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!

I am now officially baduy.

Dodong and I do not celebrate Valentine's Day at all. Almost same time last year, I did a post on how we almost celebrated the big V-Day in the past. It just so happened that he was leaving for the desert.

BUT this year, I guess I just needed a very good pick me up after tiring and emotionally draining weeks at work. I've opened up my heart and let Cupid's arrow pierce right through it. I've been bitten by the Valentine bug! Waaaaah!

Here are the Top 3 Things I've done as a LDR Valentine's Treat…

LDR Valentine Treat #1: Go out on an Alone Date

I can have these cupcakes all to hungry self

It just so happens that it's Valentine's weekend. And I promised myself I am giving myself a well-deserved break. I'm thinking of what I can do alone:

Maybe watch a movie. Is there anything good in the movie houses this weekend? Or maybe eat a fabulous comforting dinner. Any new restaurant suggestions? Or maybe try to eat healthy for a weekend?

I'm actually thinking of maybe dropping by Mercato Centrale again this weekend. Whatchathink?

LDR Valentine Treat #2: Share V-Day Ideas with other couples!

I got a call from a friend, who was preparing for his first ever Valentine's date with his wife. (They just got married recently. Check out their SDE video here!) I had some ideas up my sleeve and was willing to share…kahit na alam ko na major, major late. But it's still sweet that a guy wants to make a girl's V-Day extra special

I learned that it's actually fun to cook up some sweet romantic ideas with friends who are equally in love! Accccckkkkk!!!! So cheeezy! *shiver*

The last thing is the ultimate proof that I've given in to the Valentine's celebration…

LDR Valentine Treat #3: Buy Dodong a Valentine's gift

Thanks to David & Goliath Holy Mother of Sales!

I was doing some retail therapy (Thanks to a GC I won at work) and saw this adorable shirt that was sooooooo Dodong. Thank God it was on Sale! Hahahaha! I know it's supposed to be a surprise, but I so had to show this to Dodong. This is my way of thanking him for bringing home the bacon from the desert for almost 3 years. I'm so excited to give you my gift! SOON! I love you so much!

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

I wish not only peace but a moment of rest for OFWs around the world

This holiday season has been the pits. My lola passed away, then work has been crazy busy (catching up for my bereavement leaves plus more stuff in preparation for next year. It's a ghost town here and everyone is on leave!!!!). Now, Dodong and I have been competing on who has the more miserable holiday.

Guess who has a more miserable Christmas between the two of us? Dodong OF COURSE! Just like many OFWs out there…

He is a Catholic in a Muslim country.

Despite Dubai's riding the wave of westernization (apparently Dubai's hotels have towering Christmas trees in their grand lobbies), it still is a Muslim country. So there are no Christmas Holidays over there. No special non-working holidays. Boo. Therefore, point number two…

He will be working on ALL holidays.

I thought I was in the dumps because I had to work during this holiday season. But at least, I still have non-working holidays tomorrow, the 27th and the 31st. Dodong has none at all!

This I must say is one of the most admirable things about our OFWs. They so really work their asses off for the betterment of the lives of the loved ones back home. So THANK YOU!

He is away from HOME.

Like many OFWs (especially those who did not get the opportunity to come home), he is away from all family and friends. Sure he has friends there, but I guess it is not the same at all. Though I am "alone", I am surrounded by family and friends!

Plus I still get to enjoy all the comforts and familiarities of home. Iba talaga ang Pinoy Christmas, which includes stuff like the hamon (pork is hard to find in the UAE!), puto bumbong, bibingka, simbang gabi, etc.

I think it is a bit of a psychological torture for OFWs during this holiday season. I salute them really because of all the sacrifices they've made for us, family and loved ones. We are most grateful and I hope that this would lessen the misery in this Christmas season.

Smile! We love you!

Have a Merry Christmas everyone! Wherever in the world you are!4

The reason behind the BETTER photos

I've been enjoying Dodong's birthday (and Christmas) gift for the past few days. If you've noticed, I've been posting better photos right?

No more teasers as to what camera I am using given the photo above. Dodong's been real sweet and thoughtful as he knows very well that I've been lusting over the Panasonic Lumix LX3 for the longest time!

I've thought of getting a DSLR before but it's just too bulky for me, especially that I commute. The Lumix LX3's size is handy enough plus packed with almost DSLR features! You can even attach different lenses to the LX3! The macro lens is my next project Could anybody give this to me as a post birthday gift perhaps? Hihihi!

Oh, I still have not baptized him with a name. Any suggestions?

Thanks Dodong for the Panasonic Lumix LX3! I love you!

Love the distance,

Inday I. Nagintay

It would have started with this (sans the bacon)

It's the second birthday I've had away from Dodong. In 2008, he surprised me by coming home. While in 2009, we spend it apart. This year, obviously, Dodong is far away and the sad thing about it that he was 6 days shy from my actual birthday. Boohoo. Yes I cried about this yesterday.

I spent my evening wondering of what could have happened on my birthday if Dodong were actually here…

As mentioned, it would have started with a nice hearty hotel buffet breakfast. Whoa! Whatta mouthful that is! Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day He would have woken up extra early to make my day start on the right foot…or right appetite

Then we would most probably head on to church for mass to thank the Good Lord for ALL the blessings in showered in the last twenty-something years of my life. Okay, I am actually quite shy to say my real age. Hehehe!

After Thanksgiving Birthday Mass, you would have dropped me off work with the ever gwapo Sharkface to enjoy a fun filled day of back-to-back-to-back meetings. Nothing far from the usual working day. It's work yah know.

He would also have picked me up after work (even if it were in Makati, which he absolutely abhors going to) for a special dinner. Hmmm I would guess he would treat me at this particular steakhouse where he said he'd love to wine and dine me. Hehehe!

He'd then bring me home safe and sound after stuffing ourselves silly as usual perhaps with a nice glass of wine (para mature). Then a nice, warm, tight and looooooooong bear hug and a sweet kiss would be a perfect way to cap off my birthday with Dodong…

But Dodong ain't here. He's there in a land far, far, far away; while I am here. A girl can still dream right?

Happy twenty-something birthday to me! Sigh.

Love the distance,

Inday I. Nagintay

P.S. Does it sound like an ordinary date day? Well, I'm not much of a material gift kinda gal. I'd rather have more quality time versus a gift gift. Though Dodong did give me something special I am still grateful for that.

Dodong and I are sooooo busy lang with our respective careers (plus I dealt with and still dealing with sickness), hence the very quiet LDR birthday…But I would say that having a quiet LDR birthday doesn't mean it is any less special.

Happy Xth birthday my dearest Dodong!

Why Xth? It means we are getting more mature since we do not want to reveal the age anymore. Hehe!

Love the distance,

Inday I. Nagintay

P.S. In a few weeks though, we'd be able to celebrate all the more quiet occasions in style! Woohoo! Looking forward to that!

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