Thanks Adobe!

I have CS2 installed on my Mac and i'll be honest to say, i don't fully utilise all the features. In fact, i don't really know how to use it to its' full advantage. My year long siesta has come to an end and getting back into "Design" will be very interesting.

Believe it or not, i'm actually a little excited about the project that i'll be working on. Finally it has sparked some interest in me. Interest that left me to drown in my deepest darkness and was rudely trampled on by Haters and Bullies.

So anyway, a few days ago i made an order online for the new Adobe Creative Suite 4 Standard Package. Design software programs so i can get my work done without any legal issues. Sadly i have to say good-bye to the RM20 pirated shit in case i run into trouble down the road. Suddenly i feel all so grown up. I also put in an order for the manuals since i figured it would be a good idea to read up on the product before i start fiddling with it.

Adobe's website for some reason was having issues with approving all credit card purchases so i had to call the Adobe Direct Sales. I was able to make an order over the telephone with no stress added and was even able to throw in some dumb questions. I mean for the amount that i paid, i'm sure as hell going to ask as many retarded questions to soothe my slow brain.

I mean seriously, nobody seems to understand why everything in Europe has to be so expensive. The very same product costs 500 € less in the States and even less in Malaysia! So be thankful YOU're not purchasing legit software in Europe.

OMFG... I can't believe i simply spent over 1,500 €!

I just have to keep reminding myself, it's an investment that i hope WILL bring better things more jobs my way. So what better way to start the new year than to get my fat arse back on the Design horse and see where it takes me.

OK i'm going to peel off the wrapper now and fondle my new goods... *grins*

Sleds, Sledding, Sledded.

MONDAY: I looked out the window and the sky was clearing. You could see the crystal blueness appearing. So the last 2 days we took advantage of the frosty whiteness and went sledding! We borrowed a friends' sleds and took it to one of the slopes in the outskirts about 15 minutes away. It looked like an open field and it was facing the Rhein.

The first day we went with Ekki. We hooked up the sleds to the back of the car and rode them down the side road to the spot. Great fun only when one doesn't get snow in ones' face. It felt like thousands of needles were piercing my face. Not good... LOL! But obviously, it wasn't so fun at the time... ehehe.

We weren't the only ones' with our sleds. There were people of all ages out there. My hands were nearly frozen so i tried putting a spare pair of... gardening gloves over my pair. It didn't really do anything except make me look like i had over sized hands... hmmm. So much for that idea!

But we only had about an hour because the sun was going down really fast and the temperature chased behind it.

Ekki had a bottle of Champers in his boot and so we had a post NY day celebration in the minus degrees temperature. The alcohol was welcomed and it helped warm my insides.

But it quickly went to my bladder and i was busting to go to the loo! We then decided to head to the supermarket, where we came across the Ex and the little ones. I'm pretty sure it was the alcohol because as if we were "friends" i was quick to wish HER happy new year and gave her a hug and kisses on the cheek. I think we were both surprised at the interaction.

J missed it. He was busy saying hello to the very little one.

Maybe it's just my nature to be friendly but on a regular day, i doubt i would have been so affectionate especially since it was HER. It was our 3rd encounter. We continued with our small chat until my bladder was practically talking to me and had to excuse myself from the conversation and bolted to the restroom as fast as i could.

Funny how alcohol makes one do funny things out of the ordinary.
...

We got home and realised we forgot to make a snowman.

Oh nooOOooo!

But it was nearly impossible to gather the powder soft snow. Instead we made snow angels! Even with 7 layers on, i could feel the frozen air fight its' way through my clothes. Never mind. We jumped on a fresh patch and flapped around frantically in the partial darkness.

Our neighbors must have wondered what we were doing. The snow angels ended up looking like those Leatherback turtles! And i'm also hoping there was no frozen poop where we were lying.

...

TUESDAY: The heavy snowfall on Monday has kicked the temperature down even lower. Just when i thought i'd see the lowest on the cars' thermometer it keeps getting colder.

They say that yesterday was coldest recorded Winter in the last 20+ years. In one part of the country it was so cold that the water pipes even burst! Icy water running over your feet in the middle of the street is definitely not a good feeling.


Yesterday J left work early and picked Little L up and we headed back to the slope to take her on her first snow sled ride. I don't think she's ever experienced a temperature that low.

Mainly children were on the slopes, i'm guessing most people were back at work. We only had less than an hour and i was practically freezing my tits off but hell, it was well worth it.

By the time we got into the car the temperature had dropped down to a whopping -10.5˙C; the coldest i've been in so far this Winter. It seems like every time i take a photo of the temperature, i've jinxed it and it keeps getting colder!

*Keeps mouth... and shutter shut*

But I was very happy i chose to wear 8 layers this time and stretched on 2 pairs of tights under my jeans.