26.4.2024 Friday -

2007

 

25.4.204 Thursday - unwell and not at work, Thomians' reunion.

I am credited as the organiser of this reunion, making it sound like an enormous task, when it really was not. Many like Da, and unlikely ones like ChunLing, Kah Teck, Barry helped to round up friends and teachers. Others quietly helped with sponsoring the teachers, paying for drinks, etc.

Others remind me why I won't organise another one soon, perhaps a simple dinner for a dozen people. Not a large gathering like this - there are so many that I was not familiar with, and am still unfamiliar with now.

One shouted hey hey hey, wanting me to look up when I was cutting and serving the cake. Others tell me let the waiting staff do that, it's their job. They forget that it is an honour to serve, why would I give up that privilege. Another has a lazy fatty palm hand shake: a reflection of the man that the boy has grown to inhabit. The overdressed one flitted around with his coloured hair (jealous, they'd say) pocket square, dress watch and I think pierced tongue (lisp gives it away). 

And then there are others who flew in from Singapore, Canada, Australia, KL, China - we have not met them for many years. A few have retired, while others are working just as hard - enjoying their work, having fun making money still. & school teachers attended; Charlie Chung, Felix Wong, Evan yeo, Mrs. Chong, Mrs Alice Wright, Ms Jane Ling, and Pn Cynthia Zender. (who asked if she shd contribute to the dinner costs - ' you have contributed enough, this is our small way of paying back )

24.4.2024 Wednesday - gym assessment and a sushi dinner

 My gym assessment and first session - Even asks what my goals are; upper body strength and mobility, and to lose body weight/fat. 21 days to get some improvement - there is really anything new that he teaches me. Rather a refresher about drinking more water, walking more steps and watching what I eat. And also a more regimented way to strength train. He seems surprised when I told him I want to be able to do chin ups.

It is a lazy day for me, not attending the lift interviews (Sean and Leong attend), I spend time sketching details for Peggy's 44 and 48 terraces. Later in the afternoon, I go for drinks with Si Yong before heading off to a Japanese dinner hosted by the Kansai Paints people. I drink too much whisky. 

23.4.2024 Tuesday - B.A. website coming along

 

22.4.2024 Monday - a strange start for the week.

 I feel out of sorts when arriving for work, I forget to bring my mouse, and Sean did not see the message. Quite a few people are not well in the office judging from the sniffing and coughs. At home, Sam thinks that she is coming down with something as well; her chest feels congested. 

Henry Bong came by to say hi, he has not been before and remarked that we are a big office. Each time I hear that, I am proud and worried at the same time. Louis rings me asking for Brendan's phone number, and we agree to have lunch - he has news for me. 

News which I already know - he has started work with a builder (someone we have worked with before). This is NOT news to me, having heard about this already. What is not news is that he has received an offer from JKR to work for them at HQ - now he has to decide. He facing many criticisms from his mentors, so I chose not to add to this instead I ask him about Part 3 exams, why he left his former office, whether he ended the employment in a good manner. 

His reply - I did not tell him because he (former boss) did not ask. 

L: he did not ask, so I did not tell (flippant tone) Me: sometimes older, more experienced people do not ask questions when they feel it forces people to tell a lie. They'd rather that you tell them because you want them to know. LESSON

21.4.2024 Sunday - early swim, feel good

Plans for tennis go astray as courts are wet, it rained near the club but not near home. I am secretly pleased as my legs are still sore. I go for a swim; breaststroke for 20 laps - this longest I have done for ages. Now legs are more sore, but in a nice way.

While waiting for Sam, I do a few quick sketches in a new notebook. Recording the day's activities in simple descriptive colour drawings.

20.4.2024 Saturday