18.3.30206 Wednesday - Bali again

 SL rings to say 

17.3.2026 Tuesday - a slight shift in habits

I sense myself getting ready to let go of sports, perhaps squash first since I am only playing with one person on a regular basis. And it is not a though we are playing the standard version of the game, only condition-games for the exercise. Tennis I enjoy because I get to be outdoors, pickleball because it is quite social, and Sam is starting to play so that is something we can do together. Swimming I can still do regular and enjoy as a way to end the day. Running is the thing I want to get back to, it will be the final gauge of me returning to total fitness. 

16.3.2026 Monday - some new plans

 

15.3.2026 Sunday - cooking dinner two nights in a row

Another day torn between working or stay home and watch movies, play with Halia, finish travel sketches, start painting, planting seedlings, swim. Or simply nap - I am only truly relaxed when I started cooking at No. 40. Sam has taken Dan and Lyn for a river cruise, Sean is finishing his workshop while Sara is traveling from Matang with Rudy and Val. I am all alone, but happy for a few hours roasted vegetables, cooking pasta and making a shatshuka.

 

14.3.2026 Saturday - personal projects on the weekends

One of San2's kids is surprised that I am 60(2) - my health is getting better. The physical health is better than my mental health, I should give myself time off. I will work harder during the week, so that the weekends are completely free from work. From next week onwards I won't take work home on the weekends. I am constantly torn between resting, and doing some work.

Perhaps I'll leave my Friday evenings free to complete whatever I want to do at work, and leave it all behind when I shut the door. 

Spend weekends doing more of these, nothing at work is that urgent actually... 

Dad is still here, Rudy's family invite us all out for lunch. Tonight I cook at no. 40 so that Sam can have a break, she's still coughing. I cook a simple home style Chinese dinner - sardines with onions and tomatoes, a cabbage and carrot omelette, and my Nyonya chap chai (I think I'll soak the tang hoon separately and add in before serving). Lee Siong shows up, CK brings him along with Tay&Suan and Sim&Wah2. Dad enjoyed the attention, I enjoyed the youthful company. They seem less guarded than our usual dinner companions whom I have not begun to miss yet. 

13.3.2026 Friday - the new kitchen is coming along

I feel a bit listless today, so work isn't going as well. I'm not as productive as usual. 

There are one too many to coordinate: one is getting out of a completed project - I pave a way for her. It is better for her to focus on upcoming projects. Another isn't learning as I had hoped - I decide to work more closely with her, and not set her aside. She'll be a personal project. 

12.3.2026 Thursday - solving problems one at a time

 

11.3.2026 Wednesday - happy team

 

10.3.2026 Tuesday - getting carried away again

I get carried away with sports and my ankles are suffering, the right one especially. I do not enjoy the squash games, because my movement is still not 100%. I tell myself that I am happy to give up this sports if I am able to move with ease (and perhaps start running again). Here I am talking to myself - during my early morning walks; I am glad to be able to walk without pain so I do it - wake up, out the door, 30 minutes without ear pods etc just thinking and planning the day, and the week.

One of the mentor's role is to set a good example at work and in society, another is to test the student's limits and help her achieve them. 

8.3.2026 Monday - early start to move closer

 An early walk to the office, to complete a cardboard model that young Declan started. Then I have a coffee with AS to discuss PD defects and solutions. Freddie takes me to the meeting with Teck, who has many questions which we are well prepared for. We reduced the hotel rooms to allow Ember to have a loft for cigars and whisky. After our briefing, he leans back and says ' this is not too bad'. A compliment I know, but I prod him - 'not bad only? (in Hokkien). He laughed and agreed 'good la, many things settled - I want to start construction soon. 

Today is a good day for me because I am able to draw and confirm most of the planning issues for this project, which I run through with PH for his agreement. 

7.3.2026 Saturday - Yoshi and Jowie

New friends met through other friends of Sam, whom I warm up to quite quickly - a funny Malaysian-Japanese couple who met because of the Japanese husband poor pronunciation of Kota Bahru (his intended destination) which was mistaken for Kota Kinabalu. He was duly transported to KK, where he met his future wife who was the landlady of the tour guide Yoshi had befriended. 

6.3.2026 Friday - laksa party

The end of a week full of meetings, today we meet with Uncle Richard and his committee to discuss the way forward for the temple stage building. The design is generally accepted though we will have to work more closely on the planning and usage. Meetings with busy people are often chaotic, Fiona and I gently guide them back on track as they wander off. There are several points of debate but we have a way forward for this project. Next we arrange to meet him and his school committee. 

For this meeting, we were 'rewarded' with some mandarins and Hokkaido egg tarts (fresh).  

 Sam cooks a nice laksa dinner for our friends and Sara's gang to celebrate her 30th - who would have imagined that we have a 30-year old daughter...

5.3.2026 Thursday - Sara turns 30

 

4.3.2026 Wednesday - Samantha plays pickleball again

 

3.3.2026 Tuesday - school is still out

 Childish

Indecisive

Power hungry

2.3.2026 Monday - Kung2 arrives in Kuching

 

1.3.2026 Sunday - a kindness

She reminds me of Ellie (whom Sam calls Ellie Bellie) so if she had decided to stay with us, I was going to call her Bella. She seems sprightly and friendly despite being cautious and keeping a steady radius while assessing me. I sit down by the bin, and give Sam a fright when she looked out the window. She thought I had fainted on the road, but no - I am just going out for a walk when Bella distracts me. Sam puts out some food for her, and will try to entice her into our garden.

Yvonne buys us lunch at Wonderboom, we have never been - it has nice food and very pretty. Our lunches with these two are always full of laughter; at ourselves, about our mutual friends, but all with kindness. I have time for them, there are two more of Sam's cicaks; Yasmin and Ileana. It is getting harder to get all 4 in one place at one time - much like playing Sudoku

 

28.2.2026 Saturday - Sam likes pickleball

 

27.2.2026 Friday - a long walk in Kampong Baru

My quick walk took longer this morning, through Kampung Baru, and back to the apartment in a roundabout way. Along the way, I met traffic (both foot and vehicular) - I'm glad that we don't live and work in KL.

I treat Sam to a latte and do a bit of work before heading to Yut Kee for brunch; tasty but expensive. I think we both have had enough of the city, as we make our way to the airport. We treat the trip as a little reward for ourselves, and a lunar new year celebration with the relatives. 

26.2.2026 Thursday - school reunion

 Today is the day of the (last) follow up for my ankles, they have been recovering. Today - the doctor confirms it and tells me to 'go away'. He reminds me that he might visit us in Kuching, and Sam tells him that we will host him and his family. This is only the beginning of the recovery, it comes with rest and rehab in the midst of the sports and the running (soon) - to finally do all this without any pain. 

As a celebration, I go and play pickleball with Selina's friends - it is good to meet new people. The highlight of the trip to Aurora Palace is the eggy cheese sandwich I have for lunch. One of the players, Alvin tells me about Deep Drive which sells pickleball paddles at a reasonable cost, including some discounted demo paddles. Sam and I head there and try some out before buying two for Saturday's game.

In the evening, we have a lovely 'school' reunion at the Bottega PJ with our borrowed children - Yasmin calls our conversation and reminisces - the silliness, Ileana tells me later that if felt like Kuching all over again - I tell her we are very fortunate to have them in our lives; the laughing out loud, the silliness, the care for each other and hope for their future.

 

25.2.2026 Wednesday - breakfast in prison and dinner at the palace

Sam and I stay at the Chow Kit while Marc and G are at the apartment, Sam makes our hotel booking a month ahead, so this means we have to return to KL soon. 

I work whenever there is a gap in the programme, I try to respond to the office's queries and review the work promptly. We take our guests to the ICC Pudu - a name synonymous with the Malaysian Prison System (Pudu Jail). In any case we were only held captive by our lunch time conversation, and the slightly touristy prices of our meals. 

We send them off to KLIA, and headed off to have dinner with the relatives at the (usual) Kingdom Palace. We spend 2 hours in the taxi for a 30 minute drive, due to the heavy rain - we are glad that we do not live in KL/PJ. Life is too short. 

I go straight to the restaurant to have a quiet beer, but Sydney and Co. arrives soon after and join me to drink beers. They would not have done this in the past, but seemed to have warmed up to us after mom's departure. Sam thinks they see her nursing her mom at the hospital, and decide that we are alright, I think it just takes a long time for folks to understand; we express ourselves honestly and do not suffer fools and false people gladly. 

 Dad arrives with sister in law and 3rd Aunty - at 93 he still has plenty to gripe about, he usually keeps it inside (bad for him) though sometimes he expresses himself (bad to see, why can't they age with grace?). And SH is still prattling, she is as dumb as ever, maybe even getting worse. 

Later that night, Sam tells me that SH is not able to book flight tickets for Dad's trip to Kuching - I tell Sam that she is lucky that I am so hopeless in this that she gets extra training. 

life is (mostly) good for Samantha

24.2.2026 Tuesday - site walk and then off to KL

The first time in a long while, I am going to the Corliss site. It is about time to play a more active role; as the architectural works are coming into place. It is a good meeting although some folks were surprised to see me after all this time. I pick up some points for further discussion, not because I am better at project management, but more likely because I have the advantage of seeing things from the outside. 

All good, then across the road to see Lai and Mdm. Lim about improving the stormwater discharge, we have some ideas to propose. All good - then kindly Mr. Yeung drives me back to the office. 

Our flight has been rescheduled to 4pm, so I have time to go through the detail drawing with Sean's team. And then we fly to KL to meet up with Mark and Geraldine. 

We arrive at 731 pm just in time for the vegetarian Indian dinner that Yasmin has kindly organised. We meet Geraldine for the first time; she has many questions about us, and about Sarawak Laksa - I like her immediately. Laila drops by and gives everyone a surprise and pineapples from her farm. 

Sam got them a large selection of laksa paste, Marc tells me later that G is extremely uncomfortable about our hospitality, especially as they did not prepare any gifts for us. 

23.2.2026 Monday - making a list and checking it twice

I start the day with a walk around the 'block' - dark and quiet, no earbuds, no music, just me an my thoughts. Making a list as I cover 4000 steps (to my surprise) - I remember that I used to write down the list of things to do in a short hand pad, ticking them off as each is dealt with or delegated. I learnt this from Johnnie in one of earliest construction project, he had a long list scrawled in a thin slanting cursive hand. He made sure that he did not forget a single work item. 

I return home and start making a list, manually writing down each task to do, detail to sketch, person to call. There are many benefits from writing rather than typing; better memory retention, engages deeper with the brain, etc - but the one which I like most is that writing allows thinking through the fingers; the slower pace allows thoughts to mature, leading to better and more creative solutions. 

22.2.2026 Sunday - we get ang pows

interesting things happen in the shadows

Sam and I get ang pows from Rudy and meet his mom, sister and sister in law when we host them for lunch at No. 40 

21.2.2026 Saturday - Sean is early

 Sean and Judy fly up to KL, to meet Marc and GeSean and Judy fly up to KL, to meet Marc and Geraldine when they arrive from Penang. They will stay at our apartment, and save some money maybe eat nicer things. It is an expensive way to convey a set of keys but it works out; Sean and Judy get a paid holiday and so do we when we collect the keys from Marc before they leave for Melbourne. 

We cannot leave as mom is still with us, making small sacrifices for her. I often wonder what sacrifices she has made for her, I seem to only remember the not-so-nice things that she said or did to me. In hindsight, I have a closer relationship with my father - mostly due to sports and tasks related activities. He mostly confused my quietness with the lack of intellect - saying once to his friends that I wasn't very bright. With earshot of me, at an outing in the Santubong government quarters - I was probably 10. I had failed to solve a coin puzzle moments earlier, perhaps I have remembered it out of context or perhaps he was just embarrassed. raldine when they arrive from Penang. They will stay at our apartment, and save some money maybe eat nicer things. We cannot leave as mom is still with us, making small sacrifices for her. I often wonder what sacrifices she has made for her, I seem to only remember the not-so-nice things that she said or did to me. In hindsight, I have a closer relationship with my father - mostly due to sports and tasks related activities. He mostly confused my quietness with the lack of intellect - saying once to his friends that I wasn't very bright. With earshot of me, at an outing in the Santubong government quarters - I was probably 10. I had failed to solve a coin puzzle moments earlier, perhaps I have remembered it out of context or perhaps he was just embarrassed. 

20.2.2026 Friday -

A quiet day, I wander over to the office to tidy up and do a bit of work but was not very productive. I am very happy this week, as my ankles seem to have completely recovered. I am setting small goals; back to walking first, and gentle games of squash and pickleball. I haven't tried running but I think soon, son I'll be able to run.

Mom is still with us, there is little meaningful interaction these days - gentle reminders to wear her slippers, drink her soup; simple answers to repeated questions. Some of her questions show a serious loss of recall - asking to prepare lunch for dad, saying her mom will pick us up after lunch. Despite these seemingly simple issues, and her relatively good temperament it still takes a toll on Sam - she treats mom like her own, but the added duties of cooking for, and cleaning after mom is taxing.

19.2.2026 Thursday = office lunch and re-starting work

Sam realise that mom has 'school' today which means that we are 'free' to have an early breakfast followed by a quick shop for rice, and veg for our office lunch. She and I quietly and efficiently cooked lunch in the office for the 20-odd people who showed up; our colleagues, interns, former students and colleagues who are in town to the New Year, and feel like seeing us. I am very thankful for them, bringing a bit of laughing aloud and silliness around the punch bowl. 

18.2.2026 Wednesday - some families are still very close

 We visit the Sias (and the Jongs) they have a lion dance at their family house; Uncle and Aunty Sia have declined greatly as is expected. They are very close, the Sias and the Jongs; all high achieving in their various ways including their children - all doing well and well brought up. I compare this to my own family - and realise that I have not seen my cousins for years, and even though one of them lives just up the hill from where we are - I don't feel incline to visit. Shane on me.

17.2.2026 Tuesday - Lunar New Year

No-dig planting - bags of soil with perlite and coco-fibre on top of a foot of compost from the garden

What a strange first day of the Lunar New Year - we do nothing traditional; there is no immediate family to visit so we prepare the planter beds for Sam to plant more vegetables. Sara and Rudy, and Sean drop by to wish us Happy Lunar New Year (amah as well) and the two go off, Sean stays behind to accompany mom after I cycle to the office. I do miss my quiet moments in front of the computer with my morning cup of instant coffee. 

16.2.2026 Monday

 

15.2.2026 Sunday

 

14.2.2026 Saturday

 

13.2.2026 Friday - growing together and also apart

I give Shane a hug as he sits at the kitchen table, I am not particularly close to him but he has grown into a lovely young man, and the moment warranted a hug. +-

We have our Wee reunion dinner at No. 40 tonight - Khoon sees the renovation for the first time, as do some of the nephews. I don't think that they have much of an attachment to this house, Pam's kids hardly spend any time here. Shing is curious as usual, he wanders arounds and looks at the rear garden as well - he is genuinely a hands-on person. During dinner, there is a lot that is said (questions asked and answered) and much more which is left unsaid - tonight's dinner is a rare occasion because I am at the table. There are many more which I (we) have not been invited to, they have their reasons for not even inviting me. In return, I will organise and plan more dinners like this in the future, especially if Pam is in town. 

The highlight of the evening, I manage to replicate (somewhat) my grandmother's nyonya chap chai

 

12.2.2026 Thursday -

 

11.2.2026 Wednesday -

 

10.2.2026 Tuesday - back on my feet

 Feeling good about my ankles, but taking it easier in squash (3-game limit) and then going for a few games of pickleball followed by a jump into the pool. I miss walking about so after dinner I go for a quiet stroll around the neighbour, it is supposed to help with one's digestion. 

I am reminding myself not to go easy on the gym work and swims now that I am able to play sports

9.2.2026 Monday - recovering well

 His text said 'Min, is Friday's dinner still on?

How rude, I thought - no salutations, no blessings (or do they reserve those for believers). I get friendlier texts for my colleagues and squash mates. As Sam says I am the eldest and should take the lead in organising this; the pre Chinese New Year dinner. This time, it will be at No. 40 which he is not seen yet, so it will be a nice experience for everyone including my nephews and nieces. I am quite looking forward to it, and playing big brother. 

8.2.2026 Sunday - hot and busy

after letting the soil settle for several weeks, the planting has started

mint drops by for dinner and a chat

a bike ride to and from pikabol followed by a quick swim, and plenty of hydration

and in the meantime, sam has crafted her planter bed

 

7.2.2026 Saturday - leaning into it

I cycle to play pickleball at the club, and after the game I can feel the strain on my ankles. The good news is that they recover and the aches are gone the next day. The other improvement is my ability to walk comfortably. I will text the doctor and tell him this good news on Tuesday which is one week after the steroid injections

The true test is running, and when I am able to jog slowly for 20 minutes say, then I will consider my recovery complete