My Fellow Americans

I never thought I would utter those words but I became an American citizen on Monday having been here for 10 years.

I must admit that I was not happy here for the first 5 years. When we, my husband and I, initially arrived I had no work permit (at that time H4 visa holders were not able to work), no job prospects, no friends, and a bureaucracy that seemed unfathomable. I had never encountered a Health Insurance card before and had no idea what the numbers meant. My husband's family are here but it is not the same.

The bank would not allow me a debit card at first and I had to ask my husband for money. A visa symbol was a big no-no even though I had a decent credit history in England. Alas no history here. In fact one of the client adviser's ignored me and physically turned his chair to face my husband on discovering that I was without a Social Security number.There was great excitement to be able to offer "direct deposit" something we had had in England for over a decade at that point. So this progress was something we already had it? The banking system felt archaic to me.

If this was how I was treated as an English-native speaker and someone who could voice an opinion then I really pitied anyone who did not even possess the language. I was determined to fight for the under-dog.

I did acquire a Social Security number(a non-working one I hasten to add) because I was "obnoxious" at the Social Security office- who isn't? That was the employee's adjective and not mine. I only wanted the number for identification purposes as I was having to carry my passport with me and even that was not being accepted. It seemed ironic that the superlative form of identification from a government was being refused.

As an independent woman I felt confined, disappointed and angry. I was completely and utterly beholden to my husband. He was and is my tower of strength, logic, rationality and common sense. He can calm the waves before they hit the shore. I felt stripped of my identity and freedom and if anyone had had the gall to tell me how free the country was I would have risked deportation by resorting to violence.

My impressions were not favourable and I had a negative slant on life here for quite some time. Never before had I been treated this way and I had just returned from a year in the Czech Republic, not Prague but harsh North-Western Bohemia - an incredible place, with warm people who were erudite, educated and politically aware.

The years past and I made friends and still have them and had children. My American friends, though they may not share my heritage, are incredible people and I love them each and every one. Through them I have a greater understanding of who I am and what I and what my country represents. I have learnt to publicly express emotions and we did not do that back home. I know that nationality is not everything and that we are, ideally, one. As the dollar bill states, "e pluribus unum".

I learnt how to use the Health Insurance Card. Found amazing doctors who listened and tested everything. You don't get this in England- you wait and get an appointment if you are lucky. There is a zip code lottery so be careful where you live.

I joined a band and am recording a CD- The Mad Maggies rule! Discovered that anything was possible, got a MA in Adult Education and worked with my beloved underdog, teaching disadvantaged adults. One day I will return to teaching.

Now I am trying to establish the US side of operations for an English jewelry company. I would never have been able to do this is England. If you do not follow your allotted profession (I was a teacher) it is frowned upon. You don't have a dream and follow it is the English mentality.

The English are a pessimistic bunch and like nothing better than to be able to gloat when things fail. I am sure this is the primary reason for not joining the Euro- just to say it didn't work.

What made me become a citizen? That is what this is about unless,dear reader, you tuned out. I had to grow up and face the reality that my husband's job, career and prospects are here and my children are American. This is the country that has been very good to us. I am not really part of life back home and had been peripheral here but now I could be a full member of society and would be able to vote. I also hanker a desire to be Secretary for Education and could not do that as a non-citizen.

Application completed and all formalities over. I headed to the ceremony. What concerned me most was not how it felt to technically relinquish allegiance to the country of my birth but what music I should play on the journey there. Was it too obvious to have the pairing of Elgar, Vaughan Williams and Delius on the way there and Sousa on the return? Sousa to me is American patriotism in its best form- triumphant with The Stars and Stripes Forever. I opted for Kula Shaker (second album )and The Kaiser Chiefs.

The ceremony was warm and fuzzy. The gentleman representing the USCIS (formerly INS) greeted attendees in 6 languages and told some decent jokes. There was a feeling of celebration and solidarity. As if what we had to share and contribute was something special. We were here to be united as one but still aware of our 95 countries.

Colours were presented to highlight the formal and official side of proceedings and the national anthem sung.It was the first time I had heard this not sung by a bunch of drunks so hearing and seeing the words made a huge difference.

Oaths sworn and pledges pledged. The lady who led the new citizens was a stunner- easily 5'9", blonde, tight short suit, heels and a lovely pair of lungs. In fact the gentleman representing USCIS found that his attention was drawn to these young lady's assets. Something tells me she picked for a reason.

Had there been equality the pledge would have been led by someone who had really had to fight to be here, or had left behind dire circumstances and would have really relished being able to lead such a symbol. Who said I was a cynic?

I was supposed to renounce my allegiance to my old country but I lost my voice at that part. I cannot forget how I was raised and my heritage and that makes me a better person.

The downside of the proceedings was a smooth jazz version of "God Bless The USA". Smooth jazz to me is a form of torture and best kept away from the young and impressionable. See previous reference to Sousa- if you had wanted me and others to feel as if we were part of the country and patriotic play Sousa and I can guarantee not a dry eye in the house.

I don't like the afore-mentioned song as it suggests favouritism. Should there be a God then He/She should bless all countries and like a good parent not have favourites.

There were even some video presentations- fillers when the assembled sit still and watch TV- including an address from Dubya. Enough said. I get the message. This is a great country and we are lucky to be here and now even luckier because we have been embraced into the fold.

I do not think that the enormity of what I have done has hit me yet. I can vote, have a passport, not get deported and be a full citizen though my accent will always betray me.

My husband had hung a huge US flag outside the house on my return from the ceremony and I had to explain to the girls why I found it amusing. It was a great gesture.

Now it is off to realise my American dream and thank you for having me!