Friday, May 19, 2006
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And now it's done!
And now it's happened. Just before noon today, the Dunces gathered at the Civic Centre in Wood Green, where we were naturalised as British citizens, along with about 25 others (none of whom seemed to be from North America or western Europe). It was a group ceremony of the "repeat after me" variety ("I, state your name"... "I, state your name" and so on). Although they dodged the "your name here" bit by asking each person to state his or her name before the actual swearing/pledging allegiance to the queen. Despite this, responses were nowhere near unison; one gentleman in particular seemed inclined to try and say his bit faster than anyone else (much like a young Dunce might have done), while others didn't quite catch on to the concept, reading the card along with the Registrar instead of with the rest of the group. The mayor of Haringey (our local council) said a few words about diversity, tolerance and respect (the only detail I remember is that he claimed that a mere 190 languages are spoken in Haringey). The national anthem (instrumental version) was played as we stood reverently, and then we were called up to shake the Mayor's hand and receive our certificate of citizenship and a Haringey council goodie bag (contents: 1 pen, 1 keychain, letter of welcome from (ex)Home Secretary Charles Clarke [bearing a replica signature], information sheet re: dual citizenship and right of abode, information sheet and application for British passport, a voter registration form, a list of local councillors' contact information, a Haringey streetmap, and a voucher good for a free exercise class, swim, or steam/sauna at local leisure centres). Once we were finished, we were given the chance to pose for photos with the Mayor (and a picture of the Queen). How could we not? And then it was over; everyone disappeared in a matter of seconds it seemed. Getting on with being British, I suppose.


The Mayor, the Queen and Mrs. Dunce


The Mayor, the Queen and Mr. Dunce

Friday, May 19, 2006 2:38:51 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #    Disclaimer  |  Comments [3]  | 
Friday, May 19, 2006 6:35:03 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
The mayor looks quite tall when posing with Mrs. Dunce, but he's not quite so tall when he posed with Mr. Dunce. Perhaps it has something to do with the Lord of the Rings Exhibit (as mentioned here: http://newpics.org/jenny/2005/12/02/ByeByeCaveTroll.aspx)
The Thief
Saturday, May 20, 2006 1:11:34 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
I should have thought you'd have tried at least tucking your shirt in for such a momentous day... Apparently the British will take just anyone, huh?
The Sister
Monday, May 22, 2006 10:13:58 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
Yeah!! Congratulations. You better have the accent or I'll tell somebody important.

All the best to you and Mrs. Dunce! Tis great to see your smiling faces (with the Queen, of course).
Sarah Parnau | sennachanAT NOSPAMgmail dot com
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