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So as you can tell from the title, yesterday was a monumental moment in my life. I’ve transitioned from being an alien to becoming a proud American :). The whole process was rather involved, but I’m glad I made it through.
I had to go to San Antonio again, Trinity University to be exact, to take the oath and receive my certificate of naturalization. I thought I’d be going alone, but Tim took the day off so he could accompany me! How sweet is he? I bet he quickly regretted this though as the day turned out to be the longest day of our lives!
First, we got up at 4:30am to head out the door by 5:45. We got to school at 6:50 (although my class is at 8, parking is horrendous so I try to account for that), and I gave Tim a tour around campus. I checked him in at the library (felt like a mom sending her child to school) and went to my class, Medical Nutrition Therapy.
I had to be present promptly by 11:49 (interesting…) at the Trinity University auditorium, so we headed straight there from school. Then we waited..waited…and waited some more. The ceremony started at 2, but there were A LOT of people to be checked-in and seated.
Poor Tim…but I was soo thankful that he came with me. Imagine having to do this all by myself without anyone to complain talk to! We couldn’t go anywhere, so the tiniest the most expensive concession hotdog was in order. Tim somehow managed to make it fancy-looking and more appetizing. Hmm..don’t be fooled..it was a lot smaller!
And the time finally came! There were 873 people present and 87 different countries represented! Can you believe?
(Photo via Tim…I’m way up in the front somewhere)
I sat between two guys, one from Somalia and the other from England. Neat, eh? The surge of emotions (elation, sense of accomplishment, relief, pride, eagerness) and the vibrant energy that filled the auditorium were unmistakeable.
August 30, 2012…I Am an American!
By the time we got back into Austin, it was 5:30pm. As we had plans to attend a concert at 8 in downtown, we just hung out in the area. At this point, I really wanted to go home..However, I knew how much this concert meant to Tim, as his friend was performing, so I didn’t have it in me to suggest it. It was the least I could do for my handsome trooper ;).
Now I introduce you to the one and only Austin singer songwriter, Betty Soo. How did I hear of her? She and Tim are college buddies and served on a praise team together for a campus ministry. She writes a lot about the heartache and hardships in life and relationships. Her incredibly clean and angelic voice comes across very heartfelt and emotionally stirring in her music. Not only is she popular here in Texas, but she’s also catching on in Europe and Canada!
I don’t know how to upload videos onto my posts, but please please..do check out this clip! “Whisper My Name”….it’s quickly becoming one of my fav songs!
She also had a lot of her friends join her on stage.
Although I was exhausted by the time it was over and couldn’t wait to throw myself in the shower (I sweated profusely all day long! So gross…), it was the perfect way to end my first day as a citizen ;).
Question:
Did you check out Betty Soo’s video clip? If not, DO IT and let me know you think! 😉
Congrats congrats congrats!! So excited for you!!
Thanks, Laurie!
CONGRATULATIONS!!! What an exciting time!
Thank you! It sure is 😉
So excited for you Min! I bet that was such a great feeling to have the certification process behind you 🙂 It looks like you had a lot of fun at the concert! Betty Soo is so cute, love her fashion style and voice!
Thanks, Natalie! Hope you had an amazing labor day weekend! I enjoyed completely unplugging ;). Back to my life hehe. She is such a sweetheart! Wait till you see her tshirts and magnets and such! It’s soo her!
Oh, Min, I’m SO excited for you!! Congratulations!! I sure hope you’ve been celebrating accordingly this weekend! <3 I think it's pretty fitting that you ate an American hot dog before becoming a citizen…Maybe that should be an official requirement too? Hehe 😉
Betty Soo has a BEAUTIFUL voice!! Thank you so much for sharing the clip with us! How neat that she's a friend of Tim's, too. I think I'm going to download some of her music now!
Hope you're having a wonderful weekend! Huge congratulatory hugs!! xoxo
Aw, congratulations! What an amazing day 🙂 You look so happy in your photos!
Thank you, Kari! Or should I say, Mrs. Bite!! I didn’t check my computer all weekend so going to check out your site to see any wedding details you might’ve posted! You better have!! hehe
Thank you, Brittany! Ooh! Hope you like her! She’s so versatile! Although her genre is folk, she can do country, jazz, contemporary….and she sings on her praise team at church. One talented gal!
Congrats sweet girl!!! I will have to check that girl out! We are music lovers here.. especially the hubby!
How cool!!! That ceremony must have been so amazing, especially with people from so many different countries and walks of life! My dad’s cousin (well… his cousin-in-law) recently became a US Citizen after finding out at the age of about 45 that she had never been a citizen… and had thought she was the whole time! She was adopted as an infant and no one ever mentioned that she hadn’t become a citizen yet. It was pretty cool when she finally got to go to the ceremony!
I just walked Betty’s video clip – I LOVE her voice! It’s so pure and beautiful. It seems like she probably has a bright future!
It really was a neat experience, Michelle! I was amazed at the announcement of the number of countries represented! When else will all these people be gathered in one place at one time! So neat! Whoa..she never knew? That’s crazy! Isn’t Betty Soo amazing! I’m glad you liked her! She’s going places, no doubt!
yyayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!! congratulations unni! I remember that day too, it was such a unique ceremony! Well, kinda long…but just the fact that you can sense everyone’s elation is pretty special. 😀 And I”m glad Tim was with you as it was a long day!!!! That is soooooooooo cool about Betty Soo. I’ll check her out in a bit. 😉 Have a beautiful day and God bless you guys!
Thanks, Ellie ssi! When did you become a citizen? You know I always thought I’d go back to Korea after I graduated so never applied for citizenship..and then I met Tim..haha. It sure was a very very long day..As you can see, I was in good company, though ;). I LOVE Betty Soo! such incredible talent! She has 3 sisters, and they’re all musically gifted also! It sure runs in the blood…I hope my future child takes after Tim!
Congratulations Min!!!
Thank you, Stephanie!