Balance / To-day's quote

BALANCE
Lately I've started working for a firm of civil law notaries very near my home. I interpret for them when they have French or English-speaking clients who purchase a home in the Netherlands. When the deed of transfer and the mortgage deed are being read out and explained by the civil law notary, the interpreter tanslates the content.
Makes sense, as people would otherwise run the risk of signing something without knowing what they are getting in to.
For me it's a welcome 'diversion' and extra source of income. I do the work during school hours, which is great, as this new situation has no negative impact on Thomas whatsoever. It's nice work, because it's all about people. And, to be frank, I tend to miss people a bit, here in the comfort zone of my study. Moreover, it can be quite touching to be present (and provide a little assistance, no matter how modestly) when people enter into an important agreement, as buying a house is not something you do every day.
TO-DAY'S QUOTE
Whenever the blues hit me, I try to find solace in friendship, nature, a leisurely bath or a positive quote. Perhaps it can help you too.
To-day's quote is a Chinese proverb:
"Reduce big troubles to small ones, and small ones to nothing."
Worth trying, I'd say...

Detectives

One of the problems of working from home is that boundaries between one's professional life and one's private life tend to become blurred. Whenever I have an assignment outside the home (as an interpreter, in my case) I relish the feeling I have when I return home and feel the working day is done and I am 'allowed' to enjoy my spare time.
Strangely enough it is quite difficult to allow yourself spare time when you know the work is piling up on your desk, even if you have been working like a maniac.
Anyhow, I am trying to mend my evil ways and have stopped working in the weekends and evenings, unless there is absolutely no other option.

In the weekends I enjoy spending some time reading and watching telly (admittedly not the most exciting leisure activities, but still...), and I particularly like watching detective series, like Dalziel and Pascoe, Inspector Lynley and the like.

Some research has been carried out in the matter and it turns out that people suffering from anxiety and depression often benefit from reading detective stories or watching detective series. That's probably because it is a safe way of confronting one's fears. I am lucky this weekend, yesterday I enjoyed a new Dutch series called Deadline (which reminds me of my legal translation work, but what the heck) and the Swedish Wallander and this evening I'll be enjoying the BBC's Messiah.