Cue up the Dancing Alien

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.

Comments

[Jim Winter]

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."

[patti abbott]

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.

[Ray]

Speaking as someone who understands only too well the vagaries of a country's visa thing, congratulations, Sarah...

[Karen]

Congratulations, Sarah!!

[Laura]

Congratulations, Sarah. And now you won't have to enter that sham marriage with one of your Cabana Boys.

[Keith]

Congats, Sarah. My grandparents headed south to the US some 80 years ago. And we're still here. Keith

[Keith]

Congratulations!

The sham marriage is still an option, though.

[Dave Worsley]

Congratulations, Sarah. It seems working as hard as three normal humans yields a payoff now and then.

[David Terrenoire]

The extraordinary ability we knew. The alien part, well, deep down, aren't we all in one way or another?

[Louise Ure]

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!

[Tribe]

So does this mean that now you'll be bringing your seventeen brothers and sisters into the country now?

[Stephen Blackmoore]

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.

[Clair Lamb]

Congratulations, and do you mind if I steal "Alien of Extraordinary Ability" for a Term of Art?

[Naomi]

Do I hear Neil Diamond music?

[Jenny Davidson]

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?

[JT Ellison]

Congratulations, Sarah! Great news.
Now if I could just dig up that old copy of Spaceballs and toast you properly...
See you in Phoenix.

[Duane Swierczynski]

I tell you, it's no fun being an illegal alien. When you do square off against Predator?

[Cornelia Read]

YAY YAY YAY YAY YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And Predator doesn't stand a chance!!!!!

[Bryon Quertermous]

Damn it. That sham marriage was the only chance I had. Blasted extraordinary alien...grumble grumble..

[Elaine Flinn]

Congrats,Sarah!

I think you should market that tee shirt - sign me up for a few, okay?

[Dave White]

Still wish you had to get married sitcom style.

[M.J]

No question you are irreplacable. A toast in Phoenix!

(And I want the T-shirt too!)

[Margery Flax]

Congrats, Sarah. I think we all want that t-shirt!

[Mark]

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

[Ingrid J. Parker]

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.

[Ayo Onatade]

Well done Sarah. You certainly deserve it and at least it will be one less thing to think about!!! :-)

[Brett Battles]

Congratulations, Sarah. Great news. Definitely worthy of multiple group toasts in Phoenix! See you there.

[Jon Jordan]

Very cool Sarah.

so, when do you start paying taxes?

[Andi]

I'm So jealous. An Alien of Extraordinary Ability. Gods, that just brings SO many images to mind - hey, I'm a science fiction fan too. What a WONDERFUL descriptive phrase.

So, Sarah, you ARE getting cards made up with that on it, right? Just "Sarah Weinman" then "Alien of Extraordinary Ability" and this url? Maybe email but really....
We have a source though i'm sure any copying place could do it; Louise made cards for Cornelia "Debutante Sensibilities, My Ass" Read and Andi "Word-Seeking Missile" Shechter.

[Annie]

Wonderful news, Sarah, A.O.E.A.!

Be seeing you in Phoenix .. and we'll toast your new status!

Annie
add me to the t-shirt list :)

[JDRhoades]

Wow. I'd heard about yer tired, yer poor, yer huddled masses yearnin' to breathe free and all.
But this Alien of Extraordinary Ability thing is a new one on me.
BUt now that I know about it, the question is: how come it took them seven months to realize you were one?
Oh...U.S. Government. Sorry, I forgot.
Congratulations!

[Bill Crider]

Wow, what a great title! Congratulations.