21.12.2025 - Winter Solstice

 ...and also end of the year - time to take stock. I know I cannot cardio my way out of an undisciplined diet, and my mid-section is not fitting into my jeans. Although my weight is now below 80kgs, this might be muscle loss, so weight training have to be more structured. 

After the treatment on my ankles, I am advised not to do sports for 6-8 weeks (6weeks from today is the 1 Feb 2026) - so there has to be a new exercise routine.

Things to do

1. swimming replaces running in the sun
2. rowing and swimming provides cardio training
3. more sets, increase weight; squats, deadlift, rows, clean and jerk, stiff leg deadlift.
4. no carbs at lunch (weekends only) - don't eat if not hungry
5. eat dinner at home
6. more liquids, water, fruits
7. nothing to eat after 8pm

21.12.2025 Saturday - 90th birthday party

 This main highlight for this trip is dad's 90th birthday - there were two new surprises; samkuma who was ill until yesterday manage to show up, she is likely the only genuine person in this whole extended family. The other surprise is the appearance of Chai Ean - a friend from Deakin, she left 6 months after I started Year 1, lived in the same house Sam and I did. I tell Sean and Sara to entertain her (they were seated at the same table) - they tell me that the vibe they get from her is a cross between Yasmin and Sherlin. I also get nice vibes from Selinna's Rueben - a large bald man with a red beard - I am surprised to find out that we have met before (online) for their engagement, and that he is only 25. 

Other than these, there are no redeeming qualities from this gathering - so I will no be attending any more such dinners. I do not enjoy the company, and I do not feel like making small talk. It does not help that Sam is coughing every 20 secs, her coughs take a long time to run their course. 

I must get in touch with Chai Ean though.

At hup soon for birthday - an OKU man serenaded us; Sara and I tipped him, and we all applauded after his rendition of a Jackie Cheung song - nice touch by Sara I thought

19.12.2025 Friday - how did you know I was in KL? Google Earth...

Today's turns out to be a programme free day - so we decide to invite Sara and her friends, Valerie and Harold to yum-cha. They talk no end about subjects ranging from school mates to barbeques to wardrobe shopping - a sign that they are comfortable in our company.  

At the Grand Harbour, where the photo of the steamed chicken rice is depicted with a claypot

upper class wonton noodles

showing off to our friends who were not there

We meet Selina for a drink, while waiting CK rings and asks contract questions while he repays me with construction watch points - so that we are even on favours exchanged.

 I ask CK - eh, how did you know I am in KL, 'Google Earth', he replied.

meanwhile in Kuching...

18.12.2025 Thursday - Seanie is 31

Sean and I have been working hard on Andrew Tan's interview; it will be ready for tomorrow's release in the Borneo Architecture Journal. The first in a series of articles and interviews with the pioneer architects from Sarawak - those who were already working in the 50's, 60's and 70's - Sean and Judy have been busy interviewing Andrew in the past week. It is not an easy task especially when one is doing this on top on daily day in the office. 

Si Yong observes that people understand (now) that this is important work, and it is done well. And although those looking on may want to do a similar task or undertake a likewise project, but lack the time, the commitment and are perhaps not skilled enough to do it well. It does not help that we make it look so easy to do, though what they might not realise is the some of us work very consistently and very hard.

 

17.12.2025 Wednesday - another project activated

 

16.12.2025 Tuesday

 

15.12.2025 Monday - hiccups and coughs

 

14.12.2025 Sunday - breakfast with Andrew and Tim

 

13.12.2025 Saturday - everyone is getting tired

 

12.12.2025 Friday - birthday dinner and a slight worry at the end of the evening

 

11.12.2025 Thursday - I think I'll stop playing squash

 

10.12.2025 Wednesday - meeting Andrew and Helen

 

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.