7.4.2025 Monday - grey Monday

We are not shortlisted for our Bagan Specialist Centre submission. We can try again next year.

She was rude, and continued to be when we speak on the phone. It seems my presence in the 'work' activities is upsetting to her. Strange, considering that I was the one who introduced the job to their company. I'll stay away, it's a small thing although I had earlier thought that this would be a good opportunity for me to see more of her.

In other news, Mark has resigned. I told Ricco my BIM plans. I told Arlene my fee share method. I told Ryan that it's ok to focus on school work now, and not to worry about office work. I will try to be kind(er) and help when it is requested.

Paddington Market. Photo by Sam 2000

13.3.2025 Thursday - Christy

Daniel from Shiangly ring up to ask about view points and sun angles for his drone photos of our hospital. His phone number registers as 'Christy Khaw' in my phone - I tell him that this was one of the admin staff at the hospital years ago. 

Daniel does a good job with the photos, the hospital looks good in the morning sun. 

 

25.2.2024 Sunday - many things to do

This is a list of defects and tasks to do by the entire team involved in the hospital expansion project; it is from 8.3.2022

Though I start the day early; tennis with Sean and a promise of the Jesuit brothers' company (they did not show up) there is a sense of running out of time. 

I did not read although I have a house full of books. I did not cook although I have a brand new kitchen. I did not sit and work instead wandering and wondering about without aim. And there is so much to do - - time to make another long list. (one for work and one for home). I have always made lists, they take ages to complete. I know now that the trick is to make short daily ones; those are easier to keep and achieve my goals. 

I read about the 5 goals a day - read 10 pages, exercise, learn a new skill (this must be a long term goal)

16th April 2023 Sunday - top down construction

 

25 March 2022 Friday Naik Tangga Turn Tangga

 

6 Jan 2022 Thursday Revisiting an old friend

 

Finally able to fly and visit the hospital site after two years, it was good to see the hospital abuzz with people going about their business - no doubt earning its worth. People were pleased to see us as well, Sukma and a couple of general workers whose names I forget - it was good timing as well because yesterday the hospital was featured in the PAMNC newsletter. 

I have decided to submit the hospital for PAM Awards this year, we will need to take more photos - of the hospital at work, people and spaces.

Still hard at work after dinner, I finished Teck's hotel for what it's worth, to send it tomorrow morning before we get busy again with the Tapak Lapangan. I am looking forward to looking with Teck as we are with HJ in the Alor Setar project, and even happier when his guys told us that he has absolute authority over the design, :-)

we plan to open up the middle section of the building to create an 'outdoor dining terrace'

30.11.17 Second Trimester

I worried about many things this year.

Some were within my control. Some were not. But all of these events affected our work, and the way we do our work. Often times, I have had to suck it up and face the music as leaders often do. And now that it seems like the worse is behind us, one thing stands out. People have been kind, some have stood quietly (and resolutely) by my side. Others picked up the pieces, and tidied the house. Sam said some of the young ones in the office love me, perhaps like a father figure.

And that's a reassuring thought. 

16.11.17 Managing people

At our last site meeting, I turned to my client and asked, 'do you know what's the hardest thing about managing a project?'

'The client?' she hazarded a guess.

She is partially correct, it's the people. Managing people who often have different mindsets and objectives, made more difficult when their objectives are not apparent.

People who point out problems, but do not offer a solution (even when they have one). Choosing instead to be smug about it, or defer the decision to someone else because they fear accountability.

I turn 53 in two days, I have no time for this small mindedness.

Bagan