I'm an American Citizen! Now I Can Get Welfare!!!

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It was very exciting, and I'm thrilled to death. I've been waiting for this for years, and I can't believe that I won't need to go to that wretched building to renew my green card and to shovel more money ever again! I mean, the Russian guard was nice, but some of those old ladies at the windows were very grumpy.

The oath ceremony was yesterday at 12:30, and, to be honest, it was way lame. I had so many expectations. I mean, I've seen in movies when people give their oath in front of the Statue of Liberty, and there are thousands of people, and the whole thing is very emotional and impressive, and what not.

(Look! They even have the guys with the funny hats. I didn't have that!!)

Well, this is how my ceremony went:

We had to sit at the waiting room of the Immigration and Naturalization building in Salt Lake City. There were approximately 40 of us. Some little guy stood in front of us and started talking while the people who accompanied those who were giving the oath were passing the metal detector. I could barely hear the little guy, even though I was siting right next to him. He told us how we should get our passport as soon as we went home, because we were expected to travel as American citizens from now on. Then someone asked "what if I need to travel sooner than when my passport comes?"

"Well," said the little guy, "that will be a problem."

(That Russian lady didn't seem too happy to be there)

He then explained that we needed to stand and raise our right arm. He then said:

"You swear that everything you wrote on this... on this paper... on this form is true, that to the best of your knowledge is true... say yes."

We said yes.

"Ok, now I'm going to read the oath. When I get to 'So help me God' say 'I do.'"

He read the oath, and we said "I do."

(They made us swear!)

(The little guy giving us some funky moves)

"Ok, now get your certificate and leave through the back door. Thank you."

I got my certificate and left through the back door.

(I am happy in this picture. It's just that someone was trying to walk by, and that the certificate says "It is punishable by law to copy, print, or photograph this certificate." So I was worried about breaking the law in a federal building... in front of the little guy.)

Geoff, Chad, Heather, and Maura then joined us and we went for pizza and calzones, which in Spanish means "panties."

It was an awesome day!