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.

Roses are red, violets are blue. We don't celebrate Valentine's, so how do you?

Dodong is not a believer in Valentine's Day because he thinks its a capitalist holiday. Oh, sorry to the true blue romantics out there. I was slowly brainwashed to think the same too. Unfortunately. We can celebrate love everyday naman di ba? Plus flowers and dinners are not as expensive on a regular day right?

The only day we've ever been close to actually celebrating it was the Valentine's Day before he left for the desert. We had a Valentine's Buffet Dinner at Seven Corners, Crowne Plaza Manila: eat-all-you-can buffet complete with Tuxedo Strawberries and Champagne.

Look at the cute but uber expensive tuxedo strawberries

The Valentine theme was cute with the Tuxedo Strawberries above. But it was such a rip-off because it cost me an arm and a leg. We usually eat at Seven Corners, Crowne Plaza but the Valentine's dinner costed us +Php 1,000 (around +US$ 20)  more than the usual. Ouch. Yes ako po ang nagbayad. Hehehe. But what the heck, it was hitting three birds with one stone: the desert despedida (most important of all!), early anniversary celebration which is every 16th of the month (but again we don't celebrate on a monthly basis) and Valentine's Day.

Last year, our 1st Valentine's Day apart, we didn't do anything special. I though that it would somehow change (because of the distance apart and all). But it didn't. Hehehe. It was just like any ordinary long distance relationship day. Nothing extra romantic, unlike our 7th year anniversary. Old habits die hard I guess.

But for other LDR couples out there, who I am sure are very different from us (believing in Valentine's Day and all), how do you celebrate the most romantic day of the year?

Love the distance,

Inday I. Nagintay

P.S. Pls forgive my crappy photos. I still have no decent working camera Tear….