in english

Citizenship laws in Finland and France

4 Comments

I met Ceronne briefly during my last quick trip to Paris.  Unfortunately I couldn't chat with him longer since I was on the move, but as usual it was a pleasure.

He commented that, after finishing his masters, he had a small discussion with a social worker who told him that in two years he would be able to apply for French citizenship.  I congratulated him, and he mentioned that the process works in such a way that his 2 years as a masters student in France are taken into account in the process.  This is beneficial for both parties since the person in question gets an incentive to stay and the country another educated taxpayer.

With this information, I started to think about my own situation, which compares unfavourable with his.  Even though I have lived 6 years in Finland, my three years as a student don't count, and neither do two of my years working as I had a B-class residence and working permit for some reason I don't understand.  Only one year would count, but I moved to Belgium for a year so I would have to start from scratch, which means that I would be eligible in 4 years (or after 10 years altogether of living in Finland).  It would be even longer but I am married to a Finnish citizen now, who has been my companion for the past 7 years.  When I compare my case to that of a certain discus thrower, for example, I further lose hope.

For my Finnish readers out there, even though most of the posts in this blog are in English, I do speak Finnish.  Furthermore, I will be taking the official language examination soon, if only to have a paper that proves it.

The worst part is when my Finnish friends and acquaintances ask me when am I going to become a citizen of the country I live in and my only answer is not anytime soon, if ever…

in english

The kind of immigrants Finland prefers…

Look nothing like me and as over-the-top this article is, I know it has a grain of truth.  Sometimes I feel like giving up, but I really like this place and my life here.

So much so I'm taking the official Finnish language exam that is needed for citizenship, even though it's still at least 4 years before I would be able to apply for it and, frankly, I'm not sure whether it would make any sense.

in english

Remember to smile!

I was on the bus to work this morning, and a comment my wife had made once suddenly clicked.  She said sometime during the weekend that she's starting to get wrinkles (which I don't believe for a moment, but anyway) and that they're the kind of wrinkles you get on the corner of your mouth when you've been smiling too much.

During my commute, I noticed how people really don't smile.  Not only that, but their mouths have been arched downwards for so long that it is their natural state, which makes them look even sadder.  The act of smiling on its own can make you feel better, and it definitely makes you look better.

So, even if at a specific moment you don't feel like it, remember to smile every once in a while.

in english

About time

Some of my readers may wonder why I haven't posted about Chivas, the football club I follow.  The reason is simple: there hasn't been much to post about.  After the end of last season, it was a him or me between the coach and "Bofo" Bautista, and the coach won.  However, the team played horribly and after a string of very bad, unsuccessful games, including a defeat last Wednesday agains DC United in the Copa Sudamericana, has meant that "Chepo" de la Torre has also been let go, even if he took the team to their first championship in 9 years last December.

The team obligingly won their first game under the new coach, against Veracruz.  However, I'm not sure if Sergio "El Gauchito" Ávila is ready to step in the shoes of "Bofo" day in and day out even if yesterday he proved he's definitely first team material.

in english

What should I think?

2 Comments

A couple of days back, I took a taxi from the office to a congress.  The ride was short and it was slightly over 10 EUR.  I was chatting with the cabbie in Finnish when it was time to pay.  When I gave him my company credit card (and this is when it gets interesting) the guy asks if my name is the one in the card and if I could show him an ID. 

I did and after he filled all details in the receipt that was the end of it, but it was rather surprising, since it was the first time in 7 years a cabbie asks for it and the amount was rather small.  Why would he do that?