Sunday, November 12, 2023

10th November 2023 Friday - drawing on butter paper


Today, I feel a little glum. After my behaviour last night, I'm not proud of myself. I can reassure myself by thinking that I was merely speaking my mind, but the truth is I overstepped the boundary.

Back in the office, I decide to go back to basics - I trace over floor plans and elevations for our housing project. I resist the temptation to grumble at the boys, to point the obvious things that I have noted on their drawings. Instead I will guide by drawing up the forms, the proportions, the layouts that I want, and wish to see in paper. I use butter paper, the first time in a long while and enjoy it tremendously. 

After an hour, the nagging thoughts are further away. 

Today is our last pdf group meeting and dinner. I should start writing my speech. 


Wednesday, November 8, 2023

9th November 2023 Thursday - a difficult evening


 



What was meant to be a early start to the day turns out to be a quiet morning of drawing, and talking to the young people. Sam takes me to a new TCM for my cough. He thinks it is an allergy; to all the things I like to eat - nuts, dairy, citrus fruits. He gives me a 5-day course, let's see.

I spend the afternoon designing new book shelves which I will build myself, since the carpenter is too busy. Liew has agreed to cut the members for me, I'll just assemble. 

Later that evening, I take the Doc to the sky bar after squash, I thought he's be tickled as he used to visit the place in the 80's. And he is suitably impressed, and he is rather a difficult one to win over. Willington is delightful, opening rooms to show us and explaining how they are charged etc. 

Later again, I attend the PAMSC November committee meetings and dinner, at what is definitely the worst restaurant ever; the Kapitan Nyonya. Dishes left on the side table, cooling instead of being served because the meeting is still going. They could have asked if we want to be served. 9pm closing time, but no drinks order at 845pm. It is incredibly stupid, others at the dinner are equally dense. I got upset at the stupid ones and also at the arrogant one who thinks he has done better. I will finish my duties this term; the design festival, the newsletters 10 more issues left plus a fat issue. After that, I step aside and let them take over. I'll miss these meetings and the fellowship of most of them in the committee but part of me wants to see if they can continue what I left off. 




8th November 2023 Wednesday - convocation


Tay and I go to the university this morning to see the graduating class; he is very accommodating. I dont think he shares my interest in seeing the graduating class as I did. I wanted to congratulate them and see them perhaps for one last time. Many are from out of town, and will start their lives elsewhere. 

I especially wanted to see those from out of town. We have not seen them for about two years now, since the end of their Year 2. Some have stayed in touch, I wonder about the others who have not - Joo Wei, Carol, Chong, etc. But I did meet some of the Malay boys, I love the way they salaam the elders when we meet. 

But we leave before lunch to meet with SY and SL to persuade SY to attend tomorrow's meeting to get answers for the centre carpet, ceiling, aircon; about the competition next year; about meeting the visitors from Sabah, Kalimantan. He agrees to come, good.

7th November 2023 Tuesday -


 

6th November 2023 Monday - drawing details and recording meetings in A5



 

5th November 2023 Sunday - skybar




 

4th November 2023 - collecting the last of the books

drawing out ideas for office block and lift core



Today Mimi calls and reminds us to collect the last five boxes of books from her house, Phillip must have been reading them from home; resting and trying to recuperate from his illness. Which he never did. 

Sam go on her own collect them and says that Mimi looks well, she has been busy travelling with her friend who is doing some sort of charity work. The boxes are heavy and she strained her arms carrying them. I carry them from the car into the house, they are heavy even for me. I won't open these, leave them for when the new shelves are ready.