here's a riddle for you: carefully check out the two pictures of me below and try to figure out what's different about me.
can you tell the difference? hint: the pictures contain two clues.
still no idea? ok, here's the answer: in the left picture i am german. in the right picture i am american.
yes, ladies and gents, i am very excited, proud, and honored to announce that as of 9:30am PST this fine morning i am now offically an american citizen.
after many, many, many forms and fees and lines and procedures with the INS, i attended the ceremony at the masonic center in san francisco today to take the oath of allegiance and receive my united states citizenship certificate.
this is a very exciting day for me that i have been looking forward to for a long time. even though i grew up in germany and lived there for 23 years, i've spent the last 9 years here in california. this is the place i call home, this is where almost everything that i care for is, this is where i have been given opportunities to build a career, this is where i have found some real friends.
if i had stayed in germany, i would never be anywhere close to where and what i am now. i am very grateful for this opportunity, i am very proud to be able to call myself american, and i would like to thank everybody who made it possible, including but not limited to my wife sandy, the INS, anybody who gave this funny looking weird talking foreigner a chance.
to celebrate the occasion, i am throwing a little party this saturday night here in fremont, california. anybody who wants to come and celebrate with me is invited, just drop me an e-mail for directions.
the INS officer that interviewed me a few weeks ago had to administer an english language test by having me write an english sentence on a piece of paper. this sentence nicely summarizes my intentions and makes a nice endnote to my rambling here:
"I will be a very good US citizen."
alex
p.s. hmmmmm, do you think i should change my nick now?
The amount of time he spent in there is obvious. Look at the amount of light on the building reflecting in the glass. Nothing other than a gov't process could take that long.
At first I thought it was the earring. In the german picture it's clearly there, but in the american picture I guess it's kind of hidden. then I read the rest of your post. anyways, CONGRATULATIONS!!!
CONGRATULATIONS CONGRATULATIONS CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I saw immeadiatly (?) that you lost the earring you hippy but had to read the real news. Perhaps a new nick could be "crazygerman-american", although I personally frown on "hyphenated americans" myself. maybe "justalex"? You must be very proud as I am proud just posting on your board! Damn, you made my day!!!!!!!!!!
Congratulations, Alex! As another has already said, you have been a fine person of the world for some time. We are most honored you've chosen the United States for your formal citizenship.
#19. "RE: OT - a riddle for you ..." In response to crazyXgerman (Reply # 0) Fri Sep-06-02 01:18 AM
Welcome, citizen of the United States of America!! I have the definite feeling that you already are a better citizen than many of people who were born here. Congratulations, Alex. Please post pics of your party.
Edit: Most Americans identify themselves by their country(s) of origin, so crazygerman still fits. I'm English/Irish/German myself.
Alex, while I am extremely happy for you and wish you continued success I am happier yet knowing that it is people such as yourself who have made this country great.
If anyone thinks that this isn't the greatest nation in the world just let us open the gates of all nations and we would soon find the lines around this country piled a thousand nay a billion deep. Thank you for coming to our nation Alex and thank you for becoming a citizen.
May I offer my sincerest Congratulations, Alex. America is indeed enriched to have you as a new citizen. While I have your attention I also want to thank you for putting together such a wonderful web site. You've done a great thing here and many are indebted to you, myself included.
