Existence Approved

Today I had my driving exam, and passed :D I now have my temporary Driver's License, should be receiving the real one in the next few weeks.

Also something awesome happened. Apparently there was a problem with the way my name was in the system so they had to change it - because I have two last names - and I had to have my picture retaken. So for those of you who saw my picture, I will not have that sad upset look on my real Driver's License :D

Now all that's left is finish out the semester, and then get to applying for jobs!!

MUCH LOVE!!!

In my Mailbox

Guess what came in the mail today! My officially updated social security card :D I get to keep my old number of course. And you know what it says at the bottom right under the signature line? "USA" in shiny reflective ink, for those of you who know Spanish you know that means, "use it". The card wants me to use it, and that is exactly what I'll do since I now have official clearance to work.

What a life.

MUCH LOVE!!!

Living my Teenage Dream

the abridged version of course haha, of my teenage dream that is.

This morning I had a voice mail, super exciting. It was from the California Department of Motor Vehicles. They were calling to remind me about my driving test scheduled for Wednesday May 25, at 2:30pm :D

Oh to be a teenager. There was a 16 or 17 year old girl taking the written test when I was waiting in line to take my test and she was so excited. I felt just like her, except I felt more entitled to it. It's crazy how different it is to get these simple teenage rites of passage as a 24 year old. I have no thoughts of scheming about sneaking out of the house at night to go to parties or run off with friends. So crazy! I'm so happy this has finally come though.

Tomorrow there will be a proper celebration of these recent events :)

Love everyone and everything in my life, I am ready to take it all in with a vengeance.

MUCH LOVE!!!

Day 5!

Another fabulous day, went to the DMV to take my writing test. Having a greenie is so empowering!! Took the writing test aaaaand I passed :)

MUCH LOVE!!!

Day 3

3 is my favorite number. Officially I've had Permanent Residency since May 2nd - the day I had my second interview, so I've had it 14 days! But it's only been 3 days since it has been in my hands. . . ANYWAY.

Day 3 of PR in my hand: status on social security number has been changed. In the next two weeks I will be receiving my new card. When I get citizenship I have to go back and reapply so they make that adjustment.

I attempted to change my residency status at the community college, but the dude said it wouldn't make a difference to my ability to get financial aid. Not that I was trying to, even with 10 units I am still not paying what one class was worth at UCSB, it's so crazy! So since next Fall will be my last semester there's no need to change my residency status, at this point it's only a technicality.

More news to come :)

LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL - it always has been.

MUCH LOVE!!!

Life in the Clouds

This has been a weekend of pure bliss, ease, and promise.

This family's head has been in the clouds and probably will be for a long time. I do mean family's head because we are a unit. We as a family are all we've got, we are lucky to have great people in our lives we can count on sometimes, but no one outside of this family unit has lived what we've lived and that is why we are one. This has not only changed my life but has changed the prospects of 3 other people's lives. It is amazing all that comes from this plastic card, it could be priceless, but it really isn't.

Very few things in this world are priceless, except seeing the face of true happiness in both your parent's faces. After 16 years of stress, frustration and helplessness, the face of knowing that your child can finally go on with her life is something that brings more happiness to my heart than this card, seriously. I'm obviously eternally grateful for this card as it is the direct cause for our present bliss and everything that follows.

I really want to wear my greenie around my neck, like a name tag, can I do that? Obnoxious I know, I'm a showoff you know me.

MUCH LOVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

From the Other Side

I HAVE GREENIE!!!!!

I can't tell you when it came in the mail because I picked up the mail yesterday and apparently missed the fact that there was an envelop with my name on it. Today before leaving for my volunteering my dad asked that I come back in the house. He had an envelope in his hand, and says, "I got another ticket". I instantly go no you didn't! What is it? And as I asked what is it, I KNEW! "It came!" I said. My dad was jumping around like a kid and he busts out my green card. It's the coolest thing ever, this is the best weekend of my life, today, May 14 is my rebirth.

This coming week officially the most exciting week to come. I can change my residency status at the community college, which actually won't be any change because I still pay the same due to the CA Law AB-540. I get to change the status on my social security number which allows me to finally work! I will be getting an appointment for my drivers license exam, which also means I'll be studying that drivers manual this week :D

This is seriously surreal, I am so excited and yet so serene.

Like I have said before, everything that led up to this day has been worth it. I wouldn't want anything to change.

I love you guys so much don't think my posting is over, I will keep posting as things progress. This summer I'm going to be working somewhere!!!!

ALL THE LOVE!!!

HOT OFF THE PRESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

Today we received an official notice from ICE (ice ice baby), actually the Department of Homeland Security. Welcoming me to the United States of America . . . 16 years (almost 17!) after my arrival to the place I instantly accepted as my home. It reads: "you will be receiving your new Permanent Residency Card in the next 3 weeks". This paper was printed the very day after my interview, on May 3rd. By the end of this month I will have my greenie.

This first paragraph is the most loaded paragraph I have written in a while.

I am eternally grateful to my parents of course, our dear dear friends (you know who you are). To all the shitty attorneys that complicated my life and put me through the greatest most painful obstacles I have been faced with in my life , anything I am faced with will be hard but I will be equipped to deal with them. Lastly, to the person who pushed this little baby to it's last step to freedom, Attorney B.J.D. One day I'll be able to print her full name.

The notice from ICE ends with a second congratulation on my Permanent Resident status.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

MUCH LOVE!!!

Now my heart is soaring . . . 3 weeks!

Patience Cap

that must stay on forever. Today was meant to be a crazy eventful day, it was a busy day driving back and forth with my parents from office to office in between planning dinner and cake for my dad and school and work.

Alas, reality is nothing happens without having that access card. Today did not result in changing status on my social or a CA ID. Soon though, I know it, and I must remember to be patient in everything that follows.

Still excited for everything to come! For now I must focus on finishing up this semester and finding a place to volunteer.

I did pick up a driver's manual so when I do get greenie I won't even bother to get a CA ID, I'll just go ahead and apply for my driver's license :X It'll be that much more exciting :D

MUCH LOVE!!!

LIFE!!!!

Today is a glorious day, it is my dad's birthday. It's the second most important day of the year (only bc it comes second chronologically). Both my parents are the most important people in my life, both of which have been a colossal influence on who I've become. So Happy Birthday DAD!

Second order of news, today things are changing. Since I have an official approval of PRC (official huh, it stands for Permanent Residency Card), I can go ahead and change the status of my social security number - it has a hold on it, as of right now it is only valid for work which is silly because I was way underage and couldn't work. After the Social Security office I am off to school, then home for lunch, then we are going to the DMV!!

I finally get to live my teenage dream, unfortunately not the driver's license yet as I require time to study the driver's handbook. I'm getting my CA ID!!!!!!!!!

Must get ready :D :D :D :D :D There aren't enough moticons to express the happiness I am finally feeling. I'll tell you more about Monday at a later time.

MUCH LOVE!!!!!!!!!

Finito

Greenie will be in the mail within the next 90 days.

I'm not back from the high yet, so I will write in more detail later.

MUCH LOVE!!!

Nearing Resolution

Tomorrow is the day, I'll be going to class in the morning, which I'll leave early so we can make it to the appointment with plenty of time. We'll most likely spend several hours there, hopefully those will be constructive hours.

I'll see you on the other side, victorious, hopefully.

MUCH LOVE!!!