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chiprj
chiprj
Join Date 06/2004
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I'm Proud To Be An American

And next week my wife may be, too!

October 29, 2004 2:24:38 PM from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums
Melting pot? Salad Bowl? Something in beteween? Or none of the above? Call it what you will, I'm going to call it the best nation on the face of the planet. And next week, I'll be taking my wife to the local INS office for her final interview for citizenship and barring any problems, she will become a US citizen! I honestly don't know who is more excited or nervous about it.

She's been doing some studying and I've been trying to help out. I recently made some flashcards for her where I printed out all the questions and answers from the naturalization packet (pretty much the same ones Gideon posted here - Can You Pass the US Citizenship Test?). I printed out all the questions and answers and cut them into little strips of paper. I then used a glue stick to put them on small flashcards. Now, she can carry them in a little box in her pocket/purse and study anywhere she wants without having to pull out the multi-page handout.

She's really nervous right now about the interview. I've told her that she will do fine and that I'm sure it's OK to miss some questions. Hell, I didn't even know the answers to a few of them, myself! I told her that she just needs to stay calm and prepare as best she can. Between classes and homework at the college and working part time, she's been throwing herself at the study materials for the test. This weekend we are going to have a study session or two together.

From everything I've heard from the staff and faculty that have gone through the process, the interview is not all that difficult. I've heard that knowledge is secondary to presentation and sincerity in wanting to become a citizen. The most common piece of advice I've received was to talk as much as possible with the interviewer. Show ability in English and make small talk. Also, throw in some good 'Why I want to be a citizen' type things.

I am proud to be an American. And, I am so very proud that my wife has chosen to become a citizen and is nearing the end of that process. I know that she will never forget that she is Korean and that that is where she came from, but that has always been one of the best things about being American. We are such a diverse people, with so many pieces and parts of other cultures put together. Cultures that we can share, or not. Keep or forget. But, that is our choice. We don't have to forget where we came from, in order to be who we are.

Of course, that's just my opinion... feel free to disagree!
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chiprj
oleteach
Join Date 04/2004
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Reply #1 October 29, 2004 2:34:45 PM
from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums
Nice post. Congratulations to both you and your wife.
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oleteach
Join Date 04/2004
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Reply #2 October 29, 2004 2:35:20 PM
from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums
Nice post. Congratulations to both you and your wife.
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chiprj
chiprj
Join Date 06/2004
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Reply #3 October 29, 2004 2:47:02 PM
from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums
Nice post. Congratulations to both you and your wife.


Thanks! I'll update next week with how it went!
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chiprj
BlueDev
Join Date 12/2003
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Reply #4 October 29, 2004 2:54:47 PM
from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums
I look forward to that update Chip. Congratulations to your wife, and I echo your sentiments. I don't think I truly realized how amazing it is to be an American citizen until I was no longer here. "The Star Spangled Banner" took on a whole new level of meaning for me.
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chiprj
A bit of the left
Join Date 12/2003
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Reply #5 October 29, 2004 3:03:49 PM
from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums
Kudos to you, it's good to hear a shout out to our great nation.
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chiprj
chiprj
Join Date 06/2004
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Reply #6 October 29, 2004 3:23:48 PM
from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums
Congratulations to your wife, and I echo your sentiments.


Thanks!

I don't think I truly realized how amazing it is to be an American citizen until I was no longer here. "The Star Spangled Banner" took on a whole new level of meaning for me.


I know exactly what you're saying.

Kudos to you, it's good to hear a shout out to our great nation.


Thanks! I truly love our nation!
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chiprj
dharmagrl
Join Date 02/2004
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Reply #7 October 29, 2004 3:40:53 PM
from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums

I'm on the same path!!


Let me know how the interview and stuff goes so I'll know sort of what to expect.


People don't understand why the national anthem gives me goosebumps....but I think you and your wife might.  (you too, Dev)

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chiprj
chiprj
Join Date 06/2004
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Reply #8 October 29, 2004 5:46:02 PM
from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums
Let me know how the interview and stuff goes so I'll know sort of what to expect.


I will definetly let you know how it goes.

People don't understand why the national anthem gives me goosebumps....but I think you and your wife might. (you too, Dev)


It is a big deal to me. I know the feeling. I also get it in the evenings if I'm outside for Retreat. It's always bothered me to see people scurry inside when they hear the first few notes. At one duty station, we could hear the music inside our office. All work would stop and we'd all run outside, just so we COULD salute the flag!
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chiprj
Spc Nobody Special
Join Date 08/2004
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Reply #9 October 29, 2004 5:57:48 PM
from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums
I also get it in the evenings if I'm outside for Retreat.


I always liked that, but the one at DLI that always got me, was when I pulled CQ at night, you could always hear all the Marines anywhere on that end of the post at the end of taps, shouting in unison......"HOORAH, HOORAH, HOORAH, GOODNIGHT CHESTY PULLER, WHEREVER YOU ARE....................."
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chiprj
Texas Wahine
Join Date 08/2004
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Reply #10 October 29, 2004 9:23:28 PM
from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums
Best wishes to your wife, chip.
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chiprj
chiprj
Join Date 06/2004
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Reply #11 October 29, 2004 11:07:17 PM
from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums
you could always hear all the Marines anywhere on that end of the post at the end of taps, shouting in unison......"HOORAH, HOORAH, HOORAH, GOODNIGHT CHESTY PULLER, WHEREVER YOU ARE........


I don't think I've ever heard that, but now I want to take a trip over some night just to hear it.

Best wishes to your wife, chip.


Thanks!
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chiprj
Angloesque
Join Date 12/2003
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Reply #12 October 30, 2004 2:32:56 AM
from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums
We don't have to forget where we came from, in order to be who we are.


Yes. Congrats to both of you.

-A.
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Manya77
Join Date 10/2004
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Reply #13 October 30, 2004 4:17:38 AM
from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums
well...i guess everyone likes the country that they live in right now...hmm..or else they would not be there in the first place..anyway, i would reserve some time later for writing abt india....
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chiprj
chiprj
Join Date 06/2004
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Reply #14 October 30, 2004 10:30:02 AM
from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums
Yes. Congrats to both of you.-A.


Thanks!

well...i guess everyone likes the country that they live in right now...hmm..or else they would not be there in the first place..anyway, i would reserve some time later for writing abt india....


While the sentiment understandable, I'll never agree that there is any country better than the USA! I've lived in a couple foreign countries (some more, some less), and while I even miss Korea at times, I still love the USA!

Good Luck to your wife, chiprj...im sure she will pass with flying colors! My Husband will be taking the same test in a few years, right now we are still awaiting his permanent residency hearing, where we will have to prove the bonafides of our marriage, and then he starts his 3 year waiting period to apply for citizenship.


Thanks, and good luck to your husband!
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MasonM
Join Date 01/2004
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Reply #15 October 30, 2004 10:39:38 AM
from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums
While we have our good points and our bad, I agree that after lviing in afew other countries, I wouldn't want to live anywhere except the USA . Except maybe my own private tropical island inhabited by nubile young island girls.

Good luck to your wife.
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chiprj
SSG Geezer
Join Date 08/2004
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Reply #16 October 30, 2004 10:52:01 PM
from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums
Hooray! and Good Luck. Odds are your wife probably knows American History better than most of the folks who blog here! (Wink, wink)
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chiprj
SSG Geezer
Join Date 08/2004
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Reply #17 October 30, 2004 10:54:08 PM
from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums
Hooray! and Good Luck. Odds are your wife probably knows American History better than most of the folks who blog here! (Wink, wink)
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chiprj
chiprj
Join Date 06/2004
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Reply #18 October 30, 2004 11:03:21 PM
from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums
I wouldn't want to live anywhere except the USA . Except maybe my own private tropical island inhabited by nubile young island girls.


BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Tempting...

Good luck to your wife.


Thanks!

Hooray! and Good Luck. Odds are your wife probably knows American History better than most of the folks who blog here! (Wink, wink)


HAHA! Well, we still have some studying to do, but it's going well! Thanks!
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