hoping

so maybe all isn't lost.
i had my first good conversation with him. explaining all my resentment and he saw my point of view.
can things really be fixed the 3rd time round?

3 years later

although i can't find the post of three years ago...

the car battery died on us...this time it died on Leo.

Luckily for me, he took care of everything

:)

life is so much easier with a guy around

;)

april showers and other disasters....

Ok, we've established that Feb was an accident prone month for me. The tooth problem that got the ball rolling on me falling, 2 car incidents and getting rained on, over and over again.

April saw my health take some blows, nothing serious, just unexpected. Stomach pains, stomach pains and others (which reminds me, I better call my other doctor). Well, at least for the April disasters, Leo was with me all the way.

Yesterday, I finally had the impacted wisdom tooth (the left one) pulled out. I had no idea how bad it was going to be. I wasn't dreading it so much but I've been a bit confused lately. Friday night dinner with Cathy and Co; Saturday Brunch with Charisma, taking Shady to the airport and Chiqui's retirement party; Sunday afternoon with Jo's parents until late evening. Monday evening was the only time I was home and I was doing the laundry! By Tuesday I felt exhausted except that I had another dinner and Wednesday, I had dinner with Amina and Friends and from there I picked up Leo (who came out at 11.30!)...and I still managed to make him a midnight snack.

When Thursday came round, I was so disoriented. All I knew was I was going to get my tooth pulled out. Leo and I arrived to the dentist at 9.30 only for me to realize I had forgotten my x-ray's at home! I went in and told the dentist. My appointment was for 10 so we had time to prep and Leo had time to go home and hopefully get the x-rays.

It was very surreal for me. I was waiting in the reception area, filling out forms and then just worried about Leo. I felt so stupid for forgetting the x-rays. Anyway, past 10 and no sign of Leo, the dentist called me in to start on local anesthetics (that was all I was getting). I closed my eyes when I saw how big the needle was. Lets just say, I don't want to make any more trips to the dentist any time soon (however, I do have to get my stitches out).

That's essentially how I managed to survive the dentist. Normally, I wouldn't have a problem looking at things directly (when they draw my blood at the clinic, I watch them do it-inserting the needle and watching the tube fill up with blood and I can do that without flinching), but THIS time, I kept my eyes shut as much as I could. I felt the nurse pull so tight on my mouth that I was afraid it would start bleeding. That went on for 2 hours.

Leo came in and the dentist was very glad he came. He remembered that my case was a bit particular, saying that the roots were too close to the nerves. He started on me, breaking up the crown of the tooth into 3 pieces, and then sliding the middle part with the roots attached to it, up. I felt every bit of it. It was PAINFUL. I felt the drilling and the pulling, but the actual removal, well, no. Once he had freed my tooth, he was very surprised to come so close to the nerve. He could actually see it. Apparently, it's a very rare thing since most nerves have casings of some sort. Mine was exposed under the tooth. He was so excited, he started showing it to his assistants and I suddenly felt like I was in Bio class.

We went into this office and he gave me prescriptions and told me what I had to do over the next few days. I paid the bill and we left. The dentist was telling Leo that I was such a good patient, I cooperated and didn't complain...and you know what? as soon as I was out the door, I started crying. I was exhausted.

Leo took me home and put me under the covers. He went out and bought food. Since he was fasting too, he couldn't eat much. He made me puree and he had bread. We took a nap and was very careful to take my temperature and made sure I ate and regularly took my medicine.

:) I survived the dental experience with Leo. Thanks, Jess for making sure he's around....

the bigger picture

I posted on my Facebook, "Love is:" which got a whole lot of aaawwwsss, <3's and likes. Leo came this weekend and was suppose to only stay for Saturday. However, late Saturday afternoon, I had a sudden shooting pain in my stomach that wouldn't go away. He tried to convince me that I had to see a doctor, but convinced that it was just Kabag, I stubbornly told him I was ok.

Sunday morning, I was in pain. Really. He got up at 7 am to check on me and started calling people. By 10.30 we had gone and seen the doctor. He had prescribed a medicine that Leo lovingly helped me take. It doesn't help that my ovaries are hurting as well since I'm almost due my period. My abdomen and lower parts have been a constant dull pain since yesterday.

Through it all, Leo missed his Sunday morning flight and even asked me if I wanted him to spend one more day here. I told him I should be fine tomorrow. I actually hope so. I'm feeling better but the tightening in my abdomen is still there.

Leo bought a ticket for tonight to return to Brussels. He spent the entire day with me. He helped me into bed and watched me while I slept. He cooked me food, held my hand and got me dressed. Never in my life, did I think that someone could love me so much. I hardly get sick and whenever I do, I've mostly been by myself. To have Leo here, to actually have someone care for me when I'm horrible, and sick and to lovingly hold my head while I puke....how else can you define love than this?

Not by the luxurious trips or expensive dinners or the compromises and fights (who has the upper hand)...but by the actions that show that someone cares.

weekend review

I was half expecting Leo not to make it anymore on Friday night. My week was so bad, that it wouldn't surprise me even if he had missed his plane. Luckily, he made it :)

On Saturday, while I was in the shower, he went out to the Pharmacy to buy the stuff I needed (alcohol, betadine, gauze, bandaids) to clean the wound. He came back early because the first pharmacy was closed so he was off to the second one. While he was out, I managed to finish my shower and found this on the table! :D

Simply because he wanted to surprise me. It wasn't for valentine's day or anything. It's his thoughtfulness and willingness to make me happy that makes me blush so much! We spent the rest of the day in the park and went home to watch, Kick Ass. It wasn't that bad of a movie, personally, I liked it.
Sunday, I took Leo to the airport and just started fixing the house a little bit. Oh, Kristine called and we had drinks together in the center. That's about it.

and because it happens so rarely

apparently I've been sick because of my impacted tooth. I just thought it was a pain (literally) that was an inconvenient thing but it turns out that it had physically affected me. I had to take half a day on Wednesday. Thursday I was a bit better and went to the dentist who promptly put me on antibiotics and made a follow up appointment for Wednesday to see the inflammation and the xray results.
When I was telling Leo that I had to have my tooth pulled out, he said, maybe I should take a couple of days off, so I can be with you and take care of you. My reaction: REALLY?
I guess we've been so far apart from each other that it feels like, we're together for weekends and holidays, but day to day stuff/problems, we deal with them by ourselves. Independently of each other.
I just thought that this was going to be another thing I needed to deal with on my own and by myself. Glad to know that, that's not really the case.

planning ahead

It's sort of official...Leo has done the proposal to buy the house and the sellers have accepted it.
Loan has been approved as well. It will become official once he has done the deed of sale and the keys are in his hands.
What under 30 year old thinks of buying a house to secure their future, and the future of their loved ones? Certainly, not me.
I was all for live in the moment and I haven't saved a dime. I'm lucky enough that Leo has the foresight to plan ahead for both of us....
:)

Getting Here

I had already booked my first trip to Brussels 2011 since November 2010. Getting the cheap fares was top priority and for a round trip ticket including taxes, I scored a ticket for less than USD40. I had the 9pm flight that would arrive in Charleroi at 11pm and make the last bus that leaves for Brussels City at 11.30pm. I would get to Brussels around 12.30 and home with Leo at about 1am. It's not the most fantastic of trips but I wouldn't have to take a day of leave and it was cheap.
Things weren't quite going my way when I arrived at my weekend parking spot and realized I forgot to bring my printed reservation (I had printed and brought the OTHER reservation I had - the one for February!) , but after a couple of hand gestures and Italian yelling, they conceded that I probably had paid online (they haven't created a system yet for them to check whether or not you've booked online) and I got onto the minibus that would take me Ciampino Airport.
I guess I've been driving myself for far too long in Italy because normally, Italian driving doesn't get to me. The minibus driver who was driving was driving like a maniac. Literally, like his ass was on fire and he needed to get as far away from possible from where he was at the fastest possible speed. He didn't slow down for turns or speed bumps and I was a ragged doll being tossed in the back seat. At a certain point, I was wondering if I could put on my seatbelt, and to my horror, discovered there were none!
I arrived at Ciampino with my stomach in my mouth and with shaky knees. You know when you've been on a rollercoaster and the sensation leaves you defying gravity for a bit? That was me. That was the worst rollercoaster 10 minute experience of my life. Worst, because it wasn't even a rollercoaster!
Anyway, I checked in, did the security check and brought Terry Pratchet to keep me company.
Boarding was suppose to start at 8.35pm as the flight was at 9pm, but this was Ryanair. Boarding started at 8.55pm and then stopped. It resumed at 9.15pm. We were off to a good start. I didn't mind as long as I could catch the last buss for Brussels. We boarded the plane and waited.
After 15 minutes the pilot says that there has been a problem with the plane (apparently it got struck by lightning while it was descending) and the plane was undergoing some technical checks. I nudged onto the guy beside me to ask how long it was going to take. He reassured me that we were both going to miss the bus to Brussels. Damn. Then we were told we had to switch planes. Damn. Damn. Damn.
We arrived at Brussels past 12.30am with only taxis insight. My new found friend, Marco (the guy sitting beside me earlier) was nice enough to not leave my side. He regaled me with his tales to the East, Central Asia and the Scandinavian countries, while we were waiting. Once out, he made sure we caught a cab together so not to leave me stranded in the middle of nowhere. Overall, a nice guy. I told Leo that we were going to arrive at Midi and if he could meet us there.
Since it was late and Leo doesn't have a car, he had to walk from his house to Midi, approximately 40minutes in the cold. My poor baby!
We made it home past 2am, needless to say, exhausted! Next time, I'm just taking a day off, as I really don't want to go through this again!

and so they asked me when i knew

that Leo was the one for me. While I could never pin point an exact when, it clicked inside, how I knew.
"I had gone out and seen new places, I furthered my career and it didn't mean anything. Everything was meaningless unless I had him in my life to share it all with."
It's corny and clichèd, but it's very, very true.

2010

it's been a rough couple of months. and i know the next 364 days will be filled with interesting challenges and lessons to be learnt. however, the one thing i will take from 2009 is that, i can survive anything because i have friends who love me, who will be there for me unconditionally and a man whom i love sincerely and i can't imagine life without.

Hope you all had a wonderful end of year celebration! Here's cheering to 2010!Wishing you all good health and happiness.

mr.blue says...

No matter what, it is always worth the wait. We will all have our happy endings -I am certain. For now, let us savour each moment with happiness

For Leo

Something has to be said for spending a weeks holiday with your beau and coming back totally smitten. Literally, falling in love all over again.
I could not have asked for a better holiday (although I wish I could have asked for a longer one). Leo was every bit as attentive and protective over me during the trip. I had so much fun. I felt so safe and free. The water was so unbelievable clean, I was swimming with fishes! I never really loved going to the beach, but with Leo, it was nice. I enjoyed the whole thing.
We're both romantics at heart. When he took me to Lykavittos hill to watch the sunset and the city of Athens change color, I reconfirmed what I've always known, we are truly something special.
During our trip, we had the chance to meet up with his brother and his brothers future wife, Fotini. I don't think anyone of us knew of each others "love story". Brothers, I'm not too sure, share this information so freely or so readily. Girls, however, are a different matter. When I recounted to Fotini our funny beginning, did I fully understand how attracted I was to Leo, the second time round.
I had met him previously during a lunch, in which I was apparently very tightly wound up. He appeared as an easy going guy with long (LONG!) curly blonde hair. Not at all my type. When I saw him the second time round, I was waiting for the elevator and he passed by. He just turned my way, smiled and said, Ciao.
I can still remember, 4 1/2 years later, the smile he cast my way and how it melted me back then. The thought still melts me now. I was in shock. The only thing I could think of was, the most gorgeous guy walked by and said hi to me, and i don't know his name! My knees grew weak, my heart stopped beating. I felt like I was going to faint.
He said one word. That's all it took for me to fall under his spell. Thinking back, it took him only one word to captivate me. It didn't take any pretentious flirty line. It didn't take a random hours conversation. None of that was needed. None was necessary.
Being a firm believer of fairy tales, Cinderella for sure, didn't propose marriage to Prince Charming. While we're still a little bit financially unprepared, being on top of that hill just made the moment perfect, I almost asked him. All good things are worth the wait right? Truth be told, he almost asked me. But since we're not really asking each other yet and to maximize the time, I've decided to start a mini project for myself here. It's called, "In search of the perfect wedding vow" and yes, it will be mushy. I'm going to start writing what I would want incorporated in my wedding vow to Leo.
I'll be researching (and posting) into what has already been said, hopefully, aslo be inspired by novels, movies and actual vows. If you come across something nice, please do feel free to share. The more quotes I have, the better chances I have of writing my version of a perfect wedding vow.
In relation to this, pitches for wedding proposals will also be explored. So, yes, anything involving WEDDING has been going on an on in my head and I've finally decided to look into it. All because I fell in love with this great Greek guy 4 1/2 years ago and just last week, I had fallen in love all over again.

When promdi's head into the city

From Valencia with Love.
We aren't used to the luxuries life can provide. So this is how we react once we realize we can live it up.

Monte Gelato

02 May 2009

We had this day as a holiday and Leo and I took a trip up north (30minutes away!) to Monte Gelato. I had a horrible lip condition, but hopefully, it doesn't show here.


Monte Gelato is a park with mini waterfalls around. Its just a nice river, that flows through a low slopping hill. We were lucky as the sun was out and had good weather.

Brugge

*original post 04.20.09*

I was feeling weary overall, but just as excited to go. With ID card in one hand and airline receipt in another, I ventured off. When I left Italy, it was sunny, warm and beautiful. I reached Brussels and it was grey, raining and depressing. Nice. My weekend was off to a "promising" start. I arrived at 5.30ish pm. My feet were hurting from all the walking I had to do to get out of the airport.

After 15 minutes of running and following the exit signs. I made it to the train station and bought 2 tickets for Midi. My knight in shinning armour was actually armed with an umbrella, which came in useful. Leo met me at Midi coming straight from work. We headed home and I got out of my *awful* boots (which I would have to wear for the remainder of the trip-yes, the one that just started) and rested up with Leo. He made dinner! He's a really good cook. But since it was the Greek Good Friday (as if, one Good Friday wasn't enough for me), we had to eat fast-able kind of foods. He made pasta with red sauce.

After dinner and lounging at home, we got ready to go out. You'd think it be to paint the town red, but as I've already mentioned, it was their Good Friday. We went to church to observe his traditions. It was really interesting, if I wasn't so tired and my didn't feet hurt.

Next morning we got up to a cloudy, overcast Brussels. We decided to try to head to Brugge anyway.I had no expectations about Brugge (and Brussels for that matter!), but when we got to the city, I fell in love with it instantly. We walked out of the train station and into a postcard! The picture on the left was exactly what we walked into 2 minutes away from the station. It was so pretty! It was a nearly cloudless day, with fresh air and clean streets. It seemed that Brugge was one big park that we were free to explore. We headed towards the cathedral as we assumed thats where the center was. The street we were walking through seemed closed off to all cars which made walking in the middle of the road so pleasurable. Everyone had told us to get bikes once we get there as Brugge was biker friendly. Now, big secret: I never learnt to ride the bike properly. Why I never told Leo is a mystery to me, as we got to ride the bikes together!

I was falling half the time, and it wasn't until an hour later of hard riding that I got comfortable on it.

While we were biking through the city center we came across this. Isn't it pretty?

Just one of the many parks found within Brugge. I love Tulips!

We didn't stay too late, being tired and all. We went back to the train station and headed back to Brussels. Overall, I loved the city and would go back the next time I'm in Belgium. I enjoyed it, especially after I got the hang of riding a bike.

I've found...

Somebody (by Depeche Mode)

I want somebody to share
Share the rest of my life
Share my innermost thoughts
Know my intimate details
Someone who'll stand by my side
And give me support
And in return
She'll get my support
She will listen to me
When I want to speak
About the world we live in
And life in general
Though my views may be wrong
They may even be perverted
She'll hear me out
And won't easily be converted
To my way of thinking
In fact she'll often disagree
But at the end of it all
She will understand me
Aaaahhhhh....

I want somebody who cares
For me passionately
With every thought
With every breath
Someone who'll help me see things
In a different light
All the things I detest
I will almost like I don't want to be tied
To anyone's strings
I'm carefully trying to steer clear of
Those things
But when I'm asleep
I want somebody
Who will put their arms around me
And kiss me tenderly
Though things like this
Make me sick
In a case like this I'll get away with it
And in a place like this I'll get away with it

Since i've told everyone else...

I just had to share...
I'm going to Mallorca in JUNE!!!!
Yipee!

Leo, my ever adorable, other half organized everything. He asked me before about the dates and got my opinions on the hotels, but last night, he did everything. He bought all the airline tickets and booked the hotel and everything! All I had to do, was promise to show up
:D

I'm so excited for our summer trip. I love my Leo so much! I can't wait for this trip....

Perspectives (and my mom's 6th sense)

It was my first time to be able to leave the country legally, and so of course I went straight to Brussels. Since I'm cheap, I flew Ryanair and ended up in Charleroi. From there its another 60 minutes bus ride to get to Brussels center. I left Friday night, after a grueling week and I got to Charleroi at 11.30. The bus had some delays and didn't leave until 12mn! Needless to say, I got to Brussels center around 1am!
I live by myself, so I'm answerable to myself. I didn't tell my family back home (and why should i?!) that I was flying to spend the weekend with my boyfriend. Leo and I got back to his house on Friday night at 2am! In bed by 3 (after eating). Our Saturday was spent in Gent and of course on Sunday afternoon, I had to fly back to Rome. Sunday morning however, we were woken up by my mom calling me!!!! How the hell does she know? Does she have some radar or some sort when I'm potentially up to no good?!
Anyway, I got home last night at 10pm, and I left Leo in Brussels center at 3pm.
Overall, I can appreciate the effort Leo makes every other weekend that he comes. I'm pretty tired. I can't believe Leo does it for me.
:)
I'm so happy that he loves me so completely.

I heart Leo

For all Leo's short comings, he is still the most loving, most supportive and most understanding human being alive. And I'm so lucky that he's mine. I love him so so so much.
These past three weeks have been crazy hectic at work, but he's still there cheering me on, understanding, when I'm home late (imagine that my normal working hours are from 8.30-5, but I get home from work at 11pm!!!! Or working Saturdays and Sundays). Helping me stay focused, like when after work I had to rush home to show a girl my apartment as I'm searching for a roommate. Or in between the work day, run to the dentist so he could fix my tooth.
Yesterday, after working until 7pm, I went over to Kristine's house to help her move. From there, I went to Jacquie's farewell drinks. I got home well past 12 and I of course had to get up to go to work today. I'm physically exhausted. Poor Leo, waited up for me last night because I told him I was heading home, and while we were talking, I FELL ASLEEP on him. My poor baby!
Even today when I got disturbing rumours (think anthony part 2), he just shrugged it all off and told me not to think about it again.
He has always been by myside and supportive. He trusts me completely and is faithful.
When he arranged with his friends to go out this weekend, with me included, I told him I'd pass as I didn't feel up to socializing with his friends. I would rather stay home because I had such an exhausting past two weeks without ANY rest. But then when I got an invite to go out with my friends for the same night, it perked my interest. I shyly told him about it and he encouraged me to go. his rationale was, just because I said I wasn't going out with him, doesn't limit me to staying at home. Where on earth could you find a guy so understanding? NEVER would I find a filipino guy so understanding. Issue na yun noh, di lang, away pa! But Leo is so laid back its such a breath of fresh air. Even though its early, he likes to get organized, so we're planning a trip to Menorca!!! :)

Happy Monthsary!

Its our 34th monthsary!
:)

and leo surprised with me some gifts! i totally wasn't expect it. He made me a good night kit. So I got the pajama set, and he added a few more things, like snoopy slippers, snoopy socks, and my favorite, snoopy pillow!

its so awesome! :)



i love you leo, thank you so much. I wasn't expecting anything at all.