I’ve just been accepted as a permanent resident here in the US, with the green card (actually mostly white) arriving a few days ago. It’s taken me 7 years of patience and struggle, but now I’ve graduated from a temporary work visa tied to a single employer, to an independent person, free to follow my dreams. It’s a giddy feeling, both the new-found security that I won’t have to leave the country and the liberation of having no restrictions on my professional life.

I’m counting down the days to naturalization now, just 5 years from now I can be a full citizen. I knew very quickly after arriving that I belonged here, as much as I miss my family and friends from Britain. America is full of encouragement for people dreaming big dreams, it’s the best place in the world for doing something that’s never been done. Thanks to everyone who’s kept me going through the long process of getting this sorted out, especially Liz.