lines on paper

Saturday, September 12, 2026

12.11.2026 Saturday - back to work

I am 'summoned' to the work site. I had tried to have Freddie deal with this on Friday, but it seems that I am needed. So, after a lovely lunch with the children - I head off to Toorak House. I am glad we did this in person today (Freddie kindly joined me), we sorted out some site issues with client and builder.

sara talking about home improvements and a house warming soon

After which, Freddie and I had a drink and a good chat about how Sean can plan his work in the two or so weeks leading up to his professional exams. Some tough love decisions to grow up career-wise. I enjoyed my chats with Freddie, we have similar work ethics.

Late in the evening, Yasmin sends this photo from 9 years ago, when she took part in a company trip to Lombok - there were a few familiar faces; Sher-lin, Sean and Yasmin herself. It is a full circle moment and we both decide that travelling locally is a better format than overseas; it is more sustainable and more people can join us as and when they are able to (get time off work, etc). And Sam is able to claim some of our expenses from income tax. Freddie told me yesterday that travelling locally is meaningful because we have not seen much of our own country. We talked about traveling south to Malacca, Batu Pahat, Muar, etc and depart for home via Singapore. Or travelling to Mulu or Bekalalan on the Bario highlands.

Friday, September 11, 2026

11.9.2026 Friday - Penang.Kuching

Early morning meet up with Clarissa (after her sunrise walk) Yasmin and Sylvia who flew in from Jakarta - I have not seen her for 10 years, she kept in touch with Yasmin and decided to fly in to join us on our road trip. After a long and hot walk to the children's house, we return to our hotel to get ready for the flight home. I am relieved to go home, to familiar routines of work and exercise; drawing and planning projects, gym and swimming, and pickleball.

I miss following my work ethic of working daily; some spells of productive work interspersed with bouts of physical activity and our pets as well.

10.9.2026 Thursday - seeing the doctor

The highlight of the day is re-visiting the Bagan Specialist Centre, it is the first visit for some of us; the Fukudas, Yasmin, Sylvia (who flew in from Jakarta) and the young ones in the office. Most of what we were familiar with is still there, but the CEO had left, someone is building something in the padang and Dr. Tan has moved the furniture from her dad's old house to the Level 6 offices. Sam and I meet Dr. Tan for a chat, and leave with a nice feeling about how everyone has settled in, moved on and moved forward. Our host, Syarina has been in BSC since 2018, she spends an hour with us out of her busy schedule which we are very thankful for.

9.9.2026 Wednesday - Taiping to Penang

After a walk to the market for breakfast (you-tiau and kiap chang) we left for the train station, this time using the KTM which is cheaper. I pay RM 3.80 for an hour's trip to Penang Central, plus a RM2 ferry ride to Georgetown.

Trips to Georgetown seem to be oriented around meals with plenty of walking in between. We eat lunch at an Indian/Malay cafe on Jalan Argyll (our hotel is the Urban H Hotel - we think it was renovated from a 2-storey shopping mall; there are only 36 rooms). After lunch, a walk to Jalan Penang to buy roasted chestnuts for Jowie to try, and a visit to Chowrasta market - we have been try to show him 3 new things a day.

At the market, he decides to eat durian, Sam buys one for t

he two of them. As we sit down two ladies approach, curious to see what we are doing - I offer them a seat at the table and a taste of the durian. Luisa and Maria are from Frankfurt, the former has just done a month-long internship in Shanghai, she is a doctor. Maria has flown in to meet her sister in KL and Penang.