20.11.2024 Wednesday - meeting people and eating too much

A singularly un-productive day; meeting HJ and sis for breakfast, SY and SL for lunch with Cheng Ming and then afternoon tea with BW who is on his way back home. (he did not spend much for this trip). The only productive thing today is the squash which I enjoyed because I felt like I had control. I had control because I have improved or the other people has slowed down. 

19.11.2024 Tuesday - resourcefulness

Thomas did the pillowcases before he left the house, and left some books as gifts for me on the dining table. He stayed for three nights and enjoyed himself wandering around Kuching meeting people having lunch with some of them, playing tennis and getting household things made out of tin (galvanised steel). This is intuitive behavior; the ability to entertain and occupy oneself, to be curious, to question and communicate, and to learn. 

At tennis, Ho said that B has gone a bit slow. Perhaps he has, he tells me it is a result of the long COVID. He also tells me that he cannot be generous like us; he would want to know the details. Perhaps that is the critical thing - the willingness to share; money, time, information and skills. It is not too late to change.

18.11.2024 Monday and my birthday

It is mostly work as usual though there is a breakthrough in the gardening front. I am getting the front planter re-instated and hopefully we can plant some herbs there. (reminder: it will need shade cloth). We have lunch with Irene, who thinks that the BES is a really good idea. It seems that she is doing a similar with her Spartan events, we share some ideas. Perhaps I will contact her when the BES things become more solid. 

I parade my birthday cake around the office before cutting it. Unfortunately there are no good photos, but let's see maybe one will crop up later. 

In the evening, we treat everyone to dinner including Thomas. Brian got stranded in Santubong, and rang Sean but dinner was already underway. These two new visitors to Kuching have had such a different experience, one met new folks, had lunch with them, walked the old streets, had a haircut and a massage and stories to tell. There is a lesson there.

Life is what you make of it.

17.11.2024 Sunday - some people to strike off the list

I cycle to tennis - I enjoy both the bike ride and the tennis. Then to breakfast - nice laksa, similar discussions about child-care. I suggest a more rudimentary approach which is not fair as I do not know the full situation. I am quite tired by the time I bike home, but yet have enough energy to mentally plan our garden; making use of the composing prunings. I walked out to the garden and to my surprise, it is looking quite neat and work-able. 

Thomas wants a hit of tennis and proved to be a very able player. Grumbly text at 3pm to say we can play squash at 3:30 pm and when I say I have tennis at 4pm - he signs off with a dismissive reply. Interestingly he is at the courts when we arrive, and judging from his greeting - he is not in a happy place. Right away - I decide that I will not spend time to text/communicate with him. Thinking back about how welcoming we have been, this is not worth our time. I will respond of course if he texts/calls me, but I won't waste my time texting him to have him respond a day later (after he has weighted his options)

16.11.2024 Saturday - even more things happening

If I were to write about Saturday's party, it would be a very long post. So maybe only the keys points: Sam and kids arranged for food and drinks and invited friends. Friends invited more friends, I have not seen the house this full. The Taiwanese artists were the guests stars, making themselves at home seating in a circle chatting and laughing. Other than Brian, there's another face from the the past. I greet her warmly and we will see what happens from now on.

Zayn, Richard, Lai are surprise guests as are Ivy, Amelia and their aunties - they had a good time with mom. I was hoping for one other to join us, but something has happened. I can only guess at the source of this, perhaps it is to do with the children, or what we are doing with the house, or is not fulfilling some part of our filial duty. Sad - as Pam puts it. Comparing too much, and being bitter when falling short - saying not nice things about people, things that should not be part of the conversation.

It's ok, the folks who came enjoyed themselves. And although we told them no presents, I have a new tee shirt, a tea set, a bag of mangoes and apples (from Khalid) and a table of wine and liqueur.

I did get some work done.

15.11.2024 Friday - many things settled.

Many things happening today, so the office is half empty. Sean and others have gone to get the Singgahsana drawings signed and submitted. I mark through Melvin's school drawings (they are quite a way off) and also the Kensington drawings for George. 

Since it's close to my birthday, I take it easy invite SY for lunch, and chat about next year's design forum. Sam joins us, I overeat and fall asleep in the car on the way to the club. I play squash with Dr. Kok, then a hit of tennis with Dr. Kho followed by one hour of squash with Patrick. Energy quota depleted. 

The evening, Brian rings up and says he's coming to Kuching. 

 

14.11.2024 Thursday - ceiling is the limit

Why am I not retiring? Lai answers for me, he puts it in a very noble way - saying that I want to continue teaching through our projects. He has over estimated my ability, but he's not completely incorrect. I do want to leave a legacy. In some ways, it feels like I'm just getting started - we are sought out by clients for new work, our opinions are taken more seriously and our people are also maturing. I also want the people around me/us, people who come in contact with us to be better after having met us; through a kind work, a lesson, a meal or a place to stay.