Photo by Em Somera

My head AND heart have been in the clouds for the past few days. The lingering feel of fingers intertwined with mine. The warmth of his tight bear hugs. That mischievous smile coupled with his playful snicker. These memories paste a smile on my face and send me shivers down my spine at least once every 30 minutes. At least once! Sometimes twice. Sometimes thrice. Or even more…

I AM THIS EXCITED. Our LDR dream is coming true in the next 9 days. 9 days to go!

He is finally coming home after more than 7-months of being away. The longest EVER in our 3-year long distance relationship. So I am really just EXCITED to see him again. Sigh.  I've been living in my daydreams and night dreams with Dodong, replaying memories with him. These really help me get up in the morning, even if the weather is just too good for staying in bed.

Each day, I wake up more ALIVE and with PURPOSE, comforted by the fact that in 9 days, Dodong and I will be together. Sigh.

Sinabi ko na ba na excited ako? SOOOOBRAAAAAA!!!!

To woo or not to woo? That is the question. (Photo c/o History.org)

Last Friday night on the bus after another tiring work week, I found myself staring into space. But as passengers were filling in the aisle, I couldn't help but notice a young lady holding on to a single long stemmed red rose. By her side was a young man, carrying  around 5 more long stemmed red roses and what seemed to be a rolled up tarpaulin banner. So I deduced that the young man was wooing the young lady.

And indeed he was. So I continued to observe them trying not to look so obvious…

He then asked the girl: "Could you help me get something in my backpack? I can't reach it. It's somewhere behind a folder there…" The girl brings out package in brown paper, looks at it in puzzlement then slowly smiles. It was another gift. The young man proudly says: "I put it there because didn't want it to get any creases. I made it myself. Look inside for the note I wrote for you. " He grins goofily.

Smooth move boy, I smiled quietly in my seat. Young love, sweet love. Courtship. True love? Maybe. Maybe not.

I must say that Dodong never pulled off those smooth moves with me. Never ever. He never wooed me with long stemmed roses and little surprises like the young man did. He never put his best foot forward like traditional courtship would dictate. In fact, he put his WORST  foot forward in the 1st 2 years of our relationship.

Did I wish he wooed me like the young man did? Looking back in the more than 8 years we've been together, not really. I am perfectly happy how we started, even if it was the worst of times, and how we ended up to be now. It is true love. Despite of and in spite of his worst foot forward, I learned to accept and embrace all of those because that is him. Besides he still has his best foot even if it came in a little later

Will I ever be satisfied with holding my own hand?

I miss Dodong terribly. Every single day. I'm pretty sure he misses me too. But have you ever wondered how much time does it take for us to be on the brink of crazy missing each other?

After almost 3-years of being in a LDR, we've pretty much calculated the average duration of how long does it take to REALLY miss each other after getting to see each other physically. 1-month is obviously too soon. 2-months a bit too soon as well.

For us, it's 4-months. That's our Missing You Threshold. It's after 4-solid months of not seeing each other that we start to just lose it. I'm sure you've read about the 5 Telltale signs that Dodong misses me and Dodong transformed into a totally different person: from bitter to saccharine. So after 4-months, expect your sanity to go downhill from there.

I'm just really glad and super duper blessed that even if we both get the Missing You crazies after the 4-month threshold, we still are there for each other through and through…

It seems like I'm a lone soldier this Christmas

This, I think, is the very question that is the core of the story of us girls in long distance relationships: Does he miss me???!!!???  How many times do you find yourself asking this very question?

Despite of and in spite of all the happenings (or non-happenings) in my life, I still manage to think about this question at least once a day…

Hmmm…maybe not just once a day, but even twice or thrice. I just can't help but wonder: Does he miss me at all?

We've been in a long distance relationship for almost 3-years now and I find myself missing him every single day. Dodong says he misses me too. But…

Sometimes I feel that he does. Sometimes I feel that he doesn't. Maybe he does, but he just A) tries to steer clear of such girly emotions and moves along in his challenging OFW life or B) fails to express it the way I need him to.

Guys (like Dodong) can be seemingly oblivious to all these mushy feelings of missing each other and it is such a MAJOR PAIN in the ass. This happens often and is one of the the causes of long distance relationship squabbles. Sad right? You end up fighting because you just miss each other so much. Oh the irony of it all.

Sucks to be us, most especially in this holiday season of getting together. This is perhaps the loneliest and most miserable season for me (because we – Dodong and I – don't celebrate Valentine's at all). So can I still say that I love the distance this time around? Maybe not this time. I am still thinking (bordering on going cuckoo) if he does miss me at all…

Raj (the kitty) and Kimmy (the dog) sleeping side-by-side in peace.

The pnuemonia kept me stuck in the house resting (mostly watching TV and movies plus reading books) for the past weeks. So it also gave me time to think, think and think some more.

Our pets (a few dogs and cats) were the ones who kept me company aside from the telly and my laptop and some books. They kept following me around the house, snuggling for warmth on the bed while I had my afternoon siestas, and fooling around with each other. Yes, the dogs and cats live in harmony.

It kind of reminded me of our relationship because Dodong and I are almost complete opposites. Let me count the ways…

Dodong wakes up late (very late), while I like waking up bright and early. I'm up as soon as the sunlight hits my face.

Dodong, aside from the fact that he wakes up late, is obviously always late for his appointments, while I am the early bird. I come in at least 5-10 minutes earlier than the set appointment times.

Dodong doesn't eat breakfast (he'd rather have lunch or dinner), while I LLLLLLOOOOOOOOVEEEEE breakfast to death. I even had a breakfast buffet on one of my birthdays years back. It was torture for Dodong.

Dodong is just not into Tagalog movies, while I just adore watching them especially romantic comedies. He claims not to watch them, but did because I dragged him into them. Hehehe! Tagalog movies are fun!

Dodong is so not thoughtful and sweet, while I am just saccharine! Well, or so I thought he wasn't sweet until he sent me 7 bouquets of my favorite flower. Hehehe!

Dodong is more for the quantity of food, while I don't mind small servings yet quality food with an expensive price tag. He's food mantra is 3M: mura (inexpensive), masarap (yummy) and madami (voluminous). Cute noh?

Dodong absolutely hates schedules as he is more spontaneous, while I do live by the schedule. I'm a planner, you see, by nature AND by profession.

Dodong loves to shop (as in retail therapy mode), while I don't enjoy it as much because I'd rather eat or save. Would you believe? Hehehe! I sometimes think he's the girly girl in the relationship.

Despite the differences, Dodong and I managed to survive in peace. At least most of the time. Hehehe! It's been 8 years and counting!

Are you guys opposites or more the same?

Love the distance,

Inday I. Nagintay

This weather has not been good to me

I've been a delinquent blogger last week and was not able to share anything with you guys as I have been out of commission (well, I still am…sadly). I am in dire need of some kisspirin and yakapsul because of the damn pneumonia. Oh, I am not allow kisspirin because I might infect somebody else (?).

Now, I am pretty much stuck with these for the rest of the week…

An apple and meds a day keeps the bacteria away

An apple and medicines for breakfast. Sadness. Today, I have nobody to take care of me since everybody else has school and work. I really do need a dose of kisspirin and yakapsul from Dodong right now. Huhuhu. Don't you think that would make me feel all better?

Okay back to really resting now…even just one blogpost makes me feel awfully tired.

Love the distance,

Inday I. Nagintay

I'm a wreck on rainy days

My incessant cough (which only appears during the rainy season) is killing me. Plus, the cool weather, perfect for cuddles and snuggles is DOUBLE KILLING ME! This is THE weather for sharing the body warmth with Dodong: Bear hugs and kissies! Hay. And I don't get any of that. Darn.

What do I miss about us during days like this?

…Eating a bowl (or two or three!) of steaming hot Mongolian BBQ at Sweet I.

…Sharing a nice tight hug while watching the Summer (US season) movies — Could have watched Inception (which I haven't watched just yet), Karate Kid, Toy Story 3 with him.

…Standing under a big golf umbrella in the rain An excuse to stay super close to each other in public! Hahaha!

…Going to Starbucks / McDo Cafe / Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf for a cuppa hot drink: sometimes hot choco, sometimes coffee, sometimes tea

…Taking care of each other when one gets the sniffles or fever or cough like now

…Picking me up after a long day at work! My knight in shining armor to save the helpless commuter on a rainy day!

Haaaay. I miss Dodong so during rainy days What do you miss about him the most on days like this?

Love the distance,

Inday I. Nagintay

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

I think I forgot what No. my university grad was...

Last night, I attended my brother's college graduation. We actually attended the same university so it was a treat for me (aside from the fact that he finally graduates) as I suddenly took myself through a walk down memory lane.

Because almost exactly six years ago, Dodong attended my college graduation…

It was one of the most memorable moments for me then. Dodong was working in a call center during graveyard shift and he could not promise he would be attending my graduation. I was a bit sad but I kept myself sane by agreeing that it was a reasonable excuse: If Dodong attended my graduation, he would not be able to get himself to work.

And so my family and I all trooped to PICC for the graduation. I fell in line together with the hundreds of other graduates, while my parents and siblings (including the brother who graduated) took their seats in the audience. I was happy but not completely happy since Dodong was not there to witness a milestone in my life. Or so I thought…

An hour into the graduation rites, I received a text message from Dodong saying that our university graduation made him feel as if he were at Hogwarts and he was seated at the back of the auditorium.

So does it really feel like Hogwarts?!?

My head went spinning in a frenzy, trying to scan the audience for Dodong. I was not able to spot him but the fact that he was physically there made my heart skip a beat. He decided to go to my graduation and join us for the dinner celebration even if he still had work after Thanks to another good friend (whose ex-girlfriend was also graduating), Dodong was able to hitch a ride from the home all the way to PICC.

That text message really made my graduation extra special. Physical presence does mean a LOT right?

Just imagining that he was going down these steps to meet me in my graduation garb made me miss Dodong more…

Dodong went down these stairs too...

Okay wait, I need to shift my mood. I am truly happy that bro graduated on time Hehehe! Three down and three more siblings to go!

Congratulations to all graduates of 2010! School ends and the working life begins

Love the distance,

Inday I. Nagintay

P.S. I'd like to get to know you better so hope you could answer a quick survey here.

P.P.S. Congrats again bro!

...especially during weekends like this

This weekend has been the one of the slowest I’ve ever had in months. Since Dodong is away (most of the time), I do make it a point to keep myself busy. But this weekend, it seems like everybody else has their own plans.

So here I am fantasizing of what we could have done over the weekend if he were only here…

If Dodong were here, we would have eaten in one of our usual food haunts.

If Dodong were here, we would have had a Chuck / Big Bang Theory DVD marathon.

If Dodong were here, we would have watched the mesmerizing Manila sunset.

If Dodong were here, we would have shared a couple of bottles of beer.

If Dodong were here, we would have gone to beach for the last weekend of summer.

If Dodong were here, we would have been big kids enjoying Shrek Ever After.

If Dodong were here, we would have been sharing a lazy afternoon window shopping.

If Dodong were here, we would have been browsing through the shelves of Fully Booked.

If Dodong were here, we would have been just together…that would be enough for us.

So many would haves…Hay.

What would your weekend look like if he was here?

Love the distance,

Inday I. Nagintay

P.S. I'd like to get to know you better so hope you could answer a quick survey here.