Five years ago, Hubbs and I and youngest boy spent the night in Detroit so I could take my citizenship test early the next morning.
Five years ago, I passed that test with flying colors.
Five years ago, I raised my right hand and took the oath of allegiance to the United States of America and proudly stepped forward as a new citizen.
Five years ago, I got my second passport.
Five years.
Five years ago, I couldn’t have imagined that five years later I’d be heading to Washington, D.C. this morning to represent my employer and my state.
Five years.
Only in America!
The United States Capitol is the meeting place of the United States Congress, the legislature of the federal government of the United States. Located in Washington, D.C., it sits atop Capitol Hill at the eastern end of the National Mall. http://www.visitthecapitol.gov/
“…she cried because prejudice outlives passion and because she was sentimentally patriotic.” ― Irène Némirovsky
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Five years ago our country became a better place because of you! =)
What a sweet thing to say! Thank you, MJ
Your heart is deservedly full today and will be throughout the week. Safe travels. hmmm…Timely award with this milestone anniversary…I also, nominated you for the Moment in Time award this morning.
Thank you, GS. It was a jam-packed 4 days – what an adventure! I saw the S. Korean delegation go through and was at the House Office Buildings when the Benghazi Hearings were taking place — talk about a moment in time! Thank you for the award 🙂 MJ
It warms my heart that you love our country so much….MJ.
DC is only about 3 hours from us. I should have made plans to drive up and meet you!
I would have loved that! I had – on average -about 4 spare minutes per day — what a whirlwind schedule. To find myself in my Congressman’s office talking through issues was absolutely surreal; the fun part? I was dressed “officially” and had tourists stop ME for directions (( smile )). What an adventure!
MJ
Happy anniversary! I think that people who work for citizenship appreciate it more than those who are born to it.
Thank you so much; my actual anniversary of citizenship occurs later this month but I celebrate all month long 🙂 MJ
A happy day in so many ways 🙂
without a doubt!
MJ
I may have missed a previous post that tells us how and why you are representing your company and your state? Happy 5 Yr. Anniversary, M, Good Luck in D.C. and Best Wishes, Love, Rox
No detailed previous post, per se, but the new position means greater responsibilities — I already work the state legislature now I have federal responsibilities, too.
The trip was an absolute adventure and I enjoyed every moment of it 🙂 MJ
LIKE! 🙂
Congratulations, MJ! To echo what others have said, our country is indeed better because of citizens like you. Hope your trip to D.C. went well! 🙂
Absolutely great; met some wonderful people, shared the immigrant experience with a few others of like background, found myself chatting and helping total strangers in the Capitol and witnessed history– can’t ask for more 🙂
MJ
As a “new” citizen, I think you may have a more thoughtful perspective than many of us who were born into citizenship. Congratulations on how far you’ve come and how much you’ve accomplished in those five short years!
Thank you, that’s very kind. I had lunch with my mentor, whom I hadn’t seen in 17+ years. He’s a former policy advisor in another industry; he just beams to see me in the position I’m in now. We had great fun and it was emotional and wonderful, all in one. MJ
Washington is an amazing town! Have fun and good luck with your meetings. Congratulations by the way. 😉
It is amazing, RR. I drove by the Canadian consolate (sniff sniff), chatted with a 35 year Mason inside the Cannon House office Building, saw Dorothy’s shoes at the American History Museum, witnessed the VP’s motorcade and the S. Korean delegation blow by, saw police manage people and traffic while on Segways, traversed the tunnels beneath the Congressional buildings, had coffee with a Senator and gave the Sheep Farmers of America delegates directions! What a country~
MJ
PS I just nominated you for a couple of blog awards.
Aww, thank you, that’s so kind of you! MJ
Goosebumps… We’re so lucky to have you as a citizen xoxoxo
awww. Thanks, friend. I know you know what it feels like to feel “foreign” and then to come home again 🙂 MJ
And we are all the better for that experience!
Aww, thank you, Cooper. That means a lot to me 🙂 MJ
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Congratulations! That is so cool. I hope it went well.
It did 🙂 see my post about nudges .. MJ
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