Home. The Long Way Round.

My task for today, because I was trying to figure out what I was going to do about actually living in London, was to look at citizenship processes. Originally I was just going to get an IRL essentially and just stay there. But then I realized that that could become complicated if I had to travel back and forth between the US and the UK too much. For business, you know. Then the thought hit me. I was planning on getting married there anyway. Still am but that's not the point. So then I thought, what if I get dual citizenship? I don't want to lose my US citizenship. The US is the land of my birth. My homeland.
I was prepared to serve her in the FBI before this decision was made. I would have made a good agent but I can't handle politics. The reason why I never wanted to be a lawyer. I'm loyal to mine but the British Isles is my ancestral homeland and I've always felt loyal to them too. Fortunately for me, other than the War of 1812 and the American Revolution, the US and her motherland have pretty much been on the same side. There have been minor disagreements because, let's face it, Americans are insane but we seem to be on good terms most of the time.
Anyway, kinda went off on a ramble there. Sorry. Back onto the subject of dual citizenship. That seems like the best option for me. According to the British law thing that I looked up, you need to be:

1. 18 or older
1. I've got that covered now and it'll still apply in four years
2. Of sound mind
1. Why does everything require a sound mind? Sigh... It's my Achilles heel. It really is.
3. Of good character
1. This one I understand. You wouldn't want someone with criminal tendencies fleeing their country and going to yours. We probably have something like that in the American version after the fiasco with Cuba and Castro trying to ship a bunch of hardened criminals here.
4. Know the English language (or apparently Welsh or Scottish Gaelic (but not Irish Gaelic which irritates me)) and pass the Living in the UK test.
1. English is pretty much the only thing I can speak well. I know French. Sort of. But only writing makes any sense to me. English, I've got. And the Living in the UK test is probably something about the laws of the country and and stuff. Which makes sense because I know America does that and it would make sense to do that.

So then you have the living requirements. It's pretty much an IRL and be living in the country for five years. Since I'll be acting there anyway, I'll probably be living there for at least five years.
But...there's a catch. Written into American law is the clause thing about US citizen applying for citizenship in a foreign country. If you are automatically granted citizenship from a different country, then you're fine. But if you voluntarily apply, then yiubrun the risk of losing your US citizenship. That's something I don't want to do. So I did some further research and found out that only applies if you intend to renounce your citizenship through word or conduct. I'll have to be careful but I'm pretty sure that I can balance it so I fulfil the requirements of the UK without forfeiting my US citizenship. Which would suck royally because I'll want my children when I decide to have them to be dual citizens naturally. Which means I'll have to keep some aspect of my citizenship or give birth to them on US soil. I don't really want to fly across the ocean to give birth. Mostly because I can't believe that would be very comfortable. Also, I'm pretty sure that would endanger their lives and as my family can have trouble already, I don't want to risk it.
Of course, I could just stay an American only. But... I dunno. That's not something that appeals to me. If I'm going to be living somewhere for as long as I hope I will be there for, then I'm going to want to be a part of the place. While I'm living in Nevada, which is where I am right now, I'm a resident there. I wouldn't claim otherwise. And the state I was born is where I'm from.
I have complicated definitions. It's okay.

"The longest road out is the shortest road home."

                       ~Irish Proverb