Today I Became an American

Today I Became an American

I was sworn in as an American citizen this morning. I, along with 4,999 other immigrants were gathered at the LA Convention Center to take our oaths as American citizens and pledge our allegiance to the country.

I came alone. DH could not miss school. I did not want to take the kids. They stayed home, babysat by my BIL.

As I was driving to the convention center, I pondered about what this meant to me. I never really had intentions of living here in the U.S., much less becoming a citizen! I have always been proud to be Filipino. And I continue to be. That is who I am. It is an important part of my identity.

But during our last vacation in Manila, it finally hit me that my life is really now in the U.S. I could not imagine living in Manila. Of course, I loved the comforts of my childhood home. But I could not deny that I liked the life I was living in the U.S. too. And I don't think I would exchange that for any other life.

I realized that for the next 10 or 20 years, U.S.A. is where my home will be. With that realization came the conviction that I wanted to be part of the country I am now calling home. I want to fully participate. I want to have a say in the events that will shape the nation's future.

And so I applied to become an American citizen.

As I was driving, alone in the car, I sensed too the immediate difference of life here and the life I had in Manila. Here I was, about to mark an important event in my life and I was doing it alone. If this were back home, I'd probably have someone come with me to accompany me, particularly because I had no idea how to get to the convention center. So, coming to the ceremony on my own was the defining moment for me - it was then that I became American. I do not know if you understand. I do not know if I am able to convey my thoughts and feelings about this. There really was a moment there in the car, driving on 10West, that I felt as American as the next person driving in his car.

This I also realized - that becoming American does not make me less of a Filipino. I continue to be a proud Filipino. I have not turned my back on my country. I take my country, my roots with me as I journey on American soil.

I am Filipino.
I am American.
I am Filipino-American.