My journey to US citizenship - 2013

Feb 27 - USCIS received my application
March 11 - Got fingerprinting notice
March 29 - Biometrics in Chatsworth
June 4 - Interview ( I got all the answers to the questions right! The immigration officer was really nice. She convinced me not to change my name.)
June 26 - Oath taking!

All in all, the whole process took me 4 months. That is not bad at all. I was not really that excited to take my oath. I felt it was no big deal. Three main things prompted me to apply for citizenship ASAP: the fees might increase soon, the ability to petition for my parents, and the ability to travel anywhere without a need for a visa. There was no I-will-be-an-American excitement. However, the ceremony brought out a lot of emotions within me, especially when the Immigration Judge addressed us as his fellow Americans. My heart raced so fast. I realized, I did work hard to where I am today. I wanted this moment to come. USA has actually been good to me, despite the hardships I experienced in the first years. I wanted to cry when President Obama welcomed us through an AVP and reminded us once again that in this country, anything is possible. That was a very nice assurance. I truly believe it in my heart. I am a dreamer, and I am determined to fulfill my dreams. (For that, my desire of becoming a lawyer heightened.)

 I am proud to be a citizen of the United States of America, the country that gave me hope, support, and assurance no matter what my status in life is! Now all three of us are Americans! I am delighted! I can only thank God for this!

Bright and early! We braved the early morning traffic in LA on the way to LA Convention Center.

Moi with the naturalization certificate and American flag in my hands

President Obama's welcome message to me and 2500 others

Romantic night

   Since February, Alex and I have been going to a six-week date series at Altadena SDA Church. It is for couples who want to better their marriage, whether they are going through difficult times or not. My co-teacher, Linda Williams, told us about this, and Alex and I readily signed up. The program is called "The Art of Marriage." So far, it has been really good. It reminds me that marriage is to honor God and a reflection of Him. Couples overtime become emotionally divorced, and Alex and I do not want that to happen in our marriage. We want to be a better husband and wife. These are the things that stuck in my mind:

1. Our spouse is a gift from God.
2. Our spouse should be prioritized even if you already have children.
3. There is an enemy, and it is not your spouse.

   Last night, we did not have a session because it was supposed to be a creative date night. Alex thought of something, and he was not telling me. He brought me to Malibu along the Pacific Coast Highway. We parked by the road close to the seashore. We declined our seats and just enjoyed the sound of the waves (my favorite sound in the whole world!). We then opened our sunroof and watched the stars. That was a sight to behold! I remember my days in Palau wherein my friends would bring a mat and blanket in the middle of a track field or by the seashore, and we would just relax and chitchat. That experience also reminded me of the alarm clock Alex brought when I was pregnant. That special clock make various sounds that relax me - waves, forest, rain, etc. I forgot that clock because it has been a long time since I have listened to those sounds from the clock. It is ironic because that is the same clock that wakes us up every morning.

   That was the most romantic moment in my life since I gave birth to Cinzia. It was special. Alex then proposed something to me, a new habit that we shall be practicing for the rest of our lives. You see, marriage is all about the small stuff, so he thought about this idea which really cracked me up. But I am willing to give it a try. It is cute anyway. He proposed that whenever we are on the road, and we are at a full stop due to a red light, we would kiss. The idea was just hilarious! I thought of how Cinzia would react as she grows riding with us. I also thought about her sharing this with her friends later or even to her boyfriend/s. That is quite embarrassing! Alex, on the other hand, seemed like he has thoroughly thought about it. Well, I truly appreciated the thought to spice up our relationship. So we started "the new habit" last night. It was not that bad. I actually liked it.=)