24th November 2023 Friday - quite an eventful day

 We receive news that 2 of our projects have obtained planning approval; both are hotels, one of which is by a lake. The team has been working constantly on them, so we are in good stead - potentially more work on ground next year.

Today is also JC's birthday, so Sam and I make her an offer. I explain to JC - this is good for her and it makes us feel good about the situation. And she deserves it - she says she will sign it. We cook lunch for her and the office - Korean army stew, my version is not as good as Peggy's but it goes down well amidst lots of chit chat. 

I continue yesterday's good design discussion with Sean and Freddie by drawing out options and ideas on the yellow trace Sam bought for me. 

The day ends with drinks and dinner with the PDF2023 team, SY suggests that I make a speech. I do - specifically thanking the young ones; the Sims for accepting my request to undertake the graduate event for PDF, and carrying out the design competition so diligently and carefully (perhaps they were a little too obedient, but they will grow out of it), the Laus for the no-fuss execution of all the catering and behind-the-scenes logistics. And lastly, Johann for being a champion in accepting my request to be the event Emcee (after 2 tries), he was calm and collected, and good at the tasks. 

23rd November 2023 Thursday - Curating PDF2023

I thought I would put this information on paper, as a record of what was needed to make PDF2023 work. There were some queries and 'wonderings' about how and why we did certain things - so here I explain, and record for myself. I put Si Yong's name to the piece as well, because he is more than half of the partnership of two of us.
 

Boon Boon left St Tom after Form 3 to continue Form 4 Science in Green Road, and I have not seen him since. It seems that he worked for a time in Kuching, and then KL before settling in Singapore.

21st November 2023 Tuesday - sending folks home

This is the third day of morning walks and fruit lunches, and I feel good about it mentally and physically. I have a long chat with PH about work and people, and feel good about it as well. I decide to take back the houses from the boys, they are not focused enough for me. It's too bad because I had plans for them, to help them grow as architects.

Later that night, we have dinner with the remaining speakers: Shunri and Eric were catching late flights back home. Sam is very sweet and orders a laksa via grab, when she hears that they have not tried our 'national' dish. We have definitely made some friends, it seems a natural thing to happen making sure that they meet other folks rather than just the other speakers and committee members.

 

I tease Shunri - that he accepted our request to speak in Kuching, not so much to share architectural ideas and experience but to visit longhouses and orang-utans. He did not disagree.