now just waiting to take the oath

I had my citizenship interview yesterday. I was a little nervous since I didn't quite know what to expect and I didn't know how strict the officer will be.

But it was actually pretty straightforward and painless. I actually spent more time waiting (1 hr) than being in the actual interview (15 mins).

After the interviewer led me to his office, we each took a seat and he asked if I would "promise to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?". I half expected him to end with "so help me God", but maybe they get in trouble for that now. Oh and no bible to put your hand on, a simple yes sufficed. :)

Then it was down to business. He asked a random set of 6 civics/history questions: During the Cold War, what was the main concern of the United States? communism, What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment? freedom of speech, Who is in charge of the executive branch? the President, If the President can no longer serve, who becomes President? VP, What is one reason colonists came to America? religious freedom, Why does the flag have 50 stars? one star per state. Since I got all 6 right, he moved on to the reading/writing portion. I read the question, "Which state has the biggest population?". Then he told me to write, "California has the biggest population."

Next few minutes were spent trying to make sure the entries in the paperwork are accurate. Name, birthday, marital status, social sec. (Which by the way, I had to legally change my name since apparently they only recognized my old middle name as my married middle name? or something like that) Did I live in the same place, have the same phone number. Have I gone out of the country since I filed the n-400. Was I still married and living with my husband. Do we have kids. Then he went through the questions in Part 10 of the n-400 form. Am I terrorist or deportable type q's. Then the commitment q's along with the oath. Willing to serve your country and bear arms, etc.

After a number of yes, yup, no, for sure responses, he stamped the paper with a nice red "Approved".

Sweet.

*The only awkward part of my visit was when I was looking for the water fountain and the security guard said he'll only tell me where it is if I clicked my heels 3 times. :P Which I had to (but only after he did it first ha ha)...