And then there is ME... Megan Yip

My Life... from the beginning

Thursday, April 30, 2009

Reflections

Today I read an article in the paper about family values and the author used this song as an example:





My child arrived just the other day
He came to the world in the usual way
But there were planes to catch, and bills to pay
He learned to walk while I was away
And he was talking before I knew it and as he grew
He said, "I’m gonna be like you, Dad,
You know I’m gonna be like you"

And the cats in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man in the moon
When you comin home, dad, I don’t know when,
But we'll get together then, Son,
You know we'll have a good time then.

My son turned ten just the other day
He said "Thanks for the ball, Dad, come on lets play
can you teach me to throw?" I said, "Not today,
I got a lot to do" He said "Thats okay"
And then he walked away but his smile never dimmed
And said "I’m gonna be like him, yeah
You know I’m going to be like him"

And the cats in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
When you comin home, dad, I dont know when,
But we'll get together then, Son,
You know we'll have a good time then.

Well he came from college just the other day
So much like a man I just had to say,
"Son, I’m proud of you, can you sit for a while?"
He shook his head, and he said with a smile

"What I'd really like, Dad, is to borrow the car keys
See you later, can I have them please?"

And the cats in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
When you comin home, Son, I dont know when,
But we'll get together then, Dad,
You know we'll have a good time then.

I’ve long since retired, my son's moved away
I called him up just the other day........
I said "I'd like to see you if you don’t mind"
He said "I'd love to Dad, if I could find the time.
You see my new jobs a hassle, and the kids have the flu.
But It's sure nice talking to you, Dad,
It's been sure nice talking to you........"
And as I hung up the phone it occurred to me
He'd grown up just like me,
My boy was just like me..............


And the cats in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
When you comin home, Son, I dont know when,
But we'll get together then, Dad
We're gonna have a good time then



This song has always been a favorite of mine.

When I was younger, it was just a catchy tune.

When I was a teenager, I thought its an ending befitting a parent who was never around. Hey, what goes around, comes around right?

Now that I'm a working mother, I realise that the balancing act is a delicate thing. How do we ensure that the scales do not tip at either end? Is that even possible? Working, parenting, housework and then what about ourselves? Our friends?

So many times I caught myself doing the same thing as the Dad.

"Mummy, come color with Megan"

"Later, Mummy's busy."

"Nowwwwwwww Mummy!"

"I'm not freeee!"

I am scared of missing any part of my child's development. Everytime I stop to look, she seems different. But there are so many aspects of our lives to look into.

I feel bad when I leave the office early while my colleague are still slogging away at their desk.

It's frustrating when the pile of housework seems to hover gloomingly around you.

It's sad when I'm unable to catch up with friends who have grew up with me, shared the sorrows and tears and joys of the years that have gone by.

Then what about ourselves? Do we even factor into this equation?

Where is the balancing point? I always read about super careerwomen who say they balance their family life and their work very well. How is it possible? Or is my defination of "very well" different from theirs?

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Washington - State Capitol

All formally dressed, some more than others... :)





"Where oh where are my biscuits?"


Found it!










































































Cheeky pair




















They just love making wierd faces.




Hmmm.... can tell i'm bored? More history than I ever wanna know.








Grouchy grouchy...







Lucky I have my fats, so I can spare my coat for Megan. Hee hee hee.











Megan wanted to go chase the flock of birds but the bus was waiting... heng ah.

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Washington - Monuments and Memorials

Today is a very busy day. We are going to visit the many many monuments and memorials in Washington. Eh... how to cover all in a day?



Anyway, off we go...


First stop - Korean War Veterans Memorial









Next, Lincoln Memorial.
This memorial is a tribute to President Abraham Lincoln.

That's the Reflecting Pool at the memorial. That tall tower right at the end is the Washington Monument. Its the tallest structure in Washington and took almost 40 years to complete.




"I HAVE A DREAM" - The famous quote by Martin Luther King.


The Lincoln Memorial Statue

Eh... I'm missing. Coz I have to rush to peeeee. A luxury when you are dragging a toddler in the open.
On the way to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

Megan with Auntie Sofia. She's spoilt to bits by Auntie Sofia, who always has a treat for her.


A close up of the wall where the names of those who were killed or missing are inscribed on it.

Look at the length of the wall. 58 thousands over names. I can't even begin to imagine the pain. How I wish Megan was old enough to appreciate what she was looking at.


Megan was delighted to find the many many squirrels running around the grounds. She tried to catch one of these to bring home and instructed Papa to catch! Neither succeeded. Hee hee.
We moved on to the World War II Memorial.






4000 stars decorated the wall. Each star represent 100 person who died in the war.


D-Day, June 6 1944. The first day of the Invasion of Normandy.


Pearl Harbour. Need I say more?
Moving on to Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial.



Sigh..... Miss out all the nice pictures of the statues and waterfalls coz hubby's turn to take a piss and he took the camera with him! Darn. This place is like a park and is made to be wheelchair accessible as a tribute to FDR who had polio and sat in a wheelchair.

Now we are walking to the Jefferson Memorial, taking the route on Tidal Basin. Cherry Blossoms surrounds here and is donated by Japan. We didn't get to see the beauty coz its winter.



The Washington Monument from the Tidal Basin.

That's the Jefferson Memorial. Impressive yah?


Almost there.

Reached! Now I just have to conquer the steps up.

Ah... what's the hubby for huh? Lugging a stroller up the steps lah.

Erm. I know my photography sucks. Anyway, that black statue there is the Thomas Jefferson statue. Its bronze and in the shade! Of course turn out black lah. Kekeke.


Megan taking a break. Although why, I dunno. Coz she was in a stroller for most of the journey.
That's the last of the monuments and memorials today. Next will be the Holocaust Memorial Museum. Quite a depressing day huh?

Taking a lunch break before the Holocaust Museum. We weren't allowed to take pictures there. But the pictures and displaying were thought evoking. Even though it was before my time, it is still depressing to view the horrors of it. Do visit if you are in Washington.

Stretching her feet happily after the National Archives.




Got model potential bo?


U see the shadows? Can imagine the number of cameras pointing at her? She's really lucky to have met all the loving aunties and uncles on this trip.