Macky in NYC + The Script at Hammerstein Ballroom

Honestly, this is going to be one of the most epic posts ever to grace the blog. 

As many of you readers are aware, I’ve been living in the good ol’ USA since 2010. While it’s brought me a lot of great opportunities and memorable experiences, it’s also meant being in a long distance relationship for four whole years with Macky. Being in an LDR is no picnic in the park, and though we had our struggles, we managed to make it through (and get married along the way).

It took quite some time (roughly a little over a year), but eventually, everything fell into place. Macky got his visa! He immediately booked his one-way ticket, and started the process of getting things done in the Philippines, while I started getting things ready for him in New York. And finally, on September 23rd, early in the afternoon, this happened:

our first ever photo together in New York!

Yes, we’re together in a photo for the first time in nearly a year. We’re together, and I couldn’t be happier! It’s been a little over a week since he got here, and I still can’t quite believe that it’s the “new normal” for us. I’m seriously overwhelmed with gratitude and joy, and excited for all the things we have ahead of us in the future. 

God is so, so, so good, and I’m glad we both stayed strong and faithful even when it was hard to do so. For those of you who were thinking of us, praying for us or who were there for me during the entire journey to get him here with me, thank you. It meant a lot to me to have support + friendship from so many quarters, and Macky & I will never forget it. 

We celebrated his arrival with a quiet dinner at the apartment with the NY family (Mel, Jaymee & Ephy, Pat & Ian). There’s a lack of photos, since everyone was really just chilling out with pizza and The Voice on TV. But there is a photo of Pat & Ian’s puppy, Mushi, who is the cutest (and you can follow her adventures on Instagram too!):

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Two days later, Macky and I embarked on another adventure – to Orlando, Florida! We spent a week on vacation, hanging out at our villa and visiting the parks. Since there’s so much I wanted to share about that trip, it’ll be in a different post – so look out for that!

October 1 was my last day of vacation, and also the day we headed back to New York. We ended our trip with a bang though – by catching The Script live at Hammerstein Ballroom! (By the way, all the photos below were taken by Jaymee.)

You all know that I love The Script. (I’ll have to give Mel credit for my obsession.) I’m seriously obsessed with their songs, and the way the melodies and lyrics combine to be so damn beautiful. I’ve seen them perform live four times now, including this show, and they’re just so brilliant. I would watch them over and over again, because they’re just that gosh darn good.

hanging out at Dunkin Donuts pre-show

Pat, Ian, me & Macky

I’d never been to the Hammerstein Ballroom before, but I actually like the space! It’s a bit on the smaller side, but I think that worked in this show’s favor because it made everything feel a bit intimate. We actually stood in the back near the sound/tech booth, but it gave us the perfect unobstructed view of the stage – which I loved!

bathroom selfie

They performed songs off the new album (No Sound Without Silence is effing brilliant, by the way. You can listen to a track sampler here.), including the incredibly moving Superheroes (Seriously, the music video makes me tear up every damn time.) They also performed old hits, including a personal favorite, Science & Faith, and their most well-known tunes to date, The Man Who Can’t Be Moved and Breakeven. They managed to mix things up well, both in terms of performance and song choices, and I couldn’t have been happier to have been seeing them live with the love of my life and friends surrounding me.

After the show, the eight of us took to the streets and headed over to Hana Michi in KTown for a very late dinner! It was a nice, relaxed affair, and I felt so content being surrounded by all these people I loved – including Macky. It felt right to have him with me, and I wish I could have bottled up the feeling to keep for whenever I’m feeling low.

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Honestly, life’s really good right now – and I couldn’t be happier! There are lots of fun events coming up in my life, including book signings, blog events + some personal adventures to boot. Don’t forget to look out for the Florida post, which is coming soon!