16.8.2026 Sunday - the Pomodoro Technique

 I have been working at home, sometimes it is harder to concentrate at home than at the office. I get distracted by other tasks or chores for home such as tidying up or cleaning. For example, Sam and I spend the morning from 9 to 11 a.m. cleaning out Sara's bedroom - some of the clothing on racks are Sam's, some of the books are mine, but generally it is most Sara's things collected over the past few years. I can almost track her personal history through her clothes, books and magazines found in the box-shelves in her room. While we are tidying up, I mentally question why Sara has not cleaned up the room herself, or why Sam has not put her own things away. But I decide that it is so that I can do this with her, and see what we have invested in our parenting and although this sounds like a complaint - it is not, I am glad we can recycle some of Sara's things, I will get the watches looked at and return them to Sara and re-use whatever pens and stationery found in the room. Quite timely since I have colonised Sean's room to be a little study. 

Mom comes over at 230 p.m. and we decide that we will stay at No.34 so that it is easier for Shing to collect her after getting Ashley from ballet class. But he got his times mixed up and we had to get everyone over to No. 40 so we can cook dinner for the children, the Fukadas and the Sims. In the car, I complain to Sam but remind myself that I will do less of:

1. complaining
2. making excuses
3. making negative comment
4. criticising
5. gossiping 

This afternoon, while sitting with Mom in the living, I revive an study/work technique I learnt from years ago - picking a task and doing it uninterrupted for 25 minutes. And then having a 5-minute break to get a drink, to set up the next task and then repeat the process. After 4 blocks of 25 minutes, I have a longer break for up to 30 minutes. 

This technique was developed in the 80s by Francesco Cirillo who named it after the tomato shaped egg timer sold in Italy at the time. 

15.8.2026 Saturday - sitting quietly and falling in love

After the early morning pickleball, Sam comes to collect me. Usually on the drive home, we decide where to have breakfast but today we are undecided so we arrive home to eat carrots, tomatoes, cheese and apple with slices of bread washed down with cups of coffee. I have the music on instead of the telly, and both of us potter about the houses doing odd jobs and finishing my tasks until late in the afternoon. Then at 4pm, a message comes inviting us for a game - new friends from pickleball with their wives; a chance to meet other people. One of the wives remember Sam from years ago (30) having worked together on a project. Sam has that special something which people remember; it is a kindness in her personality I think. 

14.8.2026 Friday - taking care of the aged

A rainy morning in Penang, troublesome but we have a task in hand - to meet a potential client about an aged care facility. She was introduced to us by our hospital client; an important referral which I thought we should act on. We arrive early, and depart several hours later after being briefed about the future plans for this facility. It will be a long term plan, they are doing good work so it is for us to patient and contribute instead of thinking about reaping rewards. I think we struck the right chords, she takes us out for lunch before we head off to catch our flight - it is a good outing event if the project does not take shape we have met a person who has invested time and effort planning how to improve the quality and sustainability of aged care in Penang. 

 

14.8.2026 Thursday - Doris, Terry, Grace and Luna

Today will be a long day, made longer by the extra meetings we plan, with people we want to see in different places. 

Doris and I have met twice; the first time was when she crossed the seminar hall to greet me - 'Hi, you must be Min, we are Facebook friends'. And the second time is this morning, she in in Kuching to meet her boyfriend. I invited CY who also knows her from their interactions on the Art Festival in Taiwan. It turns out that she knows SL as well - it is a small world.

Our flight takes us to Penang by 2pm in time for a 4pm meeting, even after waiting for PH's delayed flight. Work is work, there are a few areas that I have to work on still - there were gaps on both sides. But I think it can be sorted within the next week. By dinner time, it has been a long day, and I did not get a chance to talk with Grace. It is lovely to see her little family though hard to imagine when we met her as an intern ten years ago - hardworking but the system fails her, answered for but stuck in a rut (the drummer boy). She kept in touch and over the years we would meet up, hear snippets of news about her milestone, celebrate them with her - we threw a 'wedding party' for her in Kuching complete with tea ceremony at No. 40.

Our hotel room reminds me of line in the Eagles's song 'Hotel California'. - we are able to leave but I want to go back.

13.8.2026 Wednesday - fellowship

There are distinct highlights and lowlights today - an uncompliant roofer, bad air quality because of the haze contrasting with a request for me to apply for a PAM fellowship, and dinner with mom at home. There will be many more days like this. I am glad that I have a team who can handle the irritants and a home cooked dinner to come home most nights. 

12.8.2026 Tuesday - learning to make the most out of it

We have to return for a site inspection this week, and although it does not directly concern us, our attendance was requested. We could write back and tell them that, but I decide it is simpler to just show up. There might be nothing for us to contribute, but we can hear what the problem is and what the solutions are, we can meet new people who are taking over the project, we can let our presence reassure those who are there, and we can use the opportunity to settle some other outstanding matters with the builder, and we can have a nice lunch after the meeting.

 

11.8.2026 Monday - Mahatma Gandhi