ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
Middle East and North AfricaSultan's Kitchen
Loubia bel Ham

Ingredients:

olive oil
1 onion, chopped
5 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon tomato concentrate, I always add a little more if I think it needs it
1 pound beef, cubed
water
potatoes, cut into large chunks
carrots, cut into large chunks
1 can white beans
cumin, cinnamon, and salt to taste
sprinkle of red pepper

Directions:

In a medium/large pot heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onions and garlic and sauté until onions are transparent. Add the meat and when the meat is brown add a few cups of water (enough to cover the meat and veggies, but not too much or there will be a huge amount of broth). Next add the potatoes, carrots, tomato concentrate, and spices (adding a little at first and tasting as you go along - just a quick sprinkle of the red pepper). Let cook over low medium/medium heat until potatoes and carrots are tender (20-40 minutes). Add beans and cook for ten more minutes. Serve with bread.


You can pretty much throw whatever you want into this soup. For just two people I usually cut the recipe down to half a pound of beef and one potato and one carrot. I always throw in a whole can of beans cause they're so good. It really depends on your taste... enjoy!
hollywFemaleAlgeria2007-06-19 18:06:00
Middle East and North AfricaSultan's Kitchen
Raspberry White Chocolate Muffins

Ingredients:

1 cup milk
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 egg, slightly beaten
2 cups flour
1/3 cup sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup fresh raspberries or frozen raspberries (do not thaw)
1/2 cup coarsely chopped white chocolate baking bar

Topping Ingredients:

1/4 cup butter, melted
1/4 cup sugar

Grease 12 muffin tin cups.
Heat oven to 400°.
In a large bowl mix the milk, butter and egg.
Stir in all remaining muffin ingredients except raspberries & white chocolate.
Stir only until flour is moistened, then gently stir in the berries & white chocolate.
Spoon the batter into the greased muffin tins.
Bake for 24-28 minutes or until golden brown.
Let muffins cool a little, then remove from pan.
Dip top of each muffin top in melted butter, then in sugar.
hollywFemaleAlgeria2007-05-10 16:36:00
Middle East and North AfricaSultan's Kitchen





That's funny...just like the time when my husband's aunt was explaining the names of ingredients in a recipe...one of the ingredients was zebib (raisin)...so I did not think anything of it...and kept saying it... somehow the more I said, the better it sounded...faster I said it...my husband came running yelling "ssssssssssstooooooop saying that it wooooooord" :lol: :lol: :lol:

:whistle: I did not know... :whistle: Well ok I did...who knew that I knew? :thumbs:


:lol: :blush: :lol:

does raisin (in english or arabic) mean something bad?



LMAO....#######...its not bad but if you don't say it correctly it can sound like the arabic word for #######, only one letter difference.


This story made my husband and I both laugh. I did the same thing when I said the would for "glass" but when I said the word, I said the word for "breasts!" :blush:


hahah, after I learned how to count in arabic I was counting for my mother in law and her friend one day and instead of saying 5 i said "1, 2, 3, 4, sh!t, 6, 7, 8..." They died laughing
hollywFemaleAlgeria2006-12-03 21:58:00
Middle East and North AfricaSultan's Kitchen

When I mentioned couscous to Usama he didn't tell me it was a bad word, but he did ask if I meant the kind made with butter and cream and sugar.Does anyone know what this would be? Sounds like cream of wheat to me?



I think its a bad word in Egyptian or something... not actually sure.

When I was in Algeria we had sweet couscous with butter, cinnamon, and sugar and ate it with a glass of "milk" (it tasted like sour cream that had been diluted with water). It was good, but I couldn't eat a whole meal of it.
hollywFemaleAlgeria2006-11-26 16:21:00
Middle East and North AfricaSultan's Kitchen


2 pounds semolina


ok stupid question...isn't semolina the stuff that causes you to get sick if you eat uncooked chicken? :unsure:



that's salmonella. semolina is a ground grain, like cream of wheat
hollywFemaleAlgeria2006-10-18 10:29:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresSome IR1/CR1 jokes
lol!! :lol:

Like a few others, I'm not a IR1/CR1 myself but these made me laugh all the same!!
AmyyduckFemaleEngland2010-07-28 13:49:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresTime
Does it matter to you if you get married in Jamaica or the US? If not you should at least consider the K-1 Fiance Visa. Fill out form I-129F. Depending on the consulate it's a little faster. But also if you get denied, you still have other options, like getting married. If you get married on the first meeting/visit right away and get denied,you could have a lot of difficulty to get that over turned and basically your options to conteract their decision would be very limited.

I know that you are deep in love, but you should really not make any plans to marry on the first visit. What if you had a significant other here in the US that lived in another state? Would you get married without meeting/being together at least a few times before getting married.

Getting married on the first visit is a huge red flag. All the consulate thinks is that how can you really know and want to marry someone right away when you just met in person one time and that you got married right away. It appears to them that it's just a marriage for a green card and nothing else. Their job is to protect you as being a USC from being used. Please keep in mind, these are not my thoughts about you and your significant other. I'm just stating the possible perception the Consulate will have. Please don't be offended. Good luck. Please make sure you do lots of research here on VisaJourney about everything there has to do with the immigration process. Be as prepared and save a smuch evidence as possible. Good luck to you both.
Mike&CherryMalePhilippines2011-03-30 23:52:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresNeed Advice Please
what i did was have all paperwork ready on oath day and send it out the day my kids took their oath- Oath was sept 19 we sent same day- case approved oct 17 and my daughter in law got 3.5 packet jan 18th

so it still moved fast once you put it in

good luck and i hope all works out for you
juileyannNot TellingPakistan2006-01-28 16:15:00
Middle East and North AfricaMENA Book Club
QUOTE (jpaula @ Sep 7 2007, 12:57 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (peezey @ Sep 6 2007, 11:15 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (OlivianWaleed @ Sep 6 2007, 05:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
ohmy.gif Wow. huh.gif Not sure what to think of the Thomas Friedman bashing.

But hey... I'm objective to both sides of the story. Instead of Thomas Friedman then what would you all suggest that is fair and balanced and having the thumb on the pulse of MENA politics? wink.gif



Robert Fisk.


Agreed completely.

It also never helps to look up sylllabi from upper level or grad Political Science clsses on the Middle East. History too. If you are looking for a more scholarly approach, you will get an endless list. Here is an intersting link (Middle East toward the bottom): http://www.polisci.u...ide/SelSyl.html


I had a professor in college named Joseph Lumbard who was the Special Advisor for Interfaith Affairs to King Abdullah II of Jordan before he came to Brandeis. We read one or two of his books in class... it's not fiction, but they do make for interesting reads - smart guy! good.gif

Edited by hollyw, 07 September 2007 - 09:26 AM.

hollywFemaleAlgeria2007-09-07 09:24:00
Middle East and North AfricaLets Try this Again--- ALGERIANS!!
QUOTE (wahrania @ May 20 2008, 08:35 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (kenneme @ May 20 2008, 06:37 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I have a question on doing a ceremony in Algeria.

I'm US citizen by birth he's Algerian citizen living temporarily in France. We want to do a K1 probably (just got engaged so we're still figuring this out) and officially get married in the US. But we would like to do a traditional Amazigh (Kabyle) ceremony in the village in Algeria so his family could be there etc. Is there any chance we can do this before coming to the US for the "real" wedding (both are real for us but I'm talking legally/officially) if we don't register a wedding in Algeria, don't get "declared man and wife" by anyone but just have the party and henna ceremony would this jeopordize our K1 petition?

Also, just to clarify that I am reading your responses right - the DCF is not longer possible in Algiers? Could we do it in Paris instead? Does that mean that the only option to bring Algerian (fiancé or spouse) is a K1 with wedding in US or a K3 with wedding in Algeria?

Thanks so much and I'm glad to see there are at least a few other Algerian-American coupels on here!!! Vive l'Algerie!


Also by the way , you cant dcf anywhere without the 6 month residency requirement. Before you could and there are alot of americans on here who dcf'd their Algerian spouse. Me and Sarahaziz are the first married people to go through the new situation with the elimination of DCF due to the adam walsh act in January 2007. You cannot compare our timelines to theirs because they did not have to wait at all. I have a long wait and so does Sarah.



you can't do a dcf anywhere anymore w/o the residency requirement? wow... i'm out of the loop.

my husband was in Paris.. he was illegal - we had to go to Algiers. I'd take the people at the Algiers consulate over the ones in Paris any day.
hollywFemaleAlgeria2008-05-20 14:19:00
Middle East and North AfricaLets Try this Again--- ALGERIANS!!
QUOTE (jpaula @ Dec 10 2007, 11:09 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (wahrania @ Dec 10 2007, 08:01 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (jpaula @ Dec 10 2007, 12:12 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Her info says that she filed her I-130 with CSC on June 20. I don't see how she should have been at NVC by now. From the look of things, CSC is on May or June now and then, once approved, it takes a bit of time to get to NVC. If the application is a straightforward one, I would think she should get an approval soon. There are many other June filers still waiting for word.

I believe she is filing for her husband who she married in Algeria. It is difficult (or at least very time consuming) to get permission to marry an American in Algeria, but as a dual citizen she probably had no problem marrying in Algeria.

Even Algerians have to wait a while for papers... like go here and go there and get this stamp and that stamp....EVEN THEY have hassles. LOL LOL And LOL


But, they have to run around getting papers and stamps for anything. It is just the norm to get anything done. Given that, it is much much easier to marry an Algerian than an American. To be honest, when I first found VJ and some of the other boards, I was surprised to hear how people were having trouble getting married or even residency as when I was there I had a good friend marry an Americans with only a little hassle and my residency was not a problem at all. I think sometimes with a lumbering beaurocracy it is hit or miss.

At any rate, I agree, if you can go through Algiers you should. It is an easy quick consulate. You both should sail through.

I just don't want Sarah to think that everyone who filed in June has been approved. There are many June (especially late June) CSC filers still waiting, and, I think, very few who have made it to NVC yet. She is right on the six month mark that seems around the norm.


I agree... I also went through Algiers when DCF was still available, but have known a few people here on VJ who have gone through the regular process with hardly any trouble. Judging by experience people have had with other MENA consulates, I'd say Algiers is the way to go.
hollywFemaleAlgeria2007-12-10 12:06:00
Middle East and North AfricaMENA diet/exercise thread
I joined a gym yesterday! But then I ate 2 chocolate chip cookies for breakfast. Baby steps biggrin.gif
hollywFemaleAlgeria2008-01-09 11:45:00
Middle East and North AfricaTips to help your SO adjust



Yeah I don't get why some people just won't give them the bidet... seems strange to me!



I was just gonna say that... what's the big deal?


I don't know. Honestly I have no idea why someone would be so upset about doing something for their fiance who moved half way around the world to be with her. Maybe it's a controlling issue?

Oh I wanted to add that Hicham doesn't care about Arabic channels but he does looove to see his favorite soccer team when he can.

I guess we can just ask!

shannon what is the big deal with the bidet? If Samir wants one are you going to get one?


it would be like us going to visit or SO's and them saying "ewwww you don't use a bidet?? that's so weird... youre gonna have to get used to it, because I don't want toilet paper in my bathroom!!"

come onnnnnnnnnn
hollywFemaleAlgeria2006-10-11 23:16:00
Middle East and North AfricaTips to help your SO adjust

Yeah I don't get why some people just won't give them the bidet... seems strange to me!



I was just gonna say that... what's the big deal?
hollywFemaleAlgeria2006-10-11 22:29:00
Middle East and North Africainterview wait in morocco
The NVC is taking more time recently, and I think it's because a lot of cases that been approved in the last 2 months. I assume this is going to take more than we expect,
keep making do3a inchaa allah we will make it.
 yes.gif
TA AHMED TIMaleMorocco2009-03-19 08:25:00
Middle East and North AfricaMonday. Wish it was Sunday. 'cause that's my funday.
QUOTE (amal @ Dec 10 2007, 01:51 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Here's what he doesn't like... boiled veggies, pasta (of any kind), canned diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, anything with melted cheese in or on it, beans, chili, american bread, mashed potatoes, sweets, turkey, frozen dinners, anything microwaved... I'm sure there are more but these are just the ones off the top of my head......
My son hates everything hubster hates only he also hates 99% of the veggies available
Then there's me.. I'm trying to stay away from carbs-- rice and breads. I can't stand fish or any other kind of sea food, and hate hate hate mushrooms.

We do a lot of chicken and beef (no tongues, brains, gizzards, livers, eyes, etc etc) sometimes lamb

With that being said, do any of u have any quick and easy meals that could accomodate all of this?? I'm totally at a loss here and just sick of eating the same stuff all the time. helpsmilie.gif any suggestions would be greatly appreciated...

rose.gif amal rose.gif


Wow, your husband doesn't like almost all of the things my husband loves!

Hmm, I'm stumped... does he like soups? Or mexican food? Fajitas, tacos, chimichangas etc? Chicken pot pie? Curries? I'd say chicken parm, cause it's one of my husbands favorites, but melted cheese AND tomato sauce is out so I guess that's a no... smile.gif chicken piccata?

QUOTE (Jenn! @ Dec 10 2007, 02:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (amal @ Dec 10 2007, 01:51 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I am too stubborn to cook 2 meals so I always cook stuff he likes.


I am too stubborn as well. But I cook what I like for the most part, and if he doesn't like something, he doesn't have to eat it. Otherwise, he can cook for himself. I find if I do this, he ends up eating things that he might not try otherwise, and he usually finds he likes them.


i think about doing this all the time... and have done it a few times when he's really pissed me off. But then medy works from 10 in the morning to 11pm-1am so then i feel bad if there's not something for him to eat when he gets home or if it's something he doesnt like.

talking about food is making me really hungry.. its almost 2:30 and i still havent gotten something to eat. i am having a FANTASTIC time doing absolutely no work today.. i haven't spent this much time on VJ since i filed smile.gif
hollywFemaleAlgeria2007-12-10 14:28:00
Middle East and North AfricaMonday. Wish it was Sunday. 'cause that's my funday.
QUOTE (water is wide @ Dec 10 2007, 09:24 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
My puppy dog is sick again --- spinal meningitist counting down the minutes till I can take her to the vet to start immune supression therapy... pretty clear now her immune system is attacking itself.... pray for her


having a sick animal is horrible. you feel so helpless. my first black lab Oreo had many different types of cancer when he got to be 12 or 13. we tried everything, even chemo. it was one of the saddest time of my life. i'm sorry that you have to go through that rose.gif
hollywFemaleAlgeria2007-12-10 12:51:00
Middle East and North AfricaMonday. Wish it was Sunday. 'cause that's my funday.
QUOTE (Jenn! @ Dec 10 2007, 09:36 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Very icy here too. Slipped and slided all the way to my car only to find it covered with a thick layer of ice.



We have a lot of ice here too.. I wiped out twice on the way to my car. I hate that it never occurs to me to work from home until I'm actually at work. Got here at 9 and the parking garage was still half empty, there must be a lot of people iced in this morning.

We had a Christmas party last night.. it was awesome! Medy and I had a bit too much margarita punch.. whistling.gif Brought all the leftovers into work today devil.gif
hollywFemaleAlgeria2007-12-10 09:49:00
Middle East and North AfricaAlgeria and Tlemcen
We stayed at Medy's parents house (you actually drive past the Sheraton to get to their house), but we went a few times to use the pool good.gif
hollywFemaleAlgeria2008-01-09 12:38:00
Middle East and North AfricaWHO PAYS FOR ALL THE PLANE TICKETS
we tend to split everything since we're both (pretty much) in the same financial situation right now. When I was going back and forth to visit my husband in Paris for awhile, I would buy my plane ticket (which, at student prices, was dirt cheap) and he would pay for meals and things while I was there. it was pretty even. i paid for his plane ticket here and he paid all of the visa costs.

but if you're going to keep calling him your husband, you might try to keep in better contact with him...
hollywFemaleAlgeria2007-06-27 12:00:00
Middle East and North AfricaRecount of the DZ couples
I'm around every once in a while... hi!
hollywFemaleAlgeria2008-03-08 15:44:00
Middle East and North AfricaThe First Week
QUOTE (bridget @ Mar 12 2008, 09:53 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I'll have to find some place that has good pita bread 'cause the stuff at our stop n shop isn't even comparable to what he's used to in Egypt. There is a sub shop that bakes their own daily so maybe I"ll ask if I could buy a big bag of those.


I'm not sure what the pita's like in Egypt, but my fav in the boston area is the greek pocketless pita they have at Costco (it's chewy pita). I get that and a big thing of Hannah's Hommus (also my fav hommus) and toast the pita in the toaster oven when I get home. Yummm... good.gif
hollywFemaleAlgeria2008-03-15 23:25:00
Middle East and North Africareligious?
My husband drinks and smokes (although... he's supposed to quit smoking unsure.gif ), doesn't go to the mosque or pray, and we don't eat halal meat. He fasts during Ramadan and doesn't eat pork at all.
hollywFemaleAlgeria2008-03-24 19:26:00
Middle East and North AfricaMay here we come! Happy Thursday!
QUOTE (bridget @ May 1 2008, 12:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hi everyone. Wicked busy at work today. mad.gif Weekend without the kiddos comin' up so planning some fun excursions in Boston. It's weird but I'm like, ok what should we do? I've never done touristy type things here. I don't think I've ever even been on the USS Constitution. blink.gif

Gonna go try to catch up on threads before lunch is over but Nagi sending prayers your way for tomorrow rose.gif rose.gif


I had the same problem when Medy got here - I've lived here all my life and had no clue where to bring him. A couple places we go sometimes are the North End, Quincy Market/Fanieuil Hall, Newbury Street shopping/lunch/walking, Boston Commons and swan boat rides, Duck Tours, Downtown Crossing, dinner in the south end, walk around Beacon Hill and look at the little shops, the Aquarium, whale watches have already started they leave from the Aquarium at 10 and 2 on weekends, get some chowda or good seafood somewhere, hmmm.... Harvard Square. Copley. Blue Man Group. China Town. Has he been to a diner yet? Those are fun. Oh the Omni Theatre at the Science Museum!! That is soooo cool. You could follow the Freedom Trail, that's a good way to see some of Boston (Boston Common, Beacon Hill, Faneuil Hall, Bunker Hill, Old North Church, the house of Paul Revere, and Old Ironsides). Gardner Museum. And my husband loves Marshalls. He goes every. weekend.
hollywFemaleAlgeria2008-05-01 18:31:00
Middle East and North Africatransit visas and stopping over in Europe before advance parole or your greencard
Very interesting.... it's too bad that wasn't the case when my husband came (although we never checked... maybe it was!). He has lots of family in Paris.

Is it normally hard to get a transit visa? I think he's going to try to get one to stop over for a few days on his way to Oran..
hollywFemaleAlgeria2008-05-13 07:55:00
Middle East and North AfricaHump day!!!!
QUOTE (bridget @ May 14 2008, 01:15 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
wow I wanna work here!!!!

http://wbztv.com/sli...2896.html?rid=0


I had a few interviews at Google's Cambridge office a few months ago... it would probably be a fun place to work if they didn't make you jump through so many hoops to actually get the job. I was going on my 5th interview and my 3rd assessment test (and no where near the end) when I lost interest.. I guess they can afford to be picky.

That being said.... I wish we had bean bag chairs and plasma TVs in our lounge!!!!

Oh right... we don't have a lounge...
hollywFemaleAlgeria2008-05-14 13:18:00
Middle East and North Africafast food in mena
QUOTE (julianna @ May 16 2008, 01:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (?JP? @ May 16 2008, 12:05 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Nope....we don't make falafel at home. I buy them by the dozen from a local falafel shop and freeze them. They have the best falafels in my area!


sad.gif Sigh. Cravings suck.


yummmmm falafel......

I miss my favorite falafel place in Paris, they had a toppings bar and you could put whatever you wanted on your falafel pita... sigh

And in Spain they have a falafel fast food place called Pita Hut... I loved that!
hollywFemaleAlgeria2008-05-16 14:08:00
Middle East and North Africafast food in mena
QUOTE (wahrania @ May 15 2008, 11:27 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
When you were in MENA, did you ever eat at an american style fast food place for any meals?


I couldnt find a single place like that in western algeria with take away coke in a paper cup with ice. There were plenty of cafes and or pizza or gyro places. But nothing resembling like a mcdonalds. In tunisia when I got married ( that week) I ate at one american style fast food place where they had hamburgers and fries and even something resembling a happy meal.

I could not find a single place like that in Oran although I think Algiers has some places like that and certainly never saw like paper cups with straws with ice like a big gulp..

I think morocco has mcdonalds and quik and stuff like that.. Are they in places like egypt etc?



There is American style fast food in Oran.... it's called JOCKER (I think they meant to spell it "Joker"). It's in Bel-Air.

If I remember correctly, it's like a combination of McDonalds, Taco Bell, and Arby's... except they were out of just about everything. They give you a tray and food wrapped in paper with paper cups and you go sit at a table or take it home.. just like good ole mickey D's.
hollywFemaleAlgeria2008-05-15 12:28:00
Middle East and North AfricaHappy Tuesday...
QUOTE (bridget @ May 20 2008, 01:13 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (ME~n~HIM @ May 20 2008, 12:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (bridget @ May 20 2008, 11:06 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUESTION..................I just got the email saying that on May 20 they ordered production of his EAD card! kicking.gif kicking.gif

BUT

It says allow 30 days for it to get to him................does it really take that long from the time they request it to the time you recieve it?

helpsmilie.gif

Congrats!!! that's just covering their butts... we received ours in 4 or 5 days. I'll bet you get it Saturday, or maybe Tuesday at the latest. good.gif


THAT's what I'm talkin' about!!!!!!



That's a relief... What kind of jobs is your husband looking for?

Edited by hollyw, 20 May 2008 - 12:15 PM.

hollywFemaleAlgeria2008-05-20 12:15:00
Middle East and North AfricaHAPPY MONDAY
QUOTE (Jenn! @ Jun 2 2008, 11:45 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
It's gonna take at least 15 months to remove conditions through VSC!? Not sure why I didn't check this out before. Bummer we waited two months past the opening of our window to file then!

Oh well, at least I'll have a good excuse to still hang around VJ! devil.gif


blink.gif man, I am not looking forward to this fall... We're going to Mexico for New Years. Is it pretty easy to travel outside of the country while removing conditions? I hope so...
hollywFemaleAlgeria2008-06-02 12:09:00
Middle East and North AfricaMENA Nightlife
We went out to eat a lot, walked along the Front de la Mer in Oran, went to some clubs (the one at the Sheraton) and some bars, went to a mall.. although there wasn't much in it, sat outside and ate ice cream, met friends in coffee shops...

PS i HATED the ice cream in Algeria. And I felt so bad because Medy's sister always got so excited. They only had four flavors: vanilla, chocolate, strawberry and lemon. The lemon was the only one I liked, it was kind of like sorbet. The rest were horrible... soupy and artificially flavored.. bleh. They MUST have other kinds of ice cream.. someplace.. Henia? Also the place that they went to get it you had to bring your own plastic container and they would put the ice cream in that.


ETA: NOT sex clubs.... dance clubs...

Edited by hollyw, 13 June 2008 - 11:53 AM.

hollywFemaleAlgeria2008-06-13 11:52:00
Middle East and North AfricaMENA WCs
My husband's family's home in Algiera had two bathrooms, both american style sit-down toilets good.gif and both had toilet paper and also a faucet and bucket. NOT a very strong flusher though.... Everything needed a little help to get down, apparently what they would do is use the water an dbucket to push everythign down the pipes.. I caught on eventually...

Edited by hollyw, 13 June 2008 - 11:36 AM.

hollywFemaleAlgeria2008-06-13 11:34:00
Middle East and North AfricaRepresenting MENA!!!
Hi Henia!!

I'm Holly (USC) and my husband is Medy from Oran, Algeria. We met in Paris in 2005 when we were both living there and now live in the Boston area. We did DCF through Algiers in the summer of '06 and he's been here since Nov. 2006 - almost two years ohmy.gif . We'll remove conditions towards the end of the summer. I joined VJ in June or July 2006 when I was totally clueless about immigration and pretty much stumbled through our entire visa process - I'm lucky we made it this far. I don't write on the boards much, but sometimes when work is slow I'll read.

Henia, how's life in Algeria??
hollywFemaleAlgeria2008-06-11 10:33:00
Middle East and North AfricaDogs and Islam
QUOTE (Jenn! @ Jun 26 2008, 08:41 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Dog ice cream?

yes.gif at JP Licks. Apparently, it's peanut butter flavored. And they put mini dog bones on top.
hollywFemaleAlgeria2008-06-26 19:45:00
Middle East and North AfricaDogs and Islam
My husband is worse than I am with the dog. They are best friends - Chili sits on the couch when they watch TV together, Medy gives him pieces of whatever he's eating and sometimes Chili even charms his way onto the bed at night. Right now they are on a walk to the ice cream place to get human ice cream AND a pint of dog ice cream....


There he is on the couch in my old apartment!

Medy didn't grow up with dogs, but his family did have rabbits and now his sister has a cat - named Holly...

Edited by hollyw, 26 June 2008 - 07:37 PM.

hollywFemaleAlgeria2008-06-26 19:36:00
Middle East and North AfricaMy Husband's Father was Deported Yesterday
What an awful experience. I'm so sorry your FIL and your family had to go through all of that. I can't imagine going to another country and being treated so horribly. When I was in Algeria I was the only foreigner (other than french/algerians) in the airport and every single customsagent/airport security person I came in contact with wished me well.

You should make as much noise as you can about this. It may not fix anything, but it will at least put it out there.
hollywFemaleAlgeria2008-07-10 14:41:00
Middle East and North AfricaO yes! It's Wednesday! Again!
QUOTE (bridget @ Jul 16 2008, 11:45 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I don't know where I want to go but here are my requirements:

1) no cooking area where I would be expected to even prepare so much as a cup of coffee

2) no laundry facilities whatsoever so that I'm not tempted to do even a load of whites

3) 24/7 room service available

4) shady spot on both the beach and the poolside where I can sit and read my books

5) spa on site where I can go for a daily 1 hour deep tissue massage

6) sound of ocean HAS to be heard from my room

7) plenty of activities for tweens that they will actually want to go to giving hubby and me some alone time blush.gif

8) no phone service so that no one can get ahold of me at all


Bitter End Yacht Club, Vigin Gorda, BVI http://www.beyc.com/
I've never actually stayed there, but when I was a kid every year my family used to charter a boat and sail around the virgin islands and we used to BEG to spend at least 2 or 3 nights moored in the harbor at Virgin Gorda.. it was so fun. Lots of stuff for kids and adults to do separately and together.

My family (now) goes to Playa del Carmen, Mexico every year for New Years... that's pretty awesome too.

Edited by hollyw, 16 July 2008 - 11:29 AM.

hollywFemaleAlgeria2008-07-16 11:29:00
Middle East and North AfricaHow is your spouse adjusting
QUOTE (Jenn! @ Jul 9 2008, 03:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Gaby&Talbert @ Jul 9 2008, 03:27 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
From a mans point of view don't get mad if he doesn't changeY you married him for who he is, not who you want him to be.


I think a woman would say the same. smile.gif



good.gif
hollywFemaleAlgeria2008-07-09 14:32:00
Middle East and North AfricaDoes your muslim husband mind if you drink?
QUOTE (Jenn! @ Aug 5 2008, 05:24 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Staashi @ Aug 5 2008, 05:21 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Second, I don't know too many husbands - foreign or domestic, who would be okay with it.


I have to disagree with that. At least among my peers that has always been common and acceptable. Mixed gender friendships are not unusual and they can remain completely platonic.


I disagree also. I have many male friends that I spend time with, with and without my husband, and he has female friends. It has never bothered either of us.
hollywFemaleAlgeria2008-08-05 23:21:00
Middle East and North AfricaDoes your muslim husband mind if you drink?
We both drink. We drank a lot more when we first met (in our early 20's), but will still have wine with dinner or go out for a few drinks on the weekends.
hollywFemaleAlgeria2008-08-04 23:03:00