Marriage License by Norman Rockwell
Click the picture for an unonbstructed view
Source: Art.com
Featured:

CC's Random Thoughts
Franklin, TN, USA Manila, Philippines

           Temperature:

As of :           

           Temperature:

As of :           
Click for Franklin, Tennessee Forecast Click for Manila, Philippines Forecast

Background pictures illustrate current weather conditions

               CC's Tweets


Sunday, June 14, 2009

A US Citizen!

Current Mood:
CC is listening to: Nothing right now

Finally, after 5 years of waiting, filling out forms and paying fees, it's done :-). I took my naturalization oath last Thursday. My parents couldn't be there, but there was no shortage of love and support since Steve's family was with me :-). I was kind of hesitant to invite people at work (even though I wanted to), because when I asked the immigration officer how many people I could bring, I first got a weird look and then a vague response: "It depends on how many other people are getting naturalized and how much of their family and friends *they're* bringing."

This is one of the first few times that this facility hosted a naturalization ceremony so they've still got a few kinks to work out in the process. But the notice said to be there at 1, and by the time we got all the citizens-to-be and their families into the facility and got started, it was around 2.

Here's a copy of the program:


The Naturalization candidates that day were coming from Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, People's Republic of China, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Iran, Israel, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Korea, Lebanon, Liberia, Mexico, Nigeria, Philippines, Senegal, South Africa, Sudan, The Gambia, Togo, Trinidad & Tobago, the UK, Vietnam, Yemen and Zimbabwe.

And a copy of the oath of allegiance:


Here are some pictures from the event:


At the immigration office. They didn't have chairs for friends and family so they ended up having to stand :-(.


Me!


Taking the Oath. After saying "So help me God," we were told:
"Congratulations, you are now citizens of the United States of America." :-)


A congratulatory video message from the president.


I was the only one from the entire group that was willing to be wacky :-).
Everyone else was so... serious, like they were almost afraid to be happy.
The lady next to me was Kathy Redman, the Southeast Regional Director. As soon as I smiled like this she said, "Oh, this one likes to pose!"


The Naturalization Certificate

It's almost hard to believe it's finally over :-).

Labels:



Posted by Unknown | 6:02 PM | 3 Comments |
Write or read comments about this entry