Sometimes the thing you're waiting for the most comes at a time you least expect it. Which probably explains the reaction I had when I opened the mail a few days ago and out popped a shiny new card, one that will allow me to stay in the country for a hell of a long time (renewable every ten years, of course.)
Yes folks, I am now a permanent resident of New York. The green card has landed, and I didn't have to marry anyone or rely on someone to employ me to get it.
Some background: when I moved to the city a little over a year ago, I was on a work visa. I figured at some point in the not-too-distant future I'd start proceedings for permanent residency but well, that was for the future.
Then things changed. The future was now. After careful consultation and some well-placed research, much scrambling and preparation ensued and by early December, the application was in.
And so, a little over seven months later, I am officially an Alien of Extraordinary Ability. I so need a t-shirt. And if I get one made, I want this graphic.
Thanks to those (you know who you are) who helped make this possible. I appreciate it more than I can possibly say.
The funny thing is I've always thought of you as a New Yorker, even when you lived in Toronto and Ottawa.
Then again, what was that line from MOSCOW ON THE HUDSON? "In New York, everyone here is from somewhere else."
Posted by: Jim Winter | June 26, 2006 at 10:15 AM
The fact that you're still willing to plight your troth with us for the time being, given all our recent foibles and misdeeds, is heartening. Welcome and congrats.
Posted by: patti abbott | June 26, 2006 at 10:41 AM
Speaking as someone who understands only too well the vagaries of a country's visa thing, congratulations, Sarah...
Posted by: Ray | June 26, 2006 at 10:46 AM
Congratulations, Sarah!!
Posted by: Karen | June 26, 2006 at 10:46 AM
Congratulations, Sarah. And now you won't have to enter that sham marriage with one of your Cabana Boys.
Posted by: Laura | June 26, 2006 at 10:53 AM
Congats, Sarah. My grandparents headed south to the US some 80 years ago. And we're still here. Keith
Posted by: Keith | June 26, 2006 at 11:03 AM
Congratulations!
The sham marriage is still an option, though.
Posted by: Keith | June 26, 2006 at 11:05 AM
Congratulations, Sarah. It seems working as hard as three normal humans yields a payoff now and then.
Posted by: Dave Worsley | June 26, 2006 at 11:14 AM
The extraordinary ability we knew. The alien part, well, deep down, aren't we all in one way or another?
Posted by: David Terrenoire | June 26, 2006 at 11:36 AM
Congratultions, Sarah! I had no idea that such a thing as an "Alien of Extraordinary Ability" even existed! But that dancing lizard/alien makes it all worthwhile.
See you in Phoenix!
Posted by: Louise Ure | June 26, 2006 at 11:40 AM
So does this mean that now you'll be bringing your seventeen brothers and sisters into the country now?
Posted by: Tribe | June 26, 2006 at 12:01 PM
So does this mean you have to go around singing "Hello my baby, hello my honey, hello my ragtime gal" whenever a government official walks by?
Congratulations.
Posted by: Stephen Blackmoore | June 26, 2006 at 12:06 PM
Congratulations, and do you mind if I steal "Alien of Extraordinary Ability" for a Term of Art?
Posted by: Clair Lamb | June 26, 2006 at 12:15 PM
Do I hear Neil Diamond music?
Posted by: Naomi | June 26, 2006 at 12:24 PM
Congratulations, Alien! I will buy you a drink next time I see you--apropos of which (too lazy to e-mail!), are you going to go to that litblogger gathering on July 8?
Posted by: Jenny Davidson | June 26, 2006 at 12:38 PM
Congratulations, Sarah! Great news.
Now if I could just dig up that old copy of Spaceballs and toast you properly...
See you in Phoenix.
Posted by: JT Ellison | June 26, 2006 at 12:43 PM
I tell you, it's no fun being an illegal alien. When you do square off against Predator?
Posted by: Duane Swierczynski | June 26, 2006 at 12:43 PM
YAY YAY YAY YAY YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And Predator doesn't stand a chance!!!!!
Posted by: Cornelia Read | June 26, 2006 at 12:46 PM
Damn it. That sham marriage was the only chance I had. Blasted extraordinary alien...grumble grumble..
Posted by: Bryon Quertermous | June 26, 2006 at 12:53 PM
Congrats,Sarah!
I think you should market that tee shirt - sign me up for a few, okay?
Posted by: Elaine Flinn | June 26, 2006 at 01:30 PM
Still wish you had to get married sitcom style.
Posted by: Dave White | June 26, 2006 at 01:30 PM
No question you are irreplacable. A toast in Phoenix!
(And I want the T-shirt too!)
Posted by: M.J | June 26, 2006 at 02:55 PM
Congrats, Sarah. I think we all want that t-shirt!
Posted by: Margery Flax | June 26, 2006 at 03:52 PM
Nice one, Sarah, and congrats on being an A.O.E.A. I suppose an alien of "ordinary" ability just wouldn't have cut it. Mind you, like someone else said, I'd always thought of you as a New Yorker...
Mark
Posted by: Mark | June 26, 2006 at 04:40 PM
Well, that was a surprise! Though come to think of it, you've been making a lot of nice comments about Canada. And this "alien of extraordinary ability" is a wonderful thing, almost like being given an award of distinction for service to the nation.
Maybe with a diamond-studded star and a pale blue moire sash.
Glad to see that our country recognizes quality.
Posted by: Ingrid J. Parker | June 26, 2006 at 05:01 PM