Forum	Title	Content	Member	Sex	Country	Date/Time
Middle East and North Africa	Pyramid Webcam	Seems to be working now.	Melly 2	Female	Egypt	2008-12-20 23:27:00
Middle East and North Africa	Pyramid Webcam	Yeah I sent it in a box with a bunch of other things as well. This is the first time I've had any trouble sending things there. And yeah, to Cairo. *shrug* It's just slightly irritating to lose the money for it if I'm not going to get it back. And I'm sure as heck not going to send another one through the mail after the first didn't go. lol Glad that yours made it okay.	Melly 2	Female	Egypt	2008-12-13 02:43:00
Middle East and North Africa	Pyramid Webcam	By the way, don't try sending a magic jack through the mail to Egypt, it will get confiscated going through customs. They told my husband they were going to ship it back to me, but that was a couple months ago and I still haven't received it.... Edited by Melly 2, 13 December 2008 - 02:24 AM.	Melly 2	Female	Egypt	2008-12-13 02:23:00
Middle East and North Africa	Pyramid Webcam	The call to prayer should have happened when it was still dark out.	Melly 2	Female	Egypt	2008-11-24 23:54:00
Middle East and North Africa	Pyramid Webcam	Yeah they don't seem to bother to change the time on the cam when it changes twice a year. They used to but it's been a while since they've done it I guess.	Melly 2	Female	Egypt	2008-11-24 23:30:00
Middle East and North Africa	Pyramid Webcam	QUOTE (Olivia* @ Nov 24 2008, 08:13 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Very beautiful. I am watching the sun coming up just now. It's still too early but it is getting lighter and it's gray. Almost like it's foggy? It's like that many mornings. I haven't quite figured out if its fog or what. I know it's not the usual brown scum that can be seen often, but whether it's fog or something else I don't know. It's amusing some mornings to look and you can't see a *thing*. Like they did some magic trick to make the pyramids disappear.	Melly 2	Female	Egypt	2008-11-24 23:19:00
Middle East and North Africa	Pyramid Webcam	I took a screen shot of it. I have a few laying around. Every once in a while, depending on the season I take some.	Melly 2	Female	Egypt	2008-11-24 22:41:00
Middle East and North Africa	Pyramid Webcam	Beautiful sunset at the moment.	Melly 2	Female	Egypt	2008-11-24 09:23:00
Middle East and North Africa	Happy Sunday!	Happy Sunday MENA Not much going on here. Still waiting to move. Ramadan starting in less than a week. Stress much? lol Hope everyone has a great day.	Melly 2	Female	Egypt	2009-08-16 04:39:00
Middle East and North Africa	Pleased to announce	What wonderful news. Congratulations!!! You must be so thrilled after all of your hard work.	Melly 2	Female	Egypt	2009-08-17 04:24:00
Middle East and North Africa	Friday - 8/21/09	I've asked hubby before about him calling some of his friends pasha. He pronounces it with a P though, not a B. He said it's to show respect. Like was mentioned, it was a title or something way back when, and so now you use it to show respect. There are different names for different levels but I can't remember what they are. He also doesn't call all his friends that, just some. In the house here, they call my father in law baba, which always reminds me of baby speak for bottle, so that's always what I think of when they say it. It sounds so silly. Sometimes I can't figure out a word they're trying to say because they say it with a B instead of a P.	Melly 2	Female	Egypt	2009-08-21 16:21:00
Middle East and North Africa	Prays for Kenza	woohoo!!! Mabrook sister, sounds like he got the visa just fine	Melly 2	Female	Egypt	2009-08-25 08:55:00
Middle East and North Africa	Airline tickets to Egypt	Is that a round trip price??? I'd check very very carefully about that because I've never seen a price that low. Particularly because that is a holiday period and prices should be higher. If that's a round trip price and you're okay with the airline, I'd grab it. I've never seen a price below 900.	Melly 2	Female	Egypt	2009-08-27 06:05:00
Middle East and North Africa	Thinking about moving to Saudi and filing DCF	I'm just curious if she will be able to handle the culture there in KSA. I'm sure it's much different than Lebanon. Wasn't there some big flap about the wedding and all the cultural stuff? Actually, you've lived in both places Jess, how do they compare?	Melly 2	Female	Egypt	2009-08-28 18:04:00
Middle East and North Africa	Thinking about moving to Saudi and filing DCF	Okay he is working in KSA but does that mean you can file DCF from there? I thought you had to live in the country your spouse was from to file for DCF?? Also, at least for Egypt, you have to show residency for a certain length of time before filing... it could be a long time you'd be living there. Edited by Melly 2, 26 August 2009 - 07:17 PM.	Melly 2	Female	Egypt	2009-08-26 19:16:00
Middle East and North Africa	Thinking about moving to Saudi and filing DCF	This might be a silly question but don't you have to live in the country your spouse is from to file DCF? Your profile says Lebanon yeah? Where did KSA come in at? Sorry if I'm missing something. Also, have you ever been to KSA before? Even I wouldn't consider living there and from what I have heard from other women, it's not the easiest place to live. We all feel like part of us is missing when we are apart from our husbands and fiancees, and some of us wait years. It is normal to feel like that and yet we all manage to get through it. If you moved, would you be able to afford to move back to the US after staying out of country for so long? And what about proof of your ability to support him if you're not working (since you'd be living out of the country?). Anyways, good luck with whatever you decide.	Melly 2	Female	Egypt	2009-08-26 19:00:00
Middle East and North Africa	FRIDAY!!!!!!!!	QUOTE (Lover500 @ Aug 28 2009, 08:19 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Happy Friday everyone. Just letting you all know we got the visa today. That's amazing, 4 days from interview to visa, alhamdulillah!! I'm surprised you got it on a Friday though? I thought stuff was closed Fridays. Although maybe if it came from the embassy, they are open since the US weekend is Sat/Sun. Anyways, congrats!	Melly 2	Female	Egypt	2009-08-28 12:27:00
Middle East and North Africa	FRIDAY!!!!!!!!	Good morning ladies and happy Friday! Nice to see everyone smilin an happy today. I just finished getting some brownies in the oven. 4 more hours til we can break fast though. I haven't really been watching the clock yet during Ramadan but these brownies are sooo good! The cinnamon in them makes them so awesome. If you ladies haven't had cinnamon in your chocolate, you're missing out! Anyways, enough about food. Wishing everyone a wonderful day and start to the weekend. Nagi, happy anniversary!!! Astarte, nice to see you back around again. And your boys are so cute!! Insha'Allah hubby an I will be able to make a MENAweed.	Melly 2	Female	Egypt	2009-08-28 07:41:00
Middle East and North Africa	Thursday!	Amysaid, there's Fuddruckers. I haven't been there yet but I'm assuming it's mostly the same as in the States. Burger place in case you don't know of it. There is one at City Stars mall (and the mall has a huge area for kids to play), and there's also one in Mohandiseen I believe. Also, I'm a little confused about why your husband is trying to just get "leave" from his job if he's planning to live with you in the States. Leave implies that he'll be going back to work at some point doesn't it? And if he's living with you in the States then how is that possible? Edited by Melly 2, 30 August 2009 - 05:42 AM.	Melly 2	Female	Egypt	2009-08-30 05:41:00
Middle East and North Africa	Thursday!	lol, I'll pass on the snow thanks. I get wimpy enough with freezing temps and NO snow.	Melly 2	Female	Egypt	2009-08-27 06:43:00
Middle East and North Africa	Thursday!	Good morning MENA! Hey Maureen, I'll trade ya! I'd love some rain. Day 6 of fasting here. Can't believe how well and quickly it's going, alhamdulillah. Congrats to all the ladies who've received positive results on their interviews, I'm really happy for all of you. Everyone have a fantabulous day!	Melly 2	Female	Egypt	2009-08-27 06:21:00
Middle East and North Africa	MENA diet/exercise thread	Hello ladies Since hubby and I have been living at his parents house, and his mom does all the cooking, I have gained some weight. I was a bit underweight to begin with if you ask most people here, and so I'm not exactly "fat" now or something, but I'm definitely gaining weight. I sit at home all day without doing all the things I did back in my old life in the States. No getting up early for work, running errands, cleaning house, etc. And going outside here to work out in the sun wearing hijab and full clothing is just not an option. Joining a gym isn't really an option either. So, I am looking for recommendations for any kind of work out videos that anyone can recommend. Nothing that involves equipment I can't easily get here in Egypt, just some basic stuff to help me keep off some of the weight I'm gaining from my MIL's cooking which is mostly fried and full of oil/butter. Thanks	Melly 2	Female	Egypt	2009-07-06 07:48:00
Middle East and North Africa	Olive Oil	QUOTE (Staashi @ Sep 3 2009, 06:28 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> We bought some recently at World Market - it is Italian - Savini is the brand. We got it for a steal - $7.99 for a half gallon. I bought 2 - should last us a year. It is really olivey - not light at all. lol, I got to thinking when I read that you bought a gallon of olive oil. My MIL here in Egypt has used more oil in the 3 1/2 months we've been living at their house than I've used in my entire life (I'm 40!). It really shocks me how much she uses and I hate that it's in or on EVERYTHING!!!! (and she mostly uses corn oil I think). Anyways, my brain started to work on how much calories, etc. are in that much olive oil, so here you go! (and I'm not trying to pick on you, just thought it was interesting to see). 1 gallon = 4 liters, 1 liter = 4 cups, so 1 gallon = 16 cups of olive oil. 1 cup of olive oil has 1,910 calories, 100% of it from fat. 16 cups of olive oil has 30,560 calories. You need to burn off 3500 calories to lose 1 pound of weight. Here is a great site that I like using that has nutrition listed for almost any kind of food that you can buy. It lists calories, vitamins/minerals, and some other stuff. nutrition of foods	Melly 2	Female	Egypt	2009-09-03 13:37:00
Middle East and North Africa	It's Wednesday	Tamara, I believe that Aya's parents were cutting the internet in a further attempt to keep her from communicating with her man. She said she won't be able to check in as much but I think people could PM her?	Melly 2	Female	Egypt	2009-09-03 06:43:00
Middle East and North Africa	Friday	Thanks for letting us know Jackie. Insha'Allah you will be able to keep your job for as long as you want it.	Melly 2	Female	Egypt	2009-09-04 17:10:00
Middle East and North Africa	Friday	Jackie we are all rootin for ya! Please let us know what happens.	Melly 2	Female	Egypt	2009-09-04 08:15:00
Middle East and North Africa	I HAVE TO SHARE MY GOOD NEWS	Mabrook!! That's awesome and I'm sure you are so thrilled. I hope you two have a wonderful trip to the States.	Melly 2	Female	Egypt	2009-09-03 06:56:00
Middle East and North Africa	Finally, A Houston mini-Meet-UP SEPT 4,5,6	Looks like you guys had a nice time. Thanks for sharing. And Amal, you look so cute with your hijab!!!!	Melly 2	Female	Egypt	2009-09-06 06:03:00
Middle East and North Africa	Sunday in MENA,	QUOTE (amysaid @ Sep 7 2009, 09:50 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I was out yesterday and some guys were doing something similar, they had a hole opened in the street and were down inside it, but they hadn't put up any traffic cones or anything so cars kept almost driving over/into the hole. Every now and then a guy would pop his head up and check for cars, but didn't really seem that concerned. Complete sidenote: Today's my daughter's birthday, I have a cake mix, but I need to make frosting. How do you make frosting without vanilla extract? Does that vanillin powder actually taste good enough to use? Amysaid, you could probably use vanillin but be careful about the amount. I was making brownies at my MIL's and she didn't have vanilla, she had vanillin, which I was VERY disappointed about because I don't like fake flavorings. In any case, 1 tsp of vanilla is NOT the same as 1 tsp of vanillin. Vanillin is stronger and you need to use way less than real vanilla. Can you get hubby to go out to the store and get some real vanilla?	Melly 2	Female	Egypt	2009-09-07 06:41:00
Middle East and North Africa	Sunday in MENA,	QUOTE (ZaidsMommy @ Sep 6 2009, 03:46 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Morning and Happy Sunday. Im feeling much better from that nasty virus I caught, however, the lil man has now gotten it and is sneezing away in his bed, poor guy <3 Have a good day everyone How did the haircut go yesterday? Hope your little one is feeling better soon.	Melly 2	Female	Egypt	2009-09-06 08:03:00
Middle East and North Africa	Sunday in MENA,	QUOTE (Ihavequestions @ Sep 6 2009, 12:05 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Happy Sunday, MENA. It's my first day of joblessness (self-inflicted). We're having a huge Iftar soiree here tonight. Happy, happy, joy, joy. Don't get me wrong because these folks, friends and family, are nice enough, but I would rather chew on glass than live through even a few more hours of all eyes locked on "the American," endless pictures and mobile videos of and with "the American," as well as constant discussion about "the American." I know people are people and they don't mean anything harmful but, gosh darn it, I don't do well as the center of attention. I'm trying to sort and pack, too. The hubster's heart-broken and sulking. Me? Notsomuch. In fact, I'm almost ashamed that I'm filled with such ... joy at the thought of getting out of here and back "home," where all I really want is some normal - specifically to blend in. My head isn't stuck on visa, marriage, separation, or any of that. It's stuck on the wheels of the plane lifting up and taking me out of here. I think that's bad. Is that bad? I feel bad. I'm sure I missed it somewhere, but are you just going to the States for a short visit or you will be staying there? Hope it goes well for you tonight! Happy Sunday all. Just over half-way through Ramadan!	Melly 2	Female	Egypt	2009-09-06 06:07:00
Middle East and North Africa	Has anyone....	I'm new to this process but it is my understanding that to do a DCF (direct consular filing) we must be married aka I believe that service is only available for K3 visas. Right? We do not want to get married here because I want a ceremony in the US, my parents wouldn't be able to come for the katab kitab, the paperwork to get married and going from office to office in Egypt will be a HUGE pain in the butt (probably more complicated than when I got my Egyptian passport and ID card... and that was NO fun), and I heard that there's a waiting time after the marriage before you can file (and you must show proof of living together, etc.). Besides, we're not willing to rush into the whole process for a visa, though tempting, we want to take things at a steady pace letting the whole visa process effect us minimally (but I think that's impossible! we're both so bummed out on how drawn out and complicated it is... plus the fact that we will have to get married 3 months after he enters the US). Anyway... if I am misinformed on this, i.e. there is some way I can file for the fiance visa while in Cairo... PLEASE DO TELL! As for the situation.... I am HOPING that if we can both show we have every intent on returning and waiting for the fiance visa to process (both showing that we will return to our jobs, his bank account information maybe?, my lease to my apartment, return flight ticket for me (since I doubt we will want to buy his until we know for sure he can get the visa)) this will help. I'm really irritated at how incredibly in inconvenient and hard US immigration laws are, though I doubt I'm alone on this issue...	hayati	Female	Egypt	2009-07-18 03:58:00
Middle East and North Africa	Has anyone....	Hi all, I am currently living in Cairo, have been here for a year with a job I secured while back in the US. Anyway, long story short, met the love of my life and we've been dating also for about a year. We will get engaged within the next month or so and then are considering applying for the K1 visa (I'm ready to go back to the US... plus I have law school, etc.). Anyway, law school doesn't start until Fall 2010 and I will more than likely stay in Egypt until next summer. Here's the question though.... I want to go home for Christmas and my boyfriend would like to go with me so he can meet my extended family and friends (he met my Dad and brother about a month ago. I'm also Egyptian so my family does the yearly visit thing). I know that technically he can apply for a tourist visa while the fiance visa is still pending but I am wondering if anyone has any personal experience with doing this? For the tourist visa you must prove that you have every intent to return back to your home country and with a fiance visa pending it might look suspicious. Of course we're both working at the same job and perhaps we could explain that we both have every intention to return to Egypt and continue our work. I'm also leasing an apartment that I will be returning to, obviously. He of course still lives at home. It's Egypt... I hear hoards of horror stories regarding visas. So, any thoughts/ personal stories? Really interested in personal stories...	hayati	Female	Egypt	2009-07-17 18:04:00
Middle East and North Africa	This might be a silly question but...	Thanks so much everyone! Doing all of this is making me a NERVOUS WRECK as you might imagine! Y's_habibitk: His ID and passport have his first name, father's name, grandfather's name, and great grandfather's name... then it cuts off so does not include family name. I guess this is common. However, I'm Egyptian as well and my ID has my first name, an additional name (like the US system) THEN my father's name, grandfather's name... and instead of great grandfather's name it has our family name. Shoo... tooooo many names!	hayati	Female	Egypt	2009-08-02 08:04:00
Middle East and North Africa	This might be a silly question but...	How did you fill out the name part of the I-129F for your fiance? As you MENAs must know, in Egypt we have a first name, father's name, grandfather's name, great grandfather's name, family name (this is how my fiance's name works). The I-129F asks for a Family name, first name, middle name. I tried inserting his first name, then the 3 following names under middle, and his family name for family name but there was not enough space for that in the middle name section. I know this might be a silly question but I don't want anything to delay this process! His family name isn't technically on his birth certificate or his ID card because it cuts off after the first 4 names.... Suggestions? Am I freaking out over something trivial? For work and such he goes by his first name and third name... I put this under "other names". What did you guys do?	hayati	Female	Egypt	2009-07-30 06:04:00
Middle East and North Africa	I have a quick question about packages to Cairo	My family sent many, many, many packages from the US to family members in Cairo via regular US postal service that never ever made it to our desired destination in Cairo. However, I have received packages from my Mom via UPS (or DHL) while living in Cairo. She paid a hefty sum to send the package and I paid an even heftier sum to receive the package.... maybe 600le, which is well over 100 dollars. From experience, there is absolutely no rhyme or reason to the charge they assess on the package. Whether the items are new, used, perishable, etc. (I've heard every trick in the book) there is no consistently sure proof way of getting around the large customs fee. For me, paying the 600le was worth it. Though it was a pretty small package that I received, the items in the package (jeans, shoes, underwear, bras, etc.) singularly will cost much more than the price I paid on customs. The system here def. sucks but oh the joy of receiving Bath and Body Works... or a comparable item. You have no idea the luxury of life we enjoy in the US until you try living in Egypt.... using the products here... from hygiene products to clothes, etc. - they absolutely do not even compare in quality... aah, how I miss the US.	hayati	Female	Egypt	2009-08-02 08:41:00
Middle East and North Africa	Question about engagement rings...	QUOTE (Ihavequestions @ Aug 16 2009, 01:41 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I understand what you're saying and I agree with you. However, in Egyptian culture, there is no "marriage" without a wedding party and there's no such thing as being a little bit married, or married on paper. The Embassy knows this. If this is the path this particular couple is choosing, they may have a difficult time with AOS. Haha, no, no, nothing like that. This is legit, otherwise it would not be worth the paperwork and long, agonizing process. I thought it was pretty common for couples in similar situations to "get married on paper" (probably bad choice of words) aka have a small civil ceremony type thing with the actual wedding/ceremony in the future... because of time restraints with the 90 day limitation. Sorry to have thrown out some red flags on you, but I assure you, it's legit. So hopefully there will be no difficulties with AOS.	hayati	Female	Egypt	2009-08-17 04:25:00
Middle East and North Africa	Question about engagement rings...	QUOTE (Ihavequestions @ Aug 16 2009, 10:50 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Engagement parties and engagement rings are not compulsory in Egyptian culture. Embassies know what is culturally normal and what's not. They would more likely question a spouse visa without a wedding party than a fiance(e) visa without a party/ring. That's not a big deal. But what is this about "only getting married on papers"? I don't understand and it could be because the phrase "on paper" may be misleading me. It appears you don't intend to formally marry within the 90-days necessary for the K-1 visa. Is that correct? No, no, no! We are def. getting married but we'll likely do it in a courtroom type setting with my parents/brothers/a few close friends because of the 90 day limitation thing. We'll have a ceremony a year or so later, so I guess more like a vow renewal type thing. We're both in Egypt, and I will stay here with him until he has the visa in hand. 90 days isn't enough for me/us to plan and pay for a wedding... so we'll get the marriage certificate when we return to the US and the actual ceremony/reception will happen later.	hayati	Female	Egypt	2009-08-17 04:20:00
Middle East and North Africa	Question about engagement rings...	I know the guides say that having an engagement ring is not essential for the K1 visa process but I am wondering if any of you (especially being in the Middle East where, at least in Egypt, the engagement ceremonies can be a big hoopla) had any problems/ were asked any questions during the interview about not having an engagement ring or engagement ceremony? I don't have a ring... and I don't want to have an engagement cermony/party (because my family is in the US and it would break my Dad's heart for one because he's Egyptian so it is a part of his culture). Besides, we're holding off on telling his family until the last minute because he's mom will not be at all supportive when it comes to moving to the US - ugh, could be another obstacle I suppose (she told him from the start he could marry me but we have to live in Egypt)... yeah. Since we're only getting married on papers when we first arrive (and having a ceremony maybe a year or so later when we can afford it and I have time to plan it... seriously, 3 months is not enough time!), and because the whole immigration process is hella expensive, I told him to save his money for the ring until we've settled down a bit... who knows, we might need it, ya know? Anyway... I was pretty at ease with this (since the guides said no ring is necessary) but my parents (who have went through the immigration process themselves.... though that was about 30 years ago) are worrying me about the whole no ring thing. Thoughts?	hayati	Female	Egypt	2009-08-16 08:10:00
Middle East and North Africa	I'm getting homesick! We want to vist home while K1 visa is pending.	So we have an interview for the tourist visa. We're going to chance it and insha'allah it will be well worth it! The lady was really nice when we made the interview. Online it says that the average wait for an interview is 15 working days... we got one in 10 days TOTAL! September 3rd. :S We'll see how it goes. As for booking plane tickets.... you have to be flexible and really do an extensive search online. I play around with dates and get lucky sometimes with random dates. Of course weekday flights will be cheaper than flights on the weekend. My favorite site so far is www.bookingbuddy.com because you input your departure date and city and your return information (you know, the standard stuff) and they will search about 12 different sites for you. This time I found a really nice deal on orbitz but in the past I've had good luck with statravel.com, vayama.com, and kayak.com. Just play around.... but start out with bookingbuddy first because it will check the main sites (like orbitz, priceline, travelocity, student universe, kayak, vayama, cheapair, cheapoair, cheaptickets, etc.). Google "cheap international airfare" and you're bound to find similar search engines... but I really think the key is being flexible with the dates. It made a world of difference for me... we're talking about 400 dollars difference and a ticket that will cost me HALF of what it cost each time I have traveled to and from Egypt (which has been a few times). Hope this helps and let me know if I can help at all. I get REALLY bored at work on a daily basis...	hayati	Female	Egypt	2009-08-25 10:07:00