An unexpected visit

Couple of days ago, a person from the Interior ministry called to set up an appointment at my house, for my naturalization application.  He didn't say his name and when I asked what was the purpose of the interview, the man answered vaguely that he wanted to ask me some questions.  He didn't say what documents I would have to provide.  Luckily, I kept every document in a binder and just needed to have it nearby.  He showed this morning, and he showed his police badge.  Gulp.  He stayed 30 minutes, and asked roughly the same questions as the other policeman in April.  This one though, is from another service.  More like "secret agent" or something, he asked about a petition that I signed on the net in 2003, about Ca m b o d i a.  He said your parents and your sister signed it too.  Then asked if I were involved in some political party, I said I couldn't even vote, why? lol  I guess he doesn't want a trouble maker in the country.  He also asked how I met my husband, where my parents and sister live.  He went into more details than the other policeman.  He really wants to see if I was a suitable candidate for French citizenship.  That was pretty much it. I guess that he found it suspicious that my home address is the same as my work address.  I have applied in February, and heard from the Interior ministry only in June.  The préfecture said they have one year to give me an answer.  At least, I know they have treated my dossier.

 I freaked out the whole morning.  Not only because of the interview, but also I was waiting for the results from my doctor, I decided to take the screening test for down syndrom, and the doctor told me this morning that it was all fine.  I was more preoccupied by this than the policeman.  Next week, I will have an appoitment with the midwife, and only then I would purchase my  tickets for Canada. 

Pregnancy part 2

My intention is not to talk about baby stuff all the time in this blog (and annnoy the hell of those who are not interested in babies), but bear with me, it's been only 2 weeks since I really "understood" that I am having a baby.  

It's been a whirlwind of medical appointments since.  I have contacted the hospital where I would give birth.  They gave me an appointment with a midwife.  My cousin who lives in the States is shocked that I have been followed by a GP only.  She said that in the U.S. it is an OB/Gyn from the start of the pregnancy.  I was annoyed and scared when she told me that.  But France is baby-land and it is not the first time they deliver babies.  I think that specialists are way more expensive than midwives and GP's, so specialists are not a necessity at this point.  Besides all the medical expenses are covered by the social security in France, so this must be a way to cut down on costs.  I really don't know how it would be if I were pregnant in Canada. 

 In the past 2 weeks, I've done a little research on pregnacy.  The doc told me I was not immunized to Rubella and Toxoplamosis.    Those diseases aren't not dangerous for "normal" people, but for pregnant women, it could cause harm to the unborn baby.  I was wondering at first why in hell can't the doc just give me a vaccine already, it seems that once you get pregnant, you can't get vaccinated.  They can only monitor with blood tests each month.  

Last week, I also had my first echography.  At only 2 months and a half, I saw the baby swimming in my belly, rotating and it was a challenge for the doc to take pictures, because he/she can't stay still.  With the baby on the tv screen, and pictures in hand, this is for real.  There is a real baby in there.

I also learned that I needed to watch my glucose, if it gets high, I could have gestational diabetes which can also lead to complication, a baby that would grow too fast and prematurely. I don't have anyone around in France to tell me what to do with a baby.  I am clueless.  I rather not have my French mother-in-law around me to tell me what to do.  Mothers-in-law are what they are....annoying. 

I think my trip to Canada would be a great break from all this.  Besides, most of my friends had babies, they will give me some advices I hope.

Having kids was not my priority in life, plus I was constantly nagged by my MIL for not being pregnant.  Because of her, I was even more reluctant. I thought I wasn't made to be a mom, and my periods were not the most regular. (is it TMI? lol).  I guess things happen for a reason.  I have to ajust to this now, and prepare to be less selfish and less careless. lol  If things go as planned, by mid-December I would finally meet the baby.  I admit I can't wait.

36

I just turned 36, and also "learned" that I was pregnant.  I was in denial for a couple of weeks, but the tests were positive.  At that age, I feel I was too old to have children, plus after being married 8 years, this came as a shock.  The doc said I was at 2 months and a half.  I am not prepared for this, and my husband and I are freaking the hell out.  I have always wanted to keep my blog semi-private, but I guess this is too big news to keep it a secret.   I was planning on going back to Canada for summer, but I am concerned about flying in my condition.  Any thoughts and advices to share?

Farewell Cookie

When we first arrived on the Farm, 6 years ago, there was a white cat.  A week later, she gave birth to 2 cats, on July 1st.  One was left alone, he wasn't meant to live.  We saved him and he lived 6 months, before he got hit by a car.

The other one, Cookie, had long hair, and was the most beautiful cat.  Since he wasn't fixed, he could dissapear for days and always returned on the farm.  We brought him a few times at the Vet, he was saved in extremis 2 times.

Last September, a new cat came at the Farm.  He had a collar and was abandonned here.  We noticed that he didn't get along with the other cats of the Farm.  Two males dissapeared, and the last one, Cookie, died a couple of days ago.

While, looking at my plants, we discovered Cookie, with flies all over him.  It took me a second to realized that he died.  He was attacked numerous times by the "new" cat.  He had holes in his flesh.  A couple of weeks ago, Cookie wanted to stay inside the house and I thought he was burning hot compared to the other cats.  He still had his appetite so I didn't worry too much.  A couple of days ago, I was looking for him, I thought he left to seek other female cats.  In fact, he layed in the ground near the house, and we didn't find him until today.  We digged a hole on the farm and burried him with a blanket.  He was sick for a leat 2 weeks and we didn't take it seriously.  He must have died of infection due to the wounds. 

Note to self, when a cat has a weird behaviour, chances are that he is sick and tries to tell you that he is not well.  I will miss you Cookie.

 

Naturalization Process Update

Last Friday I went to the police station! yes, I received a convocation from the Police department.  I was really stressing out before the meeting.  When I received the letter the date was wrong, it was written Thursday 18th of September.  I called to check if the date was right and they admitted over the phone that the policeman was distracted and the meeting was actually scheduled on April 18th.  They asked once again for documents and identity cards.  My husband came also.  It took 20 minutes and the poliman was dressed casually without his uniform.  I admit, my first encounter with a police officier was stressful, but since he wasn't in uniform I felt more at ease.

I had to bring my "lettre de motivation" (motivation letter), describing my journey since the day I first arrived in France, jobs and school.  I didn't know what to write, so I googled and found some examples.  I had to search a little on the appartments I lived in France, etc. The interview was casual, he asked for my papers from the start, then proceeded to ask me questions on my life in France.  He tried not to ask too much private questions, must the subject of having (or not) children came up as I was expecting it, the activities that I do with my spouse, and how we met.  Then, we felt enough at ease to ask him questions on the process.  We were wondering why he needed all those documents since I have already submitted them to the Préfecture, a couple of months ago.  He said that it is a way to see if the person is motivated enough for naturalization process.  He prepared his speech for a person who is from C a m b o d i a, but he was surprised that I was actually Canadian.  He immediatly changed his interview and was more casual.  Usually he interviews people who have difficulties speaking French.  Then he gives me an approuval opinion (avis favorable).  He said you speak French fluently, have a job, you are not a difficult case, plus you come from North America.  He told us that people from North Africa are easily granted French citizenship, due to their mutual past history.  The ones who have more difficulties are from Eastern Europe, even if they speak French fluently, they have more difficulties to gather documents for their naturalization dossier.  Another important question was "what motivates me to ask for citizenship".  I did not say that is it because I didn't want to stand in line for hours at the Préfecture to renew my carte de séjour.  I just said I wanted to be more part of this country, since I've been living here for a while and that I wanted to vote.  I don't know if they will grant me citizenship, but the hardest part was to gather all the documents they wanted.  I don't know what is next, I think the Préfecture will send my dossier to the Interior Ministry and will start to examine my application.