It’s done.

It took living here most of my life for me to actually go through with it, but it’s DONE.

I am a proud citizen of these United States of America.

And, something even more important:

Happy Birthday, Mom!

And the wait is (almost) over.

Well, sort-of. I still have to wait until the 3rd of July. Funny that. I had been hoping I’d be able to take my oath before the 4th of July so that I could celebrate my first Independence Day as a U.S. Citizen. Looks like I got that hope. And, on my mother’s birthday as well!

Exciting!

I am not always the world’s most patient person.

(Yes, yes, I know how silly that sounds. Please do try not to laugh.)

I received a notice that my citizenship application has been approved. Now, I just have to wait until my oath ceremony is scheduled.

waiting… argh.

I hate waiting.

Another really smooth and frictionless visit to Cleveland’s USCIS offices.

Man, I really have to say this: Cleveland USCIS has got to be the smoothest, easiest, and downright friendliest USCIS office in the country. Those folks made the entire process incredibly painless and efficient.

I answered some questions, went over some details on my application, confirmed that I was who I presented myself to be, and then went on to the meat of the appointment: The citizenship test and interview.

That went faster than I expected. Both the waiting and actual biometrics processing took an amazingly short amount of time. I think it actually took longer to drive to Cleveland, find a parking spot, and then walk to the building, than it took waiting for my name to be called and my picture and fingerprints to be recorded.

And that’s including that I didn’t fill out the back of the notice (whoops) like I was supposed to.

I’m turning 46 this year.

No, I have turned 46 this year.

I don’t really know how I feel about that. Well, other than maybe giving in to a little midlife crisis.

So, in the great tradition of middle-aged men who do somewhat crazy things to remind themselves of their youth and virility, I am giving myself two birthday presents this year:

• I’m going back to school (“Uni”, for my European friends)
• I’m applying for U.S. Citizenship