Wednesday, January 10, 2007

Magic on the March to Dumaguete

Tambuli Beach Club on Mactan Island near Cebu City was the setting for my first night ever in the Philippines.

Some of my most incredible memories from the Philippines did not even take place in Dumaguete, but came within hours of setting foot in Cebu. This city was to serve as a literal pit stop before a final push into Dumaguete, but it became a place of firsts that will forever endear me to the Queen City of the South. It was here in Cebu that I first witnessed the intense beauty in Marilyn's eyes and the alluring charm of this tropical wonderland known as the Philippines. I was not altogether sure that I was truly here, wondering all the time if I would soon awaken to a reality 10,000 miles distant. I looked up and saw the imposing silhouettes of palm trees against a mellow twilight sky. They were gently waving in the ocean breeze, as if to welcome me into their heaven. It was indeed a dream, but I was awake. It was magical.

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6 Comments:

Blogger Robert Simms said...

Beautiful photo.

Thursday, January 11, 2007 4:52:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Dear Corey,

Nice blog. I almost read everything about your trip to Dumaguete to meet the love of your life, Marilyn. You see, I think a "special friend" of mine would be feeling/experiencing the same things that you did next month, as he is coming here to visit and spend time with me and my family -- though not in Dumaguete but in Manila. We've been introduced through my Aunt whom he works with a year ago. I'm 27 and he's 29. We are crazy in love. I am excited but at the same time SCARED. There are just too many "what ifs" running through my mind. Did you ever feel the same when you decided to finally meet Marilyn?

Well I wish you both the best.

"In true love, the greatest distance can be bridged."

Thursday, January 11, 2007 10:54:00 AM  
Blogger Corey said...

Good afternoon...

Is he coming over from the U.S.? I had absolutely no idea what to expect during my trip. For starters, I had never left this country, and here I was flying 10,000 miles to meet a lady for the first time. I was most anxious about how we would be in face-to-fact setting after chatting online for a few years. I had actually only heard her voice on the phone a few times before I met her, so I wasn't sure how well we would communicate in person.

All I can say is that we were immediately comfortable with each other and had no trouble whatsoever making the transition from chatting online to chatting in person. I learned much about her through our online chats, since we had shared so much of our thoughts and feelings. The woman I met at the airport was exactly the woman I had gotten to know online.

As long you two have been genuine with each other you will have the same experience...and it will be absolutely wonderful :)

Saturday, January 13, 2007 2:15:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hey Corey! Yes, he's coming over from the US, from California. First time for him to travel outside the US, like you!We've done the usual emails, exchanging pictures, expensive phone calls, and lost/stolen snail mails that never reach me for almost 2 years. As the days draw closer (I'm counting the days!), I'm excited and scared all at once. It's weird. Probably just afraid that once we see each other in person, things would change between us. Although he had told me a couple of times that nothing would change. I dont know.

Fhaye

Sunday, January 14, 2007 4:24:00 AM  
Blogger Corey said...

Hello Fhaye...

Marilyn and I prayed for months before we saw each other. We even prayed that if somehow this meeting wasn't to take place that it would somehow be blocked.

Honestly, my anxiety didn't start to flare up until the flight from Manila to Cebu took off. When we landed in Cebu and I knew Marilyn was at that airport I realized just how huge this encounter was. I had the blessing of a Filipino-American family that I met on the plane in L.A...who just happened to be sitting next to me. They had the same flight itinerary from L.A. to Cebu and I got to know them and told them my story. They stood with me outside of the Cebu airport as I waited for Marilyn (she was late because I gave her the wrong arrival time ;))

It won't be easy anticipating the moment you two finally meet for the first time. You'll wonder how he will look and act in person. You'll wonder what will happen if he isn't all that you are expecting. My guess is that he will be all you expect, and more. He's showing a lot of commitment simply getting on the plane, so he's obviously serious about taking the next step, as are you.

Don't worry...all will be well :)

Sunday, January 14, 2007 11:23:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Oh, thank you Corey! I'll update you on things...LOL. Salamat.

FHAYE

Monday, January 15, 2007 4:34:00 AM  

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