I’ve been a little stressed out with work the past few weeks, however, not the same kind of stress I underwent when I was still working for my previous employer. (Ooppss, let me park that subject now before I get carried away and get too emotional on it!)
Anyway…it seems that I have this 4-year itch of relocating from one country to another. Let me explain.
Back in 1996, I was sent to Spain by my previous employer under the pretense that it would only be 6 months. But no, it turned out to be 4 years. Although within that 4 years, I was also moving about and lived in places like Debrecen, Hungary. Moving on…in July 2000, I first set foot in the UK to work on a project in Cambridge by my same previous employer. It was originally planned for a year but turns out, I am still here – although not working for the same employer anymore.
So, what’s the itch?
Well, last week, I was told that our Boston office wants me to relocate there on a PERMANENT BASIS. And what do you know, it just about the right time … August marks my completion of 4 years here in Britain. See, in February 2005, I would be entitled to a full and permanent UK residency and a year after that, I am eligible for a British passport. Would I throw that opportunity away now when I’m a few months away?
When I left Spain, I was also almost at that point to be eligible for citizenship. As Filipinos, if you spent a continuous residency in Spain for 2 years, then you are entitled to become a ciudadana de la Republica Espanola. For other nationalities, 4-5 years are required but since we are privileged to acquire it quicker than anyone else being an ex-colony of Spain. If I had the chance to stay in Spain for a whole month, then I would have applied for a Spanish passport but since I was working on a project here in England, there was no way I could spend an entire month, continuous, in Spain.
I know Boston is a nice place, sub-zero temps during winter though but definitely a nice place to live. I was actually checking out some apartments in downtown Boston to see how much rent would cost and just to get an idea of the way people live there. But then, if I pack my suitcases now, I don’t know how long would I have to wait again to get a permanent status in the US? And how long would it take before I swear my allegiance to the stars and stripes and given the chance to sing “Star Spangled Banner” on my oath-taking as an American?
So for now, I AM STAYING PUT. I shall wait until I get my permanent residency here in Britain and later on, go for the British passport. In this way, if I get the relocation opportunity again, it would be so much easier doing it with an EU passport rather than a Philippine one, I reckon.
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