3.12.2025 Wednesday - roofs, EOT and a long lunch

 We finally sort out the roof for Springvale, and the EOT with AK and JP, Lai is there as well and after a short explanation, we convince them of our assessments. Sam joins us for lunch, PH replaces GW - and I realise that AK knows many of the people I met when we are growing our careers. It is good that Sam joins us, so that she can enjoy the 'people' part of professional practice. She adds a soft vibe to the whole meeting as well. It is twice in recent days when she had lent us her vibe - once with Adzlan and now with AK and Lai.

Earlier this morning, I have a nice morning chat with SY, we talk about Johnny's video, his new office and the upcoming PDF events. He is not attending either, I sense that he is simple serving time until his term runs out and he wants also to disassociate himself from these folks.

assigning ideas and tasks 

L: fried fish, cucumber, sambal and some rice. D: grilled ch w/out the skin, salad of pumpkin, carrots, tomatoes and brocolli

2.12.2025 Tuesday - the kids plan a birthday

We decide to round up some friends to celebrate a birthday. At the same time, I receive an invitation to the Christmas dinner with the members of the local chapter of the Malaysian Architects Institute (PAMSC). It was for long serving members of the committee, I was there some 14 years but I turn it down. It is on the same evening as Sam's birthday party. I don't belong in the current fellowship, I feel that they are there to make the numbers, to tick boxes (attendance). They have little relevant experience to do anything  meaningful for the profession. More worryingly, they seem to echo the sentiments of our cousins in the KL Council. I am not lending them my presence, nor am I going to be associated with them.  

Sean and Judy are making good progress with the Johnny Sim video

L: 2pm one pot ch.rice. D: cheese and bacon quiche, coffee, dark chocs from the States

1.12.2025 Monday - drawing in old books

 The foot doctor says that pickleball is ok, but lay off squash until January. I think I will give it a go tomorrow and play an easy game with Kok, who deserves to win this time. There are signs that my feet are healing, fingers are crossed. I cycle home in the rain, Sam has started feeding us non-carb dinners.

30.11.2025 Sunday - not a day of rest

Sam and I have been spending too much time together, and today we continue to do so. After an early breakfast, we both go to the office to:

• feed Fish - we decide to get her a remote feeder so that she does not have to wait for us to come by. We will still come by on the weekends to keep her company.
• scan drawings - to work on at home
• settle accounting stuff - we need her to be connected to the server so she can work from home.

 

29.11.2025 Saturday - eat more protein, take BP and walk daily

I am trying to do with less food. After the findings from this month, I am fortunate to have (quite) a clean bill of health. I should capitalise on this, and work on the other aspect of our health, which is what we put in our mouths. We are definitely physical active enough, and cannot do much more in that area. 

28.11.2025 Friday - cool heads prevail, will work for food

Yesterday, during an online meeting - a PM was quite rude to PH, we were wondering which  direction to go when Azlan rang us up, and asked to meet this morning. We go and see him, Sam is invited to join - I can see that A is a good leader and a nice person. 

Lesson:

•  always best to sort out difficult issues face to face
• watch how this person treats his colleagues and the wait staff (if you are meeting over coffee or lunch)
• don't give up a project because someone is rude or un-reasonable, try and adjust yourself to till do the work well, it is not about giving is, it is about taking the professional route
• or else, we lose a job not because of our short-comings but another persons' short temper.

To celebrate, we eat Bibimbap after which Sam and I go shopping for rugs and lamps at Ikea. We had earlier bought paint to 'renovate' our little apartment unit. We work from 530pm until 830pm, painting two large walls, moving furniture around, discarding crates and boxes. Although, dog-tired, we walk to Isetan to buy half price sushi before walking home again to plate the food, and photograph them before eating at 10pm. 

27.11.2025 Thursday - an early flight to KL

After yesterday's meeting with the client accompanied by Fiona, I am energised about these projects again. I always do better in a team, and for now we are a team of two (perhaps three with JY joining later). We share ideas about the theatre - I sketch out some detail and share with her. She has already planned out how to deal with the authorities. something that I have not thought about, you see - she is a steady hand.