Aussie, Aussie, Aussie

I became an Australian citizen this week.  The final step in the citizenship process is a public ceremony in which I pledged allegiance to Australia and received a certificate of citizenship and an Australian native plant.  It had the solemn feel of a school commencement ceremony, and it was a commencement of sorts.

This post has moved.  Read the entire post at http://wombats-and-cents.blogspot.com/2008/03/aussie-aussie-aussie.html

Comments

[Courtney]

A number of people have asked me if I had to take the citizenship test that was introduced late last year. The answer is no. I applied just before it was introduced. But I've been asked enough times that I finally looked for the preparation materials (1.1MB) to find out what might be on it. It provides a quaint history of Australia and its culture, the kind you find in Wikipedia and suspect whether it's really true, but potentially helpful for those of us who were not drenched in Australian pride during our childhoods understand the connections (for instance, I finally understand what the Kokoda Track is). Yes, Drew, it does mention the Don (but not his batting average) and also Phar Lap, as well as a few other sporting heroes that I've never heard of (mostly tennis players), and curious omissions include Ian Thorpe, and of course Baden Cooke (actually, most Australians don't have a clue who he is).

Julie has found an alternative test for knowing how Australian you are in the SMH. I laughed, so I must have passed.

[AB]

Fair dinkum, you (ex) Septic shielas know how to spin a bloody top yarn. I reckon if I wasn't flat out like a lizard drinking I'd pop over and rip the scab off a tinnie to toast your newfound okker status. Have to buy you some thongs.

[Courtney]

Thanks for the complements AB. Of all the people I know you definitely speak the most Strine (but wasn't that a just a wee bit over the top?).

By the way, I've always taken offence at the Aussie rhyming slang for us Americans, and imagine how southerners feel being referred to, however obtusely, as Yankees, since strictly speaking Yankees are only from the northern states.

[Tors]

Congrats on becoming an Australian citizen! :-) I enjoyed reading your thoughts, especially as I am in the same boat (American living in Australia).

To me, it's a lot like getting married. You don't cease to be who you are, you just grow and add on to your identity.

[Eunpa]

Yeah, I thoroughly enjoyed reading your posts - you're so talented in many ways! Nice for Australia to have you as its citizen !!