8.5.2026 Friday - wheelchair access

Sam thinks that this is the way to travel, cutting lines and and pushed from door to door as we transit from one flight to another

We landed at 230pm, and by the time we wonder down to the Calligraphy Art Museum, it is nearly 4pm. We decide not to rush and stop for a coffee and a sweet potato after we get off the train.

 

We decide not to go in as it is closing time, and instead stroll around the building which is next to a large lake before slowly walking a mile to the bus stop

We take a local bus to the campus, to collect keys to our room

And back to this familiar haunt, to meet some students which Eric sent to show us to our rooms. This will be our third (and likely final stay here)

And then later back to these familiar faces, they are happy and full of chatter - it is nice to just sit and listen. This time, we have extra company; TatSing and two of his colleagues join us

At dinner, TTWW and us share stories about graduates who have trained in both our offices. I tell him the story of how Ken lost his glasses at the beach and had to pay for a pair of new ones, and as a result had to survive on RM 100 for the rest of the month until the tea lady (and later Sam and others) took note of his predicament and fed him home cooked lunches. TS's young colleague related a similar incident which happened to one of their interns, and this time Ken stepped up and helped the boy with a used handphone and money. Ken was paying it forward - TS says what we do verges on 'parenting' rather than mentoring.

10.11.2024 Sunday - other peoples' children

Today's post is about other peoples' children and the different experiences and expectation gained by both parties. In the first experience, I learnt that our own children were infinitely more well-behaved other I have recently met. One of them is verging on being 'feral' - he screeches when not getting his way, he poked me in the face while asking for a fruit juice, he punches his older brother and he sulks when he does not want to follow instructions. Sam thinks that he is still young, but I think he is evil.

Sean is taking care of Arlene's children for the weekend, and though it seems like a chore in the beginning - I can sense that he is starting to warm up to the task. Especially because Mao remembers him; and the variety of responses he gets from the variety of pets are rewarding. So, the chore have become a charm, he is fortunate. He has just rewarded himself with a large soft serve ice-cream. I should tell him that Arlene asks him instead of Sam because Arlene can sense that there is a growing maturity and with it, a sense of responsibility. And indirectly, it might be Arlene's way of nurturing a young person. 

In Chongqing, stories are being told abut our trip prompting Lin's mom to label me as their 'enlightenment' teacher (启蒙老师 qi-men lao shi) - an imparter of rudimentary gems of knowledge?. Just life lessons because I have lived for so much longer than them. They want to travel with us again - they say that they were very happy during the trip; easy to be with, and talk to. Just like cool parents, I thought to myself...

 

Sean

Sean has been working in the office for more than a year since his graduation for Part 1. Many friends think that he should have ventured farther to broaden his experience and be away from Mom and Dad. While this might be true, I think Sean can make up his own mind and make his own time about what he wants to do with his life.
In the meantime, I am just glad that he has chosen to spend time in Kuching with us - he is not the chattiest company for breakfast but he is the most generous with his lunch money. He is not the fastest CAD operator in the office but he is thoughtful and helpful with his colleagues and clients. He is not the quickest to respond to a request, but my coffee will always arrive in front of me; made just right. He is a dreamer first and a doer next - his Part 2 architecture education is our gift for him to dream.