23.6.08

Oh say can you see...


Almost on the eve of a holiday that celebrates the heart of what it means to be an American, I get to tell you a piece of good news. Are you ready? I applied for US citizenship a couple of months ago and my application was approved this past Friday. That's when I went in for my Citizenship exam and well... I passed.

After 23 full years lived in this country and in many ways calling it my own as much as my country of birth, I am finally, a naturalized citizen of the United States of America.

If I'm to be truthful, I do not really feel changed except perhaps that I am no longer stressed out about the exam I had to pass as part of my approval process. Here's a sampling of questions for you and I'm wondering how well you'll do...

1. What is the head of a state government called?
2. What is the Constitution?
3. How many Chief Justices are there?
4. What are the three branches of government?

You'll find the answers here tomorrow but try and answer them without looking them up. They're easy if you just think a bit.

Anyway, the best part about my change in status is that as soon as I get through the swearing-in ceremony which will take place July 2nd, I will be allowed to register for voting purposes. And, if there is one benefit that truly thrills me about calling myself a citizen of this country, that would have to be my right to say who I think should be its next President.

"The value of government to the people it serves is in direct relationship to the interest citizens themselves display in the affairs of state"

William Scranton

Come November, this citizen will most definitely display her interest.

12 comments:

  1. Now when the president (of your own choosing or not) says, "Fellow Americans," you can look at your TV or radio and say, "You talking to me?"
    Congratulations!

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  2. Congratulations kiddo! I thought of you on Friday, glad it went well. Sos mi idola - for reasons above and beyong you being an official GRINGA and getting one of those shinny blue passports!!! Besos, Ale

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  3. Ron: You make me laugh. And thank you.

    Ale: Yo te quiero a ti tambien querida. You perhaps Canadian, me definitely gringa now. As if we weren't mishmashed enough already dear. Besos y Gracias!

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  4. Wow! Congratulations! Congratulations and more!

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  5. Congratulations! We need more thinking, soulful citizens among us, and I'm very glad you are now one of them.

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  6. That is wonderful news! You are going to enjoy the elections this year in a whole new way....wow, wonderful!

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  7. Congratulations!

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  8. Wonderful! Congratulations. I, for one, am honored to have you representing my country as one of its citizens. :)

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  9. CONGRATULATIONS!!!! So today is your first day to celebrate the
    4th of July as an American Citizen!! WOOHOO Go girl;)

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  10. Congratulations, Milena! See you at the polls...

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  11. Congratulations Milena! I'm sure this was a very special 4th of July for you. Hope you had a wonderful time and a great week ahead.

    Much love, xoxo-pm

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Leaving a Leaping Thought's worth