Photo taken by Thomas Hawk

It just dawned on me that today is our 3rd LDR anniversary. Time flies sooooooo fast! I can't keep up! Waaaaah!

I am super duper happy. Imagine that 1/3 of our entire 8++ years relationship was spent apart? WHOA. I know! I can’t help but feel grateful. Of course, who wouldn’t be? I am happy, yes. But still, there are a number of things I wish for us…

1^st wish:  A faster, more stable Internet connection

I start with something simple. Seemingly simple. The Internet is surely the lifeline of LDRs around the world. Kaso kamote naman kasi ang Internet dito sa Pilipinas.

Yes, we get to chat, but the slowness of the connection could not allow us to see each other on the web via webcam. I could always apply for a new Internet line, BUT unfortunately, what we have here in the boondocks is already the best…at least, for now. Sheesh.

2^nd wish: a FREE trip to Dubai with pocket money

I've been to Dubai once on a company trip, but Dodong was still not based there…

So for the past 3 years, I've been itching to go there and get to see what he's up to, up close and personal. But did you know that a roundtrip ticket to Dubai from Manila costs a fortune??? It’s around USD 1,000!!! Of course, I still have to pay for my tourist visa plus pocket money. What is a trip without money right? Hay. I can’t seem to save up for it just yet. But donors or sponsors are surely welcome.

3rd wish: This will be the LAST LDR anniversary. Ever.

I seem to be all fine and dandy being in a LDR. But just like any normal girl in a long distance relationship, my wish is to be with him physically. Like within the same time zone and preferably within arm's distance apart. I know I promised to prove to the universe that LDRs do work, but can this be our last LDR year already? Please, please, please, pleeeeeeaaaasssseeeeeeeeeee!!!

Sana talaga merong LDR genie na makakapag-grant ng wishes ko. 3 lang naman ah. Hehehe! Despite of and in spite of, I am truly grateful for the strength, courage and love this experience has given us.

Happy 3^rd LDR (a.k.a. Desert) Anniversary to Us!

Reminiscing with a hot cuppa tea

It's June 16 today! And it's a doubly special day for me because it's Loving the Distance blog's 1st ever anniversary AND it's our 8th anniversary as a couple. I take this time to reminisce on the good year that was…

The  VERY FIRST TIME I received flowers

On this very same day last year (2009), Dodong surprised me with 7-Dozen Yellow Gerberas on our anniversary It was the first time I've ever received flowers in our then 7-year relationship. I remember him in his video message (yes, ala ASAP ito!) that the 7-dozen flowers represented each month of our relationship. How sweet!

Our Pagudpud Roadtrip

After 8-months of separation (It was the looooongeeeeesssst ever!), Dodong came home and we took off to the northern-most tip of Luzon, Pagudpud, for a much needed homecoming date. It was also the first time we took Dodong's super gwapo car, Sharkface, on a joy ride…a 13-hour one. Oh 26-hour road trip considering it was a roundtrip. Hehehe.

Our Impromptu Photo-Opp at the Bangui Windmills

On the way back to Manila, we just had to pass by Bangui Windmills. The very reason we went on the looooong road trip. It was such a blast taking photos of each other, whether day-off mode (i.e. solo pic) or the two of use together. Oh we also just had to take photos of Sharkface too!

The time I lost 8-lbs for Dodong's Birthday

I had no idea of what to give Dodong for his birthday then. So I decided to take on the challenge of losing weight for him (a much coveted dream of his). I was super successful and I'd like to think that made him very happy Hihihi!

How Dodong continues to show his soft side (heart flutter!)

Long distance relationships make people miss each other like CRAZY. So duh. I just super love reminiscing about how Dodong misses me like WILD! Hehehe!

Sigh. Just thinking about that made me sad again. This is our 3rd anniversary apart But still Happy Anniversary to Us: myself, Dodong and Loving the Distance blog! More years of happiness, romance and love

Love the Distance,

Inday I. Nagintay

P.S. Watch out for the Loving the Distance Anniversary contest winner tomorrow

8 Is The Loneliest Number

Originally uploaded by Argyle Assassin

This coming June 16 is Loving the Distance's 1st Blog Anniversary. Yey! And I would like to share the overwhelming love and blessings I have in my life right now, despite being in a long distance relationship.

And so, my dear readers (who ever in the world you are), I am giving away Skin Food beauty products (so that you're pretty all the time) and a little long distance relationship surprise to the one (only one) who can answer these two questions correctly on or before June 16:
1. How many years have Dodong and I been in a long distance relationship?
2. On June 16, how many years have Dodong and I been officially together? I think I have given a clue already

Easy right? If there are many of you who get the answer correct, I think I'd have to raffle them prizes off

Thank you so much for the support! Remember, add your comment (a.k.a answer) on or before June 16.

I will be announcing the winner by June 17

Love the distance,
Inday I. Nagintay

Loving the Distance moves up!

In exactly 9 days (tama ba ang bilang ko?), Loving the Distance turns ONE YEAR OLD! Imagine that! It's been a year of celebrating the romance, nurturing the love and defying the distance

But wait there's more…

In addition to that, Dodong and I will be celebrating our 8th year anniversary HUWAW! So cool right?

I will also be then having a blog contest for the Loving the Distance readers out there (whoever and wherever you are!) as part of my thanksgiving for the great year that has past So watch out!

Aren't you super excited?

Love the distance,

Inday I. Nagintay

It's been sweet

I was supposed to post last Tuesday but unfortunately (for some reason) the blog was down But now it's back, I just wanted to share another milestone in our relationship: Dodong's Desert anniversary…his 2nd!

I can't believe it's been two years since he left for greener pastures in the desert. How ironic right? Green in the desert? Hehe.

I was actually thinking of celebrating his desert anniversary. Do you think I could celebrate? We've been through a lot in the 2 years apart and I must say despite the challenges, it's really been sweet

Congrats my love! We've survived!

Love the distance,

Inday I. Nagintay

I then went to work expecting the usual work day. Rode to work with my "K" carpool mate, long-time community friend and officemate. Read and replied to emails. Nothing special. But I was dead wrong. It was one of the MOST SPECIAL days of my coupled life…

1st Suprise: Chicharong Brownies

While I was going about work that morning, "K" lugging her laptop came to me in my area saying "Huy may ipapakinig ako syo…" Of course, I said "Go" thinking that it was a music peg she needed for one of the presentations.

Lo and behold, it was not a song but a video of Dodong!!! OMG! I was so touched I cried…on my desk.

If you must know, Dodong is not at all a thoughtful nor a creative gift giver. He would always ask me: "What do you want?" So I was surprised!!!!

It was his video greeting for me. He said he remembered me telling him a story of how I loved chicharong bulaklak when I was young and actually consumed half a kilo of it!  I asked my dad to buy me half-a-kilo of chicharon bulaklak to be my reward if I won my swimming competition. I obviously won since I ate the whole half kilo! Hehehe.

So he was giving me 7-pouches of chicharong bulaklak to represent each of the 7 years together. And yes, he says have mercy on my heart's cholesterol so I have to share the chicharon. Hehehe!

Unfortunately, "K" wasn't able to find chicharon bulaklak that would keep fresh that morning. So she instead bought a box of brownies from Goldilock's. Which are so moist and yummy by the way! In fairness!

Ang chicharong bulaklak na naging brownies!

2nd surprise: My FIRST EVER flowers from Dodong

And so I continued working working working…Honestly I tried working since I was just so high from the morning's suprise. Little did I know that a phone call would give me another surprise!

Our receptionist called me to say "Ms. Inday you have flowers from Ms. Dodong." I said "HUH?!? Flowers? Sigurado kang ako yan?" I put down the phone and went out to the office lobby.

Lo and behold, it was not just one bouquet of flowers, but SEVEN yes SEVEN bouquets of Yellow Gerberas!!!

I have been shamelessly plugging to Dodong that these were my favorite flowers in the hope that one day, someday he would give me flowers.His retort would always be: "Bakit makakain mo ba ang flowers?!?" which, obviously, silences the usually madaldal me. Hehehe!

Along with the SEVEN bouquets of flowers came another round of video messages c/o "K".  He said in the video that he sent 7-dozen Yellow Gerberas to symbolize our 7-years together. 12 months in a year equals a dozen flowers. So 7-dozen flowers equals 7-years And I thought that Dodong was not at all thoughtful and creative at gift giving huh?

Bouquet #1

Bouquet #2

Bouquet #3

Bouquet #4

Bouquet #5

Bouquet #6

Bouquet #7

Until press time, I still am in a state of disbelief that this actually happened. I am beyond pleasantly surprised. I was so giddy happy kilig that I could not function efficiently at work. Sowee! I was just in Cloud-9…SIGH.

1,2,3,4,5,6...7!!!

See what wonders being away can do? It really does push the envelope in gift giving! It did wonders for me. Imagine, the FIRST TIME in seven years!!!

How about you: What is the best surprise given to you by your better half on your long distance anniversary?

Love the distance,

Inday I. Nagintay

P.S. It was also the first time that Dodong has upstaged me in creative gift giving. hehehe! I know I'm a bit competitive. My gift was a photo compilation / album of the text messages he sent me. It reached about a 100+ text messages.