Tag: cars

A wheel is better than no wheel at all

MiaLeave a comment
Photo by Taras Makarenko on Pexels.com

On July 15, 2024, I’ve had the driver’s license for three years. At first, I had my dad with me, but now I have to drive alone. If he wasn’t, I wouldn’t be the driver I am today. He gave me the courage to drive. Before, I drove alone a short way. The first time I drove alone was when I drove him to the hospital in January this year. I didn’t know then, but it was the last time he was with me in the car. Because of him, I wasn’t scared of driving alone. He taught me how to drive his car. It’s a manual, so you drive it a little differently. Before continuing, you can read an old post about getting the licence below.

Passed the test
Originally posted on July 16, 2021

It’s true that when you get a wheel under you, you feel freedom. In 2017, I didn’t think I needed a driver’s license, but my opinions changed. I didn’t like to drive when I first got my temporary license, so I didn’t finish driving school then. But how things change. I have driven longer distances, and the more confident I get, the more I enjoy it. I will still use the train or buses if I go even longer distances. My hands and legs get tired if I drive too far. All those long drives to the North of Finland that my dad had to do, I admire how he could manage all that driving. I couldn’t do it. It took almost 14 hours to drive there, rests included. We only went there once a year to ski, but that was enough. I probably won’t go there again, even if you can go by train. We did that a few times because Dad didn’t feel like driving that far the older he got. Dad also drove in Europe when I was 6 years old and then in Germany in 2008. I won’t do the same. I would be terrified driving on the motorway in Germany. Finnish motorways are enough for me.

You get used to driving when you do it often enough. At first, I didn’t like driving on the motorway or in traffic, but now it comes naturally to me. A wheel is better than no wheel at all. Owning a car isn’t cheap. I could rent, but that isn’t very convenient because I never know when I will need one. I could always be without a car, though. But then there wouldn’t be the same freedom that comes with having wheels. I’ve thought of buying a new car one day, but I got used to driving my dad’s car, so maybe not yet. If I replace it, it would feel like I’m hurting the car’s feelings. I know it’s only a car, but I was with Dad when he bought it, so it’s like a family member. We had it for years. It’s not in my name yet, so it’s not my car. I don’t think I know how to buy a car even if I’ve been with Dad at the car dealer. One thing is sure, once you have wheels, you can be without one again.

Not that fearless any longer

Mia1 Comment
old typewriter
Photo by Suzy Hazelwood on Pexels.com

I used to fear things but became more fearless as I got older. I guess it was because my mother died and I had to be. I didn’t like to talk to strangers, so I didn’t speak to them. It wasn’t because of fear; I felt awkward and wanted to leave. Still, there are days when I don’t feel like talking to anyone, but it isn’t about fear. It’s about being an introvert. Or maybe I don’t have the courage on that day. I think before I speak. Some days, I’m fearless and have no trouble talking to a stranger. The only thing I still fear is talking on the phone. No way I want to do that. I prefer Emails. I don’t answer unknown numbers. Unless it’s essential.

I’m also fearless when I drive a car. I’ve had my driver’s license for almost 3 years and didn’t know if I dared to drive alone. My dad was always with me, but now, when I had to drive alone for a month, I realised it wasn’t that bad. I guess I’ve learned to drive the car. That’s what experience gives you. I still don’t like driving in traffic or on the highway, though. I fear I get in the way or I crash into someone. I drive my dad’s car, which is an older car, so I had to learn how to drive that; it’s only now that I have enough confidence to drive it. The car was a new model in driving school, so driving was different. Both vehicles have a stick shift, but there were 6 gears in driving school when my dad’s car had 5. Driving is fun when you’re fearless.

I can be fearless when it comes to trying new things. Like food, but I want to know what it contains. I’ve cooked new things, and some of them have been good. I have even cooked it again. My mother and I used to try different recipes. She’s the reason why I know how to cook. When you cook yourself, you know what you get. The two ingredients I dislike the most are mushrooms and broccoli. I’m not so fond of cheese either, but in certain foods, it’s alright. I can’t stand it when they put mushrooms in many things. If there are, I take them out. I’m not that fearless that I eat anything.

Being fearless doesn’t mean parachute jumping or rock climbing. It can also be mentally fearless or being fearless in everyday situations. It can be a temporary feeling that might come back, or it may not. We’re all different and see the word differently. That’s something we have to appreciate in other people. You shouldn’t understate opinions about what the words mean to them. You can agree to disagree, but it’s pointless to argue about it. No one should be that fearless to hurt feelings.

Bloganuary: My only joy is a cuddly toy

Mia8 Comments
sand boy with buckets and spade
Photo: ©️Mia Salminen

Day 4. When I was a child, I had many favourite toys. I’m a tomboy, so I liked cars. I got a lorry for Christmas, and I used to drag it around from a string. I think I was about 3 years old. I still have it. Once I got a remote-controlled wire car, but you had to walk while using it. I was a little disappointed because I wanted one that you could control from afar. I did play with dolls too. I had a pram for dolls that I used to go outside with. I also played with legos, play dough, finger colours and watercolours.

My favourite toys were these two.

The name of the girl doll is called Marika. She had a disc behind her back that laughing track on the other side, and when you turned the disc, it cried. She had a dummy of plastic in her mouth, and when you took it out, it played the track. Unfortunately, it stopped working later on. I dressed her up in different clothes. She was like a real baby. Once I took her with me on a road trip to Europe with my parents after my sister had died. We were in our car when the head of the doll fell out. I cried my eyes out. I was devastated. But my dad put it back, and everything was fine again. The other doll in the photo is a monchhichi monkey called Mon Ami. She was my sister’s at first. I took her on trips too. It used to be fluffy and had colours on her cheeks. Now it’s worn down. It is over 35 years, after all. It’s still very important to me.

Childhood toys will never be forgotten. I think everyone remembers what their favourite toys were. The kind of toys children have today is almost the same. They might be looking different, but they will stand the test of time. Toys are not always you only play with, it can also be a good comfort.