Spring is coming in Bellevue. Cherry trees are blossoming, and it is getting warmer. We have already set our clocks forward to Daylight Savings time – in the U.S., we set them earlier than in Europe. Good news came to us also from the immigration front. I recently was granted permanent residence in the United States.
The application procedure lasted about three and a half months. In its course we had a bucket list to complete. As an example I had go to a special doctor for a general physical and mental examination. The Doctor, of Russian origin, could not verify every required vaccine in my Polish medical report. I had no choice – I had to take couple of injections and agree to the flu shot.
The conversation with the immigration officer was the highlight of the whole process. We simply had to prove that our relationship is genuine. The conversation did not take place, as in the films, at our apartment, but in the building of the Department of Homeland Security. While we were waiting for our turn, a large group of people was getting ready for the naturalization ceremony. It is an official celebration of becoming an American citizen. Someone was also waiting for their asylum application.
Our lawyer had prepared us for the interview by sending a long list of more and less intimate questions. Fortunately, we did not have to discuss who sleeps on which side of the bed, but rather how we met (we were both under oath). This was actually an interesting topic, because we met in Kiev. The album with wedding pictures, photos of holidays spent in Poland and the documentation of our European and American escapades were also our items of proof.
We felt quite confident after the interview. Indeed, after very short time I received a very polite letter from the department of U.S. Immigration Services, which include a polite phrase: with pleasure we welcome you to the USA.
Another important American step was receiving a Social Security number and an American work permit. Identification in the system also helped me to enroll in the training courses at the local community college.
And last, but hopefully not the least, important success – in a few days I can pick up my Dad from the airport by car, as a month ago I passed my Washington State. Driver’s license exam:)
All of these steps bring me joy and make me feel more at home. Meanwhile, recently I was again mistaken for a Hannah in a local café.
p.s. The answer to the previous entry’s quiz: Americans do not open umbrellas in the house because it is considered to bring bad luck.
H.
