Forum	Title	Content	Member	Sex	Country	Date/Time
Middle East and North Africa	timeline for arriving in US and marrying	Always be sure to check the actual expiration date on the K1. It is supposed to be 6 months to enter, 90 days to marry as everyone states above, however look at the actual visa. I remember one member who had theirs printed wrong, and rather than correcting it, they just changed their plans to come earlier. That would be us. Instead of having the usual 6 months, we got about 7 weeks before the visa expired once they issued it.	~ Karima ~	Female	Morocco	2007-06-19 12:05:00
Middle East and North Africa	I'm 49, he's 30, Im USA, he's MAROC...been in AProcessing for 5 months - Is this why???	I would also like to add that my husband and I went through just over 5 months of AP and he is older than me. So it has nothing to do with your age. Good luck! Edited by carshel, 30 July 2007 - 09:47 AM.	~ Karima ~	Female	Morocco	2007-07-30 09:46:00
Middle East and North Africa	Interview Casablanca 8/15 refused!!!!	Carshel - How did your husband get his actual file?? I'm just curious why our visa was approved to fast and easily. I think it was one of the only cases with a male beneficiary recieving visa the next day that I've seen on here. I don't know why they gave it to him, but they did. I did not believe him when he was telling me what they had written on it until he showed it to me when he got here. I honestly think a lot of it has to do with the fact he is a Mohamed and his last name is just as bad. It could not have been due to previous travel or his job as he had never been outside Maroc and his job was nothing technical. The lady at DOS even made a comment about his name being the possible reason. What's crazy, it was quicker to get his Green Card than it was the Visa, and we had no interview.	~ Karima ~	Female	Morocco	2007-08-16 08:18:00
Middle East and North Africa	Interview Casablanca 8/15 refused!!!!	This is interesting. I wonder if the second notation by 5/19 indicates that there was a hit when the donkey check was completed, so additional checks were ordered then? I guess there's no way to know, but it's intriguing to see the time-line written out like this. We were told our AP was complete and they even called my husband for his passport. 3 days after he took in his passport, they requested new checks, this was the 5/19 check. It took DOS 5 days to even start the new request. When I called DOS, a lady there advised me the new check was a more in depth check and can take up to 6 months to clear. She also said it was a multi agency check done by the FBI and other outside agency's. You can see our time-line below. 04/27/2006: INTERVIEW 05/10/2006: AP complete 05/16/2006: Consulate called to bring passport...yeah! 05/19/2006: New clearance requested 05/24/2006: New clearance acknowledged by DOS 05/25/2006: Consulate called to come get passport (no visa), back in AP...???? 09/02/2006: Off for another visit...hope it's the LAST! 09/28/2006: VISA IN HAND..finally after 5 months and 1 day of AP...alhamdulillah!!! What happened to us is not the norm, but certainly not unheard of. There are a couple other members that come to mind that went thru similar situations. There is nothing to worry about, just be prepared for a bit longer wait than others.	~ Karima ~	Female	Morocco	2007-08-16 06:07:00
Middle East and North Africa	Interview Casablanca 8/15 refused!!!!	I just wanted to add that my husband has the 'actual' folder his file was in, in Casa. It's a pink file with labels on the top and the sides with his name, DOB, Case # & a scan bar code. They actually wrote on the outside of this folder notes regarding his security checks. This is what it says: His case # 221g Condor Condor (scratched out) 5/5/06 ct donkey 5/19/06 donkey done 5/19/06 ct SAO pending in NIV 7/?1/06 Then some initials in a circle on the inside of the folder it has his phone # written All I can say is they DO send off for the Donkey check! I don't know if I would say it is standard, but I have proof they request it. Our AP took 5 months and 1 day, so IMO, and from what DOS told me, it is a more in depth security check than I guess the normal standard checks. I would not panic. I don't think that was a denial, just a more in depth check. Edited by carshel, 15 August 2007 - 09:28 PM.	~ Karima ~	Female	Morocco	2007-08-15 21:27:00
Middle East and North Africa	VJ alumni	Checking in.... Simo and I are still around. Things are great, a little hectic, but still great!	~ Karima ~	Female	Morocco	2007-08-14 12:30:00
Middle East and North Africa	Crockpot Recipes	QUOTE (amira_ordonia @ Sep 13 2007, 02:35 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (carshel @ Sep 13 2007, 11:30 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I make Chili, Spaghetti, Pot Roast, Sweet & Sour Meatballs, BBQ and all kinds of soups in mine. OMG, you are pregnant??? Congratulations! Yep, it's our second try and so far so good. Thanks!!	~ Karima ~	Female	Morocco	2007-09-13 13:39:00
Middle East and North Africa	Crockpot Recipes	I make Chili, Spaghetti, Pot Roast, Sweet & Sour Meatballs, BBQ and all kinds of soups in mine.	~ Karima ~	Female	Morocco	2007-09-13 13:30:00
Middle East and North Africa	RaMaDaN ReCiPe	QUOTE (Meriem_setif @ Sep 13 2007, 05:59 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> HAHAHAHA!!! You are so funny!!! If only I had a safeway. Only thing we have is Walmart and their bread is terrible. Hachemi and I like the Pillsbury french bread in the can. I cook it almost everyday. But occasionally I like to make the home made one. Chorba is a soup, like the minestrone, but has lots of flavor. It is tomato based with chickpeas and spices. Some variations use vermicelli instead of chickpeas. My MIL made this everyday I was there during Ramadan. When I was cooking it today, the smell brought back so many memories of when I was in Algeria. INGREDIENTS: * 1 lb. lamb loin chops or beef stew meat * 2 onions, finely minced * 2 or 3 cloves of garlic minced * 3 tomatoes, peeled seeded, then crushed * 3 carrots, thinly sliced * 3 medium sized potatoes, chopped * 2 small zucchini * 2 celery stalks * 1/4 cup fresh parsley with stems, * 1/4 cup cilantro with stems. * 2 tablespoon tomato paste * 1 teaspoon black pepper * 1 teaspoon kosher salt * 1/4 cup lemon juice * 1/4 teaspoon tumeric * 1/4 teaspoon saffron * 1 1/2 cup dried chickpeas or garbanzos, soaked overnight (I add some cinnamon and some paprika too) ( Sometimes I add Frik to the soup instead of Garbanzo beans. Frik is something like Bulgar wheat. I add it at the very end and cook for a few more minutes.) (Some people use vermicelli instead of the garbanzos.) PREPARATION: I brown the meat in Olive oil first then add the onion and garlic. Cook those for about 3 mins then add the veggies(except tomatoes) in a large saucepan. Add about 10 cups of water. Using kitchen string, tie the parsley, cilantro and celery together and add that too. You will remove it after cooking. bring to a boil. Stir in tomatoes and tomato paste. Be very gently and don't stir vigorously. You want the flavor to escape the tomatoes slowly. Add chickpeas, spice and lemon juice. Slowly stir. Reduce heat to low and allow to simmer for about 30-35 minutes covered or until meat and chickpeas are done. I have one of those small electric food choppers. looks like a miniature processor. I put the onions and the garlic in it and chop them very fine before I add them. I then put the tomatoes in and process until they are almost liquid. Another thing I do is grate the potatoes, zucchini and the carrots instead of chopping them. I also will throw in a whole pepper, maybe a Jalapeno pepper if you want a little kick. Just remove it when the chorba is done. I cook mine in a pressure cooker. If you dont have a pressure cooker, I dont think 30 to 35 minutes is enough. You may have to cook it longer. To me that looks more like Harira soup. Sounds good though! The Chorba I have had looks more like this.. Edited by carshel, 14 September 2007 - 09:36 AM.	~ Karima ~	Female	Morocco	2007-09-14 09:34:00
Middle East and North Africa	RaMaDaN ReCiPe	QUOTE (ME~n~HIM @ Sep 13 2007, 05:20 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Hey Meriem... you've probably posted it before (and I'm too lazy to look in the Sultan's Kitchen) but what is chorba and could you please post the recipe??? Thanks! Isn't Chorba sort of like a type of Chicken Soup? At least that is what it looks/taste like to me.	~ Karima ~	Female	Morocco	2007-09-13 16:24:00
Middle East and North Africa	RaMaDaN ReCiPe	QUOTE (Jenn! @ Sep 13 2007, 04:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (amira_ordonia @ Sep 13 2007, 04:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> This sounds great Meriem. I also have a fast and easy recipe for french bread. Drive to Safeway, park the car. Walk to Bakery dept. Squish all the bread loaves until you find the one you like the best. Stand in line, pay. Drive home. Eat bread. Yes that one's more up my alley! I second that!!!	~ Karima ~	Female	Morocco	2007-09-13 16:14:00
Middle East and North Africa	RaMaDaN ReCiPe	I just made this last night.... HARIRA 1 medium to large onion 3-4 cloves garlic 5-6 tomatoes 1 to 1-½ cups meat cubed 1 bunch parsley ½ bunch cilantro 1 small can tomato paste Olive oil 1t Salt 1-1/2t Black Pepper 1T Paprika 1T Turmeric 1 small pinch Saffron crushed (if desired) ½ c garbanzo beans (soaked overnight) ¼ c lentils (washed) Vermicelli pasta (broken to small pieces) ¼ c Flour 4 cups water Food processor Heat olive oil in large stockpot. Puree onion and garlic in food processor. Add to pot and sauté. Add meat and brown until almost cooked. Puree tomatoes and add along with another dash of olive oil Either finely chop or puree parsley and cilantro (w/ tomatoes) and add Add salt, pepper, paprika, turmeric (and saffron if desired- I do) Add water and can of tomato paste Bring to a boil and add lentils and beans Once beans are cooked, add pasta Let simmer If too thick, add water. If too thin, add flour/water paste Adjust spices to desired taste QUOTE (ME~n~HIM @ Sep 13 2007, 01:59 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (MrsAmera @ Sep 13 2007, 12:55 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I'm interested in the rice next to the kofta. Any clues? looks like rice w/ raisens & carrots & pine nuts... you can freestyle that one Amera!!! I'd do brown rice and cook it in chicken broth, add carrots at the start and throw the raisens in later... pine nuts last. Is it carrots or apricot?	~ Karima ~	Female	Morocco	2007-09-13 13:03:00
Middle East and North Africa	Help quickly	It's for a K1.	~ Karima ~	Female	Morocco	2007-09-17 08:43:00
Middle East and North Africa	Im back...	QUOTE (dollface41601 @ Sep 15 2007, 08:58 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> yea, im due the beginning of may.....we are sooo excited...names...well....we have Leena for a girl, and Zane or Zach for a boy Congrats Kelly, you are right behind us! Hope all goes well for you with your pregnancy.	~ Karima ~	Female	Morocco	2007-09-16 10:51:00
Middle East and North Africa	Wednesday	QUOTE (doodlebug @ Sep 19 2007, 02:30 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (charlesandnessa @ Sep 19 2007, 02:23 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (doodlebug @ Sep 19 2007, 01:20 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> It's really up to how much you can take Amal. On the days where I miss suhoor and don't take my meds for my arthritis I just deal since it's not like I totally can't function, I just don't particularly like to function. If I was in so much pain I couldn't move though, I would make the fast up some other time. you're too young to have arthritis, doodle I'm going to be 42 next Tuesday! lol. I've had Rheumatoid Arthritis for a good two years now and the doc says I probably have Lupus too but that is a harder one to diagnose. I have all the symptoms but I'm in denial sometimes about that one. lol Doodle, My mother and aunt both have RA (amongst other things) and I know how hard it is to cope with. I feel for ya!	~ Karima ~	Female	Morocco	2007-09-19 16:14:00
Middle East and North Africa	Will this ever end?	Have you called DOS for a status update as well?	~ Karima ~	Female	Morocco	2007-09-17 09:02:00
Middle East and North Africa	NEW BABY	Congratulationa Sara!!	~ Karima ~	Female	Morocco	2007-11-01 07:36:00
Middle East and North Africa	Eid Announcement	QUOTE (sarah and hicham @ Dec 17 2007, 09:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (carshel @ Dec 17 2007, 06:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (sarah and hicham @ Dec 17 2007, 05:21 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Oh shoot, Eid is in 2 days, right? On Wed? I forgot! Depends Sarah, are you are going by Saudi Arabia or Morocco? Morocco is celebrating on Friday the 21st. Simo is there now, running around all day looking for a sheep. btw...sheeps are running about 2000-2500dhs for a medium small sized one. Hope everyone has a wonderful Eid! Hey Carrie! Are you guys in Morocco? No not me, just Simo. He went for 2 weeks.	~ Karima ~	Female	Morocco	2007-12-18 06:29:00
Middle East and North Africa	Eid Announcement	QUOTE (sarah and hicham @ Dec 17 2007, 05:21 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Oh shoot, Eid is in 2 days, right? On Wed? I forgot! Depends Sarah, are you are going by Saudi Arabia or Morocco? Morocco is celebrating on Friday the 21st. Simo is there now, running around all day looking for a sheep. btw...sheeps are running about 2000-2500dhs for a medium small sized one. Hope everyone has a wonderful Eid!	~ Karima ~	Female	Morocco	2007-12-17 21:31:00
Middle East and North Africa	Happy Mr. Moroccan Butterball Birthing Monday Gabi!	Congrats Gabi and Ahmed. Can't wait to see little Mehdi.	~ Karima ~	Female	Morocco	2008-02-19 20:53:00
Middle East and North Africa	Baby Malek was born 2/29/08	QUOTE (sara535 @ Mar 5 2008, 01:15 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Maggie724 @ Mar 4 2008, 07:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (ks71905 @ Mar 4 2008, 09:51 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Mabrook! sara the boys have ur little princess outnumbered!!!! shes sooo cute! Aren't they even now? Gabi's baby can marry Sara's daughter and your daughter can marry Tasha's boy..all taken care of!! MENA sure doesn't make small babies do they?? Well, Marry American is expecting a girl and Angie and Abeds baby is a girl so there are a few of us out here but lets face it, at least this way our girls will get some good choices from among all these big beautiful boys YAY for MENA babies!! One more boy here!	~ Karima ~	Female	Morocco	2008-03-05 08:47:00
Middle East and North Africa	Baby Malek was born 2/29/08	Congratulations on your new baby and good luck to your hubby at his interview!!!	~ Karima ~	Female	Morocco	2008-03-04 15:47:00
Middle East and North Africa	Massive MENA MOJO to Wahrania !!!	I hope all went well this morning!	~ Karima ~	Female	Morocco	2008-03-25 07:59:00
Middle East and North Africa	religious?	I voted yes. My husband.... -prays everyday -goes to Mosque if/when he is off on a Friday -only eats halal -does not smoke or drink -listens to or reads quran everyday -fasts at Ramadan and other times throughout the year I am surprised though as he's been here almost a year and a half and still keeps it up.	~ Karima ~	Female	Morocco	2008-03-25 07:57:00
Middle East and North Africa	It's a........	QUOTE (?JP? @ Apr 7 2008, 01:59 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (carshel @ Apr 4 2008, 05:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Congratulations on your baby girl JP. That is an awesome pic of her sucking her lil' thumb. Beautiful name too. Omg, your 4d photos look amazing. Can you post them in a larger format??? Sure I will try....these were done at 28 wks. He is due next Friday.	~ Karima ~	Female	Morocco	2008-04-07 19:03:00
Middle East and North Africa	It's a........	Congratulations on your baby girl JP. That is an awesome pic of her sucking her lil' thumb. Beautiful name too.	~ Karima ~	Female	Morocco	2008-04-04 19:43:00
Middle East and North Africa	Congrats Carshel	Awww thanks you guys! So many MENA babies so close together...and all sooo BIG. lol	~ Karima ~	Female	Morocco	2008-04-30 23:01:00
Middle East and North Africa	Mabrook Sofyan and Kelly	Congratulations Kelly and Sofyan!! Can't wait to hear more details....	~ Karima ~	Female	Morocco	2008-04-30 14:17:00
Middle East and North Africa	Monday	QUOTE (ks71905 @ May 5 2008, 09:44 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> was able to get a nice 6 hours of sleep last night...problem is, baby fusses in his bassinet for hours, but the minute i lay him on my chest, he passes out for 2-3 hours straight...so i sleep sitting up, and not sound at all...but alas, sleep is sleep... im recovering well...aside from a little flab, its nice to see my tummy so small again..(well not soo small but u get the point lol) my body feels great, and i swear labor, delivary, and recovery, are sooo not what people make them out to be, it was 500 times easier than i anticipated, and that was even with a defective epidural...ill have no problem doing it again... Kelly I completely understand as Ayman is the same way. As long as he is in my arms or on my chest he's quiet as a mouse, but as soon as you try to lay him down, or God forbid, his paci falls out, he gets mad. Just nap as much as you can when he naps. I'm glad to hear you are doing well. I hope for a regular birth next time. C-sections are for the birds. I can't wait to be able to function as a normal person again, and sleep on my stomach.	~ Karima ~	Female	Morocco	2008-05-05 16:58:00
Middle East and North Africa	Mrs. Amera	Wow he's gotten SO big.....he's growing up so fast. He is absolutely adorable!!	~ Karima ~	Female	Morocco	2008-05-09 13:57:00
Middle East and North Africa	photobucket	Awww that is such a cute picture...what a cutie!! I love the outfit!	~ Karima ~	Female	Morocco	2008-05-05 16:13:00
Middle East and North Africa	Welcome to the world Joshua-our newest MENA baby	Congrats Jess...he's precious!!	~ Karima ~	Female	Morocco	2008-06-08 19:20:00
Middle East and North Africa	Thoisdey	QUOTE (bridget @ Jul 10 2008, 12:14 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Was $30 a can a joke???? When I had to buy the stuff it was $8/can and THAT was expensive! Please don't tell me it's gone up that much in 11 years! No it's not a joke. For the Nutramigen formula the pedi's have put the colicky babies on it's almost $30/can for a SMALL can. They are only 16oz compared to most that are 25.7oz. Edited by carshel, 10 July 2008 - 12:04 PM.	~ Karima ~	Female	Morocco	2008-07-10 12:03:00
Middle East and North Africa	Thoisdey	Thanks, I'll let you know how it goes. If not good, we will be switching back. I'll give it a week or so.	~ Karima ~	Female	Morocco	2008-07-10 10:48:00
Middle East and North Africa	Thoisdey	QUOTE (ks71905 @ Jul 10 2008, 11:27 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> amal, coulda been acid reflux zaids poops are episodes sometimes, they come out in looong liquid farts, lol, not that anyone cared!!! carrie, Looks like u need to show up here more often!! i now just realized, aside from aymans pasty white skin, he really looks a lot like simo i wish zaids skin was pasty white. I guess we did get lucky with his pretty blue eyes though. I CANT wait for Taleen to be born, shes spoken for, sorry guys, her and Zaid share zarqa blood.. Yea apparently since Amal has forgotten who I am...lol. You really think he looks like Simo? He has changed a lot. He has some of Simo's features, but most people think he looks just like me. I will have to dig up one of my baby pics and post it next to his. He certainly has his daddys facial expressions and silly presonality though. Ayman had those lovely pooping episodes too. I just switched him off that formula onto soy today, so we shall see how that works. I can't wait to see Ms. Taleen too. I bet she is going to be a cutie too.	~ Karima ~	Female	Morocco	2008-07-10 10:37:00
Middle East and North Africa	Thoisdey	Awww Gabi he is sooo precious!!! T & A / Kelly- your babies are cutie pies too!	~ Karima ~	Female	Morocco	2008-07-10 08:53:00
Middle East and North Africa	TGIF	QUOTE (Meriem_setif @ Jul 11 2008, 09:08 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Mornin everyone Kelly, a friend of mine took her three month old to the Dr yesterday, because the baby's hair was falling out. She was freaking out. He was laughing at her and told her it will grow back not to worry. Jackie, sorry about the job. I hope you will find a new job soon. We are leaving this weekend for Palm Bay FL. to see someone I met on VJ 2 years ago when we just started our visa process. Ginger doesnt come to VJ much, but she is one of the first ones I sought help from because her Algerian husband had just been through the interview. Hachemi and Farouk have become great phone friends and we have talked to them just about every weekend for 2 years. Now we are going to finally meet them in person. Palm Bay Florida is pretty close to Orlando so we are going to visit some of the Disney parks while we are there. I hope everyone has a good weekend! Meriem Aww Meriem, I'm originall from Palm Bay, FL. I still have family in Melbourne. Enjoy your trip!	~ Karima ~	Female	Morocco	2008-07-11 12:53:00
Middle East and North Africa	Monday....	QUOTE (?JP? @ Jul 14 2008, 02:20 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (brnidokiegurl @ Jul 14 2008, 11:16 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> most i have known get a (burst) of engery right before time for delivery,,the kind like turn the mattress, clean the house etc etc I hope that's true. There are soooo many things I want to do around the house but have no energy for it at all. I've been walking for 30 minutes a day at a good pace and by the time I'm done, I'm totally pooped. Hopefully when I go on maternity leave, I will get some energy. I think being at work all day, is a bit draining in itself. I worked up until 2 days before I had Ayman and it was very draining. You will get a small burst of energy, I think that is the *nesting* stage before birth. Mine was the day before. As far as energy after...huh, well I'm still waiting on that lol. I'm starting to think there is no such thing.	~ Karima ~	Female	Morocco	2008-07-14 13:38:00
Middle East and North Africa	Monday....	QUOTE (?JP? @ Jul 14 2008, 01:41 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (t and a @ Jul 14 2008, 10:36 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (?JP? @ Jul 14 2008, 01:33 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I am so tired today....can barely type. I can only imagine! Keep up the good work JP you are almost done! Thanks! So I'm guessing this is normal then? I was starting to wonder if being this tired is a normal part of pregnancy or not. Completely normal. I was extremely exhausted in the first and last trimesters. The closer to delivery the more tired I became. I think lugging along a butterball in your tummy can make anyone tired.	~ Karima ~	Female	Morocco	2008-07-14 13:10:00
Middle East and North Africa	Monday....	QUOTE (ks71905 @ Jul 14 2008, 08:41 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> good call on the redo, i could really use one of those...My next day off isnt til saturday! I am however, really looking forward to friday...Not only is it my payday and Sofyans,(and our 3 yr wedding anniversary on saturday) but, I have an all night babysitter and he and I and a bunch of our friends are going to pepes for mexican and margaritas then we are going to a local fest where a band called "infinity" (they cover for journey) are playing, and they are awesome! Its the first time for us to go out since Zaid was born, so, Im really looking forward to it... p.s. LOVE that new pic of ayman, his belly looks soo big in the plaid!! lol..what a doll! Here's a better look for ya...lol. I think it's more the shirt than his belly. The shirt is a wee bit small. Edited by carshel, 14 July 2008 - 08:43 AM.	~ Karima ~	Female	Morocco	2008-07-14 08:40:00