I don't know why it feels so funny though. Ever since I arrived in France I've had a "Carte de Séjour" that has to be renewed on a yearly basis, so why is it that suddenly knowing that I wont have to bother with the paperwork and the queuing to renew it each year isn't making me happier?
I mean, except for a "Political Refugee" carte de séjour, I've had them all. I had a "Diplomatic Carte de Séjour" when I was working at the Embassy. The next year I had a "Student Carte de Séjour" while I was studying my Licence. After that I managed to negotiate a "Working Carte de Séjour" into the deal when this company wanted to hire me. Before it expired, Hubby and I were married and so I got my first "Carte de Séjour - Vie Privée et Familiale" (private and family life) and the rule in France is that you have to renew this type of Carte de Séjour three times before applying for a Residency Card.
Which is where I am at today. I finally got it. I am a certified French
So why am I not jumping up and down and doing the "so long you suckers at the Préfécture de Police!" dance ?
I guess that there's a little part of me that has a problem with the word Residency. I mean, if they'd just named the stupid thing "Carte de Séjour - someting else" and only changed the expiring date to +10 years I guess wouldn't be having this problem.
Séjour in English means temporary stay. So a Carte de Séjour has always had a little "the French government gives your permission to stay in this country until you figure yourself out" ring to it.
Residency on the other hand sounds to me like "this is home for you now so get used to it lady!".
:o
So now I have an American Passport. And I have a Mexican Passport. And I have a European Residency Card.
Perhaps it's time to move to Asia.
Fned.
7 comments:
Unless Sarko changes the laws again, I'm up for my 10yr cds next April, and I'm absolutely dying to get my little paws on it. With so much instability going on in my life now, having to renew my cds annually is just too risky!
hehe Asia, yeah baby, now that would be... fun :s I know what you mean. Everybody says how horrible it is to get all those things done and even in the US could be much worse, a nightmare for a Mexican. Here, I'm a resident, not a citizen. I got my residence card after living only 3 months in the US, when it could take years and years for other people. :S now THAT is spooky.
Congrats! Even though you aren't so sure about it. I know exactly what you mean. In Mexico I always had problems with decorating and purchasing things for the long haul because it meant it was harder to pick up and go.
You are certainly welcome here in Canada Fned. We have Valentina and cheese. :)
A citizen? Can you vote and get a passport with it or is it more like permanent resident? Wouldn't a European passport look nice nestled next to the other two? Kind of a perfect poker hand. Use the blue one and the (whatever color the Euro or French one is) when it suits your purposes and keep the green one in your back pocket because it's home.
Ksam: Don't worry, Sarko is too busy racking up the taxes and helping out his buddies to worry about the CdS legislation... LOL
Ale: he-he.. I think the Americans were quick to realize what a GOOD thing it would be to keep you in the USA ;)
My Way: I actually hesitated to get a membership card at my local beauty parlor because it meant paying for 12 months! Ooh! A Canadian residency card... would certainly make a nice addition to my little collection.... ;)
Jonnifer: Actually, I need to correct my post... I have a residency card, not a citizen card. It means I can work, pay my taxes and basically live here but I can't vote or run for office. Which suits my just fine. I'd doubt I'd be a good Premier Ministre... :D
Fned.
Congrats? I understand how it can seem sort of final, but I look at it as a well-deserved break from bureaucracy. I hated with a passion going through all the tramites to get my work visa, so I'm very happy to think that when it expires I can apply for permanent residency and never have to deal with it again. Just remember, it's an option, not an obligation :)
Emily: Hi girl! I have to admit that after a few days, I am getting used to being a "resident"... one of the upsides is that a very exclusive snooty store here that had always refused to give me a membership card before (which gives you great reductions on their stuff) because I didn't have a resident card, are forced to give me one now. Ha!
Although, right now we are so totally broke, a membership card to a snooty store is probably the LAST thing we need right now.
But I sure showed them! LOL
Fned.
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