9.12.2025 Tuesday - nice work today

 

8.12.2025 Monday - running slowly for now.

 Building competence is the things that equips us to be able to be safe in what we do. I think it builds confidence as well. I am better in a team - when PH is here to stand in for meetings and inspections, I am relieved to work on design issues and deadlines with the rest of the team. Interestingly, the 3 of us, including Leong are the earliest in the office each morning, the young ones tumble into the office according to age, (almost) with Clarissa coming in after 9a.m.

Most employers would take issue with this, but I let is pass - they give back their hours by staying back, and doing work as needed on the weekends. We don't talk about it, and everyone works around each others routines, they make arrangements to suit their projects and deadlines. It takes another tasks from the 'management's' plate, one less role to patrol. The last person to arrive at the office comes in at 2p.m. sometimes later. I have no say in her routine, but mentally object to it, not as a 'boss' or leader of a team. It sets a poor example for her team, and put added pressure on her partner - who is already over-worked doing projects from both practices.

I start with a slow-ish run this evening at the gym, after hearing a fellow architect talk about 'running' - it motivated me to start running again. I realise that I can give up most of the racket sports, but running - I would like to be able to do again, out in the open. 

7.12.2025 Sunday - Martin Parr

 https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2025/aug/24/theres-something-very-interesting-about-boring-martin-parr-on-his-life-in-pictures

I had the run of Parr’s house and he did everything I asked of him. His wife, Susie, kindly made us some coffee and got on with other things while we did the shoot. At the end, I suggested I could do a portrait of them together and we walked a little way down the street, where I photographed them on a steep hill. Using that hill worked quite well, as it accentuated Parr’s physical stature. Asking them to lean together and support each other was also symbolic, because no man is an island.

1970s. Paris - Susie

6.12.2025 Saturday - breakfast at the market, lunch at the club

 I find myself gravitating to the more distant of Sam's relatives, cousins from Kuantan, the in-laws, random babies and  young people at the lunch. The others I don't have time for - Yasmin pointed that out - that we use the word time as a commodity of how we value our relationship with a person. As in 'I have more time for Bob rather then Jane' and 'I won't have lunch with him'.

Family members - I don't know what to say to them about the greetings. 

She used to be so vibrant and full of enjoyment of the good life; laughing out loud (usually at other people, including me). Now dumbed down, what a waste of an education. The men are the same, there is too much tact in the conversation, I don't what to say to them. I chat to the wives, one of them is very annoying and does not know it - she invites us to join them on a trip to China. The drunk is still the drunk, I am truly tired of him - it is not funny anymore. 

Saujana Club: grilled chicken, fruits, fried bitter gourd and red wine, Dinner was chicken as well, with veg/potatoes on the plane.

Eating too much food, three meals a day; chee cheong fun with Selinna at ICC Pudu

5.12.2025 Friday - working by a nice window, and later dinner with lovely people

 

BL chilli pan mee at KIN2 restaurant, Lunch: roast meats, KT soup, kaya puffs and egg tart

coffee and cake at Paris Baguette

D: rice with rendaing, veg, sate, omelette at Madam Kwan's

4.12.2025 Thursday - repairing so that a bit of the skill continues to live on in the object repaired

My left ankle is getting better, and I am quietly optimistic. I leave for KL this afternoon so I decide to go to work earlier but not before walking for a bit, listening to Irish people talking about how the Japanese repair broken porcelain and how differently the Chinese do it. Kintsugi embraces the notion of beauty in imperfection; wabi-sabi. 

My first time in the PJ house since mom passed, we spend a long time in the Grab car before deciding to change restaurant; a Szechuan type that specialises in spicy fish dishes, chicken with dried chillies and peanuts. To our surprise Dad really enjoyed the food, and also Lynn whom we invited to join us for dinner and a beer. She is Dad's new live-in helper, she is 48 with 4 kids - 2 in Malaysia, one of whom is 30 years old. 

too much food: noodles for lunch, rice on the plane, and this nice Szechuan dinner with Dad and Lynn (Armelyn Aquino)

3.12.2025 Wednesday - roofs, EOT and a long lunch

 We finally sort out the roof for Springvale, and the EOT with AK and JP, Lai is there as well and after a short explanation, we convince them of our assessments. Sam joins us for lunch, PH replaces GW - and I realise that AK knows many of the people I met when we are growing our careers. It is good that Sam joins us, so that she can enjoy the 'people' part of professional practice. She adds a soft vibe to the whole meeting as well. It is twice in recent days when she had lent us her vibe - once with Adzlan and now with AK and Lai.

Earlier this morning, I have a nice morning chat with SY, we talk about Johnny's video, his new office and the upcoming PDF events. He is not attending either, I sense that he is simple serving time until his term runs out and he wants also to disassociate himself from these folks.

assigning ideas and tasks 

L: fried fish, cucumber, sambal and some rice. D: grilled ch w/out the skin, salad of pumpkin, carrots, tomatoes and brocolli

2.12.2025 Tuesday - the kids plan a birthday

We decide to round up some friends to celebrate a birthday. At the same time, I receive an invitation to the Christmas dinner with the members of the local chapter of the Malaysian Architects Institute (PAMSC). It was for long serving members of the committee, I was there some 14 years but I turn it down. It is on the same evening as Sam's birthday party. I don't belong in the current fellowship, I feel that they are there to make the numbers, to tick boxes (attendance). They have little relevant experience to do anything  meaningful for the profession. More worryingly, they seem to echo the sentiments of our cousins in the KL Council. I am not lending them my presence, nor am I going to be associated with them.  

Sean and Judy are making good progress with the Johnny Sim video

L: 2pm one pot ch.rice. D: cheese and bacon quiche, coffee, dark chocs from the States

1.12.2025 Monday - drawing in old books

 The foot doctor says that pickleball is ok, but lay off squash until January. I think I will give it a go tomorrow and play an easy game with Kok, who deserves to win this time. There are signs that my feet are healing, fingers are crossed. I cycle home in the rain, Sam has started feeding us non-carb dinners.

30.11.2025 Sunday - not a day of rest

Sam and I have been spending too much time together, and today we continue to do so. After an early breakfast, we both go to the office to:

• feed Fish - we decide to get her a remote feeder so that she does not have to wait for us to come by. We will still come by on the weekends to keep her company.
• scan drawings - to work on at home
• settle accounting stuff - we need her to be connected to the server so she can work from home.

 

29.11.2025 Saturday - eat more protein, take BP and walk daily

I am trying to do with less food. After the findings from this month, I am fortunate to have (quite) a clean bill of health. I should capitalise on this, and work on the other aspect of our health, which is what we put in our mouths. We are definitely physical active enough, and cannot do much more in that area. 

28.11.2025 Friday - cool heads prevail, will work for food

Yesterday, during an online meeting - a PM was quite rude to PH, we were wondering which  direction to go when Azlan rang us up, and asked to meet this morning. We go and see him, Sam is invited to join - I can see that A is a good leader and a nice person. 

Lesson:

•  always best to sort out difficult issues face to face
• watch how this person treats his colleagues and the wait staff (if you are meeting over coffee or lunch)
• don't give up a project because someone is rude or un-reasonable, try and adjust yourself to till do the work well, it is not about giving is, it is about taking the professional route
• or else, we lose a job not because of our short-comings but another persons' short temper.

To celebrate, we eat Bibimbap after which Sam and I go shopping for rugs and lamps at Ikea. We had earlier bought paint to 'renovate' our little apartment unit. We work from 530pm until 830pm, painting two large walls, moving furniture around, discarding crates and boxes. Although, dog-tired, we walk to Isetan to buy half price sushi before walking home again to plate the food, and photograph them before eating at 10pm. 

27.11.2025 Thursday - an early flight to KL

After yesterday's meeting with the client accompanied by Fiona, I am energised about these projects again. I always do better in a team, and for now we are a team of two (perhaps three with JY joining later). We share ideas about the theatre - I sketch out some detail and share with her. She has already planned out how to deal with the authorities. something that I have not thought about, you see - she is a steady hand. 

26.11.2025 Wednesday - the pipes are clear

We go to the cardiologist this morning - I had a sense of impending doom although I feel fine. And as it turns out my valves are fine, although I have to watch my cholesterol levels, he suggests that I take some medication which I do willingly. He shakes my hand after the consultation which I have not experienced with a doctor before, perhaps he is congratulating my for my (quite) clean bill of health. 

Tomorrow, we travel to KL for a follow up with the foot doctor - this must be a symptom of growing old.

25.11.2025 Tuesday - another project completed, another one on the way

I have an early morning with PH and his team, attending the CORLISS site walk. From the site, I can see RENNA which was recently completed and handed over the client. I sometimes wonder how we do it as a small practice which fewer than 10 people. But then, we did the hospital with 5 people, who worked on it almost full-time as it was our only project then. 

Today - SKM and PuiHoong leaves Kuching, they visit the office and eat durian, meet Leong and Fish (again). They leave Kuching with a different impression of the place and its people, I am sure that they are pleasantly surprised by the generosity and hospitality, and the relaxed and open-minded attitude to life. 

Sam is working hard on the submission to Faiz, we work until 730 p.m. - this is good for her, I feel. Especially, when we are able to correct PH's comment about Sam 'helping out' in the office. 

24.11.2025 Monday

23.11.2025 Sunday - testing pain levels

Painting starts poorly, as expected - new medium and difficult subject; me. It is ok, I am positive that things will get better when I start to abstract the subject matter; streetscapes imagined from differently cities we have been to. 

Pickleball is better, I play several sets of singles and do well. My ankles/heels unfortunately do not do so well - I am glad we are seeing the doctor again this week. I am seeing another doctor this week, I am resigned to let them do as they see fit; they are the experts. My job is to continue what I am doing; eat well, eat right, exercise, stay moving and relax with reading and drawing. 

22.11.2025 Saturday - a good outing

We cook dinner at No. 40 for SKM and 'Carol' - this time they meet our other group of friends; from Sam's gym, Sara's work friends, and Sim who is at a loose end as Wawa is away in KL. It turns out to a really good outing for everyone with Pete telling silly stories and Dyan in her best gossipy mode. Her cousin June is a new face, recently returned from Perth grew up in Sabah and now in Kuching to retire. This is a nice new experience for Carol, who appears to have a rather narrow world view, she wonders why we would have non Chinese people into our house to work, clean, cut the grass. Race and religion seems to come into their lives all the time, I am glad that we have an opportunity to show them how the good life is lived. And I am also glad that this is only a small dose of them in Kuching. 

Earlier today - I met with Suen Ling and her client (soon to be our client as well) - we talk about my scheme for the Bali hotel. I think we strike it off - I ll make some notes of our chat and revert. She will then have to decide the direction and budget - I tell her I won't talk about money for now and am happy to work out some sort of hotel stay exchange over the next ten years. 

21.11.2025 Friday - screening

20.11.2025 Thursday - SKM visits

SKM visits us with her daughter, Sam's cousin PuiHoong, they know so little about Kuching, and our life here. Sam and I agree earlier to host them, and host them generously - Sean collects them from the airport and bring them to dinner at the club. They will stay at Sean's place, good for him - it helps to get the place in order. He is still missing bits and pieces: a book shelf here, and painting there, proper crockery for entertaining, and so forth.

All good lessons to learn. 

18.11.2025 Tuesday - 61

 

17.11.2025 Monday - painting tools

 

16.11.2025 Sunday -

 

15.11.2025 Saturday - ankles hurting still

 

14.11.2025 Friday - student visit and a long lunch.

 3 of our young architects took time to talk about their work, about how lines on pair turn into built projects. They did well, showing clearly, from experience, from lessons learnt along the way. I listen in and add a word here and there, but I mostly learned as well: that they have been thinking, recording their work flow, that there are certain lessons that they want to share; about taking extra time to get things done right, about growing people, about personal growth. 

Sean mentioned that our biggest project might be the alumni which we are continuing to build, if we are not speaking about built architecture. I think that's a nice thought...

Later that day, I go to No. 40 and start cooking lunch. The office folks start arriving at 1pm, Fiona's parents were the guests of honour, her uncle from Lawas join us. Her father is very complimentary about our work culture, I hear it, I'm glad but I don't dwell on it - it's a ongoing process. We cook, and eat and drink until dinner time after which we pack up and go home. To eat Az's bubur kacang hijau cooked by his mom, with santan and gula apong - it's a bit too sweet and too rich for me but I really appreciate this young man's effort to contribute. Especially because his family is not well to do, and he still makes an effort. Sean says he often orders the cheapest lunch, I make up my mind - next week, I'll try and cook one pot lunches, and size it for more than 1 person. So that I can tell him 'there's lunch if you want it' - he deserves that.

13.11.2025 Thursday - pistachios and other bright shiny things

Sam is in the office today. She attended her first office meeting with our team earlier today. 

We are eating two cakes in the office pantry, a cheese one and a pistachio mille-feuille. Two birthdays - George and Fiona - Sam referred to our birthday girl as a 'kaixin quo', and she is right; a bright spark, intelligent and caring. I recall a text conversation on the eve of her departure from our office for further studies in Tsinghua Uni; she used a Chinese idiom to describe our parting   天下無不散的筵席 (tiān xià wú bù sàn de yán xí), which translates to "there are no banquets in the world that do not end".

Several years later, she returned, and the banquet continues.. 

12.11.2025 Wednesday - highlight of the month

We present the school design without much fanfare, I hope Brother Robert is able to put it past the school board. Emil has questions and comments, let's see how we can answer them and appease him. The engineer Anthony called the design 'elegant' which I think is a fitting description.

Sam sits next to me after seeing the SEDC folks about our appointment, she'll be stationed next to me in the office starting today. 

Let's see if we can get our UPKJ registration this week. 

11.11.2025 Tuesday - KPI partly achieved

 On Monday, I mentioned to Freddie that I would love to have the housing project signed up, and our registration to bid for government projects approved before my birthday. At 3pm, this afternoon, I receive a text from F asking me to collect a Letter of Intent for the housing project. This would lead to our appointment eventually, so Freddie says that my KPI is partly achieved. 
Sam will follow up with F.

We have a good meeting with Bala, he is earnest and sharp thinking - I think we will enjoy working with his team. We complete the design report for the school and send it off, after which Sam and I go for a swim at PD - I think the quiet courtyard and cold water of the pool, it is a nice place to end the work day. Sean says that in the future, he will have us over for dinners, I can imagine that we will go over earlier for a swim first before waltzing in with a bottle of wine and enjoy his cooking.

10.11.2025 Monday - perhaps I'll just draw

It looks likely now that I can simply draw, and draw and there will be people who can interpret and execute these plans and ideas. The past few days in KL has proven this method can work, although with the new team members, it is harder to lock in ideas, whereas with the seasoned members - I simply have to talk and they can come close to the intended outcome. At other times when the outcome is mis-read or missed, the results can also be useful - proffering another perspective which I had not thought of.