Being a free writer

This has been my first week working as a freelancer. So far I've liked it enormously! I've been busy, but in a good way. Juudit's old nanny is taking care of her for now, because of the mess we got in to after the new daycare place was cancelled, or actually put on hold. (Juudit will probably start there in January, if we see the new nanny fit.) But anyway, for now I have to take Juudit to Helsinki three times a week to the old nanny, and it takes us at least an hour one way. So it's been a bit of a drag this week, especially when the weather has been bad, but excluding that little detail this week's been great, as I've loved working from home and in coffee shops.

Although, when you're working in a public place, there's always a risk of being disturbed in one way or the other. Of course I could go to a library, where it would be really quiet, but I've found out my mind tends to wonder more if it's too silent, and a little noise is actually good for my concentration. Or maybe I'm just making excuses to go to places, where I can get good latte or tea while I'm working, because my hearing is usually very sensitive and I demand complete silence at home, when I try to work or sleep. Which is of course impossible with a toddler around, so I sleep or work at home only when she's fast asleep herself.

I found it interesting that being oversensitive to loud noises (like me - I'm the one always telling you to turn the volume down if you're watching telly or listening to music) is considered a temperament character in psychology studies, so that it's innate in one's personality. It's only one character typical for sensitive people, who are often easily distracted by external stimuli. I can tell Juudit has inherited this from me, as she's very bothered by some textures, for example, and it was very difficult for her to learn to eat food that wasn't completely smooth. She has also many other characters from the difficult temperament pattern group. Oh joy. *grin*

But I'm digressing. I was supposed to write how sometimes I've had to change to another café if there's been too much noise, like from this one group of artists on Friday morning that had apparently been drinking since Thursday night... But it's not such a big deal, and sometimes you hear very interesting conversations from the other tables.

Thursday was my SAHM (stay-at-home-mum) day, and we went to visit my friend who has two sons - one of Juudit's age and another that will be almost exactly one year older than Bumpie. It was great to see them, as it had been too long a while. Also this weekend has been brilliantly easy, even though I've been working a little, and we've also put together some new furniture, but still - we have just stayed at home and enjoyed some family time together. Saturday was Finland's independence day, but it's not traditional here to really celebrate it. We also settled for making glogg (mulled wine) drinks and baking some Christmas pastries, and watching the festive presidential reception on telly.

Now we'd better start watching the taped Finnish Pop Idol from tonight so that we'll be done with it before they broadcast the results. There are only three competitors left, and I like them all, so I'm not very passionate about this final today.

Looking forward to another busy-in-a-good-way week!