I'm now officially an American citizen. I just got back from the naturalization ceremony. For those of you who are American and have never been to one of those, I encourage you to go as a spectator.
It was a packed theater, there were 783 new citizens and around 1,500 spectators. There were people representing more than 100 different countries. Somalia and Laos had the most representatives, around 100 each. There were two other Bulgarians. Unfortunately, there were also some Croatians, but what can you do... The judge who presided over the whole ceremony was awesome, he said some really meaningful things. All 783 people took the oath together. We also said the pledge of allegiance, stood up for the anthem, etc. There was a video of Dubya welcoming us. They gave everyone a little US flag. I don't know what I'm going to do with mine. I guess wave it every time the US scores against Mexico, but my wrist is going to get tired.
It was a great experience, except for the hour and a half I had to wait standing in line. My parents and the pastor of my church were in the audience so I felt honored by that.
So after going through a lenghty and expensive process, I now have the same rights that 250,000,000 people have inherited simply by being born. But it's a great feeling and I've been very blessed to be part of this great country. And this Sunday, for the first time I will get to enjoy a USA victory over Mexico as a true American.
God bless SG and God bless America.
It was a packed theater, there were 783 new citizens and around 1,500 spectators. There were people representing more than 100 different countries. Somalia and Laos had the most representatives, around 100 each. There were two other Bulgarians. Unfortunately, there were also some Croatians, but what can you do... The judge who presided over the whole ceremony was awesome, he said some really meaningful things. All 783 people took the oath together. We also said the pledge of allegiance, stood up for the anthem, etc. There was a video of Dubya welcoming us. They gave everyone a little US flag. I don't know what I'm going to do with mine. I guess wave it every time the US scores against Mexico, but my wrist is going to get tired.
It was a great experience, except for the hour and a half I had to wait standing in line. My parents and the pastor of my church were in the audience so I felt honored by that.
So after going through a lenghty and expensive process, I now have the same rights that 250,000,000 people have inherited simply by being born. But it's a great feeling and I've been very blessed to be part of this great country. And this Sunday, for the first time I will get to enjoy a USA victory over Mexico as a true American.
God bless SG and God bless America.