INTRODUCING THE MORGANS (XI), VALENTINA MORGAN

Hi, I'm Valentina Morgan. I was born in ⴼⴰⵙ (Fez), Morocco and I am a Lego tester.

A few months ago, I discovered that the famous Welsh pirate Henry Morgan was an ancestor of mine and that I had brothers and sisters to meet. Thanks to The Grandma, an Andorran grandmother, who made every effort to locate us, today I know them all and to celebrate this meeting we decided to spend two months together travelling and reviewing our level of English because we have all decided to retire to Kingston, Jamaica, to enjoy the Morgan fortune, and English is its official language.

-What's your full name?

-My name is Valentina Morgan El Idrissi.

-How do you spell your second surname?

-E-L I-D-R-I-S-S-I

-Are you a student? What are you studying?

-No, I'm not a student. I completed my studies in product design and child development a few years ago.

-Are you working? What is your job?

-Yes, I am. I work as a LEGO tester. My job is to test new building sets, check the instructions, and make sure the products are fun, safe, and easy to use.

-Do you like your job? Why?

-Yes, I love my job because it is creative and enjoyable. Every day I get to build new models and help improve products that children and adults around the world will use.

-Where are you from?

-I'm from Fez, Morocco.

-How long have you lived there?

-I lived there for most of my life. Although I travel sometimes for work, Fez is still my hometown.

-Why are you studying English?

-I'm studying English because I work with international teams and many product manuals and reports are written in English.

-How long have you been studying English?

-I've been studying English for about ten years. I first learned it at school and now I use it regularly at work.

-Tell me about your city.

-Fez is one of the oldest cities in Morocco. It is famous for its historic medina, traditional markets, and beautiful architecture. It has a rich cultural and artistic heritage.

-What music do you like?

-I enjoy traditional Moroccan music, pop music, and instrumental music. I often listen to music while building LEGO models.

-Can you play any instrument?

-Yes, I can play the oud a little. I learned it from a family member when I was younger.

-Tell me about your favourite place.

-My favourite place is Fes el Bali. I love walking through its narrow streets and discovering its history, architecture, and local crafts.

-What do you like doing in your free time?

-In my free time, I enjoy building models, drawing, reading, and visiting museums. I also like spending time with my family and friends.

-Do you practise any sport? Which?

-Yes, I do. I enjoy cycling and swimming because they help me stay healthy and active.

-How did you become a LEGO tester?

-I've loved building things since I was a child. After studying design, I discovered opportunities to work in product testing and development, and it was a perfect match for my interests.

-What is the most interesting part of your job?

-The most interesting part is seeing new designs before they are released to the public. I enjoy helping improve the final product.

-What is the most challenging part of your work?

-The most challenging part is finding small problems that other people might miss. Attention to detail is very important.

-Do you work alone or with a team?

-I usually work with a team of designers, engineers, and testers. We share ideas and feedback to make the products better.

-What skills are important for a LEGO tester?

-Creativity, patience, problem-solving skills, and attention to detail are very important. Good communication skills are also useful when giving feedback.

-Would you like to design your own LEGO set one day?

-Yes, I would. I think it would be exciting to create a set inspired by Moroccan architecture and culture.

-How is a normal day with The Morgans?

-We haven't got similar days. Every day is different and this is something very important because it offers to you the possibility of living fantastic experiences every day and you can enjoy them with all your heart because you know that next day you're going to put the score to zero and we're going to start again. It's a non-stopping life.

-Which is your best memory with The Morgans?

-It's difficult to choose only one. I remember when we visited Bridget Jones, an amazing woman and journalist.

-Which is your favourite song?

-My favourite Amazigh song is 'A Vava Inouva' by Idir, but I am going to choose 'La Maza' written by Silvio Rodríguez and sung by the Argentinian Mercedes Sosa and Shakira, the Colombian artist with Arabian and Catalan roots.

Si no creyera en lo que agencio
Si no creyera en mi camino
Si no creyera en mi sonido
Si no creyera en mi silencio
¿Qué cosa fuera?
¿Qué cosa fuera la maza sin cantera?

If I didn't believe in what I do
If I didn't believe in my path
If I didn't believe in my sound
If I didn't believe in my silence
What would I be?
What would a hammer be without a quarry?

Silvio Rodríguez