26.6.2026 Friday - going back to school

 A few weeks ago, I asked him if he had thought about his plans to do his Master degree. Yesterday, he tells me his plans to continue his studies in September. I think it is a good decision for both parties; he needs a fresh page to start a new chapter and stepping away is a good move. 

Val, the happy child

Yesterday, I contacted a client and he tells me that his hold up was due to land matters, and that the project cost can be managed. So in principle, the project will proceed once the land matter is resolved. I am relieved because I had a vague notion that he had changed his mind, or worse still had engaged someone else to do it (someone cheaper, he was complaining about our fees). 

25.6.2026 Thursday - time to have lunch

Over our lunch with Mr. Lai who is leaving his current company (a property developer; our client) - we talk about the people who has worked on our recently completed project (a serviced apartment complex) and I jokingly say that there are a few whom I would not consider having lunch with. It is one thing to work with them; it is a transactional relationship - we do what we are paid to do, during which our time is paid for by the client. It is another thing to consider having lunch and spending personal time with them; that is a personal relationship - and I has rather not waste good time with people who are not sincere.

TY joins us for lunch, mid-way through it he sends me a photo of Mei-ling as he promised months ago - for me to include on our 'alumni' page on our website.

After lunch - OT texts me about submitting an article for BAJ, I suggests a few extras to enhance the readability of his piece. He asks why we agreed to cross link platforms with PAM's national magazine Architecture Malaysia (AM) - I explain. But I sense he is hoping for a different answer; I tell him I linked with AM to achieve wider readership, and that AM invited BAJ, and that I regarded the invitation as a compliment to BAJ. I won't be having lunch with him any time soon.

24.6.2026 Wednesday - a light touch

 

23.6.2026 Tuesday - parenting Part 2

 When our parents get older, the roles are reversed - we become the parents; worrying about the well-being, nagging about taking meds, about taking care. It is harder for Sam as she is away from Dad in PJ. Today he fell down while trying out pickleball, she is contacted when the games organiser is unable to rouse sis-in-law. Luckily he is fine, a kind soul drove him to the medical centre, at which time they were able to rouse the other daughter who arrives in time to relay a nice message to the family chat group. I am troubled for the rest of the evening by the breezy and slightly flippant tone of the message. 

Luckily Sean buys us tickets to a Teochew movie, which was able to lift my spirits.

22.6.2026 Monday - parenting

It is interesting to see Sara and Rudy fuss and carry on about their puppies; Bear2 and Mon(roe). Mini-parenting in action; good to have responsibilities and for someone or something to depend on you. 

 

21.6.2026 Sunday - Father's Day

Today starts like a typical Sunday for a couple who has been married for more than three decades - we go market shopping (for fish and a pumpkin; for tonight's dinner). But instead of the usual breakfast at a kopitiam, Sam and I go for a hit of pickleball first. Until she got hungry, about an hour later. 

Today is Father's Day, there isn't a great deal of fuss - I don't encourage these types of celebrations. They are so fake. I appreciate that my children wish the best for me, and do their best for me when I ask for help. And that's enough. 

I rarely ask for help, what I'm able to manage without troubling them stays with me. I don't usually complain, there's no need cloud their day especially if the problem has gone away. Perhaps after a long time has passed, I might talk about it if I feel there is a lesson to be gained by recollecting a problem or situation or a person's behaviour. 

 

20.6.2026 Saturday - oral exam