Warning … self confessions and unusually motivational content to follow!

As the countdown to Christmas 2013 continues, not only am I stressing about getting organised for a lovely traditional, (both Spanish & British), christmas at home, I am also overcoming one of my fears, by participating in a project.

 So, what is the #wabas12 project?

The #wabas12 project is a video challenge. A group of people who live in different parts of Spain, all of whom are members of an online group, Writers and bloggers about Spain, have taken on a challenge to record and publish 12 Spain related videos at 12 o’clock (midday) on the 12 days of Christmas.

 As some of you may know, I am more than happy to take videos of anything and anyone. We have lots of fun and informative videos on our YouTube channel.

 However, if you look carefully, you will see that I am never in the videos!

A confession …

I am soooo nervous.

Like many people, I guess, I become self critical when I see myself in front of the camera. As one of the #wabas12 project participants, Maya Middlemiss from  www.CostaConnected.com, said ” I think there is a tendency to confuse insecurity and vanity”. As we get older, we often look back to how we looked when we were younger. As mums, we remember how we looked pre children! However, what we don’t always remember is that we look as we do due to the decisions we have made and the path we have followed. The people who know us and love us see us like this every day. They accept us for who we are.

I am somebody who has never followed fashions or trends, rarely ever wears make up, (make up is merely lip gloss and eyeliner by the way!) and loves the “au naturel” image. I have put on weight since having my two wonderful children. I have got grey hairs (no, I haven’t had them coloured, mum!). I have wrinkles or, as I prefer to call them, laughter lines. I am so lucky and so happy. I have two beautiful, (not just talking about physical appearance here!), and healthy children, a hugely supportive husband, a wonderful family and an amazing group of friends. I love my work. I love where I live. So, what is my problem?

My #wabas12 project …

There is no longer a problem. I have taken the plunge and I have made my videos. I have sat in front of a camera and I have mumbled and fumbled. I have pulled strange facial expressions. I have babbled and waffled a bit. I have too frequently used words such as “thing” and “stuff”. I have waved my hands around as I talk.

I have been me.

I am me.

I always will be me.

And I feel that I have so much information to share with you. I want to help as many people as possible to avoid the pitfalls that many people are not aware of when moving to Spain. Especially with children. So I have made these videos for you. This will hopefully answer a lot of questions for you and will give you food for thought.

In the videos we cover the following topics:  The importance of timing, NIE & Residency, Location, Language learning, Making friends & meeting people, Money matters, Education, Driving licences and UK reg. cars, Healthcare and insurance.

I had the pleasure of chatting to Ali Meehan, founder of Costa Women and Maria Cecilia from Compass Healthcare, who knows everything you need to know about the Spanish healthcare system.

I will add the links to the videos here once they have all been published.

In the meantime, if you’d like to watch them as they are published and send in your questions to be answers, simply SUBSCRIBE via this link  (click link).

So, whatever it is you see as an obstacle that is stopping you from doing what you want to do, see it as a challenge and find a way to overcome it. There will be no looking back …  Thanks #wabas12 !

Here is my introduction video …

Here are some links to the other people who have taken the #wabas12 challenge … Tomorrow is day One !

Some sure to be fabulous short videos about the history of Spain from Paul: http://www.speakingofspain.com/1/post/2013/11/the-history-of-spain-in-twelve-3-minute-videos.html

Learn about people who have already made the move to Spain via Graham : http://www.houses-for-sale-in-spain.net/lifestyle-in-spain/learn-more-about-spain-with-the-wabas12-video-project

All about “Supported Holidays in Malaga” from Diana http://blog.thesocialbutterfly.org.uk/all-things-spanish/what-is-wabas12-all-about/

Some scrummy traditional Spanish recipes and insights into Spanish life from Debs: http://nativespain.com/murcia-region/12-videos-about-spain-in-12-days-for-christmas/

Some fascinating facts about beautiful Barcelona by Simon: http://www.barcelona-travel-guide.info/wabas-12-video-project.html

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