18.9.2026 Friday - moving day postponed

I plan for young Liew to help us re-locate our long table and bench today. But he has missed the deadline, which I half expected. But it is ok, I am asking for a favour. So we reschedule to Saturday afternoon, fingers crossed. 

Tonight, Sam and I eat dinner at the small marble table in front of the television. It is different, but not uncomfortable and there is no space for our extra messes. I like the compactness and efficiency. 

Today someone asks for information which we have sent earlier, I re-send with some additional information which she needed to prepare a poster for our career talk. She replies 'wow, you are really efficient!' Perhaps it is from waking up early each morning. 'success does not happen by accident'.  Ok, I will take it as a compliment.

Behind from the right:

Chin Kim Yew, Daniel Su, David Chan, Philip Chang, Peter Sim, Simon Voon, Vincent Yong/ Jong, Sim Poh Leng, Joseph Sim.

Front from the left:

Jerry Sum, Ting Ing Chew, KL PAM president Cheong Kok Cheow,  Lankie Simbas.

17.9.2026 Thursday - talking about education

Today I have two conversations about teaching; once with Mervin and later with Dr. Azmah. The upshot of which is the possibility of me teaching again next year and being invited for design crits in the meantime.  It has always been at the back of my mind to return to teaching when the opportunity arises. When I look back, I have always enjoyed the teaching sessions; at UCS, at LKW and at UNIMAS. I feel that I am even more equipped now, with a team of up and coming architects in the office.

walking home and met him

a lazy dinner, I ate some carrots sticks earlier

PH's project in Miri

we are moving the long table (again) and this time, we will be buying a sofa

16.9.2026 Wednesday - Malaysia Day

Today is a good day - full of activity and achievement. 

6:40 a.m. - I cycle to the club for pickleball at 7:00 a.m. it is good to be outdoors again after the haze. I take the highway which gets me to the club in 20 minutes. I play for an hour, including some singles and I am happy with my movement. 

8:10 a.m. - I cycle home ( I left my phone at home) after weighing myself at the gym (81kgs). I get home to find Sam right behind me in her car. SHe had driven to the club hoping to find me and pass me my phone. 

9:00 a.m. - I am in the office, I offer to review the housing plans with Sean if he is up to it. He is and we decide that his plan works and will develop it into a working scheme.

Afternoon - Sam and I sort out the bags of books from Sara's room; some of them are ours so it is good to be re-acquainted with them again. We decide to give much of the young teens and children's books to our friends.

15.9.2026 Tuesday - people at the pool

 I go to the pool for a swim at the end of the day but some residents have taken over the club house, having a barbeque. One of them was smoking so I decide to leave after my workout and a short swim, it is ok; I got my shoulder sets in.

I did more drawing today and feel better for it. Tomorrow is a public holiday, so everyone is a little laid back. 

Let's expand on that list a little bit:

Updated list of things to do

1. PD pump room
2. Toorak fence and link from main house
3. RWDP and roofing, 
4. Car park structure
5. Retaining wall
6. Butterfly park
7. New housing - design brief and concepts, give CAD to engineer, house pricing
8. SEDC - new budget
9. AC grilles at Springvale
10. HP's print out review
11. speak to Nicole
12. Terrace masterplan
13. Santubong house
14. CHMS toilet

14.1.2026 Monday - a quiet day, initially

A subdued start to the day, as some of our team are still away but we have an office meeting nonetheless - to discuss things on our minds. The pace of the day picks up however, with an urgent submission to meet a deadline tomorrow - at times like these I really appreciate how well the team works together; jumping in to help at 6:00 p.m. 

I am not productive enough today, need to try harder tomorrow

Updated list of things to do

1. PD screens
2. PD pump room
3. Block B car park rectifications
4. B-park stairs, and roofing
5. Toorak fence, RWDP, roofing, car park, ret wall, link from main house, groove lines
6. New housing - design brief and concepts, give CAD to engineer, house pricing
7. SEDC - new budget
8. AC grilles at Springvale
9. hotel feedback from consultants
10. provisional approval for K2
11. P-1 fee claim
12. kitchen dwgs
13. Leong's hotel
14. HP's print out review
15. speak to Nicole
16. Jeff vs steel sealant
17. CHMS award
18. BSC basement
19. call Ma
20. claim reimbursables for hotel and office
21. C-fee claims
22. R-fee payment in October.

13.1.2026 Sunday - tidying up

Trampoline while watching telly, then tidying up the 'pier' as the children used to call the timber deck facing the garden. We then go shopping for tonight's dinner, drop the recyclables off before an early lunch near the office. I stay in the office for a couple of hours to get away, and to accompany Fish who has been alone for most of last week.

I make a list of things to do this week:

1. PD screens
2. PD pump room
3. Block B car park rectifications
4. B-park stairs, and roofing
5. Toorak fence, RWDP, roofing, car park, ret wall, link from main house, groove lines
6. New housing - design brief and concepts, give CAD to engineer, house pricing
7. SEDC - new budget
8. AC grilles at Springvale
9. hotel feedback from consultants
10. formal approval for K2
11. P-1 fee claim
12. kitchen dwgs
13. Leong's hotel
14. HP's print out review
15. speak to Nicole
16. Jeff vs steel sealant
17. CHMS award
18. BSC basement
19. call Ma
20. claim reimbursables for hotel and office
21. C-fee claims
22. R-fee payment in October

 

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 do this in person today (Freddie kindly join me), we sort 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.