"American by choice"

I just finished reading the transcript of the Inauguration address and I must admit that my heart is swollen with pride. This sentiment is not so much rooted in the fact that this country elected its first black President, but rather because finally, after so long, I have reason to feel hopeful once again about the nation's direction.

When I was returning from lunch earlier, I heard the phrase "American by choice" used by a caller on the radio. I thought it to be quite profound. I suppose I fit under this category since I was born a citizen of a different country.

For so many decades, people have flocked to this nation for the possibility of greatness, my parents included. But in the past few years, I myself have wondered about the attainability of mass prosperity in this country's future. Yesterday, for the first time in a long while, I felt overwhelmed with hope. I could not help but feel that a nation capable of electing such a seemingly intelligent and inspiring man might have enough collective know how to reestablish once again its prominence in this world.

So really, I am very much an American by choice. I may not have had much say in the matter to immigrate as a toddler, but I am she who has decided to stay.