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.

5.5.2025 Wednesday - free lunch

This person popped out of the blue with a text. I recall that she was very well organised and good to work with when we published in AM. But she tells me that she has left MEMO, and is now free lancing. I ask if we can think of a way to work together, and I share the BA.J website info with her. I can't recall if we have met in person, but from the texts she seems like a warm and genuine person. 

4.2.2025 Tuesday - coming down with something

It is always good to chat with PH and Freddie, because they are 'off-site' we catch up to update each other on the latest updates and things to do, and who to do them. This morning, I am a little late because I spend an hour catching up with Yale; talking about future plans, to return to work with dad or be his own man. I tell him that the main deciding factor is his own woman, and wherever he might find her. Yale agrees. I have time for him, we talk about how we practice as a firm, it seems that folks outside are curious. They wonder how I deal with working with Sean (I don't, Freddie deals with Sean) and how we deal with money (very openly, folks get a fee share) and how we deal with people, they seem to stay with us for the long term (Sam plays a big role). 

Freddie and I plan the week, see Teck next Thursday, meet our own ppl this Thursday to finalise the planning set for Springvale, we sort out Au's chalets, Ricco to update for next week. I mention that we want to do the Sime Darby one, and will use Melvin with PH's help. All ticking along nicely.

I ring PH and wonder aloud why AS is being such as ASS - all of the above says PH; AS wants me to deal with his problems with buyers instead of settling them himself, and is being a little helpless when ppl confront him. We also talk about BLOCK 3, he prefers the 'quieter' facade treatment - I bring it to the team who voted for the flamboyant one. I ll proceed to finish this by Wednesday and send off. 

I am coming down with something; feeling a little cold and sniffly. Squash still hampered a bit by sore forearm/elbow. Luckily legs are able to make up for it, Kok, Samuel, Daphne, Catherine.
 

3.2.2025 Monday - first day back at work, and a hot breakfast for everyone

 ..and ang-pows as well. Followed by our Monday morning meeting, our numbers grown due to Milan (first day) and Ryan (back from Uni) together with Clarissa and Roosh, and Ricco. George and PH zoom-ed in from KL - all is well. 

Later in the morning, I meet with Leon Lo who used to work with Freddo -  we chat in the office, (and discover that he is class-mates with Calvin), and continue downstairs over coffee.  He is 28 but with dreams about making an impact later in life, about leaving a legacy and such a polite and sincere young person. I would like to keep in touch with him. Lunch time, I catch up with Andy Wong who visits from Brisbane via Prague and Germany, Grace and Alvin join him for lunch. It is always good to speak to Grace, her sly sense of humour and pretty smile. She compliments me for my improved Mandarin (it has been 15 years!) - 'you used to reply in English or Hokkien even though I spoke to you in Mandarin, now we can have short conversations completely in Mandarin'. A highlight of my day.

After this breakfast, we decided that we will take turns and cook breakfast for each other on the first Monday of each month.

Another highlight of the day - Tabuan Desa is revived! as a residential development - another project to work on. We prepare a proposal several months ago - now Melvin will take over with Ricco to assist.

2.2.2025 Sunday - mom's the word

All quiet amid the tension. Mom has been staying with us since Ni's family vacation - it seems like life as usual but there are many differences. We can't go out for an early Sunday breakfast after my long run, we sleep with our bedroom door open in case mom calls out, Sam has to deal with her ablutions and prepare her meals, and answer her many questions, and take her instructions (something Mom developed this stay-over)*.

I work in the office, all quiet except for the cat. And later, news that Ee Pang's second daughter did away with herself and her 3-month old baby. They suspect post-partum blues. One must not judge but looking at a recent photo of Pang's family - he looks lost and distracted, a little pudgy and ill at ease as though life caught up with him and passed him by. 

My forearm is not 100 % but squash is a good release after a day at work.

1.2.2025 Saturday 2025

This year as usual, we host a breakfast for the office folks and at the same time time invite friends over for food and drinks. Sam baked her now-famous focaccia and I cook my version of Shatsuka which went down a treat. 

Highlights are visits from Yvonne from Singapore, and Vivian, and Louis (both of them) and also Rachel whom we see in the photo (Bubbles preparing the bubbly). As much as I enjoy seeing friends or former colleagues who fly in and visit, I wonder how much longer this would last. I sense that they are already drifting away; into new lives, and new careers and although I am happy for them, I am also sad. It is still good that our lives are better because our paths crossed along the journey.

 

31.1.2025 Friday - new shelves to build

We decide to build these out of plywood, for easier assembly. 12mm thick instead of 19mm since they are only short lengths