biggish data

QUOTE (Rajaa_Reda @ Aug 2 2008, 01:07 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (S and S @ Aug 2 2008, 11:03 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Rajaa_Reda @ Aug 2 2008, 12:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

well.... when it is offically over "girl time" like sometimes the whole "spotting thing" can last a day or two longer.. (sorry men if there are any here) and I usually wait 7 days cause of what i've read....is that right?

I have read that if it is red then you can't pray. If it is brown then that is different somehow and you can do ghusul and pray.

That's what I read too... but somewhere it was if it is past 7 days to go pray... I don't know why 7 is in my head but it's been only 5 but I miss my prayer so much....

Rajaa

Yes, I read the 7 days if for some reason it goes past that then you can pray. Yet the also say you only worry about the red stuff, not the brown regardless of if it has been 7 days or not. Just do what you think is right. It is your intentions that counts too.

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-08-02 13:47:00

QUOTE (Rajaa_Reda @ Aug 2 2008, 12:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I have read that if it is red then you can't pray. If it is brown then that is different somehow and you can do ghusul and pray.

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-08-02 13:03:00

QUOTE (Rajaa_Reda @ Aug 2 2008, 12:35 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

yeah that whole ARabic to English thing does throw some off. I have a personal question about prayer and "girl time"

Like if you can pray at that time?

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-08-02 12:38:00

QUOTE (Rajaa_Reda @ Aug 2 2008, 12:30 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

strange.. maybe my masjiid went off last years when making this years calander??? w/e... i havne't looked on line but it would make sense.

lol, maybe it is a typo

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-08-02 12:33:00

QUOTE (Rajaa_Reda @ Aug 2 2008, 12:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

JJ me too I'd like to give it a whirl... I have nothing in my house that says Allah.. it would be wonderful! I would also like to do something to take my mind off of the wait.

You guys are cracking me up with the husband's up an hour early lol... I am praying i'll spend the first week in Paris with my husband on vaca... he is very excited by it Insha'allah but this will be my first. I fully suspect i'll be sleeping alot on the plane back since he already warned me our nights will be very busy.

Oh I only have the downloaded Athen to prayer on my computer i haven't even considered the times next month... my calander says Ramadan starts around the second week of September has it been moved?

Rajaa

Everything online and on my calender says the first of September. Last year it was the second week of September so it would be earlier this year according to the lunar calender.

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-08-02 12:22:00

It will be interesting, lol. I plan to try and prep the Sahur meal the night before so I can minimize the cooking time. I hope to only get up an hour before. Not sure what my husband's plans are. I guess we should go over that. Last year at Ramadan I was over there so we just slept all day and got up a little before sunset to prepare the food. After that we stayed up all night. I was on vacation and he couldn't work so these problems weren't there. We are hoping against hope that he will be approved this month so he can be here for Ramadan. Inshallah it happens (please pray for us). If he does make it then there will be some considerations we will have to think of with me working and him barely arriving here.

I had also hoped we could go to the Iftar meals at the mosque, but my husband's uncle advised him to avoid the mosque and arab community for the first year at least because they worry about him getting caught up in all the problems muslims face here with the government.

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-08-02 00:09:00

QUOTE (mybackpages @ Jul 30 2008, 12:49 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (S and S @ Jul 30 2008, 12:27 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (mybackpages @ Jul 30 2008, 12:12 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

yep same joke here each year! I still ownder what they do in a place like helsinki where it daylight until midnight or so in the summer!

I read something on a fatwa site that if you are in the far north where it stays daylight for much longer than most places then you can adjust your fasting time to what would be normal for more southern regions. They explained that fasting the right way is important but God doesn't want fasting to be such a hardship that your health is effected. Some of the northern places only have daylight for an hour or two during certain times of the year. That would hardly give you time to eat or do anything before fasting would begin again.

I have read that too and that many just follow the times in Saudi Arabia.

I know many immigrants that follow these times rather than their local times once they arrive in the US.

Now that seems like going too far unless you moved to Alaska. The US doesn't have extreme differences from the middle east in how long you fast. Oh well, not my business. I'll just worry about myself. I was in four different places last year during Ramadan including Texas, Oklahoma, Jordan and Syria. I just printed out the correct times for each place in the US and went off the Adhan while in the middle east.

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-07-30 23:11:00

QUOTE (mybackpages @ Jul 30 2008, 12:12 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

yep same joke here each year! I still ownder what they do in a place like helsinki where it daylight until midnight or so in the summer!

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-07-30 12:27:00

If you move to Australia then you can just go into the winter months, lol.

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-07-30 12:24:00

About the intimacy, I came to see my husband three days before Ramadan was over last year. During the day we would hug, but we were careful. We also would hold hands when we went out in Damascus. No Haram police (not literally but figuratively) came and got onto us for it, so holding hands should be fine.

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-07-08 16:54:00

QUOTE (LynnandAhmed @ Jul 8 2008, 01:21 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (bridget @ Jul 7 2008, 10:16 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If I'm reading things right........Ramadan is approx 8 weeks away. Just thought I'd put that here so that if any of you are like me, queen of procrastination, then it's time to start making up any missed fasts. I think I'll do one day a week starting this week.

Also, just curious, is anyone here currently saving to go to Hajj? I had this discussion with my husband about how we've started a savings account for a trip to Egypt inshallah next April but I said to him that I would feel guilty saving for any trips whether they be to see family or to just site see, if we don't at least attempt to save for Hajj.

Just wondering if anyone else is doing something similar. Be kinda cool if there was like a Hajj cd or something that banks offered.

Non-muslims can't go to hajj, right?

That is correct. In fact, Americans (maybe others too I don't know) have to bring a special paper from the mosque stating that they really are muslims. Saudi requires it for them to get a hajj visa. They don't play around about that rule.

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-07-08 01:25:00

QUOTE (sassy1natl @ Jul 7 2008, 08:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Staashi @ Jul 7 2008, 05:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Rajaa_Reda @ Jul 7 2008, 04:49 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I love the Hajj CD idea.... but I am saving to see my husband the last week in September insha'allah.

Saving to see your husband is very important...you can make the Hajj in the future when you are together living under the same roof. Although, I must say it is scary to think what the price of flights and packages will be in the next few years with gas skyrocketing. Already the trips back to my husband's country have doubled in the past year.

There are 3 weddings in my husbands immediate family, in Pakistan, in the next year. Scary. I kind of wish they were together, because we will attend all of them. I am dreading the airfare.

Wow, that is going to be expensive. I hope things go okay for you.

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-07-07 21:01:00

QUOTE (polarbear @ Jul 7 2008, 12:47 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (S and S @ Jul 7 2008, 01:41 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (polarbear @ Jul 7 2008, 12:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Inshalla this will be the first one for my husband and I togther

I hope I can still make it to the mosque frequently this year, but probably not bc of school.

Many mosques do Iftar in the evening on the weekend. Maybe you can go to those

Yeah, my mosque has something every night - I was there almost everynight last year, but that's when I was alone and wasn't a student. It's also really far away.

This year, if I don't have class I plan on going to the mosque. The regulars have become good friends and it was nice to have people to break the fast with and pray. I might also reserve one night a week for me and the hubby to break fast together

That is nice they have Iftar every night! I hope you have chances to go.

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-07-07 13:01:00

QUOTE (polarbear @ Jul 7 2008, 12:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Inshalla this will be the first one for my husband and I togther

I hope I can still make it to the mosque frequently this year, but probably not bc of school.

Many mosques do Iftar in the evening on the weekend. Maybe you can go to those

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-07-07 12:41:00

QUOTE (bridget @ Jul 7 2008, 12:24 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Also, if anyone's gone to Hajj before did you go with your mosque or did you use an outside travel service?

QUOTE (just_Jackie @ Jul 7 2008, 01:23 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Since you can't go to hajj with any existing debt....I doubt I'm ever gonna make it. The car wont be paid off for 4 more years.

jJ
No plans for hajj, but I would love to fly out for eid.

Where does it say you can't go with any existing debt? I've never heard of that one before. If that's the case how does anyone in the US go since just about everyone has a mortgage?

There are specific travel agencies that handle Hajj tour groups. Saudi does not allow individuals to come. They must go in approved groups. Each country has a limit on how many people can come to Saudi each year for Hajj. This means you have to make your reservations really early with the appropriate travel agency.

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-07-07 12:29:00

QUOTE (againstthegrain @ Aug 10 2008, 04:10 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (S and S @ Aug 9 2008, 09:01 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (againstthegrain @ Aug 9 2008, 10:32 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (LuLu @ Aug 9 2008, 07:56 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Try emailing or calling the consulate. It might delay further the interview if you ask for it to be transferred to Damascus from Amman.

Yeah, I already e-mailed them, though I imagine I'll have to wait until Monday or Tuesday for a response. I'm going to see if anyone at the NVC help, considering it has only been 2 weeks since our NOA2. If it will result in much of a delay, we'll probably just arrange to do it in Amman, but it will be a pain.

I'm just worried that she'll lose her residency to Syria by leaving (she already needs monthly extensions, and I believe they don't allow Iraqis back easily once they've left), and if she's unable to get the visa in Jordan quickly, she'd have no other option but to return to Iraq... which would be a disaster.

Plus, traveling to Jordan as a single woman is going to be quite intimidating/uncomfortable for her. She has enough trouble living alone in Damascus...

Its not easy for an Iraqi to get into Jordan. It took my husband three tries so if you go that route, you might start soon and make sure she has some proof of her embassy interview in hand. Women get into Jordan much easier than men so hopefully she will not have many problems. Her being alone could work to her advantage. Its too bad you can't travel with her though. As an American that could help. Do you have that option? I went to Syria twice myself and didn't have any problems. I've been to Jordan too.

Hopefully the Jordanian embassy in Damascus will be helpful and would grant her a visa beforehand. My fiancée's parents traveled from Iraq to Jordan to get their U.S. visas about a month ago, but the first time around they were denied entry into Jordan. They had to reschedule their interview because of it. I'm more concerned about her being denied reentry into Syria, though. We'd be in a very difficult position if she had to leave Jordan and couldn't return to Syria. I guess we'd be moving to live in Irbil together if that happened.

I lived in Syria for 2 years (that's where we met), and I've been to Jordan plenty of times as well. I was planning to go out there and travel back with her, but after she had the visa in hand (was hoping we could also take a little trip to Lebanon together). Not sure if I can hold on to my job if go early for the interview process as well. Might still do it, though. I miss Damascus a lot anyway.

I loved going to souk hamidiya. I let my husband do all the bargaining so we could get the Iraqi price and not the American, lol. I was there for the presidential referendum last year. It was an exciting time though my husband got made at me for saying out loud "I'm so shocked the vote was 99 percent yes, who would have thought". He was always worried we could get in trouble. I was normally careful, but my American sarcasm slipped on that one.

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-08-10 10:27:00

QUOTE (againstthegrain @ Aug 9 2008, 10:32 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (LuLu @ Aug 9 2008, 07:56 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Try emailing or calling the consulate. It might delay further the interview if you ask for it to be transferred to Damascus from Amman.

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-08-09 23:01:00

QUOTE (againstthegrain @ Aug 9 2008, 06:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (S and S @ Aug 9 2008, 04:15 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (againstthegrain @ Aug 9 2008, 06:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Anyone have any idea why an I-129F application which clearly states the fiancée would apply in Damascus, Syria would be forwarded to the U.S. Embassy in Amman, Jordan instead?

We received our NOA2 two weeks ago, and today I got mail from the NVC saying our case was being forwarded to Amman, without an explanation as to why. The I-129F application showed my fiancée (who is Iraqi) resides in Damascus, Syria and the U.S. Embassy in Damascus was where she would apply.

I know other Iraqis have had their fiancée visa applications handled by the U.S. Embassy in Damascus, so I don't believe her nationality is the reason. Some relatives of hers applied for (and were granted) visas at the embassy in Amman in the past, but I don't see why that would matter to her case (or how the NVC would even make that connection).

Or are all visas for the region initially handled by Amman, and then are forwarded on to embassies in Damascus, Beirut, etc.?

I'm quite confused...

That is odd because they refused to transfer my husband's case to Amman even though I switched his address from Damascus to Amman. They kept saying he had to go to Damascus where his original address was and where I filed.

Strange.

I put her address in Mosul, Iraq for question #2 on the I-129F, as that is a more permanent address (her family's), but for questions 15 and 16 for her "address abroad" I put her address in Damascus, and question 20 regarding which embassy she would apply at, I answered Damascus, Syria.

So I have no idea why Jordan would be chosen, unless they only looked at question 2 and didn't examine the rest of the application to see that she currently resides in Syria.

Hopefully they'll be able to clear it up. If she had to travel to Jordan, I'm not sure Syria will permit her to return with all their new visa regulations on Iraqis.

My husband was told by many people at the Syrian embassy in Amman that it isn't much of a problem to cross into Syria from Jordan for Iraqis. They mostly face the border crossing problems when they come from Iraq. Of course the Syrian embassy wouldn't issue him a visa, but this is what they said. We have since stopped the visa process and gone with him coming as a refugee so we ended up not dealing with the appointment altogether. I wish I could give you better advice, but this is what I do know.

Edited by S and S, 09 August 2008 - 08:18 PM.

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-08-09 20:16:00

QUOTE (againstthegrain @ Aug 9 2008, 06:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-08-09 18:15:00

ARAB WORLD FEST

I went to a Arab culture day in San Franscisco about two years ago that wasn't too bad. It was more of an exhibition. There were a lot of booths with various information about different countries. You could buy arabic videos and cds and some of the booths. They had a room where some groups provided entertainment and there was some booths to buy arabic food. I mostly only saw arabs there with just some non-arabs. I thought it was fairly nice though not nearly as big as this Arab Fest Jackie and Terrie went to.

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-08-10 10:43:00

ARAB WORLD FEST

These pics look great. I'm looking forward to seeing more!

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-08-10 10:22:00

ARAB WORLD FEST

That sounds like fun! I wish I was closer

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-08-05 21:12:00

QUOTE (amal @ Aug 5 2008, 11:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

wow s.n.s. u liked it so much u commented twice

My internet is acting horrible. I just spent 10 minutes trying to fix it, but to no avail. I'm only getting about 5 seconds of connection for ever 60 seconds. If I miss that 5 seconds then it is 60 more seconds until I can try again. Sometimes it still doesn't load fast enough so I have to hit refresh the next time. Its been doing this every night around 8pm for the last four days. I really don't understand it.

By the way, I typed this message during my 60 seconds of waiting, lol.

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-08-06 00:10:00

QUOTE (Nawal @ Aug 5 2008, 11:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (amal @ Aug 5 2008, 09:35 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I've learned that no matter how much I care, some people are just buttholes... (true story)

I've learned that it takes years to build up trust, and it only takes suspicion, not proof, to destroy it.

these 2 are my life in action at the moment... but the whole post was hillarious!

Needing laughs today....

In the hospital the relatives gathered in the waiting room, where a family member lay gravely ill. Finally, the doctor came in looking tired and somber.

'I'm afraid I'm the bearer of bad news,' he said as he surveyed the worried faces 'The only hope left for your loved one at this time is a brain transplant. It's an experimental procedure, very risky, but it is the only hope. Insurance will cover the procedure, but you will have to pay for the BRAIN.' The family members sat silent as they absorbed the news.

After a time, someone asked, 'How much will a brain cost?'The doctor quickly responded, '$5,000 for a male brain; $200 for a female brain.' The moment turned awkward. Some of the men actually had to 'try' to not smile, avoiding eye contact with the women.A man unable to control his curiosity, finally blurted out the question everyone wanted to ask, 'Why is the male brain so much more than a female brain?'

The doctor smiled at the childish innocence and explained to the entire group, 'It's just standard pricing procedure. We have to price the female brains a lot lower because they've been used.

Good one! I loved it

QUOTE (Nawal @ Aug 5 2008, 11:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (amal @ Aug 5 2008, 09:35 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Good one! I really needed a good laugh

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-08-05 23:56:00

QUOTE (mybackpages @ Jul 30 2008, 07:45 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (mybackpages @ Jul 30 2008, 03:29 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Maggie724 @ Jul 30 2008, 03:21 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You are EVIL mbp, simply EVIL.

O k homework for the hubbies!!

What?

It's good for his English

and entertainment for me

Hubby had no problem with these and thus no entertainment at his expense

Sometimes they are just no fun!

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-07-30 19:57:00

QUOTE (Maggie724 @ Jul 29 2008, 10:29 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (charlesandnessa @ Jul 29 2008, 08:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (babyeshell @ Jul 29 2008, 09:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Since this IS the thread about nothing......

Has anyone watched "The secret lives of women"? on WE? I am watching one called "Unexpected Love" There is a girl that is 2'4 engaged to a man that is 6'4. There are a lot more stories but it's interesting.

now there is a man who is really nuts over his woman.

I kept reading that as a man who really nuts over his woman and was like what the heck??? Finally added the verb and gave it whole new meaning!

I was reading it that way too thinking something wasn't right, lol

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-07-29 23:25:00

QUOTE (brnidokiegurl @ Jul 29 2008, 08:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

i will apoligize before i post

HEY DIDDLE, DIDDLE the cat took a piddle,
All over the bedside clock.
The little dog laughed to see such fun.
Then died of electric shock.

GEORGIE PORGY Pudding and Pie,
Kissed the girls and made them cry.
And when the boys came out to play,
He kissed them too 'cause he was gay

JACK AND JILL Went up the hill
To have a little fun.
Stupid Jill forgot the pill
And now they have a son

Mary had a little pig,
She kept it fat and plastered;
And when the price of pork went up,
She shot the little #######

I heard that one about Jack and Jill you posted above when I was in elementary school in Oklahoma City. That is so funny you know it too and posted it!

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-07-29 22:37:00

QUOTE (Nagishkaw @ Jul 29 2008, 07:43 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Or the word deposit.

What happens when you cash in? lol

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-07-29 08:36:00

QUOTE (charlesandnessa @ Jul 29 2008, 04:37 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Olivia* @ Jul 29 2008, 03:17 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

A pocket where money is keep by modern day prostitutes is currently referred to as a snatch.

brings new meaning to packing it........

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-07-29 07:37:00

QUOTE (amal @ Jul 28 2008, 10:59 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

and speaking of pockets...how did lucy locket actually LOSE her pocket? was it not sewn to her outfit? I haven't dropped a pocket any time recently...i never did get that

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-07-28 23:07:00

QUOTE (amal @ Jul 28 2008, 10:54 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

where IS the peck of pickled peppers that peter piper picked???

I refuse to answer that, lol, I'll leave it to someone else

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-07-28 22:55:00

QUOTE (amal @ Jul 28 2008, 10:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

if you're thinking about nothing...then technically you're thinking about "something" even if its nothing..... but it doesn't go the other way.. u can't think about something and technically be thinking about nothing..nope, that just doesn't work....

i need to go lay down after that...

lol, sometimes something really is nothing............ I think, uh, Amal, you are confusing me now, lol

Stop looking at weird pictures and seeing things that aren't there. Its messing you up and now me

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-07-28 22:51:00

QUOTE (Maggie724 @ Jul 28 2008, 09:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (brnidokiegurl @ Jul 28 2008, 07:33 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

true its been kinda a nothing day

Maybe we can find something to nothing about on Tuesday.

I'll be thinking about nothing and maybe i can think of something!

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-07-28 22:06:00

QUOTE (Maggie724 @ Jul 27 2008, 08:30 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Virtual wife @ Jul 27 2008, 06:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Too much sadness lately, but at least we have each other.

Yes and so I want to say I love you all,

even the trouble makers

(you keep life interesting

)

I swear I am innocent of anything someone said about me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I love you too

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-07-28 21:38:00

QUOTE (julianna @ Jul 27 2008, 01:46 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (charlesandnessa @ Jul 27 2008, 12:45 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (julianna @ Jul 27 2008, 01:43 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (charlesandnessa @ Jul 27 2008, 12:41 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You also chicken out of waxing your legs and whatnot? I thought you'd be braver!

they don't make enough wax for that

I threaten to wax Ammar's beard when he laughs at me because of it. One time he said "OK" and strangely, since then, he has never let me get near him with the wax strips...

I've threatened my husband with wax too! He always wants me to do it, but has no idea how it feels. I waxed just about everything you can wax while experimenting, but I finally found some areas take too long and a razor or nair is just easier. Now the little waxing I do is just a couple specific places. I swear one of these days I will get my husband, even if its just his arm or leg, lol. Men should appreciate how we torture ourselves for them!

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-07-27 14:57:00