Lucky in Love in 2010

I know it's been quite some time since I last posted anything. What have I been busy with? Well, the doing the usual holiday rounds with friends and family plus I've been bitten by the holiday hangover so it's been lazy. Yes, there I said it. Lazy as a daisy.

But as I get back into the groove of regular programming, I do set my sights out for the goals for the year 2010. This includes my plans for our long distance relationship and, of course, the blog

Celebrate the love some more

Dodong did a great job on our 7th year anniversary this year and this June 16, 2010 will be our 8th year anniversary. So I want to celebrate this milestone with a BANG! The number 8 when turned by 180 degrees becomes the infinity symbol soooo I do hope this anniversary is the official start of "to infinity and beyond"

Another thing to celebrate is Dodong's 2nd year in the desert this March 9, 2010. It is truly an LDR milestone for us since WE, US survived 2-years of being apart (at least physically). We actually call it his desert anniversary. I guess this would be our 1st official day physically apart, so our LDR anniversary. When is your LDR anniversary?

I know there are more of the little things celebrating because in long distance relationships parang everyday is a celebration of love Cheezy! What other romantic nothings do you celebrate?

Nurture the Romance still

I'm still not sure when is Dodong's next homecoming. He is still trying to schedule it as there are stuff he needs to attend to as well…like attending weddings. Hahaha! A lot of our friends are getting hitched this year Looks like a romance year right?

I am still on the look out for cool Future Date ideas and, let's not forget the alone date ideas too. Love yourself syempre! Feel free to drop me a line at us@lovingthedistance.com for your date ideas. I'd like to know more romantic date getaways for the next homecoming

I'm also planning some more gift giving. So gift ideas would also be welcome. I guess in a span of 7.5years I think I've done so much. I need your help too

Defy the distance as usual!

Of course, we will defy the distance and become a stronger, more loving couple Still am looking for more couples who would love to share their LDR stories. I'm sure there are a lot out there.

I do plan on tackling the different kinds of long distance relationships. Mine is only one of those, being in a relationship with an OFW. So would you care to share your unique LDR story?

I'm thinking of doing a club perhaps to really help us support each other through the challenges of a LDR. Whatchathink?

I am really confident that all of us would be able to defy the distance with the kind of love and romance that us couples have and work for I guess then that really love is not enough in LDRs, you have to make it work.

Here's to more love and romance to defy the distance in 2010 Cheers!

Love the distance,

Inday I. Nagintay

Wish I could fly myself to you on your special day...

This coming July 22 is Dodong's birthday (20 days away!!! Waaaaaaaaa!!!!). I'm actually thinking of what to give AGAIN since he is thousands of miles away. It's his 2nd birthday out of the country…which is a bit sad. But then again, it's a reality we have to deal with.

Which makes me reminisce on what I did for his 1st Miles Away Birthday celebration…what nga ba?

Give it your personal loving touch

Make your mark.

I enjoy receiving THOUGHTFUL gifts that is why I always make it an effort (especially for really, really, really special people) to conceptualize something for them. Something tailor fit to the personality of the receiver. I'm not into giving material stuff. Well, of course, I still give stuff stuff but I'd rather it be more experiential. Not just some thing that would be used and forgotten but really an experience that would make an impact on the memory (oh yes, the life) of the person…and of course, in the hope of him/her remembering me. Hahaha!

Given the situation, I really want to work out (literally part blood, part sweat and lots of tears…separation anxiety e!) that he would appreciate a thousands of miles away from Manila.

I thought long and hard on the question: Ano ang pwede kong karirin project na super duper mamahalin niya ako? I have done quite a number of projects and I really don't want it to be a replica of a past one…Pressure!

Give him a taste of home.

There's no place like HOME

A-ha! A brilliant insight came to me in a dream. I've realized that OFWs like him long for a taste of home. I've noticed that they request for the most preposterous things from home that you'd think "Whaaaa?!?". Like Lucky Me pancit canton or Purefoods Blue Corned Beef or Tuyo or Pampanga's Best Tocino or suman and the list goes on.

I know that sending over food was just plain ridiculous (although much appreciated, of course). So I wanted to send him a taste of home that wouldn't get caught up in customs (Read: Tocino, Tapa, Tuyo, Chicharon, Longganiza, etc) especially if I would be sending it through the kindness of his fellow Kabayans (its the term they call fellow Filipinos in the desert)

I know that a big part of his life (aside from family and myself…syempre naman!) that he misses in Dubai would be his friends. And so what better way to bring his friends to Dubai is through video greetings! I messaged all his friends (via email, YM, text and Friendster and other Social Networking sites) to record and send their birthday greetings, while I collect and then lovingly send via email.

Though response rate was low (I guess videos are harder versus just typing your birthday greeting…I still compiled email greetings anyway), Dodong still super appreciated the gift. I really thank those who made an effort to record the videos via phone, digicam or maybe webcam.  Admittedly, his birthday was quite lonely that time, but the videos definitely made him feel closer to home. Awwwww! I was super happy to have made him happy on his special day…even if I couldn't fly myself to Dubai (but how i really wished I could!).

How about you: what have you done for your better half's birthdays across the miles?

Love the distance,

Inday I. Nagintay

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