Boo

Bale me up, Christian.

...but first, drop the 'stache.

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Roll the red carpet!

Final Academy Awards Attempt

This is the fourth time I am revising the Oscar predictions.
Event is starting in 6 hours!

*UPDATE: AND THE EVENT HAS STARTED!!

Best Picture ... I managed to watch all and I'm broke now!
"The Artist"
"The Descendants"
"Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close"
"Hugo"
"Midnight in Paris"
"The Help"
"Moneyball"
"War Horse"
"The Tree of Life"

Ed's Choice: The Tree of Life
Probable Oscar Winner: The Artist (correct!)


Best Actor
Demian Bichir, "A Better Life"
George Clooney, "The Descendants"
Jean Dujardin, "The Artist"
Gary Oldman, "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy"
Brad Pitt, "Moneyball"

Ed's Choice: Jean Dujardin (I’m right!)
Probable Oscar Winner: Jean Dujardin (correct!)


Best Actress
Glenn Close, "Albert Nobbs"
Viola DAvis, "The Help"
Rooney Mara,"The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo"
Meryl Streep, "The Iron Lady"
Michelle Williams, "My Week With Marilyn"

Ed's Choice: Glenn Close
Probable Oscar Winner: Meryl Streep (correct!)


Best Supporting Actor
Kenneth Branagh, "My Week With Marilyn"
Jonah Hill, "Moneyball"
Nick Nolte, "Warrior"
Christopher Plummer, "Beginners"
Max Von Sydow, "Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close"

Ed's Choice: Kenneth Branagh
Probable Oscar Winner: Christopher Plummer (correct!)


Best Supporting Actress
Berenice Bejo, "The Artist"
Jessica Chastain, "The Help"
Melissa McCarthy, "Bridesmaids"
Janet McTeer, "Albert Nobbs"
Octavia Spencer, "The Help"

Ed's Choice: Janet McTeer
Probable Oscar Winner: Octavia Spencer (correct!)


Best Director
Woody Allen, "Midnight in Paris"
Michel Hazanavicius, "The Artist"
Terrence Malick, "The Tree of Life"
Alexander Payne, "The Descendants"
Martin Scorsese, "Hugo"

Ed's Choice: Terrence Malick
Probable Oscar Winner: Michel Hazanavicius (correct!)


Best Original Screenplay
Woody Allen, "Midnight in Paris"
JC Chandor, "Margin Call"
Asghar Farhadi, "A Separation"
Michel Hazanavicius, "The Artist"
Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo, "Bridesmaids"

Ed's Choice: Michel Hazanavicius
Probable Oscar Winner: Michel Hazanavicius
Actual Oscar Winner: Woody Allen, "Midnight in Paris" (dammit, wrong!)


Best Adapted Screenplay
Alexander Payne, Nat Faxton, Jim Rash, "The Descendants"
John Logan, "Hugo"
George Clooney, Grant Heslov, Beau Willimon, "The Ides of March"
Aaron Sorkin, Steven Zaillian, "Moneyball"
Bridget O'Connor, Peter Straughn, "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy"

Ed's Choice: John Logan ~ Hugo
Probable Oscar Winner: Alexander Payne et al ~ The Descendants (correct!)


Best Animated Feature
"A Cat In Paris"
"Chico & Rita"
"Kung Fu Panda 2"
"Puss in Boots"
"Rango"

Ed's Choice: Kung Fu Panda 2
Probable Oscar Winner: Rango (correct!)



Original Score
"The Adventures of Tintin," John Williams
"The Artist," Ludovic Bource
"Hugo," Howard Shore
"Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy," Alberto Iglesias
"War Horse," John Williams

Ed's Choice: War Horse
Probable Oscar Winner: The Adventures of Tintin
Actual Oscar Winner: The Artist (dammit!!)


Best Original Song
"Man or Muppet," The Muppets; Music and Lyric by Bret McKenzie
"Real in Rio," Rio; Music by Sergio Mendes and Carlinhos Brown, Lyric by Siedah Garrett

Ed's Choice: Man or Muppet (I’m right!)
Probable Oscar Winner: Man or Muppet (correct!)


Best Achievement in Art Direction
"The Artist"
"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2"
"Hugo"
"Midnight in Paris"
"War Horse"

Ed's Choice: Hugo (I’m right!!!)
Probable Oscar Winner: The Artist


Best Achievement in Cinematography
"The Artist"
"The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo"
"Hugo"
"The Tree of Life"
"War Horse"

Ed's Choice: The Tree of Life
Probable Oscar Winner: War Horse
Actual Oscar Winner: Hugo (dammit..I knew it!)


Best Achievement in Costume Design
"Anonymous"
"The Artist"
"Hugo"
"Jane Eyre"
"W.E."

Ed's Choice: The Artist (I’m right!)
Probable Oscar Winner: The Artist (correct!)

*cross fingers*


*UPDATES: Out of 14 categories over here, I hit a total of…11 (inclusive my choice and probable)

Till next year!


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Love of my life

I love you.

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Red (carpet) day...

Final Academy Awards Attempt

This is the fourth time I am revising the Oscar predictions.
Event is starting in 6 hours!

Best Picture     ... I managed to watch all and I'm broke now!
"The Artist"
"The Descendants"
"Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close"
"Hugo"
"Midnight in Paris"
"The Help"
"Moneyball"
"War Horse"
"The Tree of Life"

Ed's Choice: The Tree of Life
Probable Oscar Winner: The Artist


Best Actor
Demian Bichir, "A Better Life"
George Clooney, "The Descendants"
Jean Dujardin, "The Artist"
Gary Oldman, "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy"
Brad Pitt, "Moneyball"
Ed's Choice: Jean Dujardin
Probable Oscar Winner: Jean Dujardin


Best Actress
Glenn Close, "Albert Nobbs"
Viola DAvis, "The Help"
Rooney Mara,"The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo"
Meryl Streep, "The Iron Lady"
Michelle Williams, "My Week With Marilyn"

Ed's Choice: Glenn Close
Probable Oscar Winner: Meryl Streep

Best Supporting Actor
Kenneth Branagh, "My Week With Marilyn"
Jonah Hill, "Moneyball"
Nick Nolte, "Warrior"
Christopher Plummer, "Beginners"
Max Von Sydow, "Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close"

Ed's Choice: Kenneth Branagh
Probable Oscar Winner: Christopher Plummer


Best Supporting Actress
Berenice Bejo, "The Artist"
Jessica Chastain, "The Help"
Melissa McCarthy, "Bridesmaids"
Janet McTeer, "Albert Nobbs"
Octavia Spencer, "The Help"

Ed's Choice: Janet McTeer
Probable Oscar Winner: Octavia Spencer

Best Director
Woody Allen, "Midnight in Paris"
Michel Hazanavicius, "The Artist"
Terrence Malick, "The Tree of Life"
Alexander Payne, "The Descendants"
Martin Scorsese, "Hugo"

Ed's Choice: Terrence Malick
Probable Oscar Winner: Michel Hazanavicius

Best Original Screenplay
Woody Allen, "Midnight in Paris"
JC Chandor, "Margin Call"
Asghar Farhadi, "A Separation"
Michel Hazanavicius, "The Artist"
Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo, "Bridesmaids"

Ed's Choice: Michel Hazanavicius
Probable Oscar Winner: Michel Hazanavicius

Best Adapted Screenplay
Alexander Payne, Nat Faxton, Jim Rash, "The Descendants"
John Logan, "Hugo"
George Clooney, Grant Heslov, Beau Willimon, "The Ides of March"
Aaron Sorkin, Steven Zaillian, "Moneyball"
Bridget O'Connor, Peter Straughn, "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy"

Ed's Choice: John Logan ~ Hugo
Probable Oscar Winner: Alexander Payne et al ~ The Descendants

Best Animated Feature
"A Cat In Paris"
"Chico & Rita"
"Kung Fu Panda 2"
"Puss in Boots"
"Rango"

Ed's Choice: Kung Fu Panda 2
Probable Oscar Winner: Rango

Original Score
"The Adventures of Tintin," John Williams
"The Artist," Ludovic Bource
"Hugo," Howard Shore
"Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy," Alberto Iglesias
"War Horse," John Williams

Ed's Choice: War Horse
Probable Oscar Winner: The Adventures of Tintin

Best Original Song
"Man or Muppet," The Muppets; Music and Lyric by Bret McKenzie
"Real in Rio," Rio; Music by Sergio Mendes and Carlinhos Brown, Lyric by Siedah Garrett

Ed's Choice: Man or Muppet
Probable Oscar Winner: Man or Muppet

Best Achievement in Art Direction
"The Artist"
"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2"
"Hugo"
"Midnight in Paris"
"War Horse"

Ed's Choice: Hugo
Probable Oscar Winner: The Artist


Best Achievement in Cinematography
"The Artist"
"The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo"
"Hugo"
"The Tree of Life"
"War Horse"

Ed's Choice: The Tree of Life
Probable Oscar Winner: War Horse


Best Achievement in Costume Design
"Anonymous"
"The Artist"
"Hugo"
"Jane Eyre"
"W.E."

Ed's Choice: The Artist
Probable Oscar Winner: The Artist

*cross fingers*
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Fab buku

When I reflect on some good things in life, I am glad to be able to know Andrew Tan...a prolific writer and a friend.

Thanks to him, I made a little money editing/proofreading these two books.

Little things that kept me going...

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Will you?

Comfort food

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Love you like a broken song

Oh might as well.

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Love You #1

Seriously...?

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The best

Mother's laksa is the best.

I can cook as well as her...so no need to bother..haha.

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Academy Awards Revised

This is the third time I am revising the Oscar predictions. After watching a few more movies, these are what I hope to win.

Till 27th Feb!

Best Picture
"The Artist"
"The Descendants"
"Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close"
"Hugo"
"Midnight in Paris"
"The Help"
"Moneyball"
"War Horse"
"The Tree of Life"

Best Actor
Demian Bichir, "A Better Life"
George Clooney, "The Descendants"
Jean Dujardin, "The Artist"
Gary Oldman, "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy"
Brad Pitt, "Moneyball"

Best Actress
Glenn Close, "Albert Nobbs"
Viola DAvis, "The Help"
Rooney Mara,"The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo"
Meryl Streep, "The Iron Lady"
Michelle Williams, "My Week With Marilyn"

Best Supporting Actor
Kenneth Branagh, "My Week With Marilyn"
Jonah Hill, "Moneyball"
Nick Nolte, "Warrior"
Christopher Plummer, "Beginners"
Max Von Sydow, "Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close"

Best Supporting Actress
Berenice Bejo, "The Artist"
Jessica Chastain, "The Help"
Melissa McCarthy, "Bridesmaids"
Janet McTeer, "Albert Nobbs"
Octavia Spencer, "The Help"

Best Director
Woody Allen, "Midnight in Paris"
Michel Hazanavicius, "The Artist"
Terrence Malick, "The Tree of Life"
Alexander Payne, "The Descendants"
Martin Scorsese, "Hugo"

Best Original Screenplay
Woody Allen, "Midnight in Paris"
JC Chandor, "Margin Call"
Asghar Farhadi, "A Separation"
Michel Hazanavicius, "The Artist"
Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo, "Bridesmaids"

Best Adapted Screenplay
Alexander Payne, Nat Faxton, Jim Rash, "The Descendants"
John Logan, "Hugo"
George Clooney, Grant Heslov, Beau Willimon, "The Ides of March"
Aaron Sorkin, Steven Zaillian, "Moneyball"
Bridget O'Connor, Peter Straughn, "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy"

Best Animated Feature
"A Cat In Paris"
"Chico & Rita"
"Kung Fu Panda 2"
"Puss in Boots"
"Rango"

Original Score
"The Adventures of Tintin," John Williams
"The Artist," Ludovic Bource
"Hugo," Howard Shore
"Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy," Alberto Iglesias
"War Horse," John Williams

Best Original Song
"Man or Muppet," The Muppets; Music and Lyric by Bret McKenzie
"Real in Rio," Rio; Music by Sergio Mendes and Carlinhos Brown, Lyric by Siedah Garrett

Best Achievement in Art Direction
"The Artist"
"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2"
"Hugo"
"Midnight in Paris"
"War Horse"

Best Achievement in Cinematography
"The Artist"
"The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo"
"Hugo"
"The Tree of Life"
"War Horse"

Best Achievement in Costume Design
"Anonymous"
"The Artist"
"Hugo"
"Jane Eyre"
"W.E."

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Hu Hu Hugo

I watched Hugo just now...a sneak preview.

It's awesome.

It made me miss teaching film studies.

Is it a sign?



P/S: This is definitely my choice of favourite film for Oscar's. Shall revise.


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Whole lotta phooey

The night cant get any worse.

I am doubting myself. It's my fault. I'm not working hard enough.

And it's a sinking feeling I cannot shake off.

8 months and I am not getting any better.

Think she must be thinking that I'm incapable, inefficient and just plain stupid.

Maybe I am.

This is killing me.


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The passing

Whitney was not my first choice of singers but you cannot deny, her songs mark the 80s and 90s...and those were the years I've grown to love (more of the latter). So, like it or not, there's always nostalgia when it comes to Whitney.

So...thank you for the music, Whitney.
Thank you.

I know that when you look at me
There's so much that you just don't see
But if you would only take the time
I know in my heart you'd find

A girl who's scared sometimes
Who isn't always strong
Can't you see the hurt in me?
I feel so all alone

I want to run to you (oooh)
I want to run to you (oooh)
Won't you hold me in your arms
And keep me safe from harm

I want to run to you (oooh)
But if I come to you (oooh)
Tell me, will you stay
Or will you run away

Each day, each day I play the role
Of someone always in control
But at night I come home and turn the key
There's nobody there, no one cares for me

What's the sense of trying hard to find your dreams
Without someone to share it with
Tell me what does it mean?

I want to run to you (oooh)
I want to run to you (oooh)
Won't you hold me in your arms
And keep me safe from harm

I want to run to you (oooh)
But if I come to you (oooh)
Tell me, will you stay
Or will you run away
Run away...

I need you here
I need you here to wipe away my tears
To kiss away my fears
If you only knew how much...

Thank you for the music.


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Gratis

Grazie.

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Kahwin

It's out.

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Hello?

When the phone isn't ringing...
...that's me not calling.


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Anytime...any plac

Why dont I have a sexy, single, heterosexual neighbour...?

Baby-making music, ya'll.

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Wouldn't it be nice?

Think it is nice to be Ne-yo...surrounded by these women.

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Papa Pitt

Say what you want about him, Brad Pitt still ruffles my...erm...feathers.

Always has, always will.

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G

...for Grammy Awards.

Due to Whitney Houston's passing, the mood is a weird mash of sombre and celebration. Bruno Mars did a great performance, though.

As for the results, I am good with the nominees cause there's no Madonna. So yeah..hope Bruno win something.

Okay back to the show.

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My eyes

...are swollen.

I caught the 12.20pm screening of 'Tree Of Life' at Lido just now and for the love of me, the show struck a chord so deep I jus saw that throughout the movie and cried.

For almost 2 hrs (was still all right at the beginning), I watched and I wept. I wept so hard my gums ached, my shirt was soaked, my neck was drenched and my nose blocked. Even had difficulty breathing.

And worse...I had to control so hard not to just bawl loudly. My lips were quivering holding the cries.

Such dramatic reaction...and I couldnt fathom it.

This has got to be my most emotional film.

Damn you, Terrence Malick.

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Your love

Liah's official invite is here.

It's finally happening.

And I am genuinely happy for my friend.

P/S: Watched 'Tree Of Life' earlier and I bawled my eyes off for 2 hrs. The most touching thing I've ever seen.

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Don't make me close one more door

Woke up from Gladys' whatsapp message all the way from chilly Canada.

Whitney Houston's gone :(



Share my life, take me for what I am
'Cause I'll never change all my colors for you
Take my love, I'll never ask for too much
Just all that you are and everything that you do

I don't really need to look very much further
I don't want to have to go where you don't follow
I won't hold it back again, this passion inside
I can't run from myself, there's nowhere to hide

Don't make me close one more door
I don't wanna hurt anymore
Stay in my arms if you dare
Or must I imagine you there
Don't walk away from me
I have nothing, nothing, nothing
If I don't have you

You see through, right to the heart of me
You break down my walls with the strength of your love
I never knew love like I've known it with you
Will a memory survive, one I can hold on to

I don't really need to look very much further
I don't want to have to go where you don't follow
I won't hold it back again, this passion inside
I can't run from myself, there's nowhere to hide
Your love I'll remember forever

Oh, don't make me close one more door
I don't wanna hurt anymore
Stay in my arms if you dare
Or must I imagine you there
Don't walk away from me
I have nothing, nothing, nothing

Don't make me close one more door
I don't wanna hurt anymore
Stay in my arms if you dare
Or must I imagine you there
Don't walk away from me, no
Don't walk away from me

Don't you dare walk away from me
I have nothing, nothing, nothing
If I don't have you, you
If I don't have you, oh you


...this has always been my favourite. Thank you for the music, Ms Houston.


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And the list goes on...

updated - 10th Feb

To Watch Or Not To Watch?

1) Mozart’s Don Giovanni @ Esplanade Theatre
24-28 Feb (Fri-Sat, Mon-Tue @ 8pm)
S$130, S$110, S$88, S$68, S$58, S$48, S$38, S$25 + $3

2) Foo Fighters @ Padang (bought!)
2 March, Friday 8pm
$138 +$3

3) Poncho Sanchez & His Latin Jazz Band @ Esplanade
11 March, Sunday 7.30pm
$80. $60, $40 +$3

4) Cooling Off Day @ SOTA
23 Feb – 11 March (Tue - Sun, 8.00PM, Sat & Sun, 3.00PM)
Tue-Thurs & Sun - 8.00pm - $54, $49, S$44
Fri & Sat - 8.00pm/Sat & Sun - 3.00pm - S$59, S$54, S$49  +$3

5) Ella &Awie @ Max Pavilion Singapore Expo
25 March
$120, $100, $80 +$3 (D’Touchz Office Golden Landmark; Muzika Records)

6) Timbre Rock & Roots @ Marina Promenade
30 March, Friday
S$86 for OCBC Credit/Debit Cardholders  +$3
[Applicable from 30 Jan - 30 Mar 2012]
[Valid for show on 30 Mar 2012]

S$90 for Early Bird Discount +$3
[Applicable from 13 Feb - 30 Mar 2012]
[Valid for show on 30 Mar 2012]

FRIDAY, 30 MARCH 2012
The Specials
Buddy Guy
Keb Mo

7) The Studios 2012 Freud's Last Session @ Esplanade
12-15 Apr (Thu - Fri, 8:00pm, Sat - Sun, 3:00pm & 8:00pm)
$25  +$3

8) Romeo & Juliet @ Drama Centre
12-28 Apr (Tues - Thurs 8.00pm, Sat, Sun 3.00pm, Fri & Sat 8pm)
$69, $64, $59, $54, $49, $44, $39   +$3
9) Alleycats Istimewa Buat Singapura @ Esplanade
14 Apr, Sat 8pm
$188, $148, $118, $88, $68 +$3

10) Shakespeare in the Park: Twelfth Night @ Fort Canning
25 Apr – 20 May
Preview show (25 Apr 2012)
Advance Ticket - S$35 (available until one day before performance)
Standard - S$45 (Event Day) +$3

Wed - Fri and Sun shows
Advance Ticket - S$45 (available until one day before performance)
Standard - S$55 (Event Day) +$3

Sat shows
Advance Ticket - S$55 (available until one day before performance)
Standard - S$65 (Event Day)

11) Lady Gaga live in concert @ Indoor Stadium
28 May, Monday 8pm
$288, $188, $158, $108   +3


P/S: Mati...too many. Wonder how many out of these I can hit.


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Ugly but beautiful

A person who has good thoughts cannot ever be ugly. You can have a wonky nose and a crooked mouth and a double chin and stick-out teeth, but if you have good thoughts they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely. ~Roald Dahl

I hope you are right, Mr Dahl. Otherwise, I really cant justify these teeth, chins and this bulbous nose.

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Why do you do that?

I don't have to know.


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Under the Tuscan sun

Though I hate burning myself under the blistering sun in the name of leisure, I kind of miss the feeling of having a slight tan derived from hours of swimming and snorkeling in the sea (oh South China Sea how I miss you!). The last time I did that was when I was in Phuket, almost 12 months ago. So many things happened then - left old job, started new one, made new friends, got a year older.

Why the affinity to water...beats me.
I'm a Malay...maybe the fisherman spirit is strong deep within.
I don't know.
Hahaha.

Doubt I'll be making many trips this year, unless they happened real last minute or somebody is paying me to do it a.k.a. work junket trip. I'm saving the moolah for Italy, scheduled in September. Planning it, or rather, just thinking about it is giving me jitters cause it sounds epic to me. You know me. Planning a holiday itinerary is never my thing. That's why I need travel companion/s to do it. Then, I'll get pissed cause it will then become just their programme anyway (no, not you, Lauren!).

My husband...should I ever meet/find/discover one...must definitely be a planner. He doesn't have to be a looker but he must be someone who can plan and then be flexible about it. As I envision a lifelong of travelling, he too must like it. If he doesnt like to plan, I can picture lots of lazy travels, sleeping on the streets, missing trains and stumbling upon unchartered territories and discovering new sites. Exciting now...not really when you are 70 years old.

Anyway yeah, Italia. The friend's wedding invitation has been received...Sept 14 at Tuscany. Her wedding is the element I need to start my trip to Pasta Land. After Spain in 2010, Europe has always been a great attraction. Of course, football plays a big part too and talking about that, I need to find what are the football matches happening when I'm in Milan (Milan! Internazionale!) or Rome (Roma!). Need to start sourcing for accommodation lest Lauren accuses me of not being interested in finding a roof over our heads.

Talking about accommodation, I'm still contemplating if I should stay at the wedding venue, Villa Barberino or should I just get a place in a hostel down the road. Though I'd always choose the latter type no matter what the situation is (I'm just a sucker for cheap accommodation), I must consider my travelling companion's 'requirements' and I think Lauren is quite particular about accommodation. But I think...somehow...exchange rates will eventually prevail, haha.

Villa Barberino

Alternatively...it may be here.


Amoliv Bed & Breakfast.

I think you know which one I rather have.
Not cheapskate.
Call me...'rustic'.


P/S: These picture functions are crap!!

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