Dodong told me about this video while we were on our regular weekend chat. He said that he was holding back his tears watching the video (Sorry Dodong I had to let out this embarrassing factoid). And so it made me VERY CURIOUS. I definitely did not want to cry but I obviously did cry. Boo.

It brought back so many memories of surprise homecomings both from my mom and my beloved Dodong…

A few years back, my dad and sister planned out my mom's surprise homecoming for our little siblings. We pretended to pick up someone from my dad's work but really was picking up mom who just came home after 6-months in the US. My little sibs were like the kids in the video: pleasantly shocked and in tears.We were able to capture the moment on video (though I am looking through facebook and see if it's still alive) and it was simply a tearjerker.

Each and every time Dodong comes home, whether it be a surprise or not (Yes he pulled off a surprise the very 1st time), it brings tears to my eyes. An upsurge of mixed emotions: happiness and sadness and excitement and everything in between. It's an inexplicable feeling sometimes. You're happy he's home, but at the same time sad that it maybe temporary. Digs?

The video surely hits the spot (super hard in fact) for those in long distance relationships or with family members who are OFWs. For that matter, anybody who has a loved one from far away come home after a number of months or sometimes even years would DEFINITELY relate. So I hope you had a wad of tissue or a handkerchief beside you when you watched the video. Hehehe.

Speaking of homecomings, I am definitely so looking forward to this homecoming (which is so not a surprise though) very soon. Only a few days left and I'd be teary eyed, hugging and kissing the love of my life once again…I know cheezy right?

Love the distance,

Inday I. Nagintay

It's been sweet

I was supposed to post last Tuesday but unfortunately (for some reason) the blog was down But now it's back, I just wanted to share another milestone in our relationship: Dodong's Desert anniversary…his 2nd!

I can't believe it's been two years since he left for greener pastures in the desert. How ironic right? Green in the desert? Hehe.

I was actually thinking of celebrating his desert anniversary. Do you think I could celebrate? We've been through a lot in the 2 years apart and I must say despite the challenges, it's really been sweet

Congrats my love! We've survived!

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

Stuffing myself silly is not the same without YOU

Last year, due to visa concerns, Dodong was able to spend Christmas here at home. But this year is different. After his 2-week vacation, he had to go back to the desert for work. So unlike most OFWs, most kabayans, who are home for the holidays, Dodong is in the desert, working while trying to recreate the Christmas celebrations with fellow kabayans. Is your honey home or away for the holidays too?

This is Dodong's first Christmas away from home in a foreign non-Christian land. Plus, this is our first Christmas apart…

Although when he's home, we do spend Christmas with our respective families, but then again, the whole getting together of families and friends just adds to the "missing him" mood. Thanks to technology, we would be able to be "together" this Christmas despite the distance between us…

Long distance Christmas phone patch

Once the clock strikes 12mn in Dubai time (approximately 4am Philippine time), I will be giving Dodong a call. Thank God for lower long distance call rates, I'd be able to call him without hurting my pocket as much. For Globe subscribers like myself, just dial 12800 + country code + area code + telephone number. Instead of being charged per minute, your call will be charged per second at Php 0.17 per second. Not bad right?

Live streamed Noche Buena

Hmmm with the time difference (4-hours), I think that our food would be wiped out by then. Hehehe! I'm asking Dodong if he could live stream their Christmas celebration. I could join in their kabayan Christmas celebration too It actually is a blessing that Christmas Eve falls on a Thursday which is the last day of the work week over there.

I just wish I could fly in a Christmas Ham to share the Pinoy love this Christmas day. Would you send a Christmas Ham for him?

Merry Christmas everyone! Don't be blue, technology is there for you Be happy that someone out there (literally) is there wishing you all the best for this Christmas

Love the distance,

Inday I. Nagintay

His homecoming is DEFINITELY a SPECIAL EVENT!

Dodong and I are already talking about his next homecoming. I know he is still here, yet it seems as if I am sending him off! Hehehehe

For now, he still can't pinpoint when exactly he will be coming home next year since there are a lot of factors that come into play with this decision. Aside from the fact that, of course, work load is a crucial factor, which includes asking permission from the powers that be at work.

Here are the non-work top factors for consideration in scheduling homecomings…

Special Occasions with "Normal people" (i.e. family, friends, colleagues)

One of the reasons Dodong came home is to attend his high school classmate's wedding, which we did go to last weekend in Tagaytay. If I remember correctly, the earlier homecoming this year was also scheduled (or maybe it was just a coincidence?) during another friend's wedding. The abundance of weddings of friends in 2010 is actually creating quite a dilemma. Tsk tsk tsk.

Of course, Christmas is the biggest homecoming occasion for OFWs like him. This is the biggest Pinoy gathering of family and friends. So he has to really fight with the hundreds (oh, okay maybe I'm exaggerting) of OFWs in his office to get a vacation leave. This month's homecoming is I guess also a Christmas one. Though he won't be here. Christmas is a few days away anyway.

Special Couple Occasions

Another special occasion we are looking at is our Anniversary. We haven't been able to spend 2 anniversaries together. So next year, our 8th year anniversary, I am hoping Dodong would be home.

Dentist – Doctor appointments

Though he is covered by health insurance in the desert, Dodong makes it a point to time homecomings when he is in need of dental-medical attention. For the past homecomings, he makes it a point to visit the dentist for the regular oral prophylaxis (is this the correct spelling?). Luckily, a very good friend of mine is his dentist. Hehehe! Friendly prices are an added bonus when undergoing procedures. Hihihi!

Travel documentation updates

Dodong also went home to renew his passport. A good thing for OFWs is that they have a special privilege when renewing passports. They don't have to go all the way to the DFA. Instead, they have a special queue in the POEA (Philippine Overseas Employment Administration) for faster processing since OFWs have limited time during vacations.

Investment documentation updates

Dodong recently took the plunge in investing his hard earned money in some . So he is taking the time to fix all his papers while he is here. Of course, so that the cash keeps on growing and growing Yey for him!

What other factors does your better half take into consideration when coming home?

Love the distance,

Inday I. Nagintay