Freedom II

One of the pleasures of keeping a journal or a blog is that you can recall the beginnings of things more clearly. You have a record of them, and when they come to fruition you can re-read how you described things at the time without the haze of reconstructed memories.

This last Thursday, the 18th of June 2015 I completed the final interview and took the oath to become a US citizen. That was the culmination of a process started on the 27th of December last year, as I wrote here.

In an unplanned coincidence, I find myself in another hostel (after months of staying mostly with friends and family), on another continent, writing another blog post. This time reflecting on the end of the process I wrote about in that hostel in Chiang Mai.

Reading that again, I find nothing really has changed in my motivations. Spending time in both Montréal and Seattle since I’ve been back has confirmed that I really do feel more at home here. This is indeed the base I want for the next part of my life.

On the road it’s easy to fall into the trap that the West and America in particular are just gross, money-driven, wage-slave countries — many travelers define themselves to a greater or lesser extent in opposition to that lifestle — and nobody who’s enlightened would want to become a citizen.

But actually living here again it’s easier to remember that every generalization is a lie. The bad parts exist, but there’s so much more; not everyone sees their job and their life as a prison, awaiting the parole of retirement to make the most of their lives. Many live just the lives they want. And truth is that here there’s nothing forcing you to do otherwise, except the casts you place upon yourself.

Ultimately my naturalization was about securing my foundation so I have the freedom to live the life I want. And now I can do just that. And that thought is entirely thrilling.

It’ll begin very classically, with a road trip down the west coast while I await my new passport and dream about all the stamps it’ll collect…