Shufen and her island ice cream cake. I miss her so much …

This picture was taken before I left for Australia. I knew I was going to be in Brisbane when her birthday comes, so I got her an early birthday cake. The memory of her surprise warms my heart whenever I think of it.

Her ambition is to own an island some day. Plus she’s always wanted an ice cream cake for her birthday. So I got her an island ice cream birthday cake !

Well I guess it’s about time I talked about my soul mate.

Shufen and I were in the same kindergarten, primary school, secondary school and college. It was only in college that we got really close and eventually started dating. Those years were the best years of my life because she made everything seem right.

It was 2 years ago and I still cannot find the words to explain how we broke up. The news was quite shocking to our friends because they assumed that we would be the first ones to get married. Even our parents didn’t understand.

Since then, the relationship has been complicated, with us dating other people yet remaining close. I think it’s an open relationship ?

Now I am in Brisbane, and I’m going to be here for some time. The biggest fear I have is that she finds someone else while I’m gone. I know I only have myself to blame if that happens. What will the future bring for me and her ? I don’t know, but I hope that we will be together again someday. She’s the only person I can imagine growing old with.

By the way, I started blogging right about the time I broke up with her. Maybe I was trying to fill the emptiness by throwing my thoughts online ? Now you know how this blog was started ^_^

Also, for the most part, she’s the girl in the black dress when I draw comics. Because she’s evil sometimes.

Now I ask all of you:

• do you believe in soul mates ?
• do they end up together ?
• have you met yours ?

For my birthday, instead of spending it at home going online or something, I called a few friends that I know in Brisbane and we went to a strip club ! My friend knows a good place in Fortitude Valley that’s easy on the wallet and easy on the eyes too. I think the place is called Cabaret Club.

At the moment, my face still smells like Christian Dior because of all the breasts rubbing against my face. I think there was a total of 5 pairs. That’s like , 10 boobies man!

Some of them were rather unenthusiastic, like they were just doing their jobs. One was very kind though, knowing that it was my birthday unzipped my jumper and went very slow on me while whispering in my ear. What a wonderful caricature of intimacy.

By the way, the policy is touch anywhere but between the thighs.

The highlight of the night was when 2 blondes gave me a private show. They were sitting on each of my legs, while making out with each other and rubbing themselves on me. To add to the atmosphere, metal music was playing. A Perfect Circle and Deftones. Two of my favorite bands.

All in all, it was a pretty good experience!

Thanks guys for the beer and lap dances, it’s an excellent birthday present.

Today I turn 24 ! This is my birthday present to all of you. Just some sketches I made some time ago. Enjoy !

the robot that looks like me

The horse that broke the cowboy’s back

the monkey that makes you smile

the heart that I carve out for you

As for what I’m doing for my birthday, I still don’t know what’s going to happen. Whatever the outcome, I’m sure you all will be entertained by the story.

Well, that’s for next time ^_^

It was probably the lowest point in my life when I was sitting alone in my room, a grown man nearly in tears because of the current situation. Apart from what happened the past 48 hours in Brisbane, I had no friends no mobile phone , no Internet and no place to stay after Friday. Yeah, they’ll kick me out of temporary accommodation after Friday.

Then I heard the sound that saved my ass. A sniper rifle shot from the next room.

Okay, actually it was just a neighbor playing Counterstrike. I opened the door and knocked on the strangers door. I asked if I could play too on the network, and he passed me his thumb drive which contained the game. Then it hit me like a brick, I had internet in the room all the while !

I checked my mail and blogged about my horrendous 2 days. I chatted on msn and google talk too, which helped with the loneliness. Then Vyonne told me that Leon is staying here in Brisbane. Leon offered his place for me to bunk at least until I can find a place to stay, which was super great ! I felt much relieved after this.

The next day, I set myself out to find some accommodation. While waiting at the University bus stop, I saw some papers on the wall which posted some places to stay and contact numbers. While I was doing this, a woman pasted a paper on the wall. She asked me if I needed a place to stay and also offered to give me a lift to her place and show me around. So I followed her. You don’t know how lucky I am at this point.

Her name is Irena, and she is from Yugoslavia. She told me a sweet story about how she and her husband left Yugoslavia because of the war. Her husband just finished a 5 month posting in the army when he met her, and he asked her “I want to marry you. The only thing is, I am going to Australia in 3 days. Come with me”. She said yes straight away and they left the war-torn Yugoslavia for Australia. When they first came to Australia they coudln’t speak English and hard a rough time. Now they have 2 children and are running a few student houses. Sweet story.

The room offered for rental was very nice. Here are the details:

• $95 a week
• very clean
• free internet access
• 20 mins bus to city
• 5 mins bus to university
• bus stop just a few steps away
• Washer, Microwave, Oven, Fridge, Vacuum
• Swimming Pool !

It’s a very nice place, but I didn’t want to say yes right away. So I told her I’ll think about it and I headed to the city via the bus stop outside. Buses are very convenient in Brisbane, with dedicated bus lanes and bus stations that look like train stations.

In the city, I gave Leon a call to meet up. I sat down in the middle of Queens Street for a while just chilling while listening to my music. I even drew a comic inspired by an air stewardess I met on my flight to Melbourne. Too bad I can’t blog about this until I get a scanner. At this moment, I’m starting to enjoy myself in Brisbane.

Leon and I walked around the city for a while after a quick lunch. At the casino, I called Irena to tell her that I want to accept the accommodation. At that time, a guy was waiting to see the place so I told her I want the place. She had to tell the poor guy that the place was taken. Turns out that he was a friend I met during lunch, Vaibhav !

So back at the campus for dinner I had a little chat with Vaibhav. He told me “first come first serve eh ? No worries mate”. Then I met a few more friends too. Along with 2 Japanese cuties ^_^

Now poor Vaibhav later couldn’t find any other accommodation because all the places posted on the walls and online were fully booked. The last I saw him was outside in the corridors getting drunk with some friends from India. Poor Vaibhav.

Now you see how lucky I was to be just at the place when Irena posted the paper. The room is also just perfect for the price.

Things really took a turn for the better today. I can’t wait for tomorrow when I finally get my phone line.

I arrived in Brisbane at 11:30pm. The guy from the University picked me up, but notified that we will be waiting for 3 other people. Their flight got delayed in Malaysia. By the time he sent all of them home, I arrived at the backpackers motel at 1:30am. Just great.

Now I’m sure you’ve heard some horror stories about backpackers motels right ? Luck would have it that I probably arrived at the worst . I was attended to by a guy who looks and smelt like he was drinking on the job. Well, at least he was friendly.

The first thing I noticed when I arrived at my room was the stench of alcohol, sweat and ciggarettes. Then it was the muddy floor, and one mohawk haired guy sleeping on the floor. Guess what ? The toilet smelt even worse.

After 2 hours of trying to sleep, I gave up. Took my luggage out of the room and checked out of that place. I put my bags in a locker and just sat at the couch and waited until 8am. Time for orientation !

I met a few friends, exchanged numbers and took a tour around the campus. I wish i could show you pictures of them or the campus, but I gave my phone to my brother! Finally he replaces his old Nokia 3310.

Anyways, I headed back to the backpackers ( my stuff is still in the locker ) to open my bank account at ANZ bank. I had to do this, in order to get a new phone. Try moving around without a phone and without Internet in a foreign country, it feels like shit man.

Now, the guy who opened my bank account is quite a character. He’s really flamboyant, with all the wild mannerisms of someone out of queer eye for a straight guy. He was also telling me about some other client, who lost everything he had when he stayed in this backpackers place. At least I got a locker.

So anyways, I then headed downtown to the famous Queens Street Mall to get my mobile. Turns out you need an address to register the line. Now, I’ve been having trouble getting accomodation because I cannot call anyone. You see the catch-22 situation here ? Looks like I’m going to call through payphones now.

Later, I took a taxi and moved all my luggage to the University accommodation. This accommodation is only temporary and they’ll kick me out on Friday. Okay, this taxi driver was an ex-rally racer. However, instead of telling me stories about his rally racing days, we chatted on about old computer games. Interesting but unexpected conversation.

Anyways, I’m settled down in my room now, with Internet and even a little Counterstrike games on the local area network. I want to sleep though, but there’s noise everywhere.

The worst 48 hours of my life. Wonder what’s next …

hello everybody ! I’ve been feeling miserable here in Brisbane but I had fun in Melbourne! Too bad I don’t have all the pictures ( you know, other people’s camera .. etc etc) . Anyways, my fingers are freezing so I’ll just post up some pictures:

I met the great Zack Kim in the airport. Turns out we’re on the same flight. If you don’t know who he is, check this out.

This is a view of the airplane wing from my seat. It accurately describes what I feel at the moment. Flying free but lonely.

  This is Southbank, near the Crown Casino. Angelene refuses to appear on my blog

 This is the view of Eureka tower from the bridge near Flinder’s Street.

I stayed one night in Monash, Clayton Campus with my brother.

 The next day, me and my brother moved to a friends place near University of Melbourne. This apartment is called Uropa and I kinda like the lights.

Melbourne Central. Why does my camera take depressing pictures?

Anyways, if I get more pictures from friend’s cameras, I’ll post them ya. I’ll complain about my time in Brisbane next …