22.2.2026 Sunday - we get ang pows

interesting things happen in the shadows

Sam and I get ang pows from Rudy and meet his mom, sister and sister in law when we host them for lunch at No. 40 

21.2.2026 Saturday - Sean is early

 Sean and Judy fly up to KL, to meet Marc and GeSean and Judy fly up to KL, to meet Marc and Geraldine when they arrive from Penang. They will stay at our apartment, and save some money maybe eat nicer things. It is an expensive way to convey a set of keys but it works out; Sean and Judy get a paid holiday and so do we when we collect the keys from Marc before they leave for Melbourne. 

We cannot leave as mom is still with us, making small sacrifices for her. I often wonder what sacrifices she has made for her, I seem to only remember the not-so-nice things that she said or did to me. In hindsight, I have a closer relationship with my father - mostly due to sports and tasks related activities. He mostly confused my quietness with the lack of intellect - saying once to his friends that I wasn't very bright. With earshot of me, at an outing in the Santubong government quarters - I was probably 10. I had failed to solve a coin puzzle moments earlier, perhaps I have remembered it out of context or perhaps he was just embarrassed. raldine when they arrive from Penang. They will stay at our apartment, and save some money maybe eat nicer things. We cannot leave as mom is still with us, making small sacrifices for her. I often wonder what sacrifices she has made for her, I seem to only remember the not-so-nice things that she said or did to me. In hindsight, I have a closer relationship with my father - mostly due to sports and tasks related activities. He mostly confused my quietness with the lack of intellect - saying once to his friends that I wasn't very bright. With earshot of me, at an outing in the Santubong government quarters - I was probably 10. I had failed to solve a coin puzzle moments earlier, perhaps I have remembered it out of context or perhaps he was just embarrassed. 

20.2.2026 Friday -

A quiet day, I wander over to the office to tidy up and do a bit of work but was not very productive. I am very happy this week, as my ankles seem to have completely recovered. I am setting small goals; back to walking first, and gentle games of squash and pickleball. I haven't tried running but I think soon, son I'll be able to run.

Mom is still with us, there is little meaningful interaction these days - gentle reminders to wear her slippers, drink her soup; simple answers to repeated questions. Some of her questions show a serious loss of recall - asking to prepare lunch for dad, saying her mom will pick us up after lunch. Despite these seemingly simple issues, and her relatively good temperament it still takes a toll on Sam - she treats mom like her own, but the added duties of cooking for, and cleaning after mom is taxing.

19.2.2026 Thursday = office lunch and re-starting work

Sam realise that mom has 'school' today which means that we are 'free' to have an early breakfast followed by a quick shop for rice, and veg for our office lunch. She and I quietly and efficiently cooked lunch in the office for the 20-odd people who showed up; our colleagues, interns, former students and colleagues who are in town to the New Year, and feel like seeing us. I am very thankful for them, bringing a bit of laughing aloud and silliness around the punch bowl. 

18.2.2026 Wednesday - some families are still very close

 We visit the Sias (and the Jongs) they have a lion dance at their family house; Uncle and Aunty Sia have declined greatly as is expected. They are very close, the Sias and the Jongs; all high achieving in their various ways including their children - all doing well and well brought up. I compare this to my own family - and realise that I have not seen my cousins for years, and even though one of them lives just up the hill from where we are - I don't feel incline to visit. Shane on me.

17.2.2026 Tuesday - Lunar New Year

No-dig planting - bags of soil with perlite and coco-fibre on top of a foot of compost from the garden

What a strange first day of the Lunar New Year - we do nothing traditional; there is no immediate family to visit so we prepare the planter beds for Sam to plant more vegetables. Sara and Rudy, and Sean drop by to wish us Happy Lunar New Year (amah as well) and the two go off, Sean stays behind to accompany mom after I cycle to the office. I do miss my quiet moments in front of the computer with my morning cup of instant coffee. 

16.2.2026 Monday