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

6.2.2026 Friday - dinner and a lunch catch up

I didn't think that we would have much to discuss, but he is open and gives a good story about people and places. I buy him lunch and we promise to keep in touch via publication, and mutual friends such as Dicko. 

Later that evening, on the way to a nice dinner hosted by Jotun Paints - SY and I talk about how some of us can easily point out one of our built projects, while many senior folks cannot do this because they have not built anything significant though they are in their 40's

I must remind Sean about this, or at least ask him if this is already on his mind

5.2.2026 Thursday - lunch at the ritz

Sam and Sara were thrift shopping in the OXFAM on the right, while I sketched this view, I like how the road descends as it sweeps around the corner. It is the Aberdeen Library

We have lunch - the first in a long time, everyone is busy travelling or dealing with family matters. I always feel 'heard ' at these lunches and it is very satisfying. Another satisfying thing is returning to the squash courts, the footwork is a little clumsy but I am able to take two games from the doctor (we only played 2 games - I am leaning into sports activity as advised by the physio)
 

4.2.2026 Wednesday - re-activate

This morning, I hear of a disagreement about design copyright infringement, a local architect and acquaintance has used images of a landscape architect's work without acknowledging her. The client got wind of it and mentioned to me during a site walk. I listened without offering an opinion. I discuss with Freddie, we think the architect is wrong, it is not about how the LA has reacted - yes, perhaps there is no need to broadcast her grievances on social media or in the project group chat (that is how the client heard about it) - it is still unprofessional to make use of another person's work without prior permission or acknowledgement.

 

3.2.2026 Tuesday - more needles

The doctor is convincing and confident about the issues troubling me, and he proposes a series of steroid injections straight into the ankles. Before that, he tests (mock-ups) by injecting anaesthetics into the inflamed spots - one is in between two tendons. He tells me that I am on the mend, and I can 'lean' into working my ankles harder - which is good to hear. 

I feel better immediately. 

2.2.2026 Monday - lunch with George

A working/ non-working day, a spare day before the doctor's appointment so I decide to do a bit of work. With George, who suggested BALA - an Indian place in Bangsar - very nice, ate too much. We talked about what we can do after he passes his professional exams; set up a sole prop, continue as a director in our firm - have freedom and support at the same time. He can team up with Sean, although I feel that that they are too alike in character - so their team up can be like SML and us. A loose collaboration for projects - although GL might have other contacts if the project is in KL.

We can provide them with a basic wage until their firm is on steady feet, and they can still work with us on our larger projects and earn a fee share like Freddie. 

He tells me that he has not thought about it yet, and we ask him if JianMing has thought about it.

After eating, we talk about K2 - and arrive at some firm ideas, we agree that I will start the planning while he does the massing.

After lunch, Sam provides me with exercise by taking me to Ikea to shop for easy chairs for Marc's visit. She assembles them while I finish the planning for Kensington with GL. Later, she orders some small pizza which we eat on the floor like students, and enjoy a lovely evening after that - we work well together.

 

1.2.2026 Sunday - Prudence's Pink birthday

Looking for reasons to travel to KL, to see the doctor, to see Dad (which we did not this time) and to spend time with Sam, like how we did during the university days; albeit with a larger food budget.

We use this trip to see friends as well, this time Sam's high school friends, some of whom seems to have taken me into the fold.

31.1.2026 Saturday - dinner postponed luckily

 I meant to cook dinner for friends and family at No. 40 - but instead spend the morning collecting presents for Prudence's birthday and having kolo-mee and laksa in nan old kopi tiam that we have not been before.

leftovers for dinner, after getting work done with Sean's steel drawings

30.1.2026 Friday - Taiwan collaboration