#43 ~1982~We are USA CITIZENS!!!

We already had our Green cards, that we were issued in Detroit. But now we were so close to getting our Citizenship! We were studying the USA Constitution, Laws, names of the local and federal government officials. And when we went to the interview, we were asked to write simple sentences. I still remember mine: "American flag has 13 stripes and 50 stars". After the interview Felix was asked to be a speaker, representing all of the new USA citizens. It was such an honor! I don't know who was more nervous: me or him. But he did an outstanding job and even made the judge very  emotional.

                                                        We are the USA Citizens!

How we enjoyed our life. With all the difficulties, surprises and shortages, I felt like the luckiest woman alive. My girls were growing, number of our students quadrupled, we were making lots of friends. But I missed my Rhythmic team. And the only way to start new Rhythmic gymnastics Team was exposure. So we picked 8  girls and offered them a trip to Tulsa, OK to watch  Rhythmic Gymnastics Nationals.

Felix drove all the way there and back and I was taking care of all the girls. Not an easy task. Masha and Elizabeth were the center of attention and they both loved it! 

First Rhythmic Gymnastics Team sat United Gymnastics Academy.
Sarah, Susan, Sheila, Mary, Kerrie, Mia, Denise, Michelle

Our trip was fun, exciting, with many stops and long conversations. We watched competition, they loved it and everyone was so excited to start training and competing.

Another exciting thing happened: we sold our house in Detroit and my parents moved to Jacksonville. They lived with us first and then we rented an apartment for them next door. It was such a huge help for us. And Mom and Dad were so happy to reunite with us again. My brother, Eduard moved to Las Vegas and enrolled to the Army. So proud of him!

My brother Eduard

While I was excited to start training my new Rhythmic team, Felix was very successful with Artistic Gymnastics Team, taking them on the local and State competitions

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Look at all the medals!!!