2014 in retrospect and our warmest wishes for 2015!

2014 was a really BIG year for us, with massive changes and profound life lessons! It’s been good documenting so many little things that filled our lives with joy.

Worry and fear accompanied the decisions we took. I felt anxious about letting uncertainty back into our lives. The prospect of returning to Colombia was an unexpected turn: it appeared to be just that ONE opportunity we had desperately been seeking. But it also meant closing the “Sussex chapter” too soon; at times it felt overwhelming. After many days of deep thought we finally worked our way towards embracing the change and I just told myself to get on with it. Since then, my motto has been to experience change as something exciting and thrilling, to ease the resistance that more often than not still haunts me, and to just let it flow and discover all the great – amusing, little and big - things that come with life changes. 

Now, we are (almost) settled in Cali – the Colombian city where I grew up. We are slowly finding the way to live our lives in more simple terms, holding tight to the life lessons we brought with us, trying to embrace wisdom - the tree of life.

And so, as we prepare for the New Year we wholeheartedly wish you all a bright and fulfilling 2015, packed with love, the simple joy of being, and success in the pursuit of pleasure. 

Big hugs and love,

Julia, Markus & Sophia

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"A portrait of our daughter, once a week, every week, in 2014."

Sophia: you loved the freezing waters of the River Pance! Your soul definitely belongs to this land.

And just like that…. 52 portraits! I love the satisfaction that comes with a completed project. Thank you so much for tuning in every so often - pop by in 2015 for the next one! 

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"A portrait of our daughter, once a week, every week, in 2014."

Sophia: And just like that, we are one portrait away of the 52 project 2014 Grand Finale! Today a glance of your Montessori inspired room in Cali. 

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"A portrait of our daughter, once a week, every week, in 2014."

Sophia: Cookies and chocolate waiting for you at 6:30 am? You certainly are enjoying it! Your German dad is proving to be very keen to keep up old traditions, such as Nikolo’s visit (in the tropics!). 

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"A portrait of our daughter, once a week, every week, in 2014."

Sophia: you were the loveliest ‘dancing sheep’ at the Christmas musical.

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"A portrait of our daughter, once a week, every week, in 2014."

Sophia: definitely the most gorgeous (a little blurry) smile. 

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"A portrait of our daughter, once a week, every week, in 2014."

Sophia: Enjoying mobility and automation at its best! ...‘Hey, little bear (Chin), what’s up? Wanna take a ride?’

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"A portrait of our daughter, once a week, every week, in 2014."

Sophia: The joy of eating your first BDay cake! 

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"A portrait of our daughter, once a week, every week, in 2014."

Sophia: This week you turned 1 year old! We had a small celebration that you enjoyed from the beginning to the end… especially  the new toys and the delicious cake. Love you, gorgeous girl – thanks for a wonderful year by your side! 

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"A portrait of our daughter, once a week, every week, in 2014."

Sophia: Enjoying a very quiet Sunday afternoon in Ginebra, Valle. 

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"A portrait of our daughter, once a week, every week, in 2014." 

Sophia: 'Shamanic adventures' on the Amazonian bench which Arturo left for you.

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"A portrait of our daughter, once a week, every week, in 2014." 

Sophia: Ready for your first day at the nursery caleña. 

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"A portrait of our daughter, once a week, every week, in 2014."

Sophia: I’m sure you have a tropical soul. So far, you have been coping well with life in Cali - “La Sucursal del Cielo”.   

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"A portrait of our daughter, once a week, every week, in 2014."

Sophia: You are becoming a confident walker - especially with the complicity of your grandma, who loved taking turns with you in Kipling's garden.

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"A portrait of our daughter, once a week, every week, in 2014."

Sophia: A beautiful farewell at the Ram in Firle. On the other side of the Great Pond we miss our friends from the British Isles a lot!

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"A portrait of our daughter, once a week, every week, in 2014."

Sophia: In October, we packed up our life in Brighton and moved to Colombia. Here you are for the last time (this year) with your beloved Sussex friends! 

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"A portrait of our daughter, once a week, every week, in 2014."

Sophia: we celebrated your dad’s BDay -in style- in Oxford… where you had a first taste of power on the floor of Balliol College Hall.

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"A portrait of our daughter, once a week, every week, in 2014."

Sophia: I call you lately “Miss Newton” for it seems that you want to confirm always that any object is subject to the laws of gravity!

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"A portrait of our daughter, once a week, every week, in 2014."

Sophia: 6 teeth and counting! We hiked today, for the last time, in the Downs. Be assured we shall be back.

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"A portrait of our daughter, once a week, every week, in 2014."

Sophia: A booklover in the making!