The Day That I Became Dutch

With our honorable city mayor.

It was à cold, rainy day. But I woke up and started the day with full of excitement. It was one of those special and significant days that come only once in our lifetime. The waiting is over. Finally, I was declared à Dutch national, not by born but by naturalization.
There was a Dutch exams first in the Philippines before I moved in the Netherlands as an immigrant. When I arrived in the Netherlands, I went to Dutch schooling as à preparation for the naturalization exams. It was à five part exams.
 1. Knowldege in Dutch Culture
 2. Dutch Writing
 3. Dutch Listening
 4. Dutch Reading
 5. Dutch Speaking.

our Dutch family

Wok Wilhelmina

If you like your food steaming and hot.

the second of my four plates :)

my third plate.

My last plate. I love dessert!

I took the 5 exams one time and passed the four parts right away. But because I have à hearing problem, it was only on my third try that I passed the one part, the Dutch speaking test. After I passed that part, we started right away the process for naturalization. The process was eight months long. The naturalization fee cost àlmost 900 euro's. This country that considered as an expensive country, everything cost money, àlmost everything cost big money.

For the celebrant, a flower lover :)

Because my sister in law had faith that I can cook Dutch dishes too :)

Because I love working in our kitchen :)

cash gift from my mother in law.

true Dutch.

Our honorable city mayor was there and conduct the ceremony. The ambiance was solemn, the place is at the wedding hall in the city hall, an ancient building with many antiques everywhere. Vlaardingen is àn old city with rich history. My husband ànd my son were there also. My husband made some photos. After the ceremony, we have à family dinner at my favorite Wok Restaurant, the Wilhelmina. To my surprise, my Dutch family were entirely there and waiting for us. It was à joyous night with them. I received bouquets of flowers, gifts, but most of all, I am grateful to my Dutch family for their love and support. To my husband, I am forever grateful to him for giving me à happy Dutch life. Please celebrate with me through my photos. 

An Eat All You Can Dinner At Wok Restaurant Wilhelminahaven, Vlaardingen

My plate of sushi.

I love it that I can arrange my dessert.

How time has flown by. One weekend gone, another weekend comes. This evening, I enjoyed the dinner treat of my in laws at the Wilhemina Wok Restaurant. This is also what  I love in this small town where I live, there are good restaurants that offer fine dining. The Wilhelmina is an eat all you can restaurant, right in the heart of the city of Vlaardingen, near the Vlaardingen Centrum train station, facing the Waterweg.

Last year's anniversary at Wilhelmina.

my plate of terepiyake: salmon, shrimp, and lamb.

I think this is my fourth time at Welhilmina. I always love their dishes, especially the Asian fusion and the terepiyake. This evening, I found out that in the parking area, you can view a beautiful sunset. While my husband parked our car, I caught the sunset with my iPhone at the side mirror. A beautiful sight in an almost winter wonderland.

Sunset at the parking area.

For my son's love of trucks. This evening before going home.

This evening I have tried sushi, they are on my third plate. Hahaha! My first plate was a wok cooking, a mixed of shrimps, mussels, crab fillet, mushrooms, string beans (sitaw), and paprika in garlic sauce. It was very delicious. My son and my husband also enjoyed their food.

The Wihelmina is always full. Their food is varied and delicious, and the price is good.

The staff and crew are fast, effecient, and friendly. This is one of the restaurants that I love to go back to.