So if you know me at all,
You know that I am a very proud Canadian!
I married a very proud American...
And I caved and moved to the states.
When I came here I just said I was "visiting",
Then almost 2 years ago we decided we better get me legal.
We have been waiting and waiting.
We spent a lot of money on this.
And just had to keep waiting and waiting!
Things got sent back,
they were either wrong,
or the price randomly went up
so we needed to pay them an extra $10,
or something silly like that.
In the mean time, however,
My family and I are DYING for me to go back to Canada!
I can't wait to show off my little munchkin!
I have so many family members,
and very close friends up there who have yet to meet her.
And it's killing us all.
All this waiting.
So finally on April 11th
I had an interview with USCIS
The interview went great!
The officer said...
"You should be getting your card within 10-30 days"
A couple days later,
I get a letter.
I thought it was my card!
But alas!
It wasn't.
In fact, it was a letter saying
"The FBI tried twice to read your fingerprints, and can't"
"So You need to get police clearance letters,
from all the places you have lived in the past 5 years"
Easier said than done people!
I went to the BCI in Utah,
and paid $30 to get my background check,
and my fingerprints done again.
The woman who did the fingerprints was astonished.
By what you ask?
My lack of fingerprints!
She told me (basically) I have none,
and I could commit murder and no one would catch me.
So then I called the police station in Star Valley.
The woman was delightful and so helpful!
Normally you have to appear in person to get a background check.
Since she felt for me and didn't want to make me drive 4 hours,
just for that...
she just did it and I got that within 3 days in the mail!
Perfect!
Then came the hard part.
Woodstock, Ontario!
(cue horror music!)
The woman there was MISERABLE!
Would not do my background check because I couldn't appear in person.
Which of course, I couldn't.
It was a horrible catch 22!
So I did what any normal, frustrated person would do.
Went to the highest police in Canada.
That's right, I called the Mounties!
They told me that given the situation,
it should be no problem and the miserable woman needs to do it.
I called her back and told her what the RCMP said.
This made her EVEN more miserable!
Eventually, after much arguing,
She agreed to do it...
IF I jumped through about 10 hoops!
So I did. And I got it.
And sent them all in to USCIS.
This was the start of May.
We didn't hear ANYTHING!
My family kept calling and asking when I was coming home.
I was going crazy not knowing!
I didn't even know for sure USCIS got it!
So Spencer and I decided enough was enough!
Last Wednesday we packed up and set out for Salt Lake.
USCIS closes at 3pm (ridiculous eh!)
So we had to get there at a good time.
We got there at 1pm,
Perfect!
Except that we got there and the parking lot was FULL!
And there was a line all the way down the sidewalk!
What!
We decide to wait in said line.
An officer comes out and goes down the line asking
"Are you here for the ceremony?"
Ummm excuse me?
What ceremony!
He gets to us and I say
"No we just have a question"
He then tells us that they are closed
because of the Naturalization Ceremony!
I broke down and CRIED!
He must have felt bad because he asked what he could do.
I told him the situation.
He took down my file number and everything,
and told me that he would talk to my officer.
And get her moving on it.
He was also going to tell her that I need to travel
so it is urgent!
YAY!
So this was a horrible and long process!
But last night....
Drum roll please!
We checked online,
and it said
"Approved, and your card has been ordered,
expect card within 10-30 days"
FINALLY!
So I am so excited to finally go back to Ontario,
very, very soon!
I can't wait to see my family and friends,
and introduce them all to my favourite little person!
And I guess...
I am now a Permanent Resident
Of the good Ol'
U.S. of A!
