29.6.2026 Monday - new beginnings

During our office meeting, RS tells everyone that he is leaving us, and will start his Part 2 in September. He will leave in a couple of days' time to help mom with her shops (she is closing them down). I offer the office to him - for the library, for review sessions, to use the printer or simply to have lunch. I think it is important to end chapters like this with care and foresight - it is good to keep doors open. He might not return as an employee but the mentoring can continue.  

This evening is our first office pickleball session, everyone seem to have lots of fun. We will make this a regular thing - including the meal afterwards. 

28.6.2026 Sunday - a long walk followed by a swim

It is funny what one gets up to when there is nothing to do. I walk to PD (45minutes) for a swim (45minutes) after which Sean and I have a late breakfast. I am eating less starch after CW says that I have gained weight. 

27.6.2026 Saturday - re-connecting

 

Sam is in KL to spend mom's one-year death anniversary with dad; Sara and Val went with her for the (better and fun) company. Sam tells me that dad has been testy and easily triggered, the new maid is shy but diligent, and hum as she works. I think Sam does it for her own peace of mind, rather than for anyone else. 

While she is away, Sean and I spend more meal times together. I spend more time at work, I don't like to be at home when she is not around. As a distraction, I accepted a lunch offer with CW - good to catch up after 9 months of missing each other. 

I spend the rest of the time listening to music on our new tv.

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 - O. Tan 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.

In the evening, Sean and I go for dinner, during which he suggested that he wants to get mom a new tv. He buys two tvs, and I buy two sound bars for our respectively homes. 

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.