July was when I went in for finger printing which as I understand is for the USCIS background checking procedure making sure I have a clean record. I went home with a book to study for the test. About a month later a letter came which has my schedule appointment for my citizenship interview and check list for what documents to bring. I was more concern about the paper works and I wanted to make sure I had everything ready to go..original & copies of birth certificates, marriage certificate, tax records etch etch. I didn't really study till the last couple of weeks before my interview because I felt like I already knew half of the questions in the US civic test & history.
October 19 at 11am was my appointment. I had all my papers in neat order with cute little colored sticky tabs so I know exactly which folder to reach. We got there at about 10:30 . The classic maybe 1950-60 building in Broadway was were the federal office is. Every applicant or visitor would have to go through airport-like security before you could go in. I even had to take my shoes off because the metal detector kept going off. There's this box attached to the wall next to the door to the waiting area where the official letter of appointment were deposited. While I waited for my name to be called I put on my earphones and started listening to the questionaires that Grant uploaded to my Blackberry. I was writing down the answers to my pad because it seems much easier for me to remember stuff if I also have the memory in my hand as I write down every words.
One by one each applicants were called. Some of the applicant who already had been interviewed came back to the waiting room to meet family members and none of them seems to have the looks as if they just heard a really really bad news. It's quite the opposite. Everyone that I saw seems to have a great smile on their faces and helped calm my nerves.
At exactly 11 o clock there were only 2 of us left sitting at the waiting room when a lady officer called a name which was not mine.. This young asian girl , perhaps a Vietnamese, stood up and glanced at me as she walked out the door. Suddenly I felt odd being alone in the room. I started getting anxious and worried that perhaps they've forgotten there's one more applicant left :(. At about 11:30 I peeked outside to the hall way at asked a lady officer who happened to pass by if there's still interviewing people and I pointed out that I was scheduled 30 mins ago.
She said not to worry and assured me that I will be called soon.
11:50 was when the officer finally called my name. We walked to hall way to an unassuming room and she asked me to raise my right hand & swear to tell the truth. She was going with her question quite fast and I kept telling myself to listen carefully, make direct eye contact and answer clearly and always address the officer politely and end my answers with " Yes Ma’am" or "No Ma’am". She asked questions such as " Have you ever been convicted of a crime " and I answered " No Ma’am". There were perhaps 15 similar questions like that then she made me read a sentence a loud and asked me to write down the answer on the other sheet of paper. She then opened a book and gave me 6 questions about civic like " Name one of the longest river in the US?" and " When was the Constitution got drafted?" I answered all questions correctly. She checked some more of the files she have in front of her and told me that I passed the interview and that I could be sworn in the next day if I want to. I said yes I would like to be sworn in tomorrow. :) She congratulated me and I was gonna shake her hand but she declined because she just sneezed and she didn't want to spread her germs on me :)
I walked out of her office back to the hall way where Grant & Shinjo were waiting. I was so glad that I passed and even though I was a little disappointed that I didn't get to impress the officer on how I prepared my docs because she didn't ask for any of it. All she asked were my greencard, passport and my drivers license. I'm thinking maybe she already have more than enough papers about me because that folder of my file that she had on her desk was over an inch thick.
Grant gave me a hug and although he didn't say much I know he was happy and proud of me.
The Oath Taking & Swearing In Ceremony.
Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2009 at 1:50PM was when I was gonna be an official naturalized citizen of the United States Of America. My mother in law came with us and I was more than happy that she was there to witness this event in my life ( just like when I gave birth to Shinjo , she was there too). Grant met us at the federal building .Shinjo was there too but Princess had school so she wasn't able to come.
When we arrived at about 1:40 the room was almost full with applicants and their family. There were different nationalities in that one room that it felt so symbolic and even more inspiring to be a part of this great nation.
At exactly 1:50pm a lady officer announced that everybody transfers to the 2nd floor where we were given further instruction on how the ceremony is gonna be conducted. Family members were called in first to the room and let them take their seats. Meanwhile, us applicant were called one by one by another officer and asked for our letter of appointment and our greencard. I didn't know that that was the last time I'm gonna see my greencard because it was not returned to us. To the room there were pamphlets and brochures waiting on our tables and there was a big projector screen on the front wall. The officer welcomed us all and played a short clip about the many faces of naturalized citizens from the old days to the present. The next thing I know, the front row where all the applicants were seated are standing up with our right hands raised reciting the oath of allegiance, then we Pledge of Allegiance and then very quickly we were handed one by one our official certificate of citizenship.
The thoughts that were running through my head was the memories of me & Grant when we started the immigration process, the many tears and anxieties, sleepless nights not knowing what's gonna happen next, Grant's numerous trip to the Philippines to visit me and the heartaches every time we say goodbyes at the airport full of uncertainties and longing for each other. I am so glad he didn't give up on me and I am even more thankful that I we found each other 7 years ago.
Up next..US passport...
Some Photos From The Oath Taking Ceremony.
Reciting The Pledge Of Allegiance
Holding My Certificate Of Citizenship
It's Official!!!!
