I've really been feeling sentimental these past few days. Like Christmas, approaching the New Year brings me a sense of retrospect into the year that has past: the events that have transpired, the people I've met, the things that I've done that have made me into the person who I am at the moment…Of course, this includes the very LDR I am in. Of course!

This walk down memory lane as 2009 comes to a close also made me realize the many things I am grateful and continue to be grateful for. Again, I thank God for the opportunity given to Dodong in the desert sands of Dubai, UAE.

So tonight, being sentimental and all, I've drawn the courage to watch Dubai for the second time. The first and last time I've watched it was last year, September 2008, Dodong's first homecoming from his 1st 6-month stint in Dubai.

Why did I even have to draw some courage to watch this Pinoy flick? Coming from Dodong's reactions while watching the movie, it was a clear portrayal of the life Dodong and all the other kabayans go through in Dubai.

I'd like to share with the part which moved me the most (to tears in fact)…

NOTE # 1: I can't seem to find a video clip on the YouTube and can't seem to copy the clip and cut it (technical difficulties!) so I will just quote the monologue (because Aga Muhlach's character was addressing a whole crowd and not talking to a single person in particular).

NOTE # 2: I am writing the speech in English (Thanks to subtitles) for better appreciation of my non-Filipino readers out there (if any). I'm not sure if you share the same sentiments but I'd be happy to know about your thoughts though.

This was the scene where two of their kabayan friends got married. The bride was to stay in Dubai for work, while the groom was going back home to the Philippines because his employment contract just expired. Raffy Alvarez (Aga Muhlach) gave a speech to honor the groom who was brave enough to face his relatives back in the Philippines without bringing home a single piece of appliance.

Yes, you heard me right, appliance like a washing machine, a toaster, TV set, etc. In the Philippines, it is "customary" for OFWs to bring home gifts to their families upon returning from the country of designation.

Here is what he said to the wedding guests who were mostly (if not all) Filipinos working in Dubai:

You will bring home your sense of pride for the Filipinos who are working here. And they are truly praiseworthy! We often make mistakes. We seem to forget our dreams. The promises we made. Oftentimes, we even hurt the people we love.

But we, Filipinos, never forget why we are in this foreign land. We are here because of the people we love. No matter how hard life can be, how sad it can be; we are willing to accept it to make our families happy.

For every drop of sweat, every tear we shed, all we ask is their smile. A simple smile from them. Even though we are so far away from our families, even though we don't see them, each of us has the same dream: that is to see our families whole again. And to fulfill that dream, we have to stand up after we fall.

Just like my super crush, John Lloyd Cruz, who played Raffy's brother Andrew; I was moved to tears too. Because what he said, reminded me of the sacrifices Dodong made when he decided to grab that opportunity in Dubai. I know I have my seemingly petty concerns about our long distance relationship, but this does not compare to the hardships they really go through when they are away from home.

This reminded me to be eternally grateful to Dubai. Though it has separated us physically, it has helped us grow to the couple we are now and, more importantly, fulfilled the dreams of Dodong's family (and his dreams as well).

Dubai is one of the biggest things I am grateful for this 2009. Thank you Dubai! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

What are you grateful for this 2009?

Love the distance,

Inday I. Nagintay

Glass half-empty or half-full?

Today is the 1st Sunday of Advent. For us, Catholics, it's the 1st Sunday for preparation to Christmas Day for the arrival of the ONE! And boy, does time do fly super fast! Aside from it being the official start of the Christmas season, Dodong has already spent half of his vacation already. Happy! Sad!

Okay I maybe in the half-empty and not the half-full mode since he still has another week to go. Of course, being my planner self, I have started preparations. Sadly.

How exactly have I been preparing for his return to the desert?

Prayers for Profitable and FUN Projects

I don't mind being busy because I do need it once he gets back to the daily grind in the hot desert sands of Dubai. But in the subheading, I typed fun as FUN. I guess it is a prerequisite for me so that I don't need much more emotional drama. The LDR actually adds a lot more to the drama already. I don't need more of that at work. Hehehehe.

Of course, I need the projects to definitely be VERY PROFITABLE. Dodong, who seemingly (please note seemingly) has caboodles and oodles of cash, will not be here to support me in my eating sprees. Hehehe.

I'd like to think I am still the independent woman that I am. At least financially

Prayers for Emotional Strength

Ohh lala! I am definitely praying for this. Especially since the next homecoming date is still indefinite. I don't know when exactly will Dodong be coming home. It could be another 6-8 months, maybe even more. I just have to be ready.

LDRs are fun and really, really challenging. It's a test of faith, trust and love for and in each other (Am I making sense?). I am praying for readiness for another roller coaster ride of love.

Prayers for Support

One of the major realizations this year perhaps is I don't want to be alone. When Dodong returns to the desert, I know I will be one less extremely important person…at least physically. I do pray for the support of my family and friends through the next months that he would be away.

How do you prepare for his return to his corner of the world?

Love the distance,

Inday I. Nagintay

INDAY'S REASONS

Inday + Dodong: 6,914km away and loving it!

I decided to post this on this very day all because it is out 7th year anniversary. Yes, Dodong and I have been together as a couple for 7 years! Pinch, pinch! Slap slap! It has been that long. And I am proud to say that I love him more today that I did on the very same day 7 years ago.

I do believe that the total of 353 days (as of June 16) of being physically apart has helped our relationship and love (if even quantifiable) blossom to what it is today. And you know why? Here are my top 3 reasons why I love the distance:

Absence makes the heart grow fonder…REALLY!

This is one quote that should be taken seriously. I mean, I am already head over heels inside out in love with Dodong but the distance just made me (and, more importantly, him too!) appreciate US more. I really do think it was really more of him. Teeheehee! Seriously, Inday (yes me!) am the more appreciative (bordering on patronizing one) half of the couple. Dodong was able to recognize how much more important I was to him. Awwwwww! Oo humaba ang hair ko ng sobra! Confidence boosts for me! and oh man, when he first went home after 6 months, DAMN! I've never felt such longing in an embrace oh so tight!
Learn to communicate more

The distance actually forced him to communicate more. I think, me as a woman, am naturally more madaldal. So communication is really my thing: I text, I call, I chat, I email, I talks with him face-to-face. Being a marketeer, I make sure I have all my contact points covered! But with him (I guess with most guys) communication isn't as easy. Of course, we are best friends and we know each other's deepest secrets but we don't get to talk about the day-to-day stuff (especially about work) when he was here. But when he flew far far away, he was forced (in a good way of course) to communicate with me some more. Today, he has learned to share with me about the little things as much as the big things happening in his life
Torture test of faith and trust in each other

It is a torture! But imagine a torture test where good will actually result from it? I have a ton of trust issues coming from my traumatic experience. I had a lot of requirements: from "reporting for duty" (i.e. informing me of his location and a rundown of his companions) to dealing with phone call inquisitions long distance style in the oddest of times (We have to deal with the 4-hour time difference). I do admire Dodong for putting up with all of that. He truly did understand where I was coming from and extended his patience to the Nth power for the true love of me. If I'd do that when he was here, I most definitely think he would've broken up with me a looong time ago. With a whole lot of patience, faith and trust, Dodong and I are still an US
Believe you me, it took quite some time (and buckets and buckets of tears) for me to appreciate my situation now. I did give myself more time to discover the beauty behind the "misfotune" and it worked out pretty well.

PENELOPE'S REASONS

Penelope + Pad Thai: 2,211km away and also loving it!

I still remember the night I first went out with Pad Thai. As in any girl's first date, I was multi-tasking- I was struggling to fix my hair and was texting one of my best friends, Bangkok to Manila, at the same time. Helen was imploring me cancel, believing that nothing good could ever come of it. She texted, "Your phone bills will skyrocket!" as my Nokia beeped ominously.

Of course, it was too late for me. Even at that early stage, I was unwilling to give up a date with Pad Thai just because we didn't share the same zip code. And now, a year and a half later, I don't regret making that decision. Nothing can ever compare to having Pad Thai physically where I am but the circumstances are such that we must roll with it. To make myself feel better, I just focus on the fact that an LDR has some perks that other partners living in the same land mass might never experience. Inday already mentioned points which I absolutely agree with. I'll add two of my own:

We have the best dates ever.

Since our visits come few and between, I noticed that Pad Thai and I do what we can to maximize our time together. This usually translates to special, well-thought out dates. We've done the usual popcorn and a movie routine, but we've also gone island hopping, spelunking, and mountain climbing. I've been drenched at the Songkran (Thai New Year festival) and he's gone food tripping in Bohol and Binondo. More than just the wow and kilig factor, these have caused us to bond stronger. For instance, Pad Thai and I almost got lost in the dark during mountain climbing and we had nothing to rely on except our partnership.

LDRs are good for character building.

Better individuals make for better partners, right? During our first few months together, Pad Thai made like Big Brother and constantly monitored my moves. There was even one instance when he frantically contacted a common friend to check on me when I didn't reply to his texts (my phone batt died). The trust issue was something we worked on for quite a while. These days, he does not freak at the drop of the hat and I am more mindful about letting him know about my whereabouts. Let me add that it is tougher to resolve issues remotely than if you are in the same land mass. Being aware of that has made me rethink all the sumpongs, hissy fits, and other satisfying mind games I could have employed when we argue. The LDR forces us to cut through the crap and focus on the real issues.

How about you: what are your reasons for loving the distance?

Love the distance,

Inday I. Nagintay and Penelope