Ladies and Gentlemen! Boys and Girls! An Era has come to pass...

Tony Romo, posted this in the "On this day" thread:
I had just completed shift "six" - of six-supposed-to-be-12-hour-but-ended-up-being-16-each-shifts in a row.

For the second consecutive week! Hospital is crammed to the gills - we have 3 "empty" beds in a 250 bed hospital. I've been worked worse than a donkey the past two weeks.

I was frustrated, tired and just dog gone spent.

As I was about to lay me down to catch some much, much needed shut-eye; I hear urgent knocking on the door. I rose, with much cussing and cursing (I work third shift. I TREASURE my sleep!).

At the door stood the post woman. With a package for me to sign.
Certified mail from my lawyer.

And in it - well... the 'ticket' to the "Promised Land".

On this day - Yours truly, Simon, RN; received his Green Card by mail!!!

Oh yes! Ladies and gents, no longer is Simon a "student", a "worker" or "some one else".

I am officially a "Permanent Resident" of the Land of the Free, Home of the Brave!

Yours truly proceeded to celebrate this totally unexpected surprise by hugging the post woman and dancing a short jig with her, running outside in the pouring rain (dressed in nothing but his shorts), screaming and whooping at the top of his lungs, bent down and kissed the ground after which proceeded to doing cartwheels with tears of happiness streaming down his face.

Yours truly then proceeded to the finest liquor store in town, and bought himself fine whiskey and a couple of nice fat cigars at the tobacconist.

Now sipping whiskey and smoking that cigar, yours truly is contemplating the six arduous years of blood, sweat, tears and the innumerable hoops, laws, finger prints, tests and photo shots, declarations and other conditions navigated to reach this coveted goal.

No, the journey is not complete yet. Not by a long mile.

But this is an important step. A very, hugely important step. A landmark has been crossed.

I've sacrificed much to get to where I am today.... and I'm not just speaking in terms of money. The son of a banker and a housewife/teacher living decidedly middle-class lives, I've transposed myself - all by myself, half way 'round the world to begin life anew in the land of Promise and Opportunity.

I came here with $500 in my pocket and two suitcases filled with everything from clothes to utensils to books.
I chose voluntary 'distance' from my friends, my family, my home and my land.

All in pursuit of "the promise" and the pursuit of something bigger than myself.


The road has been rough, tough, unforgiving, unmerciful.
But that just whetted my appetite.

I've always said that "The rewards are worth the sacrifice".
Someday, I hope to achieve that "reward" in it's entirety.


But for now, I can allow myself this small celebration of a landmark


SO! Fellow members of APPFN! The drinks (non-alcoholic or alcoholic) are on me! It's a party here folks!


cheers,
Si

Many congratulations old chap!

Congratulations. Your enthusiasm and excitement in becoming a citizen of this country really makes me rethink my dumbass opinions of this country and what it stands for and what it is.

Thanks Eddy!

Hi Two-Headed Boy:

Thanks for your well-wishes.

I must clarify though, I'm not a citizen.....

Yet!

While I have to sign up/submit for the Selective Services Draft board, and be responsible for a bunch and half of other dozen things - I don't have any "Citizen" privileges yet.

I'm still "technically" an "alien" ---- except I am now an "alien who wishes to make America his/her permanent home".

Hope I made some sense.


cheers,

Congrats, Simon! I hope you become a full-fledged citizen very soon.

Good on ya, Big Boy!

Congrats, old boy... especially for doing it the LEGAL way.

Huge congratulations, Simon! May your dreams never outstrip your determination to achieve them.

Have it!

Well done old chap! Tally ho, pip pip and all that.

Oh wait... wrong counrty...

YEEEEEEEEE- HAAAAAAAAAAAA. !!!!!!!!!

Way to hang in Simon, congrats...

You still in Bloomington?

Beer you!

Thanks guys

Spent all weekend informing the (extended) family. Went online to register for the Selective Services Board - and was surprised to find I'd been registered.

From 2004! Didn't think that was possible! Oh well, one less thing to do, huh?

Got the address changed, sent a letter to my lawyer asking her to inform the federal govt. about my new address. I still need to pick up my plates from car dealership AND need to drop by DMV and get my address changed for license, title and registration.

Stopped by work this morning and let HR know about change of my immigration status. Gee, I wonder what it does for my taxes now? I was paying a flat 30% income tax before. Does that change? Think I need to talk to one of 'em H&R Block people?

So many new responsibilities

But so many new "advantages" too


Just looked at the card again. Still can't believe it sometimes

Fulgh ~ Yep still in B'ton.

Way to go, my man. Keep on nursing.

Good luck.

Simon

A great accomplishment, and well on your way!