For those of you who read Rugged Elegant Living on a regular basis, you may know that from time-to-time I draw my inspiration from the BBC. That's exactly how this story was brewed this morning.

One of my favorite people in the world is British. She's sophisticated and charming and smart and an "over-forty-and-fabulous" competitive athlete.

Of course, I'd like to be more like her. I'd especially love to get away with having a British accent that is even half as sexy as hers. I'd also love to have her sense of humor. Every Brit I have ever met seems to have been bestowed with a God-given ability to laugh at themselves and make light of life in the best way.

Case in point ...

My British Friend, Carolyn Dilena & Her Hockey Teammate, Evie

Carolyn Dilena is so fabulous that on a recent field hockey tournament in Holland, she donned her team's "uniform" in front of hundreds.

Well, it wasn't actually the uniform that she and her teammate Evie had designed in Hong Kong.

However, in order to way-lay her teammates concern or objection to wearing short shorts, she and Evie tricked them.

As Carolyn and Evie "uncovered" this year's tournament uniform, Carolyn showed off a black bikini.

Carolyn Dilena in Her Field Hockey Best

The guys who were there to cheer on their favorite women field hockey players, of course, were thrilled.

However, Carolyn and Evie's teammates were mortified. Until Evie showed them what they would really be wearing.

Their outfits were modeled after the traditional Chinese "cheong sam" dress. Evie and Carolyn took the liberty of adjusting them into a 2-piece skirt and top.

"When Evie 'unveiled' our actual team uniforms, our teammates all expressed a sigh of relief," Carolyn said.

Over Forty & Fabulous Field Hockey Team

"Putting on our blue oriental skirt and shirt became a piece of cake after my itsy bitsy bikini exhibition," Carolyn added.

Carolyn said her Hong Kong Connection team takes part in the bi-annual Golden Oldies Hockey Festival held in different countries around the world.

"Golden Oldies" in hockeyspeak means "over 35". However, the average age is closer to double that figure. Fifty-six teams of old and bold who still have the spirit if not the stamina showed up in Den Boesch this fall for the most recent clan gathering.

For those inspired by Carolyn and the Hong Kong Connection, see the Golden Oldies website at the:

You go girls!

Other Inspirational Brits

And then there's J.K. Rowling (pronounced "role-ing," as in Rolling Stones).

Those who love her wildly successful Harry Potter series have probably, at least once, dreamed of how fun it would be to live in Rowling's shoes, as well as Harry, Ron and Hermione's.

At least my seven year-old can live vicariously through Harry today by wearing his "costume" for Halloween.

Well, I have a long way to go to be as sexy, sophisticated and "ripped" as Carolyn Dilena. But I'm workin' on it.

And I have an even longer way to go to touch the souls of millions of children and youthful adults the way J.K. Rowling has.

However, if I really want to get a taste of their magic by becoming British I'll have to take a test.

Actually, I need to first read Life in the UK, a special book put out by the government about society, history and culture.

The test, based on information in the "official" book will take about forty-five minutes. Those who pass will be on their way to becoming British citizens.

Here are fourteen of the twenty-four multiple choice questions the BBC posted to inspire you or to deter you from being more like Carolyn Dilena, author J.K. Rowling, musician extraordinaire Elton John, actor Rown Atkinson aka "Mr. Bean", John Cleese, Paul McCartney and The Beatles, twenty-something "Catching Tales" jazz pianist phenomenon Jamie Cullum, soulful jazz singer Joss Stone, and the other fabulous, admirable and "rugged elegant" British ladies and gentlemen.

Question 1

Life in the UK says to be British means you should...

A: "Respect laws, the elected political structures, traditional values of mutual tolerance and respect for rights and mutual concern."

B: "Share in the history and culture of an island nation with a character moulded by many different peoples over more than two thousand years."

C: "be part of a modern European democracy, one with a tradition of sharing our ways with the world – and allowing the world to bring its ways to us."

Question 2

Almost 60m people live in the UK. By what factor do the native-born English outnumber their Scots or Welsh neighbours?

A: By nine to one

B: By seven to one

C: By six to one

Question 3

"The origins of our Parliament were in the early Middle Ages. In 1215 the great barons forced rights from a tyrannical King John". What is that document called?

A: The Mappa Mundi

B: The Magna Carta

C: The Bill of Rights

Question 4

When did all 18-year-olds get the vote?

A: 1918

B: 1928

C: 1969

Question 5

There are four national saints' days in the UK, one for each nation. Which order do they fall in the calendar?

A: St Andrews, St Patrick's, St David's and St George's

B: St David's, St Patrick's, St George's and St Andrews

C: St George's, St Patrick's, St Andrews and St David's

Question 6

According to Life in the UK, where does Father Christmas come from?

A: Lapland

B: Iceland

C: The North Pole

Question 7

According to the book, where does the myth of Father Christmas come from?

A: The Victorians

B: Pagan myths updated by Shakespeare

C: German/Swedish immigrants to the USA

Question 8

Life in the UK explains what to do if you spill someone's pint in the pub (we're not making this up). What, according to the book, usually happens next?

A: You would offer to buy the person another pint

B: You would offer to dry their wet shirt with your own

C: You may need to prepare for a fight in the car park

Question 9

You've unfortunately had that fight and are bleeding from a well-placed left hook. Which two telephone numbers can you call for an ambulance?

A: 999 or 112

B: 999 or 111

C: 999 or any other digit three times

Question 10

What or who is PG (again, according to the guide)?

A: One of the brand names for the national British drink, tea

B: A Personal Guide, a British-born mentor provided to each immigrant applying for nationality

C: Part of the cinema film classification system

Question 11

The British are a nation of animal lovers, says Life in the UK. What must dog owners do?

A: Get a licence

B: Get the dog neutered

C: Get a collar with the owner's name and address

Question 12

Back to that pub. The police turn up with the ambulance and an officer asks you to attend an interview at the station. What are your rights?

A: You don't have to go if you are not arrested, but if you do go voluntarily you are free to leave at any time

B: You must go. Failure to attend an interview is an arrestable offence

C: You must go if you are a foreign national

Question 13

What's the minimum time you must have been married before you can divorce?

A: Six months

B: One year

C: Two years

Question 14

And finally, what does Life in the UK tell you it is "very important" to do when engaging a solicitor?

A: Ask if they have a potential conflict of interest

B: Ensure they are qualified in the area of law of concern

C: Find out how much they charge

Do you think you have a chance? The BBC will tell you right off the bat. You can take the test, and they will give you instant feedback.

Out of fourteen questions, I got seven right.

I'm half-way there!

The BBC tells me I should be invited to sit on the district council.

Get 0-5 right and they suggest you should be invited to sit in Heathrow arrivals.

You can imagine where you'd be invited to sit if you got all fourteen right.

You could imagine, or you could take the test at BBC.com and see for yourself.

If you dare, go to:

To hear what two candidates had to say about the process, go to:

On a more serious note, Home Office Minister, Tony McNulty said:

Becoming a British citizen is a milestone event in an individual's life - we have recognized the importance of the event by introducing citizenship ceremonies which celebrate the act of becoming a British citizen.

An understanding of the British language and our way of life is vital.

We must maintain and further develop a society in which new citizens feel welcome and where there is a clear understanding of the expectations of all residents - new and old.

The measures we are introducing today will help new citizens to gain a greater appreciation of the civic and political dimension of British citizenship and, in particular, to understanding the rights and responsibilities that come with the acquisition of British citizenship.

This will enable new citizens to play a full part in their wider community and will benefit both our society and economy.

More information about the naturalisation process, including Life in the UK tests and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) with citizenship courses can be found at website at:

The handbook "Life in the United Kingdom: A Journey to Citizenship" is available from bookshops or from The Stationery Office.

For those who can only dream of being British, one way to get closer is to buy a Range Rover. That's what we just did. We turn on our navigation system, listen to the British chap guide our way, and somehow we think we've arrived. At least we feel a bit more like our blood and soul relatives in the United Kingdom.

Inspire & Be Inspired.

Here's to healthy, adventuresome, soulful, "rule Britannia" living!

~ Jennifer Carolyn King, Rugged Elegance, LLC