It was two years ago today that I became a U.S. Citizen. While I don’t have any profound thoughts or any major observations, I will say that most Americans don’t quite appreciate the gift they have been given — a country that is so rich in two things that are always in short supply — hope and optimism. I work in an industry that celebrates change. Good change needs hope and optimism.

I am happy to be American. I am glad to be here. And I celebrate today as my day of freedom: a.k.a., the day I got the U.S. passport, put on my traveling loafers, packed my duffel bag, picked up my camera and got on a plane. About once every three weeks, I was going somewhere. Paris, Paris… more Paris. Iceland. Italy and Sweden. I went to the airport and went somewhere, because I could.

Of all the changes, the most surreal was waiting for my Indian visa. That brought the finality of physical separation from the country where I was born, where I learned my values and where I figured out dreams are much bigger than what you are born with. India is my state, America is home. iAMerican!

San Francisco, August 13, 2015