So it’s been 4 months since my last blog….and believe me I have started writing on more than one occasion but for some reason or another I never quite finish and eventually they all end up in my virtual garbage bin. I remember starting off my blog posts with such gusto, critiquing restaurants, describing my weekend escapades but never really sharing my opinions of what it is really like to live in a foreign country…Cancun, Mexico. I guess that I was always wary of offending people….which is so easy to do nowadays.
I have been here since 1995 and I have finally applied for Mexican citizenship (long story). WOW! That means in about less than 8 months I will be able to call myself a Mexican. I am a Canadian by birth but my family are from England and in just 5 years I will have lived in Mexico as long as I lived in Canada….double WOW! So what does all of this mean?? Not sure really except that I feel very proud of my roots and that I love Canada but I also love Mexico too.
So once I am an official Mexican citizen what does that mean….how should I feel? Will I feel like a Mexican? I will still retain my Canadian citizenship as well as my British citizenship but I will also now be a Mexican. So who am I? Canada embraces their immigrants. My parents consider themselves Canadian….they “feel” like they are Canadian. They have been living in Canada longer than they lived in England. But Canada is such a melting pot of ethnicities so being a “Canadian” means something different than here. In Mexico, even though I will have the paperwork, I will never truly be viewed as a Mexican. I will always be viewed as a foreigner and treated as thus even though I chose 18 years ago to make Mexico my home.
I speak Spanish fluently, understand, respect and embrace the customs and I am married to a Mexican. I accept the good and the bad…and granted right now Mexico is experiencing their fair share of tumultuous times but at the end of the day Mexico is a country full of noble people and rich in history. And I think that once I am granted my citizenship I will feel proud to call myself a Mexican….even though I may never be truly accepted as one.
*** I have decided to blog again; however, aside from bubbly reviews of restaurants and weekend escapades I would like to share more personal insights with the hope that I don’t offend anyone.
Ashlie, more than being from English parents, born in Canada and well on your way to having a Mexican passport too, you are who you are, you are Ashlie, which is far more whole and meaningful than being labelled by a country as being one of its citizens, no matter which country, or countries, they may be.
As the saying goes, “no matter where I go, here I am” — so goes Ashlie, and there she is – a beautiful and free spirit.
Awwww shucks Dad!!! Nice comment
Simply the way it is
I agree with your dad Ashlie…..a person ought not to be defined by their country of origin or adopted citizenship(s), no matter how proud we are of the country we choose to call home. You are still you at heart…. with the courage, tenacity and great joie de vivre to always make the most and the best of wherever you happen to be!
Thanks Mom!! I agree….it was just something that was rolling around in my head as I embark on this process….though my “Canadianess” will always be a big part of me I also feel a big connection to England…and Europe in general.
And that is perfectly understandable Ashlie, since you were raised with Canada in the foreground and England in the background, and as such they constitute a big part of your identity and fields of reference. It doesn’t define you however, because, at our best, we are all so much more than the ‘sum of our parts’ and you have proved that over and over again. You have made your life an adventure Ashlie and Mexico is another string added to your bow so to speak!
Wow, thats awesome. Congrats!
Thank you!!!
OK, is your dad sweet or what!?
You can be honest without being ignorant. I look forward to hearing what you have to say.
Thanks Kristin!
Wow! Dad is a smart man! It’s great that you want to become a Mexican citizen, it must make your husband happy to accept his country. Look forward to your future blogs. Being honest is the most important. By the way, welcome back. I go in shock when I don’t get info about Cancun!
Thanks KfromMichigan! It’s nice to read that people are still interested in what I have to say
Hi Ashlie,
I am a producer on the HGTV series “House Hunters International”. I would love to talk with you about your experience as an expat living in Mexico, and about being featured on our show. If you are interested in knowing more, please email me at Heather.Hansen@LeopardFilms.com. Thanks, and I look forward to hearing from you!
Hello Heather,
I will email you. I must admit I am intrigued
WOW …. HGTV Congrats! .. please let us know when it airs!
I wonder if you would detail your steps to becoming a Mexican Citizen for others. Where did you go to apply, did you use an atorney, etc. Thanks
Hi Breezy! Thank you for stopping by my blog. I will try and post the steps this week.In the meantime they are all outlined here http://www.sre.gob.mx/index.php/tramites-y-servicios/nacionalidad-y-naturalizacion
Can´t wait to read all about the tramites (paperwork) as I am planning to do the same thing! I also realized recently that I have lived here for most of my life now.
Hi William, I just checked out your blog—funny!!! Thank you for stopping by my blog and taking the time to leave a comment. I will be posting soon re: steps.
I just found your blog and I’m excited you are back at blogging!!! I’ve been criticized a few times for my opinions but it’s YOUR blog, and therefore YOUR Opinion and what you’ve been exposed to! Tell it like it is
Thank you “itscoezy” for stopping by my blog and for the words of ecouragement!