Yippee!!!!!

I arrived at home last night in search of a possible mail item that might have arrived and was disappointed at the sight of an empty mailbox. Until, of course, I found Larry on the bed going through our mail.

There it was! An envelope from the Department of Homeland Security, i.e. Immigration. I now have an official work permit for the United States, which is truly exciting (because it costs quite a bit). I can now work for anyone that I want to. It also helps that the picture on the employment authorisation card is better than the one on my driver's license.

Now, many of you remember me as the carless, driver's license-less Cara, but all that has changed. I am licensed and I have a choice of two cars. Living in a First World Country has more than just the obvious perks. The people in government jobs would prefer to get you out of their hair as soon as physically possible so that they can slack off again. The theory test is also all touch-screen computerised and only 40 questions.

The driving test can be taken in either manual or automatic cars and it does not affect your "eligibility to drive" in any way. And the test is just to see whether you are comfortable driving. Not too much rocket science. Not only that, but the whole process costs about $20.00!

People keep asking me when I am going to become a Citizen. It is strange how little people know of the naturalisation process of their own country. Did any of you know that Americans have a 90-day free access period into South Africa? Yet, we pay an arm and a leg to see the Statue of Liberty.

Becoming a Permanent Resident and becoming a Citizen are two very different processes. I prefer to spend as little money on governments as possible. Besides, I already have citizenship of a country.

Do you know what the perks are of becoming an American Citizen? You get a blue passport (which, according to a recently made citizen, is not always smiled upon internationally), voters registration cards and jury duty.

Whoop-de-doo.

As if that is not enough excitement, you have to do a test on the American History. Maybe I just sound really pessimistic, but do I really want to study another history when I've done enough South African History to last me a life time?

I am perfectly content with being a permanent resident that does not have to be a part of the political funhouse that goes on here.

NEWSFLASH: The American Population (especially the Republican South) are finally realising that George "Dubya" Bush is not quite the prominent and "smart" leader they expected him to be.

A little to late for such profound revelations. Luckily for them, he can't be re-elected. Not that "Mr. Heinz" John Kerry was any better of a choice.

They are also realising - at last - that electing someone from the energy business to office is never easy on the pocket as far as fuel costs are concerned.

Now that I have shared all of this exciting news with you, I am just so happy to have my work permit and my travel documents, because it makes my SA trip seem so much closer.

I feel like a little girl crossing off the days on a calendar. 79 days till the wedding!