To everyone,
Thank you very much for your inputs and advices. I found this forum very informative, and everyone here was always helpful and encouraging to one another.
I had my oath ceremony on Dec. 19th, 2008. The whole process went very smoothly although it was freezing the whole time (I think they didn't even bother turning on the heat). If you want to get out early, come early (they usher you out in the same order that you came in the court).
The following is my timeline:
1/10/2008 - Application sent
Note: I never received any receipt notice, and on the returned check that was payable to USCIS, instead of the "*" that is in between the numbers and letters in a normal case #, I had a "$" sign. This case number never worked when entered online. It turned out there was a glitch in the USCIS system, and a new case number was issued to me in April, one month after I called and made an inquiry.
Mid April, 2008 - NOA
5/19/2008 - Fingerprint
Mid August, 2008 - Interview Letter Received
10/8/2008 - Interview Date, Passed
Late November 2008 - Oath Letter Received
12/19/2008 - Oath Date
To everyone who is waiting for an oath letter: Please be patient, and try not to worry, or it will interfear with your normal life. I was very nervous after the interview, as the USCIS officer who interviewed me was not nice. She was unfriendly througout the process, and seemed to dislike me/ tried to find every single reasons to make me feel miserable during the thirty-minute-interview. She never bother letting me now that I passed the interview in the end, never shaked my hand, never smiled, only gave me a letter saying that I passed. I also brought 2 sets of pictures with me just in case, but she complaint about the quality of the pictures and made me retake them downstairs.
However, I still received my oath letter, although it took longer than the trend. I also was told that if you feel the officer is being mean to you, you can tell them how you feel, or ask to talk to a supervisor. I wish I knew this before the interview.
So please be patient, as long as you qualify, and passed the interview, you will receive an oath letter.
Good luck to all, and happy holidays!