Celebrate your nation’s birthday by blowing up a piece of it — I’m in

It is almost the fourth of July and in true American “wanna be“ form I am off to buy fireworks.

Why is that we celebrate our nation’s birthday by blowing up a piece of it? We live in Sammamish, a small suburb of Seattle’s on the East side. Each year my neighbor from across the street and I combine our collections of fireworks in the hopes of impressing our children and scaring the neighborhood dogs. My youngest is almost 5 and and she loves to watch from the safety of the front windows.

But, that is not what this is all about it is it?

No. These are great weekends to reflect upon the freedoms we have, the rights we have to speak our minds and the amazing opportunities available in America. I can look at this nation from contrast, as I am originally from Canada. I have had the opportunity to live through socialized medicine (trust me you don’t wan it), high taxes (read 55%) and a liberal government (I won’t go there).

Sure I had great freedoms in Canada, but compared to the opportunities that can be found in the USA. It has been an abosolute privilege to live here and I am very thankful. So as I reflect this weekend upon the nation’s independence and our freedoms I have decided to take a big step.

I will be applying for naturalization as a United States citizen (aka Applying to become a citizen)

I’ll chronicle the journey here on my weblog. My previous application for permanent residency was quite the ride. We’ll see what the road ahead brings with this.

As a teenager in Canada, whenever I heard about an actor or actress from Canada becomning an American part of me was jealous, but I also wondered what made them do it and why?

A year ago I ran into a fellow Canadian living in Toronto. When he heard I was living in the USA, he shook my hand and congratulated me saying, “You’ve achieved the Canadian dream! You now live in the USA“. You are so fortunate.

So why become an American?

There are many reasons, many deep some of which are…

• It is about being able to have a stake in your country through voting

  • My wife and both daughters are American. I’d love to be able to them the importantance of voting and of course vote together as a family

    • Its about this being a permantent home and becoming a member of the list of immigrants before me who’ve helped to build this nation.
    The list of reasons goes on and on. I am proud of my Canadian heritage and that will not be forgotten. I am honored thought to be able to join this great country and am so thankful for all the opportunities granted to me here.

  Thank you America and thanks you to those that keep us free.