantry cabinets
5. I really need to find one hour of free time each day
6. Paint

21.6.2025 Saturday - Mom in law is not well

Sam travels to KL to be with her parents; mom is not well. She is bleeding from the brain due to her blood thinners apparently - we three are left to hold the fort although later that weekend Sara joins Sam to be by her grandma's bedside.

Life goes on; gardening, work, pickleball, squash - we remind ourselves to take care of Dad as well; the carers are often forgotten. 

20.6.2025 Friday- fellowship

This picture captures the spirit of the evening; a seemingly random mix of food thrown together with an equally arbitrary collection of half finished bottles of alcohol and friends accumulated by chance and time who decided work together - but talk about anything other than the work at hand. 

19.6.2025 Thursday - building bridges

Several weeks ago, we made an offer to an young architect to work together. It seems like we might have a new working partnership soon; one which is based on trust (I do not foresee the need to sign contracts and agreements) and learning (he is going to train the office in BIM while being involved in the project himself). More soon

This morning, we start our first site walkabout - the 4 of us, to look for things we might have missed and for design opportunities. Kenneth was there and we talked about upcoming work - I might put in a word for him with our client. 

 

18.6.2025 Wednesday - springing forward

A brainwave for me - to meet with the Springvale team daily; to have a short review, a quick chat and see what they have done, what is on their minds. I hope this will force me to keep abreast of developments. And we will drop by the site each Thursday morning. They seem to like this idea, we will do this until all the details are sorted out. After which, we will move on to the next project that goes on site. 

Another person must have a brainwave - contacting me to ask if I would like to be involved in PAMSC's gala dinner documentaries. I said yes - it would be good to see how I can be involved and if it is meaningful to me; I will stay. If not, I will leave.

 

17.6.2025 Tuesday - another nice lunch

 

16.6.2025 Monday - Ruthie's Table 4

Listening a podcast about learning about a person by having a meal with them - whether they look the waiter in the eye, whether they are nice to the waiter, whether they push the chair back when they leave the table. If I were to add to the list - that if it is a home cooked meal; whether they offer to help with the cooking, or washing up. 

Recently when I cooked at No. 40 for some young architect, one young man who has just returned to Kuching offered to help with the cooking and I am trying to recall if he offered to help with the washing up. I think he did help to clear the table, and returned to ask if he should open another bottle of wine. SO, he did not do the washing up. I wonder what that means...

15.6.2025 Sunday - many things done today

Many things done today; the best of which is the start (revival) of the woodworking - Sean and I make the first planter for mom, complete 20k step challenge ( I hope I can keep this up). Yesterday we printed one of our photos and will collect the framed picture on Monday. I have the acrylic paints for the canvas at home, and will start this week. 

I am still unwell, and not happy with situation. But pickleball goes well, it seems that I will be playing doubles and maybe mixed doubles. Lunch is promising, we will see if there is anything else I can do. 

Meanwhile in preparation for the week ahead.

1. Wait for the hostel appointment (contact EJ and ask)
2. Temple Street renovation (work with Milan)
3. Check and issue MAC2 plans and perspectives (issue today - strata plans can be later) 
4. Check Toorak house floor plans and 3D views (80%)
5. Super Santai - club house
6. School plans later this week (Clarissa)
7. Impiana BOMBA inspection (Freddie)
8. Singgahsana BP (call council)
9. discuss Springvale construction details
10. Ask for LH's semi-d drawings (no sign of them)
11. appointment for 4.5Mile

14.6.2025 Saturday

 

13.6.2026 Friday -

 

12.6.2025 Thursday - slowing down

 

11.6.2025 Wednesday

 

10.6.2025 Tuesday - Wedding bells

Jason and Angelna

appreciating the ramp entrance nowadays with mom in a push chair

the former UOB Bank building

herding kittens

he looks like his grandmother, who would have been bursting with pride

 

9.6.2025 Monday - out of sorts

 A strange day - I should blame it on the weather which has been incredibly hot. I start well enough; chatting with everyone and making sure deadlines are met. Then I myself melt into a haze of not doing much which is productive. Even my lunch is disappointing. At tennis, the highlight is the bicycle ride down to the courts.

Hopefully tomorrow is better, we will attending a wedding at the courthouse. Poh2's youngest grandchild is getting married - the 3 of Ah Kiong's children have come a long way; both parents are gone now (when they were in their teens, Kiong first and followed quite soon by Jenny). Sam and I will attend and make the most of the morning and afternoon. I will take the afternoon off and go and print this photo taken in Glasgow.

1. Wait for the hostel appointment (contact EJ and ask)
2. Temple Street renovation (work with Milan)
3. Check and issue MAC2 plans and perspectives (issue today - strata plans can be later) 
4. Check Toorak house floor plans and 3D views (80%)
5. Super Santai - club house
6. School plans later this week (Clarissa)
7. Work matrix for Precinct 1
8. back lanes at Kensington (Shahreena and Belinda)
9. Impiana BOMBA inspection (Freddie)
10. Singgahsana BP (call council)
11. discuss Springvale construction details
12. Ask for LH's semi-d drawings (no sign of them)
13. Zoo drawings

8.6.2025 Sunday - follow through

I meet Da and Don for breakfast and decide that we have enough to chat about to last another meal. And so plan to have a small dinner with friends at the club this Thursday. Looking forward to that. 

I also catch up with my emails from the Taiwanese students, and tell them to send me their flight information. Most appear to want to know how a project begins and is executed until its completion, and also to experience working in an 'international' situation (and practice their English).

I then find an email from April (Sam opened it which is why I missed it) from Chris about Dianne:

Hi Min and Sam,

I saw Peter on the weekend, he came to see Dianne at the place she is

staying now. He brought the gift you got for us, it is very beautiful

and I showed it to Dianne. Thank you very much for this.

Dianne is now in a pretty nice place courtesy of the Alfred hospital

that have some beds in a private nursing home. Not sure how long she can

stay there, it is a complicated process we are working through. She's

eating very little now and spends much of the day sleeping. There are

moments when she wakes and her face lights up and appears happy. I'm in

there every day, keeping her hydrated and watching youtube videos of

driving around Italy on the TV there. Marc Dixon came in to visit

yesterday too.

I'll keep in touch,

Best wishes, Chris.

I have decided not to entertain anyone of our friends and wait for them to take the lead - let them host dinners and such for a change. I don't feel the need to cook for them this weekend. 

A mental workout with Sean

A physical workout for everyone to try

7.6.2025 Saturday - no running

The result of two days of talking and thinking about several of the on going projects. Still no exercise because of the sore ankle but had a good session of design chat with Sean about the Toorak House. 

Next week, he starts on the SPVL steel works.