If I may, this is a short intermission from the Zighy Bay series here and here. I am just sooo excited for our date tomorrow. Our date with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2!!!!

I've planned this date for so long and did not expect it to happen here in Dubai. But I am just so glad that Dodong (though forced – he is not a Harry Potter fan like me) has agreed to accompany me as I watch this epic movie. Waaaaahhhh! I am so blessed to have such a supportive husband, who is willing to watch a movie he doesn't like. Hehehe! I love you Dodong!

Entering the world of LDR dates

The past weeks have been sooo busy. But Dodong and I are still able to spend some time "together" long distance relationship style. And recently, we kind of caught up on a new habit.

To be honest, we are not big on the dates thing. Because we do love to eat together which is quite impossible with the situation. But another thing we do enjoy doing is watching TV shows and movies together. AND we've found a way to get around that date habit with our long distance relationship situation.

We're now hooked on The Big Bang Theory So what we do is we download all the past seasons and episodes (They are now on season 3 which is on going) and we watch it during our own sweet time. Then we laugh and chat about the show.

It's super fun! And we're quite competitive to see who gets to watch the latest episodes first. Actually, Dodong is very much ahead of me already. Mabagal lang talaga magdownload. Plus I had some movies and other TV shows lined up in between the Big Bang Theory downloads. Hehehe.

I'm actually wondering what other shows / movies we could watch together but apart. Gets? Do you watch your favorite TV shows and movies together like us?

Live Wais-ly,

Inday I. Nagintay

I accidentally stumbled upon this movie trailer while (again) sifting through my friends' shoutouts. I must admit I am a sucker for love movies so this movie trailer quickly lured me in. And ohhh as I watched the trailer, it is another long distance love story type of movie, which is a treat for me (and other LDR couples out there!). Clap! Clap! Clap! PERFECT!

It's about a young soldier (Channing Tatum) and a girl (Amanda Seyfried) who fell in love over two weeks and sustained their relationship through snail mail letter correspondence. Classic LDR communication!

Watch the trailer after the jump…

It also helps that Channing Tatum is so HOT! Right? Makes the movie more appealing to lonely gals like me Hahahaha!

Plus the trailer just makes me wonder how LDR couples were able to survive by snail mail alone. WOW.

So just I can't wait to watch this movie! I'm sure I will cry! Huhuhu! I'll just make sure I have a pack of tissue with me when I watch. Hehehehe! Would you know when this would be released in Asia? Movie would be released this February 5 in the U.S.

Love the distance,

Inday I. Nagintay

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

My award-winning filmmaker friend, Chuck Gutierrez, showed me this teaser of his last year. He actually was fishing for a lot of insights on long distance relationships since Dodong and I were fresh on the LDR boat. Hehehe.

And now that I am freed up of time, I was invited (or I think I invited myself. Hehehe!) to join him and work on this movie! WOW! I really have ZERO EXPERIENCE when it comes to making movies but I do know I can bring a lot of insight into the film. THIS IS IT!

Check out the initial teaser trailer of the movie and let me know what you think

Are you feeling the love already?

Love the distance,

Inday I. Nagintay