4,602 Miles

Or 7,404.62 kilometers. This is the distance between Cebu and Dubai, the amount of space in lateral format that separates two people. After being together almost everyday for the past three years, this distance came into being. It's not because the distance was desired. The distance is simply part of the package.

There are numerous points against long distance relationships. Spending time physically together is impossible. Problematic communication and consequently misunderstanding is hard to get away with it. Temptations are never absent. Eventually, all these downsides become the strongest points in consideration, and they lead to the slow demise of the promises and pacts made to each other.

After dropping the bomb about the negative possibilities of an LDR, it is notable to mention that not all LDR actually fails. While most people are not very hopeful and confident in being physically separated from their beloved halves, it is actually possible for a long distance relationship to work. Here are some helpful and proven ways to facilitate the continuous growth of a relationship between two people despite being not together all the time.

1. Share and strive towards a common goal - There are many reasons why couples have to get into an LDR. In most cases, it is a practical move, which involves a healthier career and stronger source of income for one party or both. The couple can make this the end goal of the sacrifices and challenges that come with a long distance relationship. It can serve as the motivation to get going and the ultimate reward at the end of all the hardships.

2. Communicate frequently - Because of work, traffic, busy schedules and many other similar reasons, it is easy for the communication pattern between couples on LDR to go erratic. Many end up in absolute zero communication in just a month or two. Others slowly go through the process in months before finally letting go. There are those who make it through though. One thing about communication between partners in LDR is that it should not be all about the serious and major concerns alone. When together, couples spend seemingly useless hours talking about nonsense, bantering, joking or sometimes even without talking to each other. This is essential in relationships, not hearing each other's voices nor seeing each others faces but knowing that they are there. Hence, couples should not lessen communication even the non-verbal ones even when they are far away from each other on the physical sense.

3. Understand more - The physical distance brings about a lot of hindrances. Shortcomings are bound to occur from either or both parties. From these, conflicts may arise, and the negative consequences are limitless. It is, therefore, very useful for couples to be more understanding of each other.

As they say, long distance relationships are not for the weak. It requires a lot of hard work, persistence and the desire to be together eventually in order for an LDR to successfully make it through. Long distance relationship is for the BOLD ones only, and there is no greater force that can make anyone BOLD but LOVE.

Again And Again And Again - Persistence At Its Best

It's 5 o'clock in the morning. 
But not really.

Time check says 3:55AM. Hair still wet so dreamland is still minutes more away. 

I've been meaning to update this blog regularly. Sad to say, I have failed. Persistent as ever though, I will give it another shot. Hence, starting tomorrow, 1 August 2013, I aim to have 1 posting on this blog everyday. 

It can be about love, career, family, feelings, food, experiences, thoughts. It can be just about anything. One thing is for sure though. It is going to be from me.

So, let's get it on. August, here I come!

THE FIRST TIME: A Movie Review

"I don't know much about relationships. And I don't know anything about love. All I want, like in the world, is to just keep talking to you. I wanna know how your day was, where you wanna eat and I wanna argue with you. And I wanna hear all your theories even the ones that are just completely, you know, wrong. I know it is not that simple. I just think, no I really believe that if you just be willing to continue having this conversation with me, then we can figure the rest out."

Now, who wouldn't fall in love with that? I almost did. Why I did not is another story :))

When I first saw the title, I thought it was just another teen romantic flick. Honestly, I was hesitant to watch, thinking it would be a waste of time. Boy, was I wrong!

The storyline of The First Time revolves around two high school students who accidentally met at a teenage party, which they both did not enjoy. They ended up talking to each other and eventually, the growing attraction between them started to get beyond their control. As teenagers, there is always the great interest in things that are supposedly not meant for them to do yet. After a lot of awkward moments, they actually did the deed. Unlike other romantic stories though, it was not as good as they both thought it should be. They ended up disappointed with themselves and with each other, resulting to an apparent separation. After being away from each other for some time, they realize that they were just scared about the things that come with a relationship and how much they wanted to be together. And that's when those utterly simple yet annoyingly sweet lines started pouring out.

The greatest thought this movie has to offer is something every individual should learn about love and relationships, and that is the fact that it is not just about the sex. There are people who are too blinded with the satisfaction that they get out of the sexual activity that they fail to see the other (and more important) aspects of a relationship. I am amazed with the level of maturity that the characters displayed at the end in how they are going to tackle their responsibility to become better as lovers as a part of their desire to be together. Being able understand and be willing to compromise for what is not initially perfect in the relationship are essentials to making the whole endeavor work out both in the short term and in the long run. Personally, I think this is the perfect reawakening film for adolescents simply because it brings the sex part of a relationship down from the pedestal where most people, especially teenagers put it.

Back On Track

First of March. Not February. Not April, which would have been April Fool's Day. Nothing special. Except for one thing. It's my comeback! Nothing special for the world or even just for the rest of blogosphere. Special for me though.

So, for updates, I am now in located (working) in the United Arab Emirates, approximately 4,500 miles from the Philippines and four hours late. Not much time difference at a glance, but still technically from away from home, family and friends. Like any OFWs, I get hit with the "missing you" bug every now and then. Specific location is a less-developed emirate with no malls and not many places to hang out at. It makes a homebody out of me. So, blogging really helps.

After leaving Cebu and my EatCebu website, I have not been able to do a lot of blogging. There are a lot of new things I am experiencing that I have been focused more on enjoying them than sharing about them with those who might want to know about them. Maybe it was because I wanted to be more specific with what I want to share. Maybe because everything was new, and I was scared not to know enough about them to actually talk about them. MAYBEs. Today, I am putting to a stop to them and will be sharing these new experiences with the reading part of the world, specifically those who might drop by.

This blogsite will now serve as my diary. There will be no specific personal information though. I will be sharing facts and pinch or two of my own thoughts. There will be no limits as to what I will be writing about, so I will not be setting a specific area of life that I will feature here.

In short, prepare to be surprised! 

Crazy Thing Called Love

Yes, love is crazy. Sure it is the most beautiful thing the world and everything in and on it has ever known. It inspires a being yet may also serve as the ultimate reason of one's demise. It can make one soar the wide sky but it can also weaken one's senses to the point of complete distress.

Yes, love is crazy. It makes people crazy, too. Yet, we all still want to love. We all still crave for that excruciating pain that seems so physically in existence that we can almost feel the blood dripping down our bodies and uniting with our very own tears. 

Yes, love is crazy. But I would not exchange it for anything in this world. Crazy love. Crazy me.

Weird Stuff

I heard on the radio this morning that the hotel room where Whitney Houston's dead body was found is currently fully booked for the rest of the year. This is the weirdest thing I've heard of today. It's funny how people can be twisted to actually want to stay in a place where someone just died. Unless it is my relative or a friend, I am definitely not going to do so. Even if someone would pay me (unless it's a really huge sum, say a million or two), I am not staying in that room. I know I would not be able to stand it even for a mere 30 minutes. 

Some people are just weird.

Mistakes Are To Learn From

It's a random day, and this is a random thought. Well, not really. I've been bothered by this after learning about two other girlfriends who are in the same situation as another friend. They are making mistakes, hurting themselves and not working their way out of it. The reason is just beyond my logical existence.

I can just imagine their hearts looking exactly like this. It has been broken over and over again. They take it up, put a bandage here and there then continue being with and loving the same person. Oh how masochist people can be!

I am not a hypocrite. I have experienced being completely in-love with someone to the point that I was willing to give up everything and everyone in my life for him. However, I was able to give myself a pinch and woke up to the reality of life. That he was not worth it all.

This is the very same thing I wish my friends would do. It hurts me to no end to see them in such pain. The fact that they let it be makes me hate them though. I love them. I care for them and do not want to see them in pain. But, how can I continue doing so when they themselves have no love, care nor respect for their own being?

*Someone who really loves you will never ever hurt you. He would rather hurt himself than you.