There are definitely better things to do in life.

B: “Do you like my msn photo?”
*Looking at the photo. It was a photo of a guy, bent down his upper body toward table, sucking some cocaine with a tube.*
Mel: “Not at all. I hate people who deal drugs.”
B: “You hate me?”
*B went offline… Nonetheless, I left a message.*
Mel: “I just thought that they are better things to do than doing drugs.”
Mel: “Never meant to offend anyone and I just think it is wrong.”

Last year, *I might be wrong on the timing…* a Vietnamese Australian was hanged for possessing drugs. There was huge discussion and publicity back in Australia and the community was divided on the death penalty sentences. *Not gonna go into details.*

The thing that I could not believe it was that the Australian government had requested to reduce the penalty to life sentences. The premier and foreign minister begging for a drug trafficker… *Huhhhh!!??!?!???!!* Don’t they have better things to do?

The media heavily cover the story and for a period of time, it was on the front page… *Huhhh!!??!?!???!!* Wasn’t there more important things to report?

Oppss… I remember now, it was violation of human rights.

Human rights are important! Yap, I agreed and strongly believe! *Both hands up cheering for those activists, only non-violence one…* However, when one’s human right has destructively impact to the community in whole, don’t we need to rethink the fundamental of human right? I may not be an academia or some big shot in human rights, but I deeply believe and know that it is built on the basis of mutual respect.

Imagine this. I took out my AK47 and starting to shoot everyone in public. You see it is my right! It is my right to shoot and kill. By the way, none could shot me or you will be violating my human rights! *Okie… the example is hysterical and exaggerating* Hellooooo!!!!?

How can one asked for respect for human rights when one has never respected that at the first instant.

One can argue that one finally know and learn from the mistake. A chance for a new life should be given. If we are talking about an underage kid, while fine, the kid is still young and mistakes do happen. *Who hadn’t done any foolish thing when they were young, I did.* However, this is an adult that we are talking about. He should know that he is responsible for his own actions and prepare to take the consequences.

I can empathy and probably understand the reasons for why some have got into drugs *of course, also for those with legitimate reasons such as medical purpose.*, but the others, they are taking it just to kill themselves. Taking or dealing drugs not only hurt themselves, while also the people around, their friends, their family… The only word I can think of such act is SELFISH.

I did take some drugs when I was young, and I know it was a problem to my health then. Although it was the result of curiosity and kind of cool thing to do then, it was a mistake. *It was only a very small period…* I quit. So, don’t tell me I haven’t been there and I don’t know how it feels.

There are definitely better things to do in life.

P/S: Happy Halloween~~~~~~~ *smile*

Even the beggar pays!

An old lady *Looking at her silverly coloured hair, I guess she was more than 70 years old* quickly got her senior-tram-pass out from her hand bag, walking slowly towards the tram staff with her unbalanced foot steps. *The tram was still moving then* Struggling to keep herself in position, she grabbed the handle tightly. She looked as if she was going to fall any moment. Naturally, the people around her, held our hands up to keep her in balance. Genteelly, she turned to us and said thank you. She showed her ticket. *The tram stopped at the stop…* A few second later, after I too showed my valid ticket, I turned to look for the old lady. She was already off the tram.

This incident touches me.

She can have just gone off the tram.

One of the many things I have respect for the Austrian is that their attitude towards public transport. Here, the trust to customer is given as a starting point. The system believes that it is the responsibility of the passengers to buy tickets and they will do so. The driver will never question the passenger whether they have bought a ticket. The driver just need to focus on driving and sell the ticket when approaches by. In many ways, the locals do walk up and get a ticket. Thus explain why they aren’t many tram staff checking ticket that often, like many other places I have been.

In Melbourne, it is crazy! The ticket checking can be like everyday, every moment and every second. Sometimes, I would have encountered two or three times a day. *Also, the staff can be a fxxxxxg racist jackass… Another story for another time…* They took everyone as thief or burglar. Constant surveillance is needed to make sure people do understand the importance of buying a freaking ticket. Where is the trust!??? *Annoyed me just talking about it…*

Few weeks back, I was on the tram with my expired monthly ticket *expired by one day and I hadn’t got a new one yet* Two little kids hopped on the tram. They walked to the back. Minutes later, the older kid went up to the driver to purchase two tickets. That instance, I felt so embarrassed of myself. The kid just taught me a lesson and that was the last time I hopped on a public transport without a ticket. *It is expensive… Cry…*

Then, a friend told me some thing that surprised me more. There was few times she saw the beggar who she had once donated money to. The guy walked up the tram and paid for his own tram ticket. *Unreal!!!* … Even the beggar paid the ticket… *Speechless…*

Having said that, there are always minority that don’t pay the ticket, for instance, me in the past. *And I got fine… Cry…* However, the general crowd got my respect.

To them, it is nothing special, just a way of life, normal like drinking water. To me, it was a learning experience.

Kisses

I was walking up Sporgasse, heading home. *yawning* Then there was this high heels that got my attention. It was at least 10cm high, those fine thin one. *My gosh* The woman was running on those, she sure got a freaking good balance not to fall on that. There she goes, hopping and running backwards, snapping shots of her friends.

I like woman with high heel. This is made for them and they should wear it. *OoooO, so nice and sexy.*

Just when I was still commenting on the heels, something caught me of sudden. She had both her hands all over my shoulders, I turned to her with a face of puzzle. Quickly, I realised that my face was smiling as I saw her smiling face. *Smiling people cant be bad right~* She pointed at the camera that she passed on to her friend and said, "Cheeze!" Strangely, I smiled to the camera as she wanted. Before the very moment the flash sparked, she gave me a kiss on the cheek and said "Thank you!" There, she went walking backwards with a big smile. *I guess she was drunk...*

I like kisses and had been kissed by many strangers these years. Hmmm... A year of kisses for me. *smile* Am I gonna get one from boy? *Wishfully thinking~*

Thanks for having me~

Yesterday was such a lovely night. Sophie and I were so glad that Stefan and Zi-jing invited me to their home. Although I have only known the sweet couple for such a short time, we click pretty much and quick.

They are quite an interesting and loving couple. Zi-jing who believes that she was a man and a European in her previous life, while Stefan being a Chinese and a woman in his... *They need a character switch~* Zi-jing laughed and said that her dad was so proud of finally having some Chinese flavour back to the family. She threatened Stefan to eat whatever that was served back in Taiwan. Regardless, yap regardless. *I guess she had a parang behind her when she said so~* Her dad was so proud to tell everyone that his European son-in-law eat like a Chinese. *Laugh. I guess she upset her dad too much on that. Laugh…*

The evening started with some sandwiches and Swiss roll by the kitchen table with fantastic red fusion tea. *My Buddha!* The sandwiches were so good. The Swiss roll was awesome. The texture and the taste was soft just perfect and with the marmalade, oh heaven. *It was handmade, can’t buy it anywhere else.* I think I finished half of the roll without noticing it. *Wink!* Then there was this tea from Paris… *Cry!* It smells so great even after second and third refill!

Later till lazily siting by the couch, drinking some fine Chinese tea, listening to Zi-jing’s Jazzy collection, chatting casually… Meanwhile, the couple was battling with their 3-year-old and 1-year-old kiddos. They are so adorable and it is impossible to say not. However, both have different personality, the elder one with big bright cheerful kind and the younger with Takeshi Kaneshiro style of cool way. Running around crazily, jumping up and down, smiled like sunshine yet cried like thunderstorm. “It is such a pain!” Zi-jing complained with a sweet smile. *I guess this is parenthood, love and hate embedded.*

Then, the night ended with cream Tuna pasta served with fresh shredded parmesan cheese and a local drink, Pung. *eeeeAAaaa… I hope I got it right* A typical winter drink in Austria, with mixture of wine, orange juice, lemon, special cinnamon tea and it is nice~ *The accompany was great that I missed the bus twice.*

Thanks folk!

Schöckel

My last trip with Balkan people.

Dedicated to the Balkan people who left few weeks back. Misses u guys and has been a pleasure~~~

Hey... I didn't set the scene. This was how it was when I took it.

Nice cottage house in the mountains

Another one. I wish I could have this, but consider it is so far from the city, I will probably skip this.

Autumn arrived, leaves are turning...

This was a field of wild white flowers, Igor taking photos with his new Fuji.

Bees on purple seasoned flower~

More bees~~

Blooming in progress...

Schöckel

Schöckel

More bees~~~

Boris, Erma, Igor, Anna, Wim and Me~~ (Left to right) on 1500m peak of Schöckel

Where should I look?

Finally, I attended my first Yoga class in Graz yesterday. I was quite excited about it and it had been a while since the last one. *It is great and I could feel my body aching now...* However, something kinda embarassing happened.

Just when I was chatting with Fiona and walking in the classroom, I accidentally bounced into the ladies. Ladies changing their clothes. Yap, literally in front of me. Yap, just ladies. Yap, I am the only man. However, they were not in total disbelief and continued to undress while chatting.

I was kind of shock at the sudden. Although I had seen clothless locals, both men and women, walking around the beach and saunas for many times, yet I was surprised! I wasn't prepared for this moment or should I say that I did not expect all these mentally, at least at the very moment entering the room. There was a point that I didn't know where to look at... *I was telling a friend about this incident on msn yesterday, he was simply laughing... Basket!* Quickly, I went to the changing room and into one of those cubicle toilet, where I could lock the door and took a breath. I could hear huge laugh from outside... *Gosh... ... ... Cry...* Sadly, I was also the only one who was in there...

On another incident, my weekly badminton. There were these guys naked in the gent *It was also a shower room.* So again, where should my eyes be? Where should I look? I guess I should just get use to it...

P/S: Happy Birthday Lao Pan Niang~~ With love~~~ *smile*

Trama Drama!

Alright, argument with boy was kind of bad for me. In the end, I suffered. I put myself in an involuntary illusionary mentally tortured self victimisation position. The negative flow of Qi had given me a hard kick on the stomach and it was a real pain for the past few days. The worst perception was seemed to crystallise into reality and hell looked so near then. The thought of cockcoo was just around the corner. *A bit exaggerating… smile~*

People had been telling me that I was just being too unreal and over worried. It was just like 3 or 4 days that we didn’t talk and I should take it easy. *I will be fine if it wasn’t the way we ended our last conversation…* Rose and bamboo schnapps were a help at one time in giving me the sudden numbness. *This schnapps taste FANTASTIC! Wooo... over 40%... While no headache the next day… Lucky~*

In the end, boy was just simply busy and was pretty cool in handling the situation. *Sigh… I was always the chilled one. I cannot believe this is happening.* Our conversation started with, “U ok?” At that instance, I felt sudden relieve and while stupid as well, for acting like a 12 years old kiddo… My excuse for that will be, “Even the wises man will make foolish mistake for once!” *Okie, I know… I know… I am just a fool then. Not going to argue…*

Having said that, it was a fantastic weekend as well.

The very first argument with boy… I needed some fresh air. I headed Asia, trying to get a break. Also, I wanted to fill up my ferociously groaning stomach. Just when I stepped in and gave Walteraut kisses, she pointed somewhere. She told me that one of those kids who were sitting behind our table is an Aussie, from Melbourne. That sudden, I felt homey. *Malaysia and Melbourne are both home to me...* Not a second thought, I walked up for a conversation. We clicked really quickly and it was a fantastic two hours chat. I guess the bottom line was that we both missed Australia.

Then, it was Qiong Hui’s debut song performance on Friday in a fantastic venue, a 15th century like concert hall with medieval paintings on each wall and the ceilings. I was happy for her, and it was the best among the four debuts. However, this so called New Music isn’t my cup of tea. The music gave me this creepy, ugly, ghostly, shitty and frightening experience. It brought the audiences to a world that was only full of depression, suppression, sorrow, horror, tension, torture…

In the following day, I took the train to Vienna for the BlickFang. It is partly my interests in fashion, jewellery and furniture, and then is also the fact that Yu Dong was showcasing her collection in the exhibition. Although the standards weren’t balance, in general it was really good, full of interesting ideas! On top of that, I bought two very unique scarfs! *I am also determined to order another one from Swiss. I love scarf.* Besides, Yu Dong introduced me some friends, very cool people. Most importantly, I got the Bread and Butter Bible~~ Thanks T and Claudia for the warm hospitality! Yippy!

To end the week, it was the closing of the Autumn Camping Festival and the Annual Graz Marathon! Also, I got Lao Pan Niang a pot of flowers. The flowers were donated by a woman in rural Styria with the thought and blessing, “Give Joy and Happiness!” It will be a nice present for her coming birthday.

I am feeling far better now. Boy and I sorted out our argument. *Strictly speak, I was the only one who were pissed off… Cry…* Also, The cute and good looking comments coming from Nat had lightened the week as well. *Nat is a lovely pretty sweet bitchy gal with French and Thai mix~*

Lastly, the couple did not have sex this early early earlyyyyy morning and I enjoyed a good sleep. *smile*

It is only less than 24 hours.

Now, I am feeling shit. What happened yesterday is making me down. Find it hard to smile, even forcing myself. It just went upside down in couple of seconds.

Walking down the streets, through the alley, on my way to work, came across the laughter from the kids, why is it seemed so numb?

Feeling of emptiness and something is missing… It ain’t helping much or it is?

I love flowers and have always lightened my day, why it isn’t working now?

Again and again, I grabbed my mobile and unlocked it, wondering whether you had sent me a text. Am I missing you?

Listening to my Ipod, there they sang, “… Goodbye my love. I understand. What can I do other then accepting? Time might mend my heart one day. Goodbye my love. What a short love. Maybe... Maybe one day when you think of it, you will then treasure our love. You will not understand how hard it is for me. How pain it is…” Is this goodbye?

Silence is what I get from you…

… Or I am asking too much?

I yelled at boy!

I was hinting and hinting and hinting and hinting boy, whether that he had anything to say... he didn't seem to get the point. Finally, I said, "Yesterday was my birthday!" Then, he quickly wished me and said he was sorry that he had forgotten. My rage meter blew sky rocket high once again. Twice in one day. *The sleep that I missed out was also contributing to my temper! I haven't slept since yesterday and luckily stony was going away for the rest of the week.*

My anger was full on gear infinity and the point that he made, "I was busy..." was like instant dumping of trillion tons petrol in my furiously rage. Most of you guys will know that what a freaking tight schedule I had now and that is the worst excuse!!! *At least that's the worst for me...* I was at a point that I said some aweful words *just words that I don't normally say and it is nothing rude. I am still controlling the words...* and I went offline very soon. So, I can take a breath and before I do something more stupid. However, I was back online in less than 10 minutes. *Shit... Why am I doing this to myself...* Arggggghhhhhhhhhhhhh!!! *I am starting to feel guilty that I was harsh* I am right and he has to apologise! *He just did apologise... What should I do...*

How about do it somewhere else? (3)

Just like the political crisis in Thailand, no public demonstration of anger and violence during the Thai King’s Birthday. That was the same case for me, perfect happy mood until the clock struck 12 midnight. Alright sweet Birthday was over and I was allowing my rage meter to run wild.

It was the same old story, couple having sex in a 1.25m distance. Not that I wanted to be in such position, the night was calm and I could hear every single little tiny puny sound. Imagine that one could hear clearly each “cling!” sound coming from a 1km away coin, fell from the table and hit the ground. That was as quiet as it got then. With my eyes closed, I could hear the kissing, the messaging, the hugging… *Don’t want to go details…* It was a struggling three hours, wanting to fall asleep! I was freaking PISSED OFF. I wanted to talk to my room mate today, but he was only back after I went to bed and they woke me up! Not wanting to spoil their FUN, I decided to hold my eyes close and wishfully thought that I would be in my dream with boy soon. *SHIT HELL NOT!!!*

Just when my rage meter was going to break and I was going to snap, some drunken idiots came in my room with the she-bang-style *dormitory room was never locked with people in…* They were in at the absolutely wrong time, when the show was in its high. *I guess they were in shocked. They were a sudden silence.* I sat still on my bed and asked, “What were you doing here?” *Cannot believe that I was still patience enough to ask their course of presence.* When Ingrid said that they were drunk, my anger hit rocket high. I yelled “OUT! OUT!! OUT!!!”. I slammed the door with a “BANG!” and straight to bed with antagonism. With the unexpected drama, they were wise now to lock the door from inside once those drunken fellows were kicked out. Sadly I have to say, they continued where they stopped. To show my frustrations, I walked off to get some drinks and back to bed for few times. However, things were as usual...

I will and determine to talk to my room mate today about this. I am not going to let this spoil my sleep tonight! The saga continues…

Happy 24th Birthday Mel!!! With love~

Although my sleep wasn’t as good, thanks to my dear room mate. Today, I woke up with an excellent mood, *It is just like normal, but today is trillion % more and I have to be~* it is my 24th Birthday!

I jumped off my bed and went to the bathroom to clean myself and getting ready for work. *Yes, sadly it is. Work still goes one…* Looking into the mirror, I gave my reflection a big bright smile and a warm greeting, “Happy Birthday, sweety~” Then, I quickly packed my stuff and ran for the bus.

However, I missed it and there would be another 15 minutes wait. So, I decided to walk down the streets and headed toward the next stop. It is such a lovely day.

This 24th year, I kept it quite and the fact that I am here in Austria, I was not expecting for anything for me birthday. I just wanted to have a nice dinner and enjoy my day in a calmly way. So far in life, I don’t need to worry about food, accommodation, money… Although I live no life like Paris Hilton, *Slap slap slap…* I am very content and happy with what I have. *Of course, if someone wants to get me a super Canon DSLR set or an EURO$100,000,000,000,000 ang pao, I will not mind~ Laugh out loud!* Pretty much spending the day by myself. I guess it can be quite fun as this is the first time for me.

To my surprise, I received some wishes from people I hardly know and some from old friends. Although it was something neither fancy nor luxurious, just a simple note and a text message, I really really really really really really appreciate it so much. *Pretty easy to satisfy~* I have long come to a realisation that it is the sincerity that counts. It is the thought that touched me. It is the simple words that lighten my day. It is the small things, thank you people~

I hope that boy will know how easily satisfied I am… One day… I hope he find out himself, while not I telling him so…

How about do it somewhere else? (2)

Argghhh!!! Just yesterday, I was saying the possibility of bouncing in at the wrong time and today it is a fact!

The couples were having sex throughout the night. It was noisy that I could hardly sleep *Yawning…* and it was only until their voice came to a silence, *Business is completed.* I slowly went back to dream. Yesterday, Stony did ask me whether I mind Ingrid spend the night in our room. Of course, I have no problem wit that. However, it is affecting my sleep! *It is not that I want to be such a jackass, the distance between my bed and Stony’s is like slightly over 1.25m…*

I guess I have to tell the couple either do their mushy thing on weekend or somewhere else. *Ingrid is staying on the same floor, why not to her room…* Unless they can behave and keep themselves in a total quite condition, just like the TV program with mute on, then it will be fine. *Don’t mess with me when I am hungry and sleepy. Wait a sec… Sleepy is before I sleep, then I can be funny and talking cock. However not after when I am in bed!!!!*

How about do it somewhere else? (1)

More or less, some of you guys would know that I am sharing a room. With Dimitra left without a notice, *He left when I was in Mauritius...* I was lucky to have the room by myself for the whole summer. It is only till lately that my new room mate moved in, as local Uni started about a week plus ago.

Stony, a nice, easy going and friendly dude. However, there is a problem!

My dear room mate just fell in love and get himself into a relationship in less than a week. The girlfriend is also a friend of mine, Ingrid. So, it is great and I am happy for them. By right, it should not be a problem. Somehow, I always caught myself in a weird position, just like yesterday.

It was only 10:30 night, I was already on bed and Stony wasn't back yet. Sometime late after midnight, I was awakened. There were noises in the room. Being in a half-sleep-half-awaken situation, I slowly opened part of my eyes for a swift glimpse, trying to find out what the hell was going on. To my surprise, they were by the window, hugging each other, kissing, whispering... Although it was so obvious that they had lowered their voice, I could still hear every single word that they said. *Sadly it was in German...* Then, they moved towards the puny single bed on the other side of the room, into the blankets, still talking... With the bedroom door intentionally opened and left just beside my bed, on the side which was just next to my head, I could see nothing. It was none of my business, quickly I fell asleep again. The next moment when I woke up, it was the noise again. I could roughly see Ingrid put on her clothes and...

Seriously, it is not big deal that they spend the night together, but at least hint me the next time. *Even so, I cannot do anything, I still have to come back to sleep…* I wasn't sure whether they were massaging or having sex back then, as I was so into sleep. However if I am awake, what do you expect me to do. Do you expect me to get some pop corns and a nice sofa chair to watch some live sex show? Or what if I came back from the pub and bounced in at the wrong time. Should I just say, "While go on, don't mind me, I am just going to take a shower, do parts of my thesis and straight to bed. It will be less than 2 hours. You kids have fun."

Bad hair cut!

What can be the worst thing in life? What do you think? Seriously, I have no idea. However, I am sure of one thing, bad hair cut will definitely be one in the top list. As much as I would like Chisuna to cut my hair, it is not possible. Sadly, she is in Australia not Austria. What a significant difference that 'al' can make.

Before even been to a local saloon, I had heard so much about the HAIR CUT! Nothing good, just all bad. Nonetheless, being so annoyed with my grown hair, I had decided to take the risks to cut my hair. It is a friend's recommendation and looking at his hair style, it wasn't that bad afterall. So quickly logout from work, I took the tram to the saloon without an appoitnment.

Initially, I thought they would rush me out as appointment is always a must in this country. To my surprise, all I needed to wait was 10 minutes. Feeling lucky, I moved to the couch, waiting patiently for my turn. As I was awaiting for the unforseen tragedy, I played with my mobile's crappy game boringly.

Finally, it was my turn. Normal procedure, hair washing, consultation then cutting opearation on the go. As I sat on the chair, quite and obedient like a detented kid, I heard the sound of my hair being cut bluntly with just one clean cut, again and again. Zap... Zap... Zap... The next thing I knew was when the hairdresser told me it was done. I put on my glasses and looked into the mirror. All I could say was fuck! I didn't say it out loud, but silently in my heart. As I dont want to hurt his feeling. Quickly paying off my $18 Euro, I left. Before I left, he said, "Nice cut!" Rolling my eyes trillion times, I pushed the door out and rushed to the tram stop.

With such cut and I have to stand it for one to two months before the next visit to another saloon was quite unbearable. I guess I have to use my mission impossible was styling to save my coming days... *sigh*