biggish data

Sunday

QUOTE (Olivia* @ Aug 3 2008, 12:49 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

5.5 hours later I have been to a doctor and have really medicine for my double ear infections.

Oh, I'm so sorry you were dealing with that pain. I hope the medicine makes you feel better soon. That is really awful, double ear infections! Make sure you take care of yourself.

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-08-03 12:50:00

Sunday

QUOTE (terrie @ Aug 3 2008, 11:55 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I wish sunday were longer too!!!! Seems like so much to finish doing and so little time. Friday night i decided against the poker run, so after i picked Kamal up at work, we came home sat on the couch. After a while i saw the cat and then the dog chasing something which turned out to be a mouse. EEEEEEEEKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so scared of mice. kamal got up and got in on the chase and who knows where the dirty little buger went too. He thought it went into the bedroom, and the dog and cat thought otherwise. I froze on the couch for over an hour. I couldn't move to go to the bathroom or anything. So we have to lay traps and poison today. ew. I didn't put in for mice. This is a first in my house. And i'm not liking it at all!!!!!! And he wants to go swimming down at the quarry and have a picnic so we may do that later too. We'll have to see.

Its so strange, but I'm not really afraid of mice. The only exception being when one of my cats caught and killed one and then actually tossed it right at me from her mouth! I jumped up and screamed, lol. I didn't know if it was dead or alive at that moment. After investigating where it fell I saw it was dead so I just took some tissue and tossed it in the garbage.

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-08-03 12:01:00

Did your MENA man want to move

QUOTE (Olivia* @ Aug 3 2008, 09:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I just want to live somewhere where I have at least five acres of land around my house and a big electric fence. I want TiVo, and a home theater system, internet access, a cell phone, an great big art studio to do whatever I wanted, maybe two horses outback I feed and water and brush in the mornings, a flower garden with all kinds of roses, and a vegtable garden I take care of everyday, and some dogs and cats. I'd like lots of trees for shade and maybe a pond somewhere, and lots of wild natural green around, and peace and quiet where I don't ever have to see anyone, besides my Husband, if I don't want to.

I love your version! Unfortunately, my husband would never go for it, lol. I'm hoping for a compromise like the suburbs.

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-08-03 21:55:00

Happy Tuesday MENA!!

I love wind and rain during the summer! No idea why, but I love it especially if there is thunder and lightening.

I hope everyone's day goes well

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-08-05 07:58:00

HAPPY WEDNESDAY MENA

QUOTE (just_Jackie @ Aug 6 2008, 06:47 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Happy Wednesday!

Here's charles! riding into MENA Camel Hump Day

Ha, ha ha, nice pic! He looks great, the camel I mean, not Charles

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-08-06 07:17:00

QUOTE (Hanging in there @ Aug 6 2008, 06:45 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (S and S @ Aug 6 2008, 07:13 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Hanging in there @ Aug 6 2008, 06:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (S and S @ Aug 6 2008, 06:53 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (terrie @ Aug 6 2008, 05:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Henia @ Aug 6 2008, 02:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I wish they had these free samples or hospital give aways here LOL! If I can't breastfeed then we are flat broke!

Have you tried appling for WIC- women, infants and children. its for low to moderate income people and it helps with formula and such for the baby when they are born, and for the mother while pregnant while she is pregnant and nursing. milk, cheese, eggs, stuff like that.

Terrie, she is not having the baby in the United States. Thats the problem. She isn't in a country that has those programs.

I got the box S and S. I love the little swaddling cloth and I was so excited when I saw the diapers and bottles. Thank you from the bottom of my heart S and S.... I am really appreciative.

Oh good, I was hoping you got it okay. I saw on the website that they left it on your door. I forgot to ask for the signature requirement, but I guess it worked out. I'm not a big fan of swaddling myself, but the one I sent you seemed like you could keep it as loose or tight as you want and so not as bad. Glad you like everything. I enjoyed picking it all out!

I need to start seperating things. Is Henia having a boy or a girl? We need to really think about her. I feel very spoiled now LOL . We need to share the baby love\\

My baby will be so park avenue between all the onsies and your fancy bottles , s and s. Between you and Kelly baby is a hip baby. Thank you Thank you Thank you

I will be happy to help in whatever way I can. What were you thinking of?

As for the bottles, honestly I don't know what is fancy or not. I haven't been around babies in years. My friends and family have had babies, but I am never around for it due to my job. As a teenager I took care of so many of them, but I never paid attention to what products the parents had. I just knew how to use them. When I shop for baby things I just go for what looks nice and practical. Those bottles seemed like they were good and I was able to get you the extra nipples in different sizes which looked good. Thats all I knew. Personally, I thought the recieving blankets were too cute, lol.

God willing, my husband will be here soon and I can start having my own babies. I am sure I will be asking for advice on what works and what is best. After too many years of not being around children beyond short visits to friends and family, my knowledge has definitely lessened in that department.

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-08-07 00:22:00

QUOTE (Hanging in there @ Aug 6 2008, 06:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (S and S @ Aug 6 2008, 06:53 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (terrie @ Aug 6 2008, 05:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Henia @ Aug 6 2008, 02:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I wish they had these free samples or hospital give aways here LOL! If I can't breastfeed then we are flat broke!

Terrie, she is not having the baby in the United States. Thats the problem. She isn't in a country that has those programs.

I got the box S and S. I love the little swaddling cloth and I was so excited when I saw the diapers and bottles. Thank you from the bottom of my heart S and S.... I am really appreciative.

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-08-06 18:13:00

QUOTE (terrie @ Aug 6 2008, 05:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Henia @ Aug 6 2008, 02:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I wish they had these free samples or hospital give aways here LOL! If I can't breastfeed then we are flat broke!

Terrie, she is not having the baby in the United States. Thats the problem. She isn't in a country that has those programs.

Edited by S and S, 06 August 2008 - 05:54 PM.

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-08-06 17:53:00

QUOTE (Staashi @ Aug 6 2008, 07:18 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Henia @ Aug 6 2008, 08:09 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (just_Jackie @ Aug 6 2008, 08:03 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Well now I'm curious...what napkin?

jJ

Paper or cloth napkin. The tradition here is that the new mother is waited on hand and foot for 40 days, in which she is comfined to the house with the new baby. So no going out! But after 7 days of the new baby's birth ... there is a party called Sab'aa (7) basically lavish tea party. Where they do henna for the mother and baby, wrap/bind the baby and some BS with candles ... the mother is served, thus the napkin in the lap ... since she is so so sooo weak from childbirth that she cannot even put a napkin in her lap LOLOLOL! Real stupid I think ... basically gossip fest with the evil eyes

all around!

One of my closest friends is Haitian, and for 6 weeks after giving birth you cannot shower or bathe - only sponge baths - can't leave the house either. The baby can't leave the house for almost 3 months. Also, for many weeks, they make the new mother sit on a steaming hot tub of boiling water with leaves and herbs to help her tighten up "down there". When she told me this I thought that she was lying until she gave birth and I had to witness her stress the whole time. She sighed and said..."it's my mother and her culture."
I told her that if I couldn't take a bath for 6 weeks I would be killing someone.

oh, wow, that would be really crazy. I mean aren't you still a mess from giving childbirth? A sponge really isn't enough.

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-08-06 07:21:00

QUOTE (Henia @ Aug 6 2008, 07:09 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (just_Jackie @ Aug 6 2008, 08:03 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Well now I'm curious...what napkin?

jJ

all around!

lol, that is interesting, but I think I would want to miss that opportunity too. Its nice to be helped, but to not even leave the house for 40 days? Too much for me. I guess to each his own, lol.

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-08-06 07:12:00

QUOTE (Henia @ Aug 6 2008, 06:59 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Message for Hanging in There: Just a quick funny note, good thing you having your baby there. Well for many reasons obviously but one coming to mind right now is you will have to have a sab'aa! LOL! Lucky you no one to lay a napkin in your weak lap! LOL! Stupid tradition! I am not looking forward to this at all!

What is that? I haven't heard of it.

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-08-06 07:07:00

QUOTE (Hanging in there @ Aug 3 2008, 09:53 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (S and S @ Aug 2 2008, 08:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Okay, I went shopping and bought some things. I can't send them until Monday as my preffered package place was closed when I got there. Here is what I got:

2 packs of diapers (Newborn and size 1)
2 Bottles (4 oz and 9 oz)
2 Binkies
2 Pacifiers (for when the baby is over 3 months)
Gift set with Baby shampoo, baby wash, baby lotion, Desitin Cream for diaper rash and safety swabs
1 regular warm baby blanket
4 recieving blankets
1 fitted crib sheet
4 burp cloths

I went a little crazy, but I swear I love to buy baby stuff. I knew you could use it all anyway.

Thank you so much. You guys are the only way I have gotten through this. I am really appreciative of everything. In the last couple of days I have had so much pain in my feet and hands and I have felt so much relief that the baby will have alot of the stuff he needs when he gets here. This has taken loads of stress off me, you have no idea. My husband finally made 2 more applications for jobs 2 days ago but still no work and no job

Your welcome! I sent the package today. They said you should get it Wednesday.

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-08-04 17:39:00

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-08-02 20:18:00

I'll be going out this weekend to see what I can find. I'll report back what I decide on so we can all keep track of what were sending.

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-08-01 22:45:00

QUOTE (julianna @ Aug 10 2008, 12:14 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (S and S @ Aug 9 2008, 10:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

My grandmother was given an offer to train for the olympics in swimming. Her father refused saying that well brought up women do not go to the "olympics". Of course this was back in the 1940s. She never could let that one go. She forced my father into swimming at a young age. He inherited her ability, but his heart wasn't in it. As soon as he turned 18 he left swimming for good (he was the top swimmer at his high school). Unfortunately that meant when me and my brother were born, my father refused to even teach us how to swim. We both got his natural ability so we tought ourselves in apartment pools, but we never got the chance to find out how much potential we had. My grandmother took us aside one time without my father's knowledge and tought us some basic strokes. It came in handy for a swim comptetition I did in summer camp. I've had a few other chances to race for fun and did well, but I'm too old now for it to matter.

What do I do? I marry a muslim so now my daughters will definitely not get to see if they have the ability. Maybe my future sons will though. I love swimming so much. I think I got the competitiveness from my grandmother. She never quit swimming all the way up until she passed away at 65 years old.

You know, there are all-girls pools

I know there is the whole awrah issue, but they make suits that cover it which wouldn't slow down a competitive edge too much. I think some of the newer top suits are actually full-coverage!

ETA: I love swimming too. My grandmother did cometitive swimming and gymnastics. Ammar has asked me if we can buy one of those big free-standing pools and bring it to his village and have me teach the kids to swim. I can do that. I think, IMO, it's a basic safety issue. We're talking elementary kids of course-- teaching them to float, hold their breath, tread water, and all that kind fo thing. They won't be the best swimmers, but they would far beat out anyone else in that area if they were ever in one of those terrible boats at Aqaba which sink.

Wow, that is so cool we both had active grandmothers. My grandmother also did figure skating, but after breaking an ankle she gave up on that one.

As for the pool idea, I think that is really great. I wish I could join you in teaching them. Everyone should know the basics of how to swim. It is a safety issue and it is just good excercise.

I will be looking for women's pools and various ideas for how to dress conservatively while swimming in public. It would be too hard for me to give up. I think losing swimming would be close to losing an arm. I love it too much. Its killed me to not swim all summer, but my apartments don't have a pool and I haven't had the time anyway.

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-08-10 00:25:00

QUOTE (Olivia* @ Aug 10 2008, 12:07 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (S and S @ Aug 9 2008, 10:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (julianna @ Aug 9 2008, 11:46 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Olivia* @ Aug 9 2008, 10:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Remember when the Olympics started and they were all nude males?

Well, not personally... LOL! but yeah

Yeah, but it is amazing that those girls are running at all considering how "inappropriate" it is for them int heir home countries.

Maybe things will be different then expected.

I hope so. I would hate for the next generation to go to waste. I have the swimmers build so I'm sure at least one of my kids will get it too. My husband doesn't swim so he can't understand my love of the water. I told him he is doomed if we are near water, lol. I'll outswim him even if I'm in full clothing and shoes (yeah, I've done that, lol). He gets nervous when i say that. He thinks I would just take off in the ocean and leave him. I wouldn't do that, but I might mess with him and let him think I would.

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-08-10 00:13:00

QUOTE (julianna @ Aug 9 2008, 11:46 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Olivia* @ Aug 9 2008, 10:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Remember when the Olympics started and they were all nude males?

Well, not personally... LOL! but yeah

Yeah, but it is amazing that those girls are running at all considering how "inappropriate" it is for them int heir home countries.

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-08-09 23:52:00

QUOTE (julianna @ Aug 9 2008, 11:35 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I like diving, swimming, gymnastics, and some of the track. I always wondered if the track girls feel naked in their track suits the firt time they wear one (which would likely be a long time before this olympics, but...) As a swimmer, you have this one-piece and also you're in the water. I think I would feel really exposed on that track lol.

lol, the women's volleyball team is wearing bakinis. I kept thinking I would be so embarrassed to wear that little of clothing on international tv and with all the spectators. It is volleyball though so they are used to playing with crowds around. It just wouldn't be something I could do, lol.

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-08-09 23:38:00

QUOTE (charles! @ Aug 9 2008, 01:51 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

i already participated in the olympics today - i got my pole saw (a chainsaw blade on a 10 pole with a weedeater motor at the other end) stuck in a tree about 20''off the ground. yes, i was standing on a ladder at the time. it took 2 chains, some rope, a regular pole saw, and a tractor to get it out of the tree (by pulling down the branch with the tractor).

We should start a MENA olympics. Charles, you've got the first sport lined up already, lol.

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-08-09 14:18:00

QUOTE (Olivia* @ Aug 9 2008, 12:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I'm missing the Olympics. I tried to watch it online but I need windows vista.

Youtube is already showing some things if you search around. Sorry you can't catch anything on tv, that sucks.

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-08-09 13:35:00

QUOTE (milo75 @ Aug 9 2008, 11:31 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I watched the opening ceremony last night too and was happy to see that some Iraqi athletes will be able to compete. The commentators had explained why the team was disqualified and then requalifed. I think it was a good move on the Olympics part to allow them back in....

Not really on topic - but some of those outfits??? seriously, #######? Did you check out Hungary's womens' essemble? They looked like bizarre floral flight attendents!

I was definitely like a fashion show for that opening ceremony, lol. I thought some of the outfits were rather colorful!

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-08-09 11:50:00

Also, for those of you interested in the Morroccan athletes, they have a female runner on their olympic team who won a silver medal in Athens. She is hoping to get the gold at these games. Her name is Hasna Benhassi.

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-08-09 10:38:00

I watched the replay of the opening ceremony last night. It was really long, but I was impressed with the performances China put on. They really did a great job. It was interesting to watch each countries athletes pass by. Iraq got some cheering when they entered though they only have two athletes competing. I was shocked to see Jordan has 7 athletes and four of them are women! The news commentator said it was suprising for an arab country to have more women competing than men.

I love to watching the swimming and gymnastics more than anything. What do you MENA gals prefer to watch or are you not interested?

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-08-09 10:31:00

Does your muslim husband mind if you drink?

My husband doesn't drink and neither do I. In the past I would occassionally have a couple drinks, but my husband asked me to even stop that in the same month we started talking to each other. Since I didn't care about alchohol I gave it up right then and haven't had any since. I think the only thing I miss is an occassional glass of wine.

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-08-04 23:33:00

CoNgRaTuLaTiOnS NUTTY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

MABROOK for you both!!! That is such great news

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-04-21 15:19:00

QUOTE (Henia @ Aug 10 2008, 12:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Ye SandS buying any underwear in MENA is tricky. All male salepeople, not many places to try them on and everything is in Chinese "mini" sizes ... I remember this last time I bought undies and the size said on there XXXXXXL #######! They were like American size 8 ... way too many Xs for me ... I felt sooooo fat! But countries like Morocco and Egypt are great .... so many sizes from very small to very big! Unlike here where everything is STANDARD! Uffff!

But buying bras are worse since not only not many sizes buuuuuuut the ones they have are so cheap quality. Even the nicer frilly looking ones are #######! I was happy to see they opened a La Perle in Alger ... but LOL way too expensive! Personally, I save up my money and ask people to buy/send me some from the States. Yet to find anyone that ships here!

That would be a drawback to living in Algeria. Jordan did have some stores in Mecca Mall I felt comfortable buying underclothes in and the quality was just as good as in the US. Unfortunately, their prices are about the same as the US and sometimes more expensive.

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-08-10 12:16:00

My husband started to hang my underwear on the balcony and I wouldn't let him. There was a room with nothing in it that they had clothes line ran accross it. I put my underwear on that.

I couldn't buy underwear in the middle east. There was no way I was dealing with a man to buy my underclothes. Luckily I stocked up on Victorias Secret before I came so it wasn't an issue.

Has anyone else noticed most Victorias Secret underwear is made in either Israel or Jordan?

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-08-10 11:05:00

It should be an interesting time for you Julianna. You will have to keep us updated when they come!

I'm off to bed now. This internet connection is really driving me crazy. I hope you guys have good night.

Edited by S and S, 10 August 2008 - 12:49 AM.

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-08-10 00:49:00

QUOTE (julianna @ Aug 10 2008, 12:08 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

OK! So on to the "sleeping with the inlaws" saga. So, I suggested the whole reason why I wanted it the way I wanted it was becausse it was more privacy for everyone and less disturbance, and he just laughed and didn't answer. later on, he said "we'll see when they get here." They aren't much for planning ahead, are they? I think because the girls do this sort of thing in his family, he doesn't realize that there is planning actually involved with making sure you have the right number of towels, supplies, beds made, etc.

Anyway, I am going to wait a bit, maybe until after we do a second round of applications. Then I am going to try again. I may just start speaking about it like it's fact LOL. The weird part is he basically wants to create a mini-Jordan for them over here. I don't understand why it is they can't try new foods, or can't sleep in the same room, or can't use a brand they don't recognize, drive in a different place in the car, or any of that.... yet... when you go over tehre they expect you to do things their way fully realizing you are not doing anything your way. I was talking to him about how they should flush their toilet paper and he just couldn't see why they should. I tried telling him they should pull the shower curtain shut and not water our floor and he said "we'll see." Maybe, if they come over and cause 10k of damage to the walls and such, next time he'll change his mind

I would love to know why it always has to be their way regardless of the country they are in. If they come here, then they should do things our way. If we are there, then we do it their way. Simple.

My husband's family had a shower curtain in their bathroom in Jordan. I assume they used it since I didn't notice any extra water on the floor while I was there. They had toilet paper too and I didn't notice it going any other place. I know my husband doesn't use it and prefers water, but I assume they had it because some of them use it. Then again, they may have done that for me, I don't know. They are really good at knowing how people in the west do things because his father used to do a lot of traveling for business prior to the 1st Gulf War and sanctions.

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-08-10 00:20:00

QUOTE (Olivia* @ Aug 10 2008, 12:01 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (S and S @ Aug 9 2008, 10:56 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That is so exciting. I'm happy for you to get the opportunity. It will be a great experience for you. Hopefully your husband could go though I know its doubtful.

Well lets hope! We're going to see if he can come too since there are no ties binding him and some of those areas are scary to travel in.

Inshallah he will be able to come. That would be so great for you guys.

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-08-10 00:02:00

QUOTE (Olivia* @ Aug 9 2008, 11:49 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Nawal @ Aug 9 2008, 10:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Olivia* @ Aug 9 2008, 09:35 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

My friend was just joking to me about my online support group for immigration calling us I.A. for Immigration Anonymous.

Coz she doesn't know all who I talk to online.

So true though...

documentary? do tell

I was telling the Africa group about it. The UN sponsors a group of ppl who go around Africa to tribe and teaches them to group potato's, ect. This is a Documentary about it and two producers approached me to participate in the crew. I don't have all the details but some of them. It takes place next year will I'm in Africa after graduation. They are going to places like Darfur and the Congo. The production company has been in business for ten years so it sounds legit and they like me coz of my work with the Borah Foundation, and the degree in radio/tv/digital media production and my short film on "The Untold Stories of Rape", and my minor in International and Foreign Affairs. They know I'm going to Egypt after school and they know Waleed is a Doctor and a Muslim familiar with some of the customs and language in some of the regions we travel in and they said if he is able to that he is welcome to come as our Doctor escort. I hope it all pans out.

That is so exciting. I'm happy for you to get the opportunity. It will be a great experience for you. Hopefully your husband could go though I know its doubtful.

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-08-09 23:56:00

QUOTE (Olivia* @ Aug 9 2008, 11:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It's a vegtable curry one and man it was good. Even Mom was saying how good it was salivating over it. I love curry!

I am really looking forward to learning to cook egyptian foods from Waleed's Mom and sisters when I go to live there after gradution. If I have time before the documentary in Africa.

By the time I get done with the recipe, it will be a vegetable and chicken curry, lol. I am always modifying things to the way I want them. I will let you know how it works out though. I just have to have meat for all the running I do. Otherwise I get weak and dizzy. Its weird. I had a friend who was trying so hard to be a strict vegetarian, but she was running every day so she couldn't cut it out completely or it messed her up. I think she cut it down to every other day, but I couldn't do that.

Love the comment about I.A. Thats a good one. We should call ourselves that from now on.

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-08-09 23:42:00

Olivia, I am so sorry about your keys. I hope you find them. I know I keep important things on mine I wouldn't want to lose (okay, their store discount cards but that saves me money). Just remember it is always in the last place you look! Let us know if you find them.

Julianna, that sucks they don't give you a break. I really feel for you and the fact your husband has to walk. Hopefully your car will get fixed soon.

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-07-30 00:36:00

QUOTE (julianna @ Jul 29 2008, 10:36 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

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

maybe someone could give him a ride home? 5 miles in the dark is a long long walk... I hope the road isn't too dangerous. I'm scared for him already.

Well, he refuses to ask for a ride

That's the fun part!

I hope he makes it home safe. It is too bad you can't get an extra long break just to pick him up and drive him home

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-07-29 22:42:00

QUOTE (Olivia* @ Jul 29 2008, 09:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I haz a sad today.

That is so cute!!!!!

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-07-29 21:45:00

QUOTE (amal @ Jul 29 2008, 07:13 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (just_Jackie @ Jul 29 2008, 07:05 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

you'll put the chicken boobies into breading, but wont stick anything up its bootie?

jJ

there's just something about stickin stuff up a chickens @$$ that seems wrong.... i can't do it

lol, I have to clean the inside of the chicken or I couldn't eat it, that means putting my hands in there!

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-07-29 19:24:00

Good morning everyone! Good to see the movie list out.

Kelly, I hope your sunburn heals quickly. That must really suck!

Jackie, I second what you said about that murderer. He deserves no leniency. Sometimes you just have to live with your decisions and this is definitely one of those times.

As for me, I gotta get some coffee. Its going to be a long day at work

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-07-29 07:43:00

Finding a job once they get to the U.S

QUOTE (Staashi @ Jul 30 2008, 12:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (S and S @ Jul 30 2008, 01:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The nursing idea may be a good option though we will need to get his college transcript evaluated.

Thanks to all of you for the advice. Every little bit helps in getting ideas of what course of action to take and prepare for when he comes.

This company - J.A. Silny in Miami, Florida is a leader at evaluating transcripts. Why don't you have them do it now, before he gets here. They did my husband's. It is not cheap, but it is worth it. Here is their website: http://www.jsilny.com/

Good luck!

I checked out the site. I will be sure to keep that in mind. It says something about providing originals of his transcript (which is in english). I'm not sure if I could get that before he comes here and it isn't easy to get another copy from Iraq right now. Everything takes money and months of waiting. His passport took 8 months after he put in the paperwork. When he finally got it, they mispelled his name. I told him to not even think of sending it back to get fixed. The Iraqi embassy in Jordan is one of the slowest for getting passports out of Iraq. We will just wait until he gets here and have it changed at the Iraqi embassy in DC. For now he can still use his old passport if necessary.

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-07-30 23:15:00

Finding a job once they get to the U.S

QUOTE (polarbear @ Jul 30 2008, 07:01 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Carolyn @ Jul 30 2008, 04:34 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

S and S,
Could your husband get a certificate as a Nursing Assistant? I know it's a HUGE step down from being a doctor, but usually the certification only takes a few weeks, and entry-level jobs often pay very well. I have a friend who is working as a NA in the Emergency Room at a major hospital downtown--fabulous exposure to the American way of doing things in hospitals! Her starting pay was over $16 an hour. One of the reasons why they hired her was for her language skills (she is fluent in Spanish, but I know there is a great need for people who speak other languages as well).

I have a friend who is thinking about doing that or nursing school, but right now works in the emergency room doing paperwork or something like that. She still has contact with patients and is around the hospital and is learning a lot of the policy and paperwork side of it. She went from a banker to this and is a hijabi (no prejudice so far) and so it seems like it's doable for your husband S and S. If they would hire her with no medical experience, no college degree (although she is in comunity college), and is obviously muslim in a Jewish majority city... mayby he has a shot. His english would have to be pretty good, but they need people who speak other languages in the emergency rooms.

Any hospital job would be a start and give him exposure to the American way of medical care and maby even some conections that might come in handy.

The nursing idea may be a good option though we will need to get his college transcript evaluated. I think at the very least he could use a American medical ethics class since we do things differently over here. He will need to know those things for his medical licensing test anyway. I am working on convincing him a college class or two isn't a bad thing. He just worries about the cost. My husband's english is very good, especially in medical terminology, but also in every day talk. He may have to get used to some of the accents here that he is not used to, but other than that I think he will be fine.

Hopefully you are right and it shouldn't be too hard for him to get some kind of job in the hospital in the meantime. I purposely picked an apartment only a mile from the hospital and then they built a new one and now it is much further

There are buses he can take to get there though.

Thanks to all of you for the advice. Every little bit helps in getting ideas of what course of action to take and prepare for when he comes.

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-07-30 12:09:00