Meauxna

My Darling Alien Husband has recently been upgraded to Darling
American Husband!

After a whirlwind day last week, he has now experienced his interview
(15-20 minutes) & passed all questions 100% (an obsessive goal of
his), was recommended for approval, had everything completed by the
noon deadline and enjoyed his same-day oath ceremony to finish it all
off by going to bed as a US citizen with a gutload of the Midwest's
finest beef.

After an hour and a half break, we returned to the USCIS building with
family in tow and filed along upstairs to the auditorium with the other
35 citizen candidates from 17 countries and assembled for the
boilerplate videos and a very nice talk from our District Director.
Leaving politics (almost) aside, he emphasized the balance and beauty of
the Constitution and urged everyone to work to protect it. It was
interesting to hear a man with 30+ (IIRC) years' experience in the
Department condense 'patriotism' down to the most important document.

As corny as all of we meauxna-family cynics expected it to be, we were
all surprised to be genuinely moved through the ceremony. The DD had all
the candidates stand and give their country of origin as an
introduction. Eventually, all were called forward one by one and
presented with their Certificates, a US flag and a message from the
President. Much posing for pictures ensued and I presented the DAH with
a US flag that had been flown over the US Capitol in his honor
(certificate to prove it!) which touched even The Big Stoic himself &
was a big hit (17 bucks well spent).

The Portland office maintains its commitment to a 6 month turnaround for
naturalization, and as usual, the staff there were human, friendly and
helpful as well as genuinely excited for us all. We partied with a
festive dinner and are still buzzing about it all days later. The DAH
has mentioned the happy surprise of how enthusiastic other Americans are
at hearing his news--everyone has made a real fuss over him & the
barkeep bought him a drink at dinner.

The next step is a quick trip to Seattle to the Passport Agency--we're
traveling in less than a week. I'd asked the group about this earlier
and did some searches--for the curious, he *could* travel in the Western
hemisphere and return without a passport (http://www.customs.gov/xp/cgo-
v/travel/vacation/kbyg/documents_needed.xml). However, the cost and time
invloved in replacing a Certificate of Naturalization makes it worth
burning up some gas and time to go to Seattle.

I imagine there are a thousand details I could add to this report, but
there is nothing magic for you to know by this point--take your
paperwork, answer the questions & follow the instructions. You'll walk
out as a USC.
I'm surprised at how proud I am of the DAH, and how much it meant to
him, finally. It was not so much an achievement for him as the
conclusion to our interim plans but it really did signal a conclusion of
sorts, and cemented what he already felt: that the US is his home, and
he's one of Us.

I-130 filed Aug02.
USC July06.
/

SecretGarden

> My Darling Alien Husband has recently been upgraded to Darling
> American Husband!
>
> After a whirlwind day last week, he has now experienced his interview
> (15-20 minutes) & passed all questions 100% (an obsessive goal of
> his), was recommended for approval, had everything completed by the
> noon deadline and enjoyed his same-day oath ceremony to finish it all
> off by going to bed as a US citizen with a gutload of the Midwest's
> finest beef.
>
> After an hour and a half break, we returned to the USCIS building with
> family in tow and filed along upstairs to the auditorium with the
> other 35 citizen candidates from 17 countries and assembled for the
> boilerplate videos and a very nice talk from our District Director.
> Leaving politics (almost) aside, he emphasized the balance and beauty
> of the Constitution and urged everyone to work to protect it. It was
> interesting to hear a man with 30+ (IIRC) years' experience in the
> Department condense 'patriotism' down to the most important document.
>
> As corny as all of we meauxna-family cynics expected it to be, we were
> all surprised to be genuinely moved through the ceremony. The DD had
> all the candidates stand and give their country of origin as an
> introduction. Eventually, all were called forward one by one and
> presented with their Certificates, a US flag and a message from the
> President. Much posing for pictures ensued and I presented the DAH
> with a US flag that had been flown over the US Capitol in his honor
> (certificate to prove it!) which touched even The Big Stoic himself &
> was a big hit (17 bucks well spent).
>
> The Portland office maintains its commitment to a 6 month turnaround
> for naturalization, and as usual, the staff there were human, friendly
> and helpful as well as genuinely excited for us all. We partied with a
> festive dinner and are still buzzing about it all days later. The DAH
> has mentioned the happy surprise of how enthusiastic other Americans
> are at hearing his news--everyone has made a real fuss over him & the
> barkeep bought him a drink at dinner.
>
> The next step is a quick trip to Seattle to the Passport Agency--we're
> traveling in less than a week. I'd asked the group about this earlier
> and did some searches--for the curious, he *could* travel in the
> Western hemisphere and return without a passport (http://www.customs.-
> gov/xp/cgov/travel/vacation/kbyg/documents_needed.xml). However, the
> cost and time invloved in replacing a Certificate of Naturalization
> makes it worth burning up some gas and time to go to Seattle.
>
> I imagine there are a thousand details I could add to this report, but
> there is nothing magic for you to know by this point--take your
> paperwork, answer the questions & follow the instructions. You'll walk
> out as a USC.
> I'm surprised at how proud I am of the DAH, and how much it meant to
> him, finally. It was not so much an achievement for him as the
> conclusion to our interim plans but it really did signal a conclusion
> of sorts, and cemented what he already felt: that the US is his home,
> and he's one of Us.
>
> I-130 filed Aug02.
> USC July06.
> /

Let me be the first to congratulate you both! What a great feeling it
must be to finally be *DONE*, eh?

Hugs to you both,
~SecretGarden and Mr. Pink

Noorah101

> Let me be the first to congratulate you both! What a great feeling it
> must be to finally be *DONE*, eh?
>
> Hugs to you both,
> ~SecretGarden and Mr. Pink

Woo hooooo, Congratulations to meauxna and her DAH!

Hugs,
Rene

Janadeen

> My Darling Alien Husband has recently been upgraded to Darling
> American Husband!
>
> After a whirlwind day last week, he has now experienced his interview
> (15-20 minutes) & passed all questions 100% (an obsessive goal of
> his), was recommended for approval, had everything completed by the
> noon deadline and enjoyed his same-day oath ceremony to finish it all
> off by going to bed as a US citizen with a gutload of the Midwest's
> finest beef.
>
> After an hour and a half break, we returned to the USCIS building with
> family in tow and filed along upstairs to the auditorium with the
> other 35 citizen candidates from 17 countries and assembled for the
> boilerplate videos and a very nice talk from our District Director.
> Leaving politics (almost) aside, he emphasized the balance and beauty
> of the Constitution and urged everyone to work to protect it. It was
> interesting to hear a man with 30+ (IIRC) years' experience in the
> Department condense 'patriotism' down to the most important document.
>
> As corny as all of we meauxna-family cynics expected it to be, we were
> all surprised to be genuinely moved through the ceremony. The DD had
> all the candidates stand and give their country of origin as an
> introduction. Eventually, all were called forward one by one and
> presented with their Certificates, a US flag and a message from the
> President. Much posing for pictures ensued and I presented the DAH
> with a US flag that had been flown over the US Capitol in his honor
> (certificate to prove it!) which touched even The Big Stoic himself &
> was a big hit (17 bucks well spent).
>
> The Portland office maintains its commitment to a 6 month turnaround
> for naturalization, and as usual, the staff there were human, friendly
> and helpful as well as genuinely excited for us all. We partied with a
> festive dinner and are still buzzing about it all days later. The DAH
> has mentioned the happy surprise of how enthusiastic other Americans
> are at hearing his news--everyone has made a real fuss over him & the
> barkeep bought him a drink at dinner.
>
> The next step is a quick trip to Seattle to the Passport Agency--we're
> traveling in less than a week. I'd asked the group about this earlier
> and did some searches--for the curious, he *could* travel in the
> Western hemisphere and return without a passport (http://www.customs.-
> gov/xp/cgov/travel/vacation/kbyg/documents_needed.xml). However, the
> cost and time invloved in replacing a Certificate of Naturalization
> makes it worth burning up some gas and time to go to Seattle.
>
> I imagine there are a thousand details I could add to this report, but
> there is nothing magic for you to know by this point--take your
> paperwork, answer the questions & follow the instructions. You'll walk
> out as a USC.
> I'm surprised at how proud I am of the DAH, and how much it meant to
> him, finally. It was not so much an achievement for him as the
> conclusion to our interim plans but it really did signal a conclusion
> of sorts, and cemented what he already felt: that the US is his home,
> and he's one of Us.
>
> I-130 filed Aug02.
> USC July06.
> /

Congrats on that beefcake US Cit husband!!! (-:

Rete

> My Darling Alien Husband has recently been upgraded to Darling
> American Husband!
>
> After a whirlwind day last week, he has now experienced his interview
> (15-20 minutes) & passed all questions 100% (an obsessive goal of
> his), was recommended for approval, had everything completed by the
> noon deadline and enjoyed his same-day oath ceremony to finish it all
> off by going to bed as a US citizen with a gutload of the Midwest's
> finest beef.
>
> After an hour and a half break, we returned to the USCIS building with
> family in tow and filed along upstairs to the auditorium with the
> other 35 citizen candidates from 17 countries and assembled for the
> boilerplate videos and a very nice talk from our District Director.
> Leaving politics (almost) aside, he emphasized the balance and beauty
> of the Constitution and urged everyone to work to protect it. It was
> interesting to hear a man with 30+ (IIRC) years' experience in the
> Department condense 'patriotism' down to the most important document.
>
> As corny as all of we meauxna-family cynics expected it to be, we were
> all surprised to be genuinely moved through the ceremony. The DD had
> all the candidates stand and give their country of origin as an
> introduction. Eventually, all were called forward one by one and
> presented with their Certificates, a US flag and a message from the
> President. Much posing for pictures ensued and I presented the DAH
> with a US flag that had been flown over the US Capitol in his honor
> (certificate to prove it!) which touched even The Big Stoic himself &
> was a big hit (17 bucks well spent).
>
> The Portland office maintains its commitment to a 6 month turnaround
> for naturalization, and as usual, the staff there were human, friendly
> and helpful as well as genuinely excited for us all. We partied with a
> festive dinner and are still buzzing about it all days later. The DAH
> has mentioned the happy surprise of how enthusiastic other Americans
> are at hearing his news--everyone has made a real fuss over him & the
> barkeep bought him a drink at dinner.
>
> The next step is a quick trip to Seattle to the Passport Agency--we're
> traveling in less than a week. I'd asked the group about this earlier
> and did some searches--for the curious, he *could* travel in the
> Western hemisphere and return without a passport (http://www.customs.-
> gov/xp/cgov/travel/vacation/kbyg/documents_needed.xml). However, the
> cost and time invloved in replacing a Certificate of Naturalization
> makes it worth burning up some gas and time to go to Seattle.
>
> I imagine there are a thousand details I could add to this report, but
> there is nothing magic for you to know by this point--take your
> paperwork, answer the questions & follow the instructions. You'll walk
> out as a USC.
> I'm surprised at how proud I am of the DAH, and how much it meant to
> him, finally. It was not so much an achievement for him as the
> conclusion to our interim plans but it really did signal a conclusion
> of sorts, and cemented what he already felt: that the US is his home,
> and he's one of Us.
>
> I-130 filed Aug02.
> USC July06.
> /

Third in line for hugs and smooches for the new American Citizen husband
and proud wifie.

Strange but it seems as if the last four years have flown by having had
the pleasure of meeting you and DAH when you first started out.

Congratulations and welcome to the neighborhood of voting, jury duty and
life without USCIS riding your coat tails.

Rita

Ian-Mstm

> My Darling Alien Husband has recently been upgraded to Darling
> American Husband!
>
> After a whirlwind day last week, he has now experienced his interview
> (15-20 minutes) & passed all questions 100% (an obsessive goal of
> his), was recommended for approval, had everything completed by the
> noon deadline and enjoyed his same-day oath ceremony to finish it all
> off by going to bed as a US citizen with a gutload of the Midwest's
> finest beef.
>
> After an hour and a half break, we returned to the USCIS building with
> family in tow and filed along upstairs to the auditorium with the
> other 35 citizen candidates from 17 countries and assembled for the
> boilerplate videos and a very nice talk from our District Director.
> Leaving politics (almost) aside, he emphasized the balance and beauty
> of the Constitution and urged everyone to work to protect it. It was
> interesting to hear a man with 30+ (IIRC) years' experience in the
> Department condense 'patriotism' down to the most important document.
>
> As corny as all of we meauxna-family cynics expected it to be, we were
> all surprised to be genuinely moved through the ceremony. The DD had
> all the candidates stand and give their country of origin as an
> introduction. Eventually, all were called forward one by one and
> presented with their Certificates, a US flag and a message from the
> President. Much posing for pictures ensued and I presented the DAH
> with a US flag that had been flown over the US Capitol in his honor
> (certificate to prove it!) which touched even The Big Stoic himself &
> was a big hit (17 bucks well spent).
>
> The Portland office maintains its commitment to a 6 month turnaround
> for naturalization, and as usual, the staff there were human, friendly
> and helpful as well as genuinely excited for us all. We partied with a
> festive dinner and are still buzzing about it all days later. The DAH
> has mentioned the happy surprise of how enthusiastic other Americans
> are at hearing his news--everyone has made a real fuss over him & the
> barkeep bought him a drink at dinner.
>
> The next step is a quick trip to Seattle to the Passport Agency--we're
> traveling in less than a week. I'd asked the group about this earlier
> and did some searches--for the curious, he *could* travel in the
> Western hemisphere and return without a passport (http://www.customs.-
> gov/xp/cgov/travel/vacation/kbyg/documents_needed.xml). However, the
> cost and time invloved in replacing a Certificate of Naturalization
> makes it worth burning up some gas and time to go to Seattle.
>
> I imagine there are a thousand details I could add to this report, but
> there is nothing magic for you to know by this point--take your
> paperwork, answer the questions & follow the instructions. You'll walk
> out as a USC.
> I'm surprised at how proud I am of the DAH, and how much it meant to
> him, finally. It was not so much an achievement for him as the
> conclusion to our interim plans but it really did signal a conclusion
> of sorts, and cemented what he already felt: that the US is his home,
> and he's one of Us.
>
> I-130 filed Aug02.
> USC July06.
> /

Oh my! Congratulations to you both! Wonderful news!

Ian

Meauxna

> Third in line for hugs and smooches for the new American Citizen
> husband and proud wifie.
>
> Strange but it seems as if the last four years have flown by having
> had the pleasure of meeting you and DAH when you first started out.
>
> Congratulations and welcome to the neighborhood of voting, jury duty
> and life without USCIS riding your coat tails.
>
> Rita

Thanks, all---it *does* seem a bit of a victory (gads, his Veddy British
understaments have invaded my own vocabulary!)---heck with that, it's a
big fat WooooHoooooo! We're all Americans now, let's see a little
ENTHUSIASM!

The time really *has* flown by--we had no troubles with USCIS or DOS on
this journey, just cruised through. It's left me with quite a positive
feeling about the agency, even though I should know better from some of
the stories I've read. By and large, I think it all works well for the
vast majority of people.

I most certainly *will* look forward to putting that paperwork away away
in deep storage and locking that certificate up at the bank as soon as
we've been to Seattle and the SS office.

Whew. Now, gotta find some biodegradable sunscreen today, whatever the
heck that is, and some more moquito repellent..... Ah, my work is
*never* done! <g>

Kate2112

> My Darling Alien Husband has recently been upgraded to Darling
> American Husband!
>
> After a whirlwind day last week, he has now experienced his interview
> (15-20 minutes) & passed all questions 100% (an obsessive goal of
> his), was recommended for approval, had everything completed by the
> noon deadline and enjoyed his same-day oath ceremony to finish it all
> off by going to bed as a US citizen with a gutload of the Midwest's
> finest beef.
>
> After an hour and a half break, we returned to the USCIS building with
> family in tow and filed along upstairs to the auditorium with the
> other 35 citizen candidates from 17 countries and assembled for the
> boilerplate videos and a very nice talk from our District Director.
> Leaving politics (almost) aside, he emphasized the balance and beauty
> of the Constitution and urged everyone to work to protect it. It was
> interesting to hear a man with 30+ (IIRC) years' experience in the
> Department condense 'patriotism' down to the most important document.
>
> As corny as all of we meauxna-family cynics expected it to be, we were
> all surprised to be genuinely moved through the ceremony. The DD had
> all the candidates stand and give their country of origin as an
> introduction. Eventually, all were called forward one by one and
> presented with their Certificates, a US flag and a message from the
> President. Much posing for pictures ensued and I presented the DAH
> with a US flag that had been flown over the US Capitol in his honor
> (certificate to prove it!) which touched even The Big Stoic himself &
> was a big hit (17 bucks well spent).
>
> The Portland office maintains its commitment to a 6 month turnaround
> for naturalization, and as usual, the staff there were human, friendly
> and helpful as well as genuinely excited for us all. We partied with a
> festive dinner and are still buzzing about it all days later. The DAH
> has mentioned the happy surprise of how enthusiastic other Americans
> are at hearing his news--everyone has made a real fuss over him & the
> barkeep bought him a drink at dinner.
>
> The next step is a quick trip to Seattle to the Passport Agency--we're
> traveling in less than a week. I'd asked the group about this earlier
> and did some searches--for the curious, he *could* travel in the
> Western hemisphere and return without a passport (http://www.customs.-
> gov/xp/cgov/travel/vacation/kbyg/documents_needed.xml). However, the
> cost and time invloved in replacing a Certificate of Naturalization
> makes it worth burning up some gas and time to go to Seattle.
>
> I imagine there are a thousand details I could add to this report, but
> there is nothing magic for you to know by this point--take your
> paperwork, answer the questions & follow the instructions. You'll walk
> out as a USC.
> I'm surprised at how proud I am of the DAH, and how much it meant to
> him, finally. It was not so much an achievement for him as the
> conclusion to our interim plans but it really did signal a conclusion
> of sorts, and cemented what he already felt: that the US is his home,
> and he's one of Us.
>
> I-130 filed Aug02.
> USC July06.
> /

Congratulations to you both

Psychobabbler1

> My Darling Alien Husband has recently been upgraded to Darling
> American Husband!
>
> After a whirlwind day last week, he has now experienced his interview
> (15-20 minutes) & passed all questions 100% (an obsessive goal of
> his), was recommended for approval, had everything completed by the
> noon deadline and enjoyed his same-day oath ceremony to finish it all
> off by going to bed as a US citizen with a gutload of the Midwest's
> finest beef.
>
> After an hour and a half break, we returned to the USCIS building with
> family in tow and filed along upstairs to the auditorium with the
> other 35 citizen candidates from 17 countries and assembled for the
> boilerplate videos and a very nice talk from our District Director.
> Leaving politics (almost) aside, he emphasized the balance and beauty
> of the Constitution and urged everyone to work to protect it. It was
> interesting to hear a man with 30+ (IIRC) years' experience in the
> Department condense 'patriotism' down to the most important document.
>
> As corny as all of we meauxna-family cynics expected it to be, we were
> all surprised to be genuinely moved through the ceremony. The DD had
> all the candidates stand and give their country of origin as an
> introduction. Eventually, all were called forward one by one and
> presented with their Certificates, a US flag and a message from the
> President. Much posing for pictures ensued and I presented the DAH
> with a US flag that had been flown over the US Capitol in his honor
> (certificate to prove it!) which touched even The Big Stoic himself &
> was a big hit (17 bucks well spent).
>
> The Portland office maintains its commitment to a 6 month turnaround
> for naturalization, and as usual, the staff there were human, friendly
> and helpful as well as genuinely excited for us all. We partied with a
> festive dinner and are still buzzing about it all days later. The DAH
> has mentioned the happy surprise of how enthusiastic other Americans
> are at hearing his news--everyone has made a real fuss over him & the
> barkeep bought him a drink at dinner.
>
> The next step is a quick trip to Seattle to the Passport Agency--we're
> traveling in less than a week. I'd asked the group about this earlier
> and did some searches--for the curious, he *could* travel in the
> Western hemisphere and return without a passport (http://www.customs.-
> gov/xp/cgov/travel/vacation/kbyg/documents_needed.xml). However, the
> cost and time invloved in replacing a Certificate of Naturalization
> makes it worth burning up some gas and time to go to Seattle.
>
> I imagine there are a thousand details I could add to this report, but
> there is nothing magic for you to know by this point--take your
> paperwork, answer the questions & follow the instructions. You'll walk
> out as a USC.
> I'm surprised at how proud I am of the DAH, and how much it meant to
> him, finally. It was not so much an achievement for him as the
> conclusion to our interim plans but it really did signal a conclusion
> of sorts, and cemented what he already felt: that the US is his home,
> and he's one of Us.
>
> I-130 filed Aug02.
> USC July06.
> /

Congrats to your hubby, and you too, of course!!

Cindyabs

> My Darling Alien Husband has recently been upgraded to Darling
> American Husband!
>
> After a whirlwind day last week, he has now experienced his interview
> (15-20 minutes) & passed all questions 100% (an obsessive goal of
> his), was recommended for approval, had everything completed by the
> noon deadline and enjoyed his same-day oath ceremony to finish it all
> off by going to bed as a US citizen with a gutload of the Midwest's
> finest beef.
>
> After an hour and a half break, we returned to the USCIS building with
> family in tow and filed along upstairs to the auditorium with the
> other 35 citizen candidates from 17 countries and assembled for the
> boilerplate videos and a very nice talk from our District Director.
> Leaving politics (almost) aside, he emphasized the balance and beauty
> of the Constitution and urged everyone to work to protect it. It was
> interesting to hear a man with 30+ (IIRC) years' experience in the
> Department condense 'patriotism' down to the most important document.
>
> As corny as all of we meauxna-family cynics expected it to be, we were
> all surprised to be genuinely moved through the ceremony. The DD had
> all the candidates stand and give their country of origin as an
> introduction. Eventually, all were called forward one by one and
> presented with their Certificates, a US flag and a message from the
> President. Much posing for pictures ensued and I presented the DAH
> with a US flag that had been flown over the US Capitol in his honor
> (certificate to prove it!) which touched even The Big Stoic himself &
> was a big hit (17 bucks well spent).
>
> The Portland office maintains its commitment to a 6 month turnaround
> for naturalization, and as usual, the staff there were human, friendly
> and helpful as well as genuinely excited for us all. We partied with a
> festive dinner and are still buzzing about it all days later. The DAH
> has mentioned the happy surprise of how enthusiastic other Americans
> are at hearing his news--everyone has made a real fuss over him & the
> barkeep bought him a drink at dinner.
>
> The next step is a quick trip to Seattle to the Passport Agency--we're
> traveling in less than a week. I'd asked the group about this earlier
> and did some searches--for the curious, he *could* travel in the
> Western hemisphere and return without a passport (http://www.customs.-
> gov/xp/cgov/travel/vacation/kbyg/documents_needed.xml). However, the
> cost and time invloved in replacing a Certificate of Naturalization
> makes it worth burning up some gas and time to go to Seattle.
>
> I imagine there are a thousand details I could add to this report, but
> there is nothing magic for you to know by this point--take your
> paperwork, answer the questions & follow the instructions. You'll walk
> out as a USC.
> I'm surprised at how proud I am of the DAH, and how much it meant to
> him, finally. It was not so much an achievement for him as the
> conclusion to our interim plans but it really did signal a conclusion
> of sorts, and cemented what he already felt: that the US is his home,
> and he's one of Us.
>
> I-130 filed Aug02.
> USC July06.
> /

Congrats!!! Hurray for our side !! All the bestest wishes to you both
on a momentous occasion!!

Don't know if my DH will take the plunge or not. We 're still recovering
from the GC thingie experience from a year ago! Where does the time go?