Oh yes! My Fellow Americans... it took me seven long years and thousands upon thousands of Dollars in Government fees, but today the day finally arrived and I am very proud to tell you that I am your fellow American Citizen!
It was an extremely early start today because we had to report in to the Orange County Convention Centre in Orlando, no later than 8am - and my wife and I - well we don't really do mornings and neither does my dog.
In fact that was quite funny because the dog looked at us like we were crazy. If she could talk I know she was saying "but it's dark outside - what the heck are you guys doing?" - but she can't talk so you're just going to have to take my word for it!
More than 1,000 people were there representing 93 original countries and by 10am I had become a Citizen of this great nation.
For those interested, I went with the suit and the red, white and blue tie. My wife (seen here with me) was also in red white and blue and it was a very emotional experience.
There were speeches; there were opera singers; there was a video-taped message from our President; there was the presentation of the colors and there was the oath.
Then there was the national anthem and the pledge of allegiance. Then there were tears from me and then it was done. The very next thing I did after this picture, was run out and register to vote! In fact, while in my chair waiting for the ceremony to begin, I had filled in my voter registration form and was in fact the first person of the day to hand it over.
So there you have it. I am very proud and very excited and looking forward to our celebration of this monumentous event. I have received telephone calls all day from all over the country and I look forward to playing my full part. Maybe I should run for office?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
(Copyright © 2008 By Simon L Conway All Rights Reserved.)
Please give me a call if you have questions about the Central Florida real estate market. You can reach me on 407 876 8200. Also visit my web site at www.simonconway.net or www.move2orlando.net
Tune in to Simon on The Simon Conway Radio Experience on am1520 WHIM. The show airs in Central Florida at 4pm Eastern and is also available worldwide at http://www.1520whim.com/
I am successful because I genuinely believe that exceptional customer service is an absolute right for people who are entrusting what is often the biggest financial outlay they will ever make - to me.
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Congrats Simon. I am sure it has been a Journey for you. Glad to see that there are many that do it the way it is supposed to be done.
Congrats Simon, you might be smart enough, you might be vocal enough, but you still can't be president ;^)
Glad you are here.
Awww...Congratulations...!!!
Congratulations
Now get back to work so you can pay more taxes! - just kidding....
Congratulations, Simon! One day, my husband will do the same thing. Now, did they make you trade in your accent? That would be the dealbreaker for me. Hugs to you and your wife!
Congratulations!!! My family was blessed to be born here but WELCOME to the family!
I agree with Jon - you've celebrated enough. Now get back to work and pay your taxes... we need the money.
:)
Simon, You really need to change your active rain picture your not at all hideous looking. Just kidding , Love you Brother
Simon,
Congratulations, we're proud to have you as a fellow U S citizens.
Thank you one and all for your good wishes and also for the private ones I have received today. But hang on here - taxes? I thought this now qualified me for welfare????
Simon ~ I am so proud to call you my friend, my brother and my countryman.
You want to lend me your ears?
As you can see Nick - I have more than enough in that department to go round (by the way is that "earist" hate speech?).
Congratulations. As for welfare, you came from the wrong country (LOL). Nice tie, BTW.
If you ever get to presidency (against all laws), take Ted Baker as VP. You will make a good tandem.
Simon - CONGRATULATIONS fellow American citizen! And now to the voting polls! Make sure you exercise your most precious right as an American citizen!
Bravo ! Simon
(Registered to vote ? Now you are truly dangerous. Run for office ? I would move to Orlando just to be able to vote for you.)
(and thanks, Jon)
Thank you one and all!
TED - I think the problem would begin once I was elected. Can you imagine me taking the party line?? *lol*
NJ - ??? - Can you say Cherry Blossom????????? - E-MAIL ME!!
Wow, Simon...what a great journey you have walked! Congrats and I'm very pleased to have you as a fellow countryman!
Amen, Simon!
You're a great American, my brother!
We're fortunate to have you and I most certainly congratulate you and respect you on becoming a citizen the proper and legal way!
Now let's bring the conservative movement back together with a new Contract with America!
A little plug for George Allen/Bobby Jindal 2012!
Simon- What a wonderful day for you and the lovely Mrs. Conway! As for running for office I hear there may be a governor spot open in Fl. soon. Best wishes to you!
Simon - Congratulations on your new citizenship! That is terrific news! I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Simon Conway for President! You surely would do a better job than the current slate of candidates!
Agreed @ Rich:-)
Congratulations on becoming an American citizen! It is truly great to see someone that understands and respects the tradition and values behind becoming a citizen. We live in the greatest country in the world and people like you are the ones who have made it that way for generations!
Congratulations!
Charlottesville Real Estate
Avery Group
Congratulations Simon,
I can clearly tell that you are excited about todays events and rightly so. Again congratualtions and I sure hope you registered REPUBLICAN!!!!
Sean Allen
Simon - Congratulations. When you run for office I know you will do your best for your constituents.
lol. I'm still trying to figure out what is wrong with lemmings. Are you guys animal haters? lol.
Congratulations again Simon.
I have relatives in England. I probably never told you that.
One branch of my family tree immigrated to America around 1850 from England to Madisonville Texas. They would be the May family.
My great great great something or other was from Sussex. I believe the farthest I have gone back in my family tree on that side is to Henry May born 1804 in Wonersh. He was married to Jane Hicks May. I don't remember where my currently living relatives live in England. I see them at a family reunion about once a year in Madisonville TX. I sent my son to Europe last year. I hope to visit there myself soon.
Maybe we are related. He he he.
God bless America and God bless you and your family. Welcome. I am so proud of you!
Simon, congratulation!! I know what exciting that can be, I went though that about nine years ago.
"Then there was the national anthem and the pledge of allegiance. Then there were tears from me and then it was done."
At forty-something and having performed the national anthem hundreds (if not thousands) of times I still get misty eyed when I hear it. But, to get sworn in! What a moment!
Congratulations and God Bless!
Awesome, Conway. You probably know more about your new country than we do. You'll make a fine American because of that passion and appreciation.
Good luck in the U.S. I also used to live in Florida, Port St. Lucie (East side) and Crystal River (West Side). The world is becoming more worldly. I was an American who moved to Canada 4 years ago, and is now a "Permanent Residency" and will be a Canadian citizen in the next 3 years after I learn about their history.
Never get stuck in one culture... It's a big world out there, with a lot of opportunities....
;>)
Simon, Congratulations!!
I'm proud of you. I know that in and of itself, that makes no difference, but I still am proud. You have worked hard to achieve something that so many take for granted.
And I can't sing the National Anthem, because it chokes me up
Congratulations Simon!
Congratulations Simon! Great photo of you and your wife by the way!
Thank you all for the continuing good wishes.
What an exciting time in your life! I had the opportunity to move to Switzerland, but was not brave enough.
Now if you can sing the Star Spangled Banner, AR may give you even more points! ;)
Sincerest congratulations, may you be blessed with all your hopes and dreams.
Simon, Congratulations and wishes of all the best in this country. I remember very vividly getting my citizenship in a very similar ceremony some 20+ years ago. I feel privileged every time I return to the US and follow the "US Citizens" line.
Congrats, Simon!! Now, please let me refer you a great book to read. Its a quick read, very easy and will give you the details on the people and events that have defined this nation.
The Intellectual Devotional: American History: Revive Your Mind, Complete Your Education, and Converse Confidently about Our Nation's Past
That's so exciting, we take what we have here for granted until we read something like this from someone who really appreciates being an American. On the fourth of July I bet you'll have one of the highest hanging flags around! Congratulations.
Congratulation, I agree with Andrew and Beth. We do take our citizenship for granted. We truly don't know how great we have it here. Thank you for showing others it can be done and for not giving up.
Hi Simon,
Congratulations my friend, I am sooo proud of you!!! Love the tie ;)
SIMON, I AM SO VERY PROUD FOR YOU!!!!
What a wonderful day for you & your family and truly a MEMORIAL HOLIDAY WEEKEND!
I salute you sir and wish you all the best...God Bless TOO (you KNOW I'm going to add the blessings).
Hugs for you & your Misses also.
Welcome Simon,
It's a great country, the land of freedom and opportunity.
Good Job
Simon ~
Wow ~ You finally made it on the featured post in Active Rain. I am proud of you.
All you had to do is become an American.
God Bless
Wow! You brought a tear to my eye! I was lucky enough to be born here and have so much respect for you and the many friends that have done it the way you have. I have heard some amazing stories and yours is one!
Simon: Congratulations to you and your wife. You are indeed a fellow American !
Nick - "ALL YOU HAD TO DO IS BECOME AN AMERICAN" - man that made me laugh!
Continued thanks for everyone's good wishes.
FRANK - not sure why you sent me the private e-mail, but thanks for the congratulations. Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I think your e-mail went on to suggest that I should support illegal immigration in this country. That will never happen. I am in regular contact with a Marine currently serving in Iraq. As I promised him I would, I let him know about my citizenship. I also said the following to him.
"It was a very special day for me and marked the end of a seven year journey full of Government red tape and fees, but I do not think citizenship of this nation should be easy. I think you have to really want it and really understand it. Actually we touched on it during our conversation on the radio when I asked how you felt about some of the more extreme anti-war commentary that comes from here while you are there. You see I understand that while I truly hate what they are saying, I know I would defend with my very life, their right to say it. That's what I call Advanced Citizenship and that's why I don't think it should be easy."
Congratulations, Simon! I am glad to hear that you have copleted the easy part of the journey! LOL ;-) Like others have already said, hear comes Uncle Sam!
Kristal - I've been paying Uncle Sam for seven years. I have been working legally and yes - paying taxes - ever since I got here. Not sure why anyone would think that legal immigrants don't pay taxes, but I assure you HE has been the one earning the big bucks!
Congratulations!!!!!!!!! Hey, you should have taken a picture wrapping yourself in the American Flag for one of your past post commentors. Now that would have been funny for those of us that follow your great posts. Hey, can you come run for office here in Minnesota...we need some great right-minded people to knock some heads around up here?!
Good for you Simon! A new citizen! That is good news. Welcome aboard.
Congratulations Simon.
Welcome & good luck.
Welcome...Your blog brought a lump to my throat and a tear to my eye....Congratulations !
Jennifer, Wayne and Eric - thanks for stopping by.
NJ - too funny!! And nope - no celebration dinner, but it was nice to be done with the Government after all this time.
Congratulations, Simon.
Simon- Congratulations! I am SO excited for you becoming a citizen of the greatest country in the world! And most of all, I am so glad you went out to register to vote, because I know who you are voting for and we need your vote:)
You learned more about our great country than most people born here ever learn. You migrated to our country legally just as my family did and you paid your taxes, worked for a living, and all that! I am very proud of you.
You need to change your profile photo to that one in your citizenship photo!
Simon, i agree with Nestor and Katerina on the photo thing (honest, you look soooo much better in this one).
Other than that - congrats, Simon. Regardless of who you vote for or if - this country is right for you...:-)
Katerina - I take terrible photos!!!! I never see the person in the photograph that i see in the mirror. Maybe I'll post some test ones and see what you guys think. As for voting - that's the only thing I'm sure of - i'll be doing it. The "who" is a real problem for me.
Inna - maybe you can send one of your marketing photographers down t see me *lol*. As I just said - no idea who I will be voting for right now. About the only thing I'm certain of is it won't be Obama.
SIMON - Congratulations on completing your very long journey towards becoming an American citizen. It is very clear how proud you are of this accomplishment.
Welcome, Simon, to the best place to live -- the U.S.A. Here's a message for this weekend:
Happy Memorial Day to you and yours. Let me say in tribute to my father-in-law who passed away earlier this month: God bless America and all the gallant men and women that served with him in WWII. He fought the war from the air and ground as a paratrooper in the 101 Airborne!
We are all proud that you can now be call an Anerican citizen. I understand that the wife of one of our presidential candidates is only proud to be an American if her husband is president. What would you say to her if you had the chance?
Your hair appears much greyer in the pic in this blog. Did you use Grecian Formula for your profile pic?
Congratulations on being a citizen. That's great news. You get to vote in November too.
Hey Simon!
Long time, no "talk" to!
Congrats my friend. This country is lucky to have a man of your caliber and ideals as a citizen.
Jay