I turned in my voter registration form at the Registrar of Voters. This is one of the rights I've been eagerly anticipating.
I have never voted before. I moved to the States when I was 17, and the UK voting age is 18, same as it is here. I received a voter form for the UK in the mail, but never got involved. I was young, didn't much care about politics in Blighty (or anywhere at that time, for that matter) so I never voted. In the last few years this right is one that has become more important to me, especially as I have watched the changes around me that I have had no say in. I cannot wait to finally make my voice heard.
Heck, I even want to serve on a jury!
Monday, June 29, 2009
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Yosemite
A few shots of Yosemite for your viewing pleasure...
Random shot of the valley floor. Well, not so random I guess - my wife loves ferns...
My Little Princess and her cousin, with the entire valley as a backdrop.
Sasha found the only shade available under our truck, plopped down and wouldn't move. She actually looks dead in this picture...
Yosemite Valley floor, as seen from Glacier Point. That's a LOOOONG way down...
Half Dome, seen from Glacier Point.
Bridalveil Fall...
Number One Son and his cousin fishing the Merced River.
The view from our room's patio...
Random shot of the valley floor. Well, not so random I guess - my wife loves ferns...
My Little Princess and her cousin, with the entire valley as a backdrop.
Sasha found the only shade available under our truck, plopped down and wouldn't move. She actually looks dead in this picture...
Yosemite Valley floor, as seen from Glacier Point. That's a LOOOONG way down...
Half Dome, seen from Glacier Point.
Bridalveil Fall...
Number One Son and his cousin fishing the Merced River.
The view from our room's patio...Saturday, June 27, 2009
I am an American Citizen.
Yesterday, I stood up with 2701 other new citizens in the LA Sports Arena and took the Oath of Naturalization. I cried throughout the whole thing. Aside from my wedding, and the birth of my two children, I'm hard pressed to find a day with more significance in my lifetime.
It's been a crazy last few days. The ceremony was scheduled smack in the middle of our planned trip to Yosemite, but I wasn't about to reschedule something I'd been waiting on for so long... so, Wednesday we drove up (380 miles) and got settled in to the Yosemite View Lodge in El Portal (great place, by the way - our rooms overlooked the Merced river - but the crappiest staff I have encountered in a hotel in a LONG time).
Thursday we drove into Yosemite, up to Glacier Point - amazing vista - and tooled around for a while, then back out to the hotel for dinner and a celebratory toast with the family, before I headed out on the road again at 9pm to get back into LA. Got to my brother-in-law's place in Long Beach around 4am and crashed on his couch for about 3 hours.
Friday I got up at 8:30 am, fretted around for a couple of hours getting ready before I made my way to the Sports Arena. Got in line, got herded around like cattle, completed the oath ceremony, listened to President Obama say a few words (videotaped of course) and filed out to pick up my certificate of naturalization. Saw sunlight again at around 3pm where I met up with a couple of my church friends who had come out to support me, grabbed a quick bite at Denny's with them before heading back up to Yosemite AGAIN. LA traffic by this time was absolutely abysmal and added a good two hours to my trip. I didn't see my hotel room until midnight.
Got up this morning, packed up, took the 120 East through the valley and came home down the Eastern side of the Sierras, via 395. We pulled in to the Kingdom at 9:30, and now I'm looking forward to my bed. I have driven close to 2000 miles these last four days. I'm tired, as is the rest of my family (although they didn't accompany me down to LA) but elated at finally possessing proof of US citizenship. Now to switch out my red passport for a pretty blue one and register to vote. I'll be getting started on both of those Monday.
Bitchen pictures of Yosemite to follow...
UPDATE: I just learned by reading Say Uncle that yesterday was also the first anniversary of the Heller decision! June 26th will forever be doubly auspicious for me! Gun blogger taking the Oath of Naturalization on the anniversary of the Heller decision. Way cool!
It's been a crazy last few days. The ceremony was scheduled smack in the middle of our planned trip to Yosemite, but I wasn't about to reschedule something I'd been waiting on for so long... so, Wednesday we drove up (380 miles) and got settled in to the Yosemite View Lodge in El Portal (great place, by the way - our rooms overlooked the Merced river - but the crappiest staff I have encountered in a hotel in a LONG time).
Thursday we drove into Yosemite, up to Glacier Point - amazing vista - and tooled around for a while, then back out to the hotel for dinner and a celebratory toast with the family, before I headed out on the road again at 9pm to get back into LA. Got to my brother-in-law's place in Long Beach around 4am and crashed on his couch for about 3 hours.
Friday I got up at 8:30 am, fretted around for a couple of hours getting ready before I made my way to the Sports Arena. Got in line, got herded around like cattle, completed the oath ceremony, listened to President Obama say a few words (videotaped of course) and filed out to pick up my certificate of naturalization. Saw sunlight again at around 3pm where I met up with a couple of my church friends who had come out to support me, grabbed a quick bite at Denny's with them before heading back up to Yosemite AGAIN. LA traffic by this time was absolutely abysmal and added a good two hours to my trip. I didn't see my hotel room until midnight.
Got up this morning, packed up, took the 120 East through the valley and came home down the Eastern side of the Sierras, via 395. We pulled in to the Kingdom at 9:30, and now I'm looking forward to my bed. I have driven close to 2000 miles these last four days. I'm tired, as is the rest of my family (although they didn't accompany me down to LA) but elated at finally possessing proof of US citizenship. Now to switch out my red passport for a pretty blue one and register to vote. I'll be getting started on both of those Monday.
Bitchen pictures of Yosemite to follow...
UPDATE: I just learned by reading Say Uncle that yesterday was also the first anniversary of the Heller decision! June 26th will forever be doubly auspicious for me! Gun blogger taking the Oath of Naturalization on the anniversary of the Heller decision. Way cool!
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Happy Father's Day
Dad,
I want to say thank you.
Thank you for giving me an example of how to be a good husband and father.
Thank you for all the sacrifices you've made over the years for your children.
Thank you for the wisdom and advice you've passed on throughout my life, even in those times when I was too dumb to heed it.
Thank you for all the work you endured, in all the crappy places around the world to provide for your family.
Thank you for bringing us here to the United States to chase our fullest potential.
Thank you, Dad.
I want to say thank you.
Thank you for giving me an example of how to be a good husband and father.
Thank you for all the sacrifices you've made over the years for your children.
Thank you for the wisdom and advice you've passed on throughout my life, even in those times when I was too dumb to heed it.
Thank you for all the work you endured, in all the crappy places around the world to provide for your family.
Thank you for bringing us here to the United States to chase our fullest potential.
Thank you, Dad.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Citizenship....
May finally be happening! I have an appointment to appear at the LA Sports Arena on Friday June 26th to take my naturalization oath. Wow! This has been a LONG time coming - and its not over yet, but the end is in sight! Going to celebrate with my family tonight...
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