Morning Team.
I hope you all had a relaxing weekend. Its definitely starting to feel like Christmas! Here is what’s been going on in my life over the past few weeks since my last MMM.
What I LOVED
I had a realisation of how quickly time is flying by over the past couple of weeks, as my daughter turned 15. It’s a cliché to say I know, but it does only feel like yesterday I was cradling her in the hospital and changing her nappy.
Birthdays always feel like a good time to reflect how far you’ve come on life’s journey, and I’ve loved looking back at pictures and memories over previous birthdays, but also talking to her about different moments that she remembers over the previous 15 years.
As each year passes and she becomes more independent, I become more aware of the memories from her growing up and just how precious they are. The cuddles, the cries, the tantrums, and even the nappy explosions! It’s all a reminder how time is the one constant in all our lives that continues to tick by. As much as I have loved watching her grow up, it also reminded me to embrace every second and live for the moment.
What I LEARNED
Being able to communicate in French has helped me to enjoy both work and leisure when in France. Although I don’t get to speak French that often, I always enjoy giving it a go, and can understand most conversations, even though it sometimes takes me a while to recall the best way to respond.
Whilst on holiday in Spain over the summer, I felt really frustrated by my lack of being able to converse even the most basic of conversations in Spanish. So one sweltering hot sunny morning on a beautiful Playa in the South of Spain, I decided right there and then enough was enough, and I needed to do something about it. So I dusted off my Duolingo app, requested it to remind me of my password (as it had been so long since I last looked at it), and see how many days I could practice learning basic Spanish.
I gave myself a goal of learning at least one lesson a day, and if I have time then to try to learn more. One lesson only take 5 minutes I figured, so if I do this every day, then over time it should make a meaningful difference and hopefully stop the frustration I felt.
I’ve now formed a daily habit since that sunny morning in Andalucía, and was pleased to have reached my first big milestone I set myself of achieving a 100 day learning streak last week. I’m by no means fluent, but I do feel that I could at least get by and ask for an apple for my dog 😉
It’s still way off my daughter’s 365 learning streak she recently reached, but I want to keep going to see how far I can go and learn.
What I LIKED
As the festive season is now underway, I watched my first Christmas film the other day. Everyone has a favourite and a much as I enjoy watching new adaptations, I still enjoy watching the classics.
The film I enjoyed watching was ‘The Holiday’ staring Jude Law and Cameron Diaz. What surprised me though was the fact it was released over 17 years ago! Now that makes me feel old. Watching it though still feels timeless and made me smile, leaving a warm glow inside like a classic Mulled Wine.
What’s your favourite Christmas film?
Final thought
Here is some music to kick start your week.
Gracias por leer y que tengas una excelente semana.
If you would like to read the latest Monday Morning Musings then subscribe here:
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- Adapting to AI, Moments that Matter & Living with Lions – From 23rd June 2025.
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- Seasons of Change & Rekindling the Love of Learning – From 24th March 2025.
Monday Morning Musings 
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