I'm soooooooopeeeeer excited to watch Going the Distance! I've posted this movie trailer last June here and it's already showing here in the Philippines! Gosh it took 3-months of hype hype hype to get to FINALLY see it! Weeeeeeeeeeee!!!!

Dodong and I are watching later this evening It's been quite awhile since we last watched a movie together. Hehehe!

Yey! I'm so super duper excited! Will we be able to relate kaya?

Love the Distance,

Inday I. Nagintay

Fresh, yummy seafood dishes na friendly sa bulsa

Meals at Thunderbird Poropoint were a bit pricey, so Dodong and I set our sights out into the local flavors of San Fernando, La Union. Good thing that his friend Jeff, local surfer extraordinaire, was there to lead the way  to Surfer's Retreat Restaurant

It was a bit tricky getting there. The rain was pouring like mad plus it was pitch dark along the National Highway. You might miss the restaurant's sign that looks like this:

Notice the signboard is actually a recycled surfboard. Hehe!

Upon entering the rustic bahay kubo of a place, choose your order on the menu board. Literally a board with a cute surfer boy in the background

Nakakadistract ang cute surfer butt?

Sadly, I wasn't able to take a picture of my super yummy Tuna Steak. Obviously sobrang SARAP! or was I really that hungry?!? We even order it as pulutan and I still was not able to take a photo. Have you tried any other dishes here? Dodong says his adobong pusit (squid) was quite good…but bitin for a hungry man like him.

I think I was not able to take a photo of my order because of this…

Ito ang TAMA!

Sa lakas ng tama, I was knocked out literally when we got back to Thunderbird Poropoint. I slept at 9PM! My gash! So sad I was not able to enjoy the evening beachy breeze from the balcony. Hay.

I wish we could return to Surfer's Retreat Restaurant to have some more seafood and beer! Hehehe!

Love the distance,

Inday I. Nagintay

Haaaay. Rest and Relaxation!

Last long weekend, Dodong and I kinda (it was a bit stressful…the trip had its moments) relaxed in two locations: The Manor Baguio and Thunderbird Poropoint, La Union. I had a blast with the much needed quality time spent together. But I do want to show a head-to-head comparison of these two destinations.

How did they fare against each other as homecoming date locations? Here are some points to consider…

The Effective Cost per Head per Night

The Manor, Baguio wins on this one at Php 2,900 per room / night = Php 1,450 per head. The room fits two adults and perhaps 1 child (which we do not have BTW). Though note that this is not inclusive of breakfast. Read on to explain why The Manor Baguio wins on the breakfast end of things.

On the other hand, Thunderbird Poropoint costs Php 7,000 per room / night = Php 3,500. The room could actually fit two adults and two children OR four adults (which would cost you an additional Php 1,000 per head including breakfast already). Not bad right? The cost per room at Thunderbird Poropoint  is inclusive of "complimentary" breakfast buffet.

The Sweet Little Surprises

Thunderbird Poropoint gets plus points for sweet surprises like a welcome drink…

Welcome drink...tasted like powdered juice though.

and a cold towelette when you check in, plus chocolate kisses (which I am not sure if these were made by the hotel kitchen…whatchathink?).

Chocolate Kisses inside!

The Toilet

They both have clean bathrooms. Duh! But this time Thunderbird Poropoint gets plus points for the bidet! Sadly, The Manor Baguio's toilet (at least in our room) didn't have one. Hehehe! Whoops! Sorry I did not take a picture of the toilet. Pretty gross to put on my blog ba?

The Ambiance

The Manor Baguio is a great place for relaxing by virtue of the location in the summer capital of the Philippines. So the cool weather (perfect for strutting your winter collection wardrobe) can really make you lethargic. However, the Manor is quite busy since it is quite close to the city or perhaps it was because it was a long weekend?

Dami tao strolling around the garden

The isolation of Thunderbird Poropoint makes it better for rest and relaxation. It is really a getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city life. I prefer this one over the latter.

The Amenities

The Manor Baguio is packed with amenities like an in-house spa, jacuzzi, a common fireplace as seen in the post here.

But Thunderbird Poropoint is a runaway winner in this aspect. Aside from the beach, they also have a large pool! If you cross the pool, it's about 25 meters long. Perfect for working out! Just like what Dodong and I did. Oh okay, I think my workout failed because I was bitten by some insect Excuses!

The beach and the pool at Thunderbird Poropoint...Raining

Thunderbird Poropoint also houses a basketball court, a bar (one near the restaurant and one inside the pool) and a casino (which we weren't able to visit) with 24-7 restaurants.

The Breakfast Buffet

Cost per head at The Manor is Php 550, while at Thunderbird Poropoint is Php 580. I think that The Manor's breakfast buffet is more sulit with the quality of food the kitchen churns out. Imagine freshly baked breads each and every morning!

Bread station Weeeeee!

Thunderbird Poropoint's breads were definitely not freshly baked I would have thought that I'd be getting more quality for +Php 30…but sadly, no. Although, the eggs are bigger at Thunderbird Poropoint. Hehehe! Check out the pics to compare:

Runny scrambled eggs from Thunderbird Poropoint's egg station

Runny scrambled eggs from The Manor Baguio's egg station...smaller di ba?

Which one is my fave? Hmmmmm…I'd say that for overall quality time and rest and relaxation purposes I would go for Thunderbird Poropoint (even though it is a bit more expensive).

If you were to go on a homecoming date, which hotel would you choose?

Love the distance,

Inday I. Nagintay

P.S. If you plan to pass through the SCTEX going back to Manila, do not pass here via Tarlac City diversion road in the afternoon. Lots of schools along the way so expect traffic!

P.P.S.Did you like the photos? Better ba?

Homecoming Date Clue. Can you guess where we are?

I can't believe Dodong's two week homecoming is already half way! Darn! But I am savoring each and every second. I need to fill up the reserve before he leaves noh.

This looooooong weekend we are spending our time together in somewhere both hot AND cold. Can you guess where?

I know I shouldn't be posting and really just enjoy solid quality time. Hehehe! But I just can't help but share the love.

Love the distance,

Inday I. Nagintay

Armed with a good book in tow...

So Dodong is coming home TODAY! Woohooo! And so me needs to look decent when he gets home. Of course! This is an advantage for us LDR gals as we can actually have some time to prepare to prettify!

No liposuction procedures ahead. Hehehe! I am a bit on the low maintenance side so these are just simple things that make me feel pretty even just a wee bit.

So what was on my last minute prettify errand list yesterday?

Pedicure (cleaning only) at California Nails and Day Spa

My super reliable pedi place

I've been going to California Nails and Day Spa (CANS) since my former boss prodded me to try out their foot spa. From then on, CANS is the only establishment that can touch my toes.

I decided to get my tippy toes cleaned to make my feet extra purty for Dodong. Yes cleaned with no nail polish. I do not put nail polish on my toenails (and fingernails too!) as I do find it such a hassle since it gives my nails an odd and ugly yellow hue. Yaaak. That's why I am so happy that Dodong likes my toenails au naturale. Does your significant other like or hate nailpolish on your toesies?

Waxing at Lay Bare Waxing Salon

Me reliable waxing salon

Laybare Waxing salon is also a staple prettify destination of mine. They do specialize in waxing in almost any part of the body. Plus their services are not too expensive. Oh another thing is that they use cold wax versus hot wax that could scald your skin (if the therapist is not so good) on top of the waxing pain that you'd get. Eeek.

Why wax? Because we are going to da beach!!!!! Yeys! I may not have time in between work to get waxed before the weekend so I had it done yesterday.

I think I'm pretty much all set for later's homecoming. Will I cry like a baby like last time?

Love the distance,

Inday I. Nagintay

In my attempt to get some shut eye, I tried listening to music that could calm my very malikot restless mind. I'm not a music person you see. And I couldn't believe I've never added this song I've stumbled upon in my playlist! Waaaahhh!

Wish you were here by Incubus is one of those classic "missing you" songs perfect for people like me who are in LDRs. Check out the lyrics and sing along to Vitamin String Quartets version…

I dig my toes into the sand
The ocean looks like
A thousand diamonds strewn
Across a blue blanket
I lean against the wind
Pretend I am weightless
And in this moment
I am happy happy

I wish you were here
I wish you were here
I wish you were here
I wish you were here

I lay my head onto the sand
The sky resembles
A backlit canopy
With holes punched in it
I'm counting UFOs
I signal them with my lighter
And in this moment
I am happy happy

I wish you were here
I wish you were here
I wish you were here
I wish you were here

The world's a rollercoaster
And I am not strapped in
Maybe I should hold with care
My hands are busy in the air
Saying

I wish you were here
I wish you were here
I wish you were here
I wish you were here

I really wish he were here right this moment. I know bratty right? But di bale at isang tulog na lang, Dodong will really be here.

Love the distance,

Inday I. Nagintay

Oh how I wish lang...(Image borrowed from www.snowdesign.com)

Oh how I really wish I had absolutely no long distance relationship fears at all. But I have them and I can summarize these into 3. And these are the root of all my headaches in the long distance relationship arena of which I am currently experiencing at the moment (annoying sleepless nights and bouts of rage).

Can you guess what these are? Here goes in reverse order…

Top 3: Dodong gets into a bad accident resulting in *gulp* (I can't even say it)

Well, don't you fear of losing (as in losing to death) any one of your loved ones? I do. A LOT.

So I do ask Dodong to text me when he gets to the office and when he gets home, especially when he goes out late at night. You see, Dubai is infamous for its number of daily vehicular accidents. Do you know how many per day? I guess lots of reckless drivers in Dubai. Reckless drivers who also drive me crazy even if a gazillion miles away.

It's a long distance relationship fear of mine to receive a phone call / an email / a text message that something really bad has happened to Dodong and I need to pick up his "box" at the airport. Yikes. Parang pang sine lang yun. But very possible right?

Top 2: Dodong and I fall out of love with each other.

Dodong and I live our own lives. We have been for the past 8 years. He has his life and I have mine. Sometimes I am afraid that some day, one day when we are both very busy with our own lives, we'd wake up not in love with each other anymore. Just the thought makes me want to cry…Boo.

Distance can make you stronger or break you apart. Long distance relationship fear this is. Hay.

Top 1: Dodong gets into a relationship with another person (woman OR man)

This is the last and definitely not the very least long distance relationship fear of mine. This is the ONE that eats me up real bad. Because again, I really didn't believe in the possibility of a happy and successful long distance relationship because of that family trauma. I won't go into much detail though. Basta when the cat was away, the mouse went out to play.

Either one party (stereotypically the guy…which is most of the time right?) will meet someone and then ditch the attached party for another. Hassle. Sometimes maybe not even ditch the "real relationship" but keep them both so he can have his cake and eat it too. You get the picture right? Not very pretty.

HAAAAY. Sometimes I just wish these would just all fade away in a snap. But it's not as easy conquering these fears on a daily basis. It craaaazzzzzyyyyy!

Do you share the exact same fears? Or do you have more?

Love the distance,

Inday I. Nagintay

Dodong told me about this video while we were on our regular weekend chat. He said that he was holding back his tears watching the video (Sorry Dodong I had to let out this embarrassing factoid). And so it made me VERY CURIOUS. I definitely did not want to cry but I obviously did cry. Boo.

It brought back so many memories of surprise homecomings both from my mom and my beloved Dodong…

A few years back, my dad and sister planned out my mom's surprise homecoming for our little siblings. We pretended to pick up someone from my dad's work but really was picking up mom who just came home after 6-months in the US. My little sibs were like the kids in the video: pleasantly shocked and in tears.We were able to capture the moment on video (though I am looking through facebook and see if it's still alive) and it was simply a tearjerker.

Each and every time Dodong comes home, whether it be a surprise or not (Yes he pulled off a surprise the very 1st time), it brings tears to my eyes. An upsurge of mixed emotions: happiness and sadness and excitement and everything in between. It's an inexplicable feeling sometimes. You're happy he's home, but at the same time sad that it maybe temporary. Digs?

The video surely hits the spot (super hard in fact) for those in long distance relationships or with family members who are OFWs. For that matter, anybody who has a loved one from far away come home after a number of months or sometimes even years would DEFINITELY relate. So I hope you had a wad of tissue or a handkerchief beside you when you watched the video. Hehehe.

Speaking of homecomings, I am definitely so looking forward to this homecoming (which is so not a surprise though) very soon. Only a few days left and I'd be teary eyed, hugging and kissing the love of my life once again…I know cheezy right?

Love the distance,

Inday I. Nagintay

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

See you soon!

I've been keeping mum about it by request of Dodong. But I just can't help it as the date comes closer…Dodong's coming home! Weeeeee! We've actually planned out one of the long August weekends in Baguio and I'm just so excited! There is a whole lot to eat in Baguio. Cafe by the Ruins is definitely our first stop.

The beautiful photos are care of AllanKo.netThe last visit I've had to Cafe by the Ruins was when I was in 2004ish. So obviously, that was eons ago. But what I remember about it is the yummy freshly baked bread, which is just perfect for a hearty breakfast for two…

Kamote Bread

Chocolate Croissant for Dodong!

Fried White Cheese is Love.

Oh my. The photos alone are just making me sooooo freakin' excited for a Cafe by the Ruins date. If Dodong won't be able to wake up for an bright and early breakfast, I still wish I would be able to taste a classic Cafe by the Ruins dish: The Hubad na Longganisa.

Crunchy porky goodness with mountain red rice...drool!

Here's another Cafe by the Ruins dish that keeps me super excited:

Bacoooooooonnnnnn!

Bacon is just love…best shared with someone special? NOT! Hahaha! I think I'd be a bit selfish with my bacon. Hihihi!

Two weeks to go and Dodong will be here na! Yahoooo! Cafe by the Ruins here we come!

What other Cafe by the Ruins goodies could we order?

Love the distance,

Inday I. Nagintay

P.S. Thanks again to Allanko.net for the lovely yummy photos.