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.

29.3.2025 Saturday - good day at work

 

6.2.2025 Thursday - a good day overall

I send out the proposal for Block 3, this has been delayed by some weeks because I have not found time to refine it. But the delay turns out to be useful; we now have a 1:20 vehicular ramp which doubles as a exercise route through the apartment complex. We also have 'landed' luxury units next to the river, which I discover is Sungai Sarawak (and not a tributary). We settled the fire fighting access and was able to have dedicated facilities block and club house. Most importantly, we developed an interesting undulating facade created by adjusting the balconies' profiles. 

We have lunch with Yale, he is keen to chat about 'what to do in the next three years' - Sam gives him sound advice 'be generous when you plan to court a woman'. 

Sean's latest plans for Toorak House is accepted by the owner and our ID scheme for the hotel was largely accepted. We have to re-do the rooms; our scheme is too soju and gin while the client was looking more for whisky and cigars.

Later that evening, squash goes well playing many games with my sore arm. It is getting better but I think tennis is still out of reach. I think Kok is starting to fall along the wayside, his fitness and mobility is the problem. I can sense that he is getting frustrated mid-way through the games - I can't help but feel a wicked twitch of satisfaction.

6.6.2024 Thursday - a quiet chat early in the morning

We were meant to meet up and have a coffee, but it kept getting postponed. So, this morning we sit down, she makes a coffee for me and herself and we talk; about work and income, about degrees and employment, about Jenny and the granny flat, about medication and the gym. 

She seems relaxed speaking openly, I did not feel that she is in a hurry. I end the conversation by reminding to eat at home more often; mom likes it, it is healthy and it saves money. Bring the boy, I tell her.

Idea for Toorak house interiors

13.3.2024 Wednesday - the betrayal

 

6.3.2024 Wednesday - 'I am glad our paths crossed'

Belinda send a text thanking us for our generosity to Sarah, I figure that it must be due to Sam's gift of some sort to Sarah who is presently in London for a short spell. 

'What have we done now?'. 'All that is good' - she replied. I tell her 'I want folks to say 'it is a good thing our paths crossed' - so we want to help however we can'.

 

2nd November 2023 Thursday - blessings

We have a 9:30 weekly briefing with our client; many projects at various stages from concepts to planning to construction. It is good to talk to him face to face; to gauge response, to ensure he has seen the drawings and understands them, and it is always good to have a chat with our clients when they have time for us. 3 of us go and we each take turns to brief him, and finally it was Sean's turn to brief him about the son's house. The son shows up and we chat about the design, the building materials, which engineer and builder to use - and finally he gets the son to sign the appointment letter for Sean. 

I think Sean appreciates that this is a good milestone for him. 

That afternoon, I go for a hit of tennis and then get ready for a dinner at the ROXY Impiana - they have invited their pastor to carry out a blessing. We finish late at the skybar drinking free whisky and chatting with new and old friends. It is a good outcome, and a good end to the day, so good that I don't feel like working tomorrow.

 

17th October 2023 Tuesday - many meetings

Toorak House - 2 failed models, one by man and the other by machine

3 of us attend the meeting for the new serviced apartment project; it is a small meeting and quite short. The building plans are about to be approved, tender drawings are at 75% and released for the preparation of tender documents. After the meeting, we visit our show unit and then a project site by another local architect with the client's representative (who was a former intern at DNA). We are all on familiar terms and he speaks frankly; about getting senior architects or directors to visit the job site, about good construction details, proper contract administration. I suggest a few practices whom he could contact for future projects. 

In the car on the way back, someone ask "why would I suggest other 'competitors' architects to the client"? We cannot take on all the work and I think it is good for the client have experience working with other architects. 

 

3rd September 2023 Sunday - alternatives considered