30.9.2026 Wednesday - list three things

1. PD piping for pump room
2. Kitchen details
3. Terrace masterplan

29.9.2026 Tuesday - concrete framing

I have been starting my day very early these few weeks; I write here, sometimes in the journal as well and make some marks in my sketchbook. Or make some sketchbooks from old drawings. Good morning therapy - everything is quiet, then I cycle to work, have a coffee, read a little. I have rediscovered so many new books to read in the past week; books which have been in Sara's room all this while.

Leong is working with me and Ty on the house on the hill. I am trying to work on the Toorak house with the girls - I think it will work even though we are not in full control of the ID. I finish the new housing scheme with Sean and JY. HP finally issues the new toilet layouts to site. 

I cycle down to play pickleball and have dinner with David who is in town for a Health design conference. Speaking to Westies always presents a different point of view, some are worrying while others are refreshing. 

 

28.9.2026 Monday - several pomodoros later..

I sometimes think that if I work deliberately, and use my time to brief the team - I might get away with working for half a day only. And take the afternoons off. 

I have been thinking of taking Friday afternoon off. But it does not always work out. 

Ar. Wee Hii Min has made significant and sustained contributions to PAM, the architectural profession and the built environment of Sarawak. His longstanding service to PAMSC includes serving as Vice Chairman, Publication & Media Chair and Design Festival Chair, alongside organising lectures, World Architecture Day programmes and professional initiatives. His architectural contribution is demonstrated through numerous award-winning works, including Gold PAM Awards for the Sibu Heritage Centre and Showroom at Jalan Rock, as well as a Silver Award for the ASEAN Bintulu Fertilizer Headquarters. He has also played an important role in promoting Sarawak architecture through INTERSECTION, The Borneo Architecture Journal and professional lectures, while contributing to architectural education, community projects and pro-bono works. His sustained leadership, professional achievements and commitment to shaping a distinctive and sustainable built environment in Sarawak strongly support his elevation to Fellow Membership of PAM.

27.9.2026 Sunday - disheartened

One of those days where one feels a little limp, physically and mentally. Fortunately, I am quite productive on the job front, and get plenty down on paper. 

Otherwise, it is an uneventful day. 

Late in the afternoon, I prepare the ingredients for dinner slowly and by myself, in the green room

26.9.2026 Saturday - for he is a jolly good Fellow.

I like Saturday's routine of playing pickleball at the club, having breakfast and then going to work for a couple of hours. All is good, although I am told that I need to smile more when playing, which I thought was rather unfair all things considered.

 

Lessons for the week - I should stop attending dinners with the old Thomians, and stop offering to play pickleball and let the other party ask first. 

The only highlight of the day is news that my application to graduate to a PAM Fellow member has been approved. But I do not tell anyone - it is not important to them.

25.9.2026 Friday - taking delivery

 Sam says that if some of our young friends need help, we should not hesitate to offer it. She has been helping one of them take delivery of some goods which he needs for goody-bags at a conference in October. I know the guy, I understand how hard it can be making a living in a city like KL. So, I offered to help some months back when he reached out. He seemed surprised at first about my offer, but he gets the gist now. 

People are curious why we would do things for them with no potential or visible gain for us. Sometime, we are just wanting to be helpful. Which is why I am putting Henry in touch with Alvin, who wants to return to Kuching at some point and I think Henry can pay his 'debt' forward. Lessons all round. 

24.9.2026 Thursday - time for another drawing list.

1. Singgahsana concept sketches
2. SJIS site plan
3. HSL master plan
4. Kitchen dwgs
5. PD pump room
6. Toorak stairs
7. AC grilles at Springvale
8. new penthouse layout
9. wheels at the column base
10. spvl screens
11. access to RC roof @spvl
12. M&E roof, mark in the columns stump
13. mark in the spvl shop dwgs, defects
14. render the breezeway terrace
15. check up on MAC2
16. toorak shop dwgs
17. Strata plans and access

23.9.2026 Wednesday - Euan Uglow

 

22.9.2026 Tuesday - the Bahai

I have a hit of tennis with Ho (and later Robert) and feel good about it, happy with my ball contact and movement. And it feels nice to be in the sun again, although it is a bit hazy.

Kamal invites us over for dinner, I am feeling very privileged - two dinner in two nights. I have not been to his house in Kuching before, so we are both quite taken aback with the size of the house compound and the maturity of the trees in the garden.
There are some familiar faces amongst the dinner guests, as expected because Kuching is a small village after all. Sam and I have a good time chatting with Kamal's sister Shirin and her husband, Payam. Their daughter, Lian is a delightful young lady - we offer to cook for them when they next visit. Jowie offers to take them pickle-balling then.  Kamal's family is Bahai, and have the loveliest way about them, although this is first time we have met this family - it feels like we have known them for a long time.

21.9.2026 Monday - several pomodoros later...

I should not have to resort to time management methods to get work done. But this morning, I do just that, just to get the ball rolling. The timer in my computer is set to 25 minutes and I start work on the 3D of the new housing. It works, and I get plenty done before noon. 

Mike Ho ring to invite me for dinner tonight. I will go and see others, but I fear because of the time apart, instead of catching up with new news, we simply run out of conversation. 

 

20.9.2026 Sunday - unloading

 

I load the car with things for recycling - old books, shoes, a couple of old suitcases; the pier looks better immediately. After that, I eat a simple breakfast with Sam and then go to the office to work for a couple of hours. I have not been to Turbo Fitness for quite some time, so I go and use the kettlebells - it is good to use the heavy ones. 

I decide to cook again, a similar dinner to last night's dinner - for a different set of dinner guests. I invite SW who has just returned from China, she looks well and rested and tells us stories about her trip, about her husband's study plans and about her wedding dinner in December.

I like cooking in this new kitchen; everything is so central and I get to use Sam's ingredients in the fridge, washing up is straightforward with the large drying counter. After washing, I simply turn off the lights and go to bed upstairs.

19.9.2026 Saturday - cooking as therapy

Today is a fruitful day. There is fun and games for exercise followed by a simple breakfast before going to the office for a meeting. We make some good decisions after the meeting, and I stay on to work on the 3D for Sean's housing.

Sam takes me to lunch after which I meet the man, and tell him about this morning's meeting. He has lost weight, he tells Sam who agrees 'your trousers are not so tight now'

18.9.2026 Friday - moving day postponed

I plan for young Liew to help us re-locate our long table and bench today. But he has missed the deadline, which I half expected. But it is ok, I am asking for a favour. So we reschedule to Saturday afternoon, fingers crossed. 

Tonight, Sam and I eat dinner at the small marble table in front of the television. It is different, but not uncomfortable and there is no space for our extra messes. I like the compactness and efficiency. 

Today someone asks for information which we have sent earlier, I re-send with some additional information which she needed to prepare a poster for our career talk. She replies 'wow, you are really efficient!' Perhaps it is from waking up early each morning. 'success does not happen by accident'.  Ok, I will take it as a compliment.

Behind from the right:

Chin Kim Yew, Daniel Su, David Chan, Philip Chang, Peter Sim, Simon Voon, Vincent Yong/ Jong, Sim Poh Leng, Joseph Sim.

Front from the left:

Jerry Sum, Ting Ing Chew, KL PAM president Cheong Kok Cheow,  Lankie Simbas.

17.9.2026 Thursday - talking about education

Today I have two conversations about teaching; once with Mervin and later with Dr. Azmah. The upshot of which is the possibility of me teaching again next year and being invited for design crits in the meantime.  It has always been at the back of my mind to return to teaching when the opportunity arises. When I look back, I have always enjoyed the teaching sessions; at UCS, at LKW and at UNIMAS. I feel that I am even more equipped now, with a team of up and coming architects in the office.

walking home and met him

a lazy dinner, I ate some carrots sticks earlier

PH's project in Miri

we are moving the long table (again) and this time, we will be buying a sofa

16.9.2026 Wednesday - Malaysia Day

Today is a good day - full of activity and achievement. 

6:40 a.m. - I cycle to the club for pickleball at 7:00 a.m. it is good to be outdoors again after the haze. I take the highway which gets me to the club in 20 minutes. I play for an hour, including some singles and I am happy with my movement. 

8:10 a.m. - I cycle home ( I left my phone at home) after weighing myself at the gym (81kgs). I get home to find Sam right behind me in her car. SHe had driven to the club hoping to find me and pass me my phone. 

9:00 a.m. - I am in the office, I offer to review the housing plans with Sean if he is up to it. He is and we decide that his plan works and will develop it into a working scheme.

Afternoon - Sam and I sort out the bags of books from Sara's room; some of them are ours so it is good to be re-acquainted with them again. We decide to give much of the young teens and children's books to our friends.

15.9.2026 Tuesday - people at the pool

 I go to the pool for a swim at the end of the day but some residents have taken over the club house, having a barbeque. One of them was smoking so I decide to leave after my workout and a short swim, it is ok; I got my shoulder sets in.

I did more drawing today and feel better for it. Tomorrow is a public holiday, so everyone is a little laid back. 

Let's expand on that list a little bit:

Updated list of things to do

1. PD pump room
2. Toorak fence and link from main house
3. RWDP and roofing, 
4. Car park structure
5. Retaining wall
6. Butterfly park
7. New housing - design brief and concepts, give CAD to engineer, house pricing
8. SEDC - new budget
9. AC grilles at Springvale
10. HP's print out review
11. speak to Nicole
12. Terrace masterplan
13. Santubong house
14. CHMS toilet

14.1.2026 Monday - a quiet day, initially

A subdued start to the day, as some of our team are still away but we have an office meeting nonetheless - to discuss things on our minds. The pace of the day picks up however, with an urgent submission to meet a deadline tomorrow - at times like these I really appreciate how well the team works together; jumping in to help at 6:00 p.m. 

I am not productive enough today, need to try harder tomorrow

Updated list of things to do

1. PD screens
2. PD pump room
3. Block B car park rectifications
4. B-park stairs, and roofing
5. Toorak fence, RWDP, roofing, car park, ret wall, link from main house, groove lines
6. New housing - design brief and concepts, give CAD to engineer, house pricing
7. SEDC - new budget
8. AC grilles at Springvale
9. hotel feedback from consultants
10. provisional approval for K2
11. P-1 fee claim
12. kitchen dwgs
13. Leong's hotel
14. HP's print out review
15. speak to Nicole
16. Jeff vs steel sealant
17. CHMS award
18. BSC basement
19. call Ma
20. claim reimbursables for hotel and office
21. C-fee claims
22. R-fee payment in October.

13.1.2026 Sunday - tidying up

Trampoline while watching telly, then tidying up the 'pier' as the children used to call the timber deck facing the garden. We then go shopping for tonight's dinner, drop the recyclables off before an early lunch near the office. I stay in the office for a couple of hours to get away, and to accompany Fish who has been alone for most of last week.

I make a list of things to do this week:

1. PD screens
2. PD pump room
3. Block B car park rectifications
4. B-park stairs, and roofing
5. Toorak fence, RWDP, roofing, car park, ret wall, link from main house, groove lines
6. New housing - design brief and concepts, give CAD to engineer, house pricing
7. SEDC - new budget
8. AC grilles at Springvale
9. hotel feedback from consultants
10. formal approval for K2
11. P-1 fee claim
12. kitchen dwgs
13. Leong's hotel
14. HP's print out review
15. speak to Nicole
16. Jeff vs steel sealant
17. CHMS award
18. BSC basement
19. call Ma
20. claim reimbursables for hotel and office
21. C-fee claims
22. R-fee payment in October

 

12.11.2026 Saturday - back to work

 I am 'summoned' to the work site. I had tried to have Freddie deal with this on Friday, but it seems that I am needed. So, after a lovely lunch with the children - I head off to Toorak House. I am glad we do this in person today (Freddie kindly join me), we sort out some site issues with client and builder. 

sara talking about home improvements and a house warming soon

After which, Freddie and I had a drink and a good chat about how Sean can plan his work in the two or so weeks leading up to his professional exams. Some tough love decisions to grow up career-wise. I enjoyed my chats with Freddie, we have similar work ethics.

Late in the evening, Yasmin sends this photo from 9 years ago, when she took part in a company trip to Lombok - there were a few familiar faces; Sher-lin, Sean and Yasmin herself. It is a full circle moment and we both decide that travelling locally is a better format than overseas; it is more sustainable and more people can join us as and when they are able to (get time off work, etc). And Sam is able to claim some of our expenses from income tax. Freddie told me yesterday that travelling locally is meaningful because we have not seen much of our own country. We talked about traveling south to Malacca, Batu Pahat, Muar, etc and depart for home via Singapore. Or travelling to Mulu or Bekalalan on the Bario highlands.

11.9.2026 Friday - Penang.Kuching

Early morning meet up with Clarissa (after her sunrise walk) and Yasmin with Sylvia who flew in from Jakarta - I have not seen her for 10 years, she kept in touch with Yasmin and decided to fly in to join us on our road trip. After a long and hot walk to the children's house, we return to our hotel to get ready for the flight home. I am relieved to go home, to familiar routines of work and exercise; drawing and planning projects, gym and swimming, and pickleball.

I miss following my work ethic of working daily; some spells of productive work interspersed with bouts of physical activity and our pets as well. 

10.9.2026 Thursday - seeing the doctor

The highlight of the day is re-visiting the Bagan Specialist Centre, it is the first visit for some of us; the Fukudas, Yasmin, Sylvia (who flew in from Jakarta) and the young ones in the office. Most of what we were familiar with is still there, but the CEO had left, someone is building something in the padang and Dr. Tan has moved the furniture from her dad's old house to the Level 6 offices. Sam and I meet Dr. Tan for a chat, and leave with a nice feeling about how everyone has settled in, moved on and moved forward. Our host, Syarina has been in BSC since 2018, she spends an hour with us out of her busy schedule which we are very thankful for. 

 

9.9.2026 Wednesday - Taiping to Penang

After a walk to the market for breakfast (you-tiau and kiap chang) we left for the train station, this time using the KTM which is cheaper. I pay RM 3.80 for an hour's trip to Penang Central, plus a RM2 ferry ride to Georgetown.

Trips to Georgetown seem to be oriented around meals with plenty of walking in between. We eat lunch at an Indian/Malay cafe on Jalan Argyll (our hotel is the Urban H Hotel - we think it was renovated from a 2-storey shopping mall; there are only 36 rooms). After lunch, a walk to Jalan Penang to buy roasted chestnuts for Jowie to try, and a visit to Chowrasta market - we have been try to show him 3 new things a day. 

At the market, he decides to eat durian, Sam buys one for t

he two of them. As we sit down two ladies approach, curious to see what we are doing - I offer them a seat at the table and a taste of the durian. Luisa and Maria are from Frankfurt, the former has just done a month-long internship in Shanghai, she is a doctor. Maria has flown in to meet her sister in KL and Penang.

8.9.2026 Tuesday - All Saint's Church