This is my theme song as I pack my bags unwillingly. I know I've written about this song as one of the Top 10 Long Distance Relationship anthems before. But this song so speaks to me now.

I am leaving Dubai for Manila for another vacation. A vacation with purpose. I will be fixing my papers for a more permanent stay in Dubai. It will just be for a month and I will be in Dodong's arms sooner than I think, but whoever said leaving the one you love was ever easy? Be so kind to sing this song with me…

All my bags are packed, I'm ready to go
I'm standin' here outside your door
I hate to wake you up to say goodbye

But the dawn is breakin', it's early morn
The taxi's waitin', he's blowin' his horn
Already I'm so lonesome I could die

So kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that you'll wait for me
Hold me like you'll never let me go

'Cause I'm leaving on a jet plane
I don't know when I'll be back again
Oh, babe, I hate to go

I'm …

There's so many times I've let you down
So many times I've played around
I'll tell you now, they don't mean a thing

Every place I go, I think of you
Every song I sing, I sing for you
When I come back I'll wear your wedding ring

So kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that you'll wait for me
Hold me like you'll never let me go

'Cause I'm leaving on a jet plane
I don't know when I'll be back again
Oh, babe, I hate to go

Now the time has come to leave you
One more time, oh, let me kiss you
And close your eyes and I'll be on my way

Dream about the days to come
When I won't have to leave alone
About the times that I won't have to say …

Oh, kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that you'll wait for me
Hold me like you'll never let me go

'Cause I'm leaving on a jet plane
I don't know when I'll be back again
Oh, babe, I hate to go

And I'm leaving on a jet plane
I don't know when I'll be back again
Oh, babe, I hate to go

But I'm leaving on a jet plane
(Ah ah ah ah)
Leaving on a jet plane
(Ah ah ah ah)
Leaving on a jet plane
(Ah ah ah ah)
Leaving on a jet plane
(Ah ah ah ah)
Leaving on a jet plane
(Ah ah ah ah)
Leaving on a jet plane
(Ah ah ah ah)
Leaving on a jet plane
(Ah ah ah ah)
Leaving on a jet plane
(Ah ah ah ah)
(Leaving) On a jet plane

If you're not sick of singing the song, here's another version of the song. A more updated one by Mr. Schuster of Glee.

Do you mind singing with me again? Here's a more vintage version by Peter, Paul and Mary

Since this song is a classic spanning many generations of LDR couples, here is the original (Is it?) version by John Denver:

Believe me, you won't get tired of singing this when you are in that Leaving on a Jet Plane moment. Sigh…

A good friend of Dodong's thought of us when she heard this song by Simple Plan. Of course, when I saw the video, I immediately googled the lyrics and smiled while reading it. I am just so glad Dodong and I are in the same time zone now and I really, really, really hope and pray that this is for good Singalong guys!

What time is it where you are?
I miss you more than anything
Back at home you feel so far
Waitin for the phone to ring
It's gettin lonely livin upside down
I don't even wanna be in this town
Tryin to figure out the time zones makin me crazy

You say good morning
When it's midnight
Going out of my head
Alone in this bed
I wake up to your sunset
It's drivin me mad
I miss you so bad
And my heart heart heart is so jetlagged

What time is it where you are?
5 more days and i'll be home
I keep your picture in my car
I hate the thought of you alone
I been keeping busy all the time
Just to try to keep you off my hand
Tryin to figure out the time zones makin me crazy

You say good morning
When it's midnight
Going out of my head
Alone in this bed
I wake up to your sunset
It's drivin me mad
I miss you so bad
And my heart heart heart is so jetlagged

I've been keepin busy all time
Just to try to keep you off my mind
Tryin to figure out the time zones makin me crazy
I miss you so bad
I wanna share your horizon
And see the same sunrising
Turn the hour hand back to when you were holding me

You say good morning
When it's midnight
Going out of my head
Alone in this bed
I wake up to your sunset
It's drivin me mad
I miss you so bad
And my heart heart heart is so jetlagged

Hope that you guys would continue to pray that Dodong and I will be in the same time zone forever and ever Thanks in advance!

Since Bruno Mars is ever so popular nowadays, I am sharing his version of Brandy's Long Distance. When I first saw the video, I hoped it was a new song, but unfortunately it is just a remake. Here are the lyrics again to help you sing-a-long…

There`s only so many songs that i can sing to pass the time.
And i`m running out of things to do to get you off my mind (oh whoa).
All i have is this picture in a frame (oh ah),
That i hold close to see your face everyday.

With you is where i`d rather be,
But we`re stuck where we are.
It`s so hard, you`re so far..
This long distance is killing me.
I wish that you are here with me,
But we`re stuck where we are
It`s so hard, you`re so far.. (so hard, you`re so far..)
This long distance is killing me.

It`s so hard, it`s so hard, where we are, where we are, you`re so far.
This long distance is killing me.
It`s so hard, it`s so hard, where we are, where we are, you`re so far
(so hard, so hard, where we are, where we are, your so far).
This long distance is killing me.

Now the minutes feel like hours
And the hours feel like days.. (whoa oh whoa)
While i`m away (way-ay)
You know right now i can`t be home (ah)
But i`m coming home soon (ah)
Coming home soon.. (ah a hah)
All i have is this picture in a frame (ah),
That i hold close to see your face everyday.

With you is where i`d rather be (where i`d rather be..),
But we`re stuck where we are (oh oh).
It`s so hard, (oh ah) you`re so far.. (oh ah)
This long distance is killing me.
I wish that you are here with me (you are here with me),
But we`re stuck where we are (oh oh)
It`s so hard, (oh ah) you`re so far.. (oh ah)

Can you hear me crying?
Ooh (oh-oh oh-oh)
Can you hear me crying? (oh-oh ah!)
Ooh (oh-oh oh-oh)
Can you hear me crying? (oh-oh ah!)
Ooh (oh-oh oh-oh)
Ooh woo whoa ah ah oh ah (oh-oh ah!)
Uh ah uh ah whoa0h ah (oh-oh oh-oh)

With you is where i`d rather be (where i`d rather be..) whoa!
(but we`re stuck where we are) oh!
(it`s so hard) so hard (your so far), so far
(this long distance is killing me) this long distance is killing me
I wish that you are here with me (you are here with me) me..
(but we`re stuck where we are) stuck where we are! so hard! so far
This long distance is killing me

It`s so hard, it`s so hard, where we are, where we are, you`re so far.
This long distance is killing me.
It`s so hard, it`s so hard, where we are, where we are, you`re so far
(so hard, so hard, where we are, where we are, your so far).
This long distance is killing me.

There`s only so many songs that i can sing to pass the time.

So which version tugs your heartstrings more: Brandy's or Bruno Mars? I'm not sure which one I like better…Maybe Brandy's just because I'm a girl!

It's just 2 days to go and Dodong thoughts are on my mind 24-7. I admit I have been very distracted because of the excitement. It's been 8-months apart and I just can't take it any longer…

I am excited to be REUNITED with Dodong this Monday! This song by Peaches & Herb has been my happy whistling song for the past days

HERB
I was a fool to ever leave your side
Me minus you is such a lonely ride
The breakup we had has made me lonesome and sad
I realize I love you 'cause I want you bad, hey, hey

PEACHES
I spent the ev'ning with the radio
Regret the moment that I let you go
Our quarrel was such a way of learnin' so much
I know now that I love you 'cause I need your touch, hey, hey

CHORUS: BOTH
Reunited and it feels so good
Reunited 'cause we understood
There's one perfect fit
And, sugar, this one is it
We both are so excited 'cause we're reunited, hey, hey

PEACHES
I sat here starin' at the same old wall
Came back to life just when I got your call
I wished I could climb right through the telephone line
And give you what you want so you will still be mine, hey, hey

HERB
I can't go cheatin', honey, I can't play
I found it very hard to stay away
As we reminisce on precious moments like this
I'm glad we're back together 'cause I missed your kiss, hey, hey

CHORUS: BOTH

Yeah, yeah, yeah
Ba-a-a-by

Lover, lover, this is solid love
And you're exactly what I'm dreamin' of
All through the day
And all through the night
BOTH: I'll give you all the love I have with all my might, hey, hey

It seems to be a break up song but the lyrics capture what I feel!

"We both are so excited 'cause we're reunited, hey, hey"

"And you're exactly what I'm dreamin' of
All through the day
And all through the night"

How excited I am to be reunited with Dodong. HAAAAAAYYYY!! Soooooooo excited!

Sometimes I think that there are not much LDR inspired songs. But when I chance upon hearing songs on the radio, I smile to myself and think otherwise. There are still a number of LDR songs I have not shared with everyone, including one of my personal favorites, an OPM song: Everyday by Agot Isidro.

This song just captures what I, along with thousands (or maybe millions?) of other people waiting for their loved one who is at the other side of the globe…

Had a letter in the mail today
and im glad you're doing fine
You tell me your missing me
and its cold in new york city
me and the girls were quite alright
thinking about you night after night
and if you feel the same way too
just remember me whispering to you

chorus:
everyday ill always love you
everyday im always thinking of you
everyday's another lonely day without you
everyday you're here beside me
everyday

It's another long and sleepless night
ANd thoughts run through my mind
And i'm just feeling lonely
It's been so empty since you've been gone

I'll be holding on for it won't be long
I'll be counting the days til i see u home
And if u feel the same way too
Just imagine me whispering to you

Repeat chorus

Everyday…

Thanks to Maestro Ryan Cayabyab for the beautiful lyrics. Tama nga ba? Ryan Cayabyab composed this song?

It's been 7-months+++ since Dodong has been last home. This has been loooooongessst that he's been away, so the longing for him is even greater than before. I'm not a music person, but I knew I have to have a song to accompany me through this pain of mine to give me a glimmer of hope that he will be coming home very, very soon.

And suddenly, this song, a classic 90's Duty Free commercial and the then anthem of OFW families, came to mind. Do you remember this song?

Saan ka man naroroon ngayon, Saudi, Japan o HongKong
Babalik ka rin, babalik ka rin, babalik ka rin.
Ano mang layo ang narating, Singapore, Australia
Europe o Amerika, babalik at babalik ka rin.

Kaytagal mo nang nawala, babalik ka rin, babalik ka rin
Kaytagal mo nang nawala, babalik ka rin, babalik ka rin.

Sa piling ng iyong pinagmulan, sa iyong nakaraan
Babalik ka rin, babalik ka rin, babalik ka rin
Anumang layo ang narating, iyong maaalala
Ang dati mong kasama, babalik at babalik ka rin.

Kaytagal mo nang nawala, babalik ka rin, babalik ka rin
Kaytagal mo nang nawala, babalik ka rin, babalik ka rin.

Sa paglipas ng panahon, sa iyong kahapon
Sa alaalang naghihintay sa ?yo.

Kaytagal mo nang nawala, babalik ka rin, babalik ka rin
Kaytagal mo nang nawala, babalik ka rin, babalik ka rin.
Kaytagal mo nang nawala, babalik ka rin, babalik ka rin
Kaytagal mo nang nawala, babalik ka rin, babalik ka rin.

O di ba? Super perfect! I know that Dodong will be back no matter what. I am already counting down! Soooooo excited!!!!!!

But can somebody help me translate the lyrics? Nosebleed kasi!

I personally can't believe I never did a post on the ultimate long distance relationship christmas song: Pasko na Sinta ko. I've been hearing  it blaring on the radio and in the shopping malls. It's a sign: 'tis the season to feel lonely for us people in long distance relationships.

I stumbled upon a number of versions of the song by Piolo Pascual and Christian Bautista, but the original Gary Valenciano version captures the entire feeling of loneliness in the holiday season.

Come sing with me my dears…

Pasko na sinta ko hanap-hanap kita
Bakit magtatampo iniwan ako

Kung mawawala ka sa piling ko sinta
Paano ang Pasko, inulila mo

Sayang sinta ang sinumpaan
At pagtitinginang tunay
Nais mo bang kalimutang ganap
Ang ating suyuan at galak

Kung mawawala ka sa piling ko sinta
Paano ang Paskong alay ko sa'yo

Sayang sinta ang sinumpaan
At pagtitinginang tunay
Nais mo bang kalimutang ganap
Ang ating suyuan at galak

Kung mawawala ka sa piling ko sinta
Paano ang paskong alay ko sa'yo

Merry Christmas everyone! Hawak kamay tayo through this season ok?

Love the distance,

Inday I. Nagintay

I can't believe it's been such a loooooong time since I last blogged. I have a crappy internet connection as an excuse (on top of the crazy work load). And in the middle of this crazy week, I heard the classic long distance love affair song by Sheena Easton. It's been playing in my head for the past couple of days already!

C'mon and sing with me!

I've been away from you for far too long
Too much chances make my heart go frantic
I wanna tell you what's been goin' on, operator give me TransAtlantic
I sit alone as the night goes by
Stare at the phone and wait for your reply

CHORUS:
Long long distance love affair, I can't find you anywhere
I call you on the telefone, but you're never home
I gotta get a message to you, I wanna tell you what I'm going through

What in the world's comin' over you
How come you're acting like a total stranger
I try to reach you but I can't get through
I got this feeling that my heart's in danger
I got your letter it was perfectly clear
Havin' a ball, and wishin' you are here

CHORUS

(SOLO)

Premonition is a funny thing, a familiar kind of pain and easy
Like knowin' when the phone is gonna ring
Too many times and it'll drive you crazy
I hear your echo in the longer hall
Call out your name, but no-one's there at all

Long long distance love affair, I can't find you anywhere
I call you on the telefone, but you're never home
(repeats out)

This song is just so perfect since I can't seem to reach Dodong on his telephone! Hahahaha!

Love the distance,

Inday I. Nagintay

Here we go again. Dodong flies back to the lonely desert tonight at exactly 12midnight. The usual flight schedule. Though we've spent so much time together in the past two weeks, it still isn't enough. But then we are still grateful.

This song started playing in my head as Dodong brought me home late this afternoon. It kept playing in my head as we hugged under the bright orange-lavender sunset sky with tears streaming down my face…

Well, here we are again;
I guess it must be fate.
We've tried it on our own,
But deep inside we've known
We'd be back to set things straight.

I still remember when
Your kiss was so brand new.
Every memory repeats,
Every step I take retreats,
Every journey always brings me back to you.

(chorus)
After All the stops and starts,
We keep coming back to these two hearts,
Two angels who've been rescued from the fall.
After All that we've been through,
It all comes down to me and you.
I guess it's meant to be,
Forever you and me, After All.

When love is truly right
(This time it's truly right.)
It lives from year to year.
It changes as it goes,
Oh, and on the way it grows,
But it never disappears,

chorus

Always just beyond my touch,
You know I needed you so much.
After All, what else is livin' for?

Dodong, until the next time we meet (face to face) again. I love you so much!

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