Sometime in February, we went to the city hall to apply for my Dutch citizenship. They said it will take up to 6 months to process. A couple of weeks later, they sent us a letter regarding some discrepancies about my name and that I should go there on the date they appointed to discuss it. Good thing was we were able to clear things and my papers were submitted to the IND after we agreed that I will keep my maiden name.
Then, about four weeks ago, we got the letter from IND saying that the decision about my Dutch citizenship application is positive. It also said that I have to wait for another letter from the municipality which could take up to 6 weeks, but came a week later, the very same day we went to the camping with the parents. The second letter was an invitation for the ceremony that will formally grant my citizenship.
The ceremony took place in the city hall last night with 69 (out of 19 nationalities) new Dutch citizens in Rotterdam. There were lots of drinks, cakes and snacks served before and after the ceremony. The whole family was there (Mike's parents and sister, who came back from her vacation in Mexico the day before) to celebrate with me. They gave me a bouquet of beautiful pink flowers and bottles of wine. But having them there was a present on its own and I'm so glad they came. I'm so blessed to have such a wonderful family-in-law.
The whole event was like graduation day. Two people gave opening remarks and they called our names one by one. I was the 4th person to be called. I went up the stage, shook hands with the woman as she handed me that piece of paper stating that I, Gracey, am now Dutch. I went back to my seat with the paper in my hands and thought, you better be worth the 400 euros. Passed the paper to the fam and we clapped the whole 30 minutes as the rest of the new Dutch citizens walked up the stage.
After the ceremony, we stood by a table and hang there for a while. A crowd of newly Dutchified people went behind the counter to choose from the variety of presents to take home. You see, Dutch people are frugal and they like freebies. So in a way I am Dutch because I love freebies! I looked at the pictures of things I could get. There were watches, sunglasses, bath set, art set, orange teddy bear, binoculars and a thick Dutch cookbook. Most of them chose watches and bears for children, but I picked the cookbook. I told the woman behind the counter what I wanted, and as she handed me the book, she gave me a big smile and said, "jij bent verstandig," which is "you are wise" in English. I felt like I just graduated with honors after hearing that. Haha!
I will be going to the Philippine Embassy in The Hague at the end of the month to re-acquire my Filipino citizenship so I can be both Dutch and Filipino. I think this is very handy especially for when we start our travel adventures, I wouldn't have to worry about visa applications anymore. At least not the countries we plan to visit someday. To be honest, this is the main reason why I wanted to be Dutch. And since this is where our home is now, we thought it would be cheaper and more efficient as we need not have to renew my residence permits and such every 5 years, and the freedom to go anywhere without the visa hassle - it's just convenient.
So this one is off our list now. We still have bigger goals to achieve but we're taking it one step at a time.
Thank you all for the congratulations!! I am indeed happy! :)
Posted in All About Me | Comments (18)
J. at August 15 2008 | 01:51 |
Congratulations, Gracey! :) I'm sorta, kinda, taking baby steps of my own for a US citizenship. It's a bit overwhelming, so finally being Dutchified, I imagine, is both a relief and a welcome end to it all. I'm glad you took the cookbook! ;)  |
javaqueen at August 15 2008 | 02:08 |
| Congrats to you Gracie, I'm really happy for you, sounds like such a nice celebration! This is more wonderful news across the blogosphere ;) GOOD FOR YOU! |
jeanny at August 15 2008 | 05:08 |
| wohoooh...congratulation Gracie. Now, no more hassle in applying/renewing those permits... So enjoy the new citizenship! |
Daphne at August 15 2008 | 05:32 |
| Congratulations on your Dutch citizenship! :) |
Sinta at August 15 2008 | 09:09 |
| Congratulations again! So how does it feel to be Dutch? And yes, I think the cookbook was the best choice ^_^ What is a typical Dutch dish? |
sleepyjane at August 15 2008 | 09:22 |
| Wow, that is great Gracey! Congrats yet again! This is so exciting. :) |
odette at August 15 2008 | 12:49 |
| pictures please!!!! :) travelling will indeed be much easier, how cool can that be! |
lois at August 15 2008 | 18:04 |
| Congrats boots! I know you've been waiting for this. Hoping for more great and fab things to come your way! |
witsandnuts at August 15 2008 | 21:54 |
| I knew you were gonna pick the cookbook. I'm looking forward to your first food-related post taken from the cookbook. Congratulations again! Enjoy the first weekend after being Dutchified. =) |
Gracie at August 15 2008 | 22:03 |
| Congratulations again, Gracey! I'm so happy for you :) Your post reminded me of when I took my auth as a Canadian citizen. And I totally agree with you, travelling without the hassle of a visa makes it a whole lot easier! |
Mama at August 16 2008 | 03:19 |
| Congratulations my dear! We are indeed grateful to God that He finally give the desire of your heart, Praise God! It reminds of a citizenship that requires Christ to give His very own life...when given all the angels in heaven celebrates and He who is on the tnrone is so delighted! We are really happy for you, cheers! Hugs! We love and miss you!!! Thank you Mikey :) |
Joy at August 16 2008 | 03:41 |
| Congratulations, Boots! I'm so happy for you! Yes indeed, having a foreign passport makes travel a lot easier. That's why I have applied to become a US Citizen too. So what is your last name now? |
Boyeng at August 16 2008 | 14:24 |
| So how do I call you now, Boots? Salute!!! Mwahugs. |
dyanie at August 16 2008 | 23:03 |
| wow i'm so happy for you! congratulations! cheers!! :) |
caryn at August 18 2008 | 06:08 |
| hey gracey! congrats! ang galing-galing! |
gail at August 18 2008 | 07:48 |
| congrats gracey! i was searching for information about the cheese slicer when i came across a kind of a satirical FAQ about dutch people. now i couldn't find it to share with you. i was wondering if any of the answers in the FAQ were true. |
drunkenlily at August 18 2008 | 08:11 |
| congratulations gracey! :) |
Michael at August 18 2008 | 09:08 |
| @Gail: Probably most of those things are true xD |
