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Citizenship Day = My Golden Moment

November 4, 2011 by afrobella 39 Comments

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Even though I’ve been told that I sound pretty much “like a Yankee” by members of my own family ( 🙁 ) I am now and always will be a proud Trinidadian in my heart. (cue Benjai’s Trini). I love my country and I’m proud of my heritage! But I’ve been living in America since 1998. I’ve been married to an American for almost a decade. The truth of the matter is, I love America just as much as I love Trinidad, and my home is now here.

Finally, in October I made it official. I was sworn in as a US citizen!

Where's Waldo?

This is right after we took the oath!

Forgive the blurry photo phone picture! It was a magical moment

My husband took the day off and the judge was kind enough to let him snap a few photos (not all citizenship judges are so nice, apparently).

This moment was so long in the making and meant so much to both me and my husband.

A few weeks before I even knew when exactly my swearing in date would be, I was invited to celebrate a golden moment, courtesy of DKNY Golden Delicious — such a wonderful opportunity from a fragrance I love.
You might remember I reviewed and LOVE DKNY Golden Delicious. It’s so perfect for this season. Honeycrisp delicious without being too literal. Click here to learn more about this fabulous fragrance and join the Delicious Core Club on Facebook, where you can design your own bottle, or a golden locket!

We decided to celebrate our golden moment after my citizenship ceremony, and I managed to get reservations at the exclusive and elegant restaurant RIA at the Elysian Hotel.

Chef Danny Grant is known for close relationships with local farmers and a mastery of complex yet delicious cuisine.

Because I had indicated we were coming in to celebrate a momentous occasion, the staff at RIA all greeted me with kind wishes and congratulations. It was even printed on the menu! Everything we had was absolutely incredible.

Congratulations from RIA!

From the sea scallop appetizer

to the lobster and Wagyu steak, to the incredible seasonal dessert.

A few unexpected amuse-bouches blew me away with their complex blend of flavors.

Over this amazingly elegant meal, my husband and I toasted to our shared past and the bright future ahead of us. It feels like such a tremendous relief to know that the need for immigration paperwork and fees is now behind me forever. Now all I need is a passport, and 2012 will be The Year Of International Travel! That’s right – I’m naming it and claiming it!

I have a few folks to thank for all of this. My husband, simply for being the best. My immigration attorney Elaine Weiss for guiding me through the process since I was just a college student and a newlywed who needed help. And special thanks to the wonderful people of DKNY Golden Delicious for their generosity. This was a golden moment to remember forever!

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Filed Under: Events, Randomness, Reviews Tagged With: Absolutely Afrobella, Becoming AfroBella

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. A Girl's Gotta Spa!

    November 4, 2011 at 3:32 pm

    Congratulations on your citizenship!!!! xoxoxoxo

    Reply
    • bella

      November 6, 2011 at 9:23 am

      thank you Shannon!!

      Reply
  2. Lianne

    November 4, 2011 at 3:36 pm

    I’m SO happy I got to hug and congratulate you in Chicago last week! CONGRATULATIONS my dear dear friend xo L

    Reply
    • bella

      November 6, 2011 at 9:24 am

      Love you Lianne!! Thank you!!!

      Reply
  3. pets

    November 4, 2011 at 4:25 pm

    Again congratulations on becoming a US Citizen! Congratulations on the DKNY Golden Moment and your meal looks amazing!

    For 2012 I hope that you visit England and do the Magical Mystery Tour (Beatles) and do mainland Europe as well.

    Reply
    • bella

      November 6, 2011 at 9:25 am

      thank you Petal! I definitely want to visit England. We have a brother I want to spend some time with, after all!

      Reply
  4. chai

    November 4, 2011 at 5:13 pm

    Congrats Patrice…! it’s so clear how much this means to you, what a joyous occasion;)!!

    Reply
    • bella

      November 6, 2011 at 9:27 am

      thank you Chai! 😀

      Reply
  5. Surgerychick

    November 4, 2011 at 6:57 pm

    Congratulations!!! Now go register to vote!

    Reply
    • bella

      November 6, 2011 at 10:04 am

      I did, right away! Thank you~

      Reply
  6. Beth

    November 4, 2011 at 7:20 pm

    Congratulations! I’m so glad such a smart and engaged woman will be joining the ranks of American voters!!

    Reply
    • bella

      November 6, 2011 at 10:03 am

      thank you!!

      Reply
  7. Sherry Blossom

    November 4, 2011 at 8:49 pm

    Congratulations! There is no better feeling than achieving your goal! Cheers to you, your husband and attorney, on an accomplishment well done! I’m joining you in the 2012 international travel declaration! My first stop EUROPE! where is yours????

    Reply
    • bella

      November 6, 2011 at 10:04 am

      I also want to go to Europe!!! Thanks, Sherry!

      Reply
  8. I Am Your People

    November 5, 2011 at 12:17 am

    Co-sign on surgerychick! Now that you’re a citizen, time to vote. And CONGRATULATIONS!

    Reply
    • bella

      November 6, 2011 at 9:26 am

      I can’t WAIT to vote!! I signed up right away!

      Reply
  9. crystal g.

    November 5, 2011 at 4:57 am

    CONGRATS PATRICE!

    Reply
  10. Queen Eye Cee

    November 5, 2011 at 11:52 am

    CONGRATULATIONS, CONTINUED SUCCESS HERE IN YOUR NEW FOUND LAND!!!

    Reply
  11. Ava

    November 5, 2011 at 11:55 am

    Congratulations!

    Reply
  12. JoJo

    November 5, 2011 at 12:08 pm

    Congrats Bella!!!!
    xoxo

    Reply
  13. Rocquelle

    November 5, 2011 at 1:38 pm

    What an amazing moment! Congratulations on becoming a U.S. citizen and all of your golden moments to come!

    Reply
  14. TriniJean

    November 5, 2011 at 5:37 pm

    Bella congratulations! I truly understand how you feel about Trinidad. Please vote… love you.

    Reply
    • bella

      November 6, 2011 at 9:26 am

      I registered to vote as soon as I walked out of the courtroom! i’m so excited to vote!

      Reply
  15. Liz

    November 5, 2011 at 10:51 pm

    My father received his green card last year after 24 years in this country. We’re still working on my mother’s case, as it requires her to come up with the same $20,000 that it cost my father.

    There are people who will never know how blessed they were to never have to deal with anything that has to do with immigration, be it lawyers, the law, the paperwork, the excessive amount of money it requires.

    Congrats Bella! I know how you feel. I can only hope the same for my mother. 🙂

    Reply
    • bella

      November 6, 2011 at 10:06 am

      it has been an epic and expensive journey for myself as well — not as costly as what you’re enduring, but there’s a stress that immigration brings that born and raised Americans will never understand Thank you and all the best to you and your family!!

      Reply
  16. Danielle

    November 6, 2011 at 1:11 pm

    Congrats!!!! I remember when my mom was getting her U.S. citizenship–she would NOT stop yelling out U.S. history facts…lol.

    Reply
  17. Crystal

    November 6, 2011 at 3:45 pm

    This is awesome news!

    Reply
  18. Glenyse

    November 6, 2011 at 5:22 pm

    Congratulations Bella!

    Reply
  19. D

    November 7, 2011 at 2:47 am

    Congratulations! yes your judge was extra nice. I was bummed when i did mine cos i wasnt allowed any pictures.

    Reply
  20. natural dancer

    November 7, 2011 at 9:15 am

    Gosh, I don’t know why I teared up a bit reading this….what a wonderful moment in you rlife! Praying continued blessings upon you & your husband!!!!!

    candice
    natural dancer
    thefrizzness.blogspot.com

    Reply
  21. Beauty Is Diverse

    November 7, 2011 at 11:21 am

    Congrats. !!

    Reply
  22. Andree

    November 8, 2011 at 11:57 am

    Congratulations!

    Reply
  23. Shones

    November 9, 2011 at 9:20 am

    Congratulations on your citizenship!

    Reply
  24. Shariena

    November 11, 2011 at 12:18 pm

    Congrats from one West Indian to another. I will hopefully be doing this in Canada soon.

    Reply
  25. PCG

    November 11, 2011 at 8:02 pm

    Congratualations Bella! I am proud to have you as a fellow citizen.

    Reply
  26. Seleema

    November 13, 2011 at 1:43 am

    Congratulations Patrice! Enjoy every moment of it and happy traveling. Yes girl name it and claim it!

    -Seleema

    Reply
  27. Sticky-n-Sweet

    November 21, 2011 at 11:48 am

    My uncle would not become a citizen until he could be a dual Trinidadian-American citizen, but when he did, he walked around all day reminding people of their “civic responsibilities” lol! I’m so happy for you!

    Reply
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