So my new friend Liz has a friend with a boat, and kindly invited me to try the very Minnesotan pastime of fishing for sunfish, or "sunnies" as they were affectionately called by her friend (and now my friend, too...with a boat). Anyway, you apparently have to get a $10 day fishing license, or you can get an annual one for $18. I wasn't exactly keen on getting any savings, coz at that point I was sure it was gonna be a one-time deal. We drove to Lake Minnetonka, and got on the 3-seater boat and rode to a shallow point of the lake. First off, I know now that I want to come back here to rent jet skis, because the waves can swell pretty well (as experienced by me and some unfortunate leech/baits that fell out of their container, gasping for air). Anywho, Roger did pretty much all the hard, icky work (i.e. putting on the bait, touching the fish, etc.) and I just did the casting and pulling of the fishing rod. I've never felt more girly and outdoorsy at the same time. :) I realize now that I'm really bad at sensing when something is tugging the rod (that's what he said). I'm pretty darn good at casting though. Thankfully, the fish were actually congregated near our boat, so it was really simple to pick up some sunnies.
Yes, I really went fishing
This wasn't my biggest catch, but I was pretty darn proud of it!
Some of our catch, before letting them go
During this outing, we also stopped by Maynard's in Excelsior. It was pretty awesome riding up to the dock and straight to the restaurant, very...not urban. It was interesting/funny too, because though Minneapolis is pretty heterogenous, I've never stood out more and/or felt more brown in my entire time in MN. Fun times!
After 5 hours in the boat and out in the sun, we were exhausted, & I absolutely enjoyed every last second of it. I get why it's a very Minnesota thing to do (that and going to the cabins for winter); might as well enjoy the natural resources you have, and sunbathe while you're at it, right?
Fast forward to today, and it's been one of those surreal/satisfying/happy half days going to Bethel U for my "swearing in" as a United States citizen. First off, I love the new CR-V; got to drive it to Arden Hills thru Zipcar (ooh, and I love Zipcar). Minnesota freeways, not as scary as I thought it to be; Minnesota drivers, crazy-ass passive aggressive like I thought they would be. But, I wasn't gonna let anything dampen my mood, not even the incredibly loooooooong line to get into the auditorium. At least I got to talk to other attendees, particularly a girl from Germany with a really interesting fact: it's hard to get dual citizenship for U.S. and Germany. There you go, you're welcome nonsense fact lovers.
It felt kind of wrong having this USCIS officer take my green card and throw it away in a recycling bin, after I spent years protecting it and referring to it to prove my legal residence. But, such is the process. Afterwards, we get shuffled into an auditorium with 524 other immigrants about to be sworn in, representing 80+ countries.
Whole thing kicked off with a really curt welcome from the (district?) judge, then on to singing the National Anthem. I seriously got goosebumps; for the first time, when I'm singing it, I guess I'm really feeling it. :)
It was great having people stand as their countries were mentioned. It started with countries with only 1 rep, like Azerbaijan, or Armenia. Then you have China, then you have Philippines, then Mexico, each group getting more and more people. Finally, the Somalian group was called, with 105 would-be citizens and their strong cheering squad in the balcony. It seriously felt like high school graduation all over again.
Then after the whole group is standing, you all raise your right hand and do that oath-taking bit. Interestingly, the majority of the oath is promising to fight for the US if you need to. Then again, I figure we already get most of the privileges as US citizens everyday, this was just making sure we understand there's an expectation that comes with the privilege, too.
After that, we're declared citizens of the United States of America! Hooray, hooray! Flashbulbs popping, people clapping, tiny tears welling, genuine big-toothed smiling.
They give you a flag in your "Welcome" packet. Y'know, in case you wanna wave it or stick it in your lawn.
The judge gave a pretty nice speech about civic duty and never forgetting the countries we left, because this land is a land of immigrants anyway. It was actually very thoughtful. Then, after Pres. O gives a video speech, Lee Grenwood's "Proud to be an American" starts playing on the big screen. I really thought I wasn't gonna get swept up in all of this, but at that moment, my heart was happy, and I was truly proud.
