I've only been living here 14 years and one month ... I put it off long enough. I finally applied for citizenship and it only took them one year and eight months to complete my background check. How suspicious do I look? :P (don't answer that!)
My last hug as a Canadian.
At long last the day finally arrived and I became an American citizen this morning. I didn't think I would be emotional about it but I found myself tearing up several times. I was tearing up before I even got into the building in fact!
The ceremony was held at the Capital Theatre and I was one of 750 fellow candidates for citizenship from 84 different countries. United States Chief Magistrate Judge Samuel Alba asked for a few individuals from a few of the countries to stand and share their feelings. When he asked if anyone from Canada wanted to make any comments three people raised their hands (I of course was one) and he chose the other two... rats!!! Brett couldn't believe I would raise my hand ... does he not know me by now after 13 years of marriage??? help me I'm talking and I can't shut up!!! hahaha!!!
He of course did not even see me raise my hand because they did not let family and friends sit with candidates for citizenship. So he and his parents were in the balcony and I was on the first floor close to the back. I think he had a better view of the stage than I did!!!
But now I am officially a United States Citizen which means I will vote for ..... you'll just have to guess. :P
Well, all the teasing can stop now about my background check taking so long but I'm sure I'll still be teased the rest of my life about my Canadian origins/accent/lack of armed forces/poor television programming etc. Thanks to Brett's parents for coming to the event even though they couldn't see me and thanks to Dede for watching my kids so they DIDN'T have to go and not see me.
I wondered why the need for all the police ... did we really look all that dangerous? until Brett informed that the crying baby in the balcony almost incited a riot.
John can't believe I finally got my citizenship. I think he was secretly sending information to the government to delay my background check. That would explain this picture.
7 comments:
It was awesome! Thanks for letting us be there. I had no idea John was making faces for the picture - real mature! He says he was just surprised that they let in a 'Canuck' (this coming from a 'Brit' they mistakenly let in 15 years ago!)
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!
What a fun day! I am glad you documented it with pictures!!!!!
congratulations - welcome to america - now you will have to work on "borrow" not "burrow" (etc.) - your pictures are awesome - you look so pretty in your flag one! I can't believe you raised your hand either - not in a million citizenships would I have done that!!
(your welcome - thanks for the treats)
CONGRATULATIONS!!
What an amazing event. You look beautiful and fabulous.
I'm proud of you for planning on voting!!
I got a bit misty eyed reading that, btw. Very nice. Congratulations.
Congrat Robin. I happy that you finally did it. It was me that was letting them know who you really are on the back ground check!!!
Congrats Robin!!! Since you went over the questions on the test a few years ago I have been trying harder to know some of the answers!! Yeah welcome to America!! (oh yeah you have lived this area longer than I have!:)
Robin,
Tonia put the link to your blog and I just kept reading. Congrats on your citizenship! You look so American being so blond and all that :) I didn't know you are from Canada. I got mine last April. I'll have to send you an invite to muy blog.
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