Today, just after 1:00pm I completed the US Naturalization Oath. I am now an American Citizen! Well technically a dual citizen, because my British citizenship still stands.
It felt really strange handing over the green card. It has been my constant companion for 5 1/2 years and I've just got used to having it around. Nevermind, I'm sure it has gone to a better place (or at least places. Most likely it got shredded. Eep.)
The oath ceremony was fun. The 45 immigrants present each had to stand up and address the judge with something along the lines of "Good afternoon your honor, I am David Hasselhoff and I'm from Elbonia!"
The first person forgot the "Good afternoon" part, so nobody (myself included) included that part of the greeting until about half way through when somebody finally reintroduced it when we were about half through!
Every nation had subtly different ways of introducing themselves. The Polynesians approach was the most impressive; they made a point of yelling out their country of origin!
In case you are wondering we didn't get to sing the Star Spangled Banner. I'm sure the attempt would have been highly entertaining... 