ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
Middle East and North AfricaMENA diet/exercise thread
QUOTE (julianna @ Jul 24 2008, 09:14 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Jenn! @ Jul 24 2008, 08:47 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
All my pants are 12s, and they're all way too big. Some of them won't even stay up at all, they just slide right down. Yes, I'm gonna have to buy new work clothes too. My tops are pretty much fine, but I need all new pants. Little by little...

I did a lot of cardio today, so tomorrow will be a good time to do planks.


Oh yeah, that's a huge difference! So this means you've met your size goal, right? or are you still going to try for the extra weight to come off? I think I remember you're shaped differently than me, but I was gong to say if you keep going on the weight loss, size 4-8 isn't that different as you can wear the same pants and your hips' width should keep them up.. unless you don't have that particular curve going on. you'll definately need new pants, but your clothes won't fall off as much as from a 12 to an 8.


QUOTE (S and S @ Jul 24 2008, 08:59 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hmmm, i never come in this thread. I don't have goals to lose weight, but I really enjoy reading the ideas you all have. I run a couple times a week and do some push-ups, sit-ups, weights sometimes. It helps me have more energy and keep my muscles more toned. I have been trying to stick to more water because sodas definitely make me feel more bloated and make running more difficult. I naturally don't eat big meals. I am the slowest eater I have ever met and eat less than most people though I love to snack throughout the day (which makes up for the smaller meals). Lately I have been avoiding processed foods as much or canned vegetables. I try to use fresh vegetables (or else frozen if I must) and I cook meat in healthier ways. I do all these things just to feel better and it does help when I stick with it.

non-processed frozen vegetables are often more healthy than fresh in the grovery store-- unless you're growing your own or getting from a farmer's market. Fresh in teh store are picked before they are ripe and are stored in O2-free trucks for shipping.. and are pretty old by the time they get to you comparitively, and lack a lot of nutrients they would have gotten if they were ripe when picked. Frozen is often picked actually ripe and then frozen within a day or two of harvest so it's much more nutritious.


Thanks Jackie, I appreciate the advice about the vegetables. I had no idea!
S and SFemaleIraq2008-07-24 21:52:00
Middle East and North AfricaMENA diet/exercise thread
Hmmm, i never come in this thread. I don't have goals to lose weight, but I really enjoy reading the ideas you all have. I run a couple times a week and do some push-ups, sit-ups, weights sometimes. It helps me have more energy and keep my muscles more toned. I have been trying to stick to more water because sodas definitely make me feel more bloated and make running more difficult. I naturally don't eat big meals. I am the slowest eater I have ever met and eat less than most people though I love to snack throughout the day (which makes up for the smaller meals). Lately I have been avoiding processed foods as much or canned vegetables. I try to use fresh vegetables (or else frozen if I must) and I cook meat in healthier ways. I do all these things just to feel better and it does help when I stick with it.
S and SFemaleIraq2008-07-24 20:59:00
Middle East and North AfricaYeah
As I read through other posts I have missed in my absence, I'm beginning to see that, lol. Guess it adds some spontaneity to the site!
S and SFemaleIraq2009-09-11 01:45:00
Middle East and North AfricaYeah
I thought I had some some threads that make no sense, but this makes one of the top in my list, lol. Gave me a good laugh though!
S and SFemaleIraq2009-09-11 01:41:00
Middle East and North AfricaHaven't been on here in awhile
QUOTE (Nawal @ Sep 11 2009, 02:50 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Eat pigeon... rofl.gif that's a joke...(Egyptian aphrodisiac)



lol, gotta love the different pieces of advice people think to give
S and SFemaleIraq2009-09-11 09:34:00
Middle East and North AfricaHaven't been on here in awhile
QUOTE (Nawal @ Sep 11 2009, 01:58 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Awww! Well I wish you the best and I hope that when its time, you at least have a semester break inbtw! devil.gif J/K In all seriousness, I pray that it will come in the best time for both of you and not at the rate I'm sure he's teasing you about!! Have twins...it's easier and then you're done! kicking.gif devil.gif

My hubby is really enjoying his job. He's working in a financial company processing production work for clients. He basically is a site customer service person who watches a job from beginning to end until its filed electronically and communicates with clients until its complete. Cushy job...lucky duck!

You're joke about babies reminded me. I was at Target the other day looking at baby clothes for my cousins children who are staying with us right now. My hubby came walking up to me from another area in the store and said, "What's up?" as he was seeing me shuffle thru infant clothing. I held up a cute little premmie outfit (her baby is only 3 wks) and I said, "For the baby, what do you think?" He looked so confused and stepped back w/ his hand on his mouth and very pale, his voice was so low "Annie, what baby?!" I said, "Maliah, honey, why?" He could hardly talk, he thought I was trying to tell him I was pregnant. OMG...I swear if you could have caught that reaction on video; I'd be rich!!! tongue.gif PRICELESS! Needless to say, twins were our cure for "wanting a soccer team" of kids! rofl.gif


lol, you made me laugh about the twins, my husband believes we must have multiple sets of twins in order to meet his number of kids he wants which of course causes more horrified looks from me. I'm sure his numbers will adjust as we start to have children.

Sounds like your husband isn't too excited to have more right away, lol. Glad he found such a great job, maybe it was worth waiting for the right one.

As for actually getting pregnant now would be a great time as that would put the delivery during the summer break. We can hope, but you know how that goes. Never can tell when that magical time will come.
S and SFemaleIraq2009-09-11 02:23:00
Middle East and North AfricaHaven't been on here in awhile
Nawal heart.gif heart.gif heart.gif I have missed chatting with you and your posts. Just got done looking at the thread on mixed religion marriages, interesting posts in there, lol. Glad you are doing well and hope your hubby's job is good. Does he enjoy it? What is he doing?

I love to follow how things are going with you and your twins. We are hoping I get pregnant soon. Haven't ever tried to prevent it, but I'm kind of glad I didn't get pregnant right away because it gives me more time to focus on school. I'm counted as a Junior after they added up all my college hours. Looks like I'll make it through this school year without stresses of motherhood, lol, though I still look forward to it. I see age 30 looming next year and really want that experience and know my husband would like to have many kids (our ideas of a number vary, his being much larger than mine, but I think he is just messing with me because of the horrified looks I get on my face when he throws out big numbers). That is funny about your house. We just moved into an apartment and I decided to do away with the glass tables in the living room. I told my husband that if we have kids anytime soon it will not be practical anyway, lol.

QUOTE (TamaraLovesAdam @ Sep 10 2009, 11:59 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (S and S @ Sep 10 2009, 11:24 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (TamaraLovesAdam @ Sep 10 2009, 11:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Good to see you back here! Welcome back


Thanks, how are things with you? I'm so behind, lol.


All is well. Adam & I moved to Houston, Texas to be near my family. I think we made a great decision. The jobs are better, its great to be near the family, Im getting 2-3 days off a week and 40 hours!!! Im loving it! Adam is liking Texas alot too.


Thats great your have moved closer to your family. I know it helps us that we have my family to rely on now that we moved back to Oklahoma. Sometimes I wish we had moved to Texas instead though because the job situation here in Oklahoma is really not good. Glad Adam likes Texas too, that is important when adjusting!
S and SFemaleIraq2009-09-11 01:25:00
Middle East and North AfricaHaven't been on here in awhile
QUOTE (TamaraLovesAdam @ Sep 10 2009, 11:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Good to see you back here! Welcome back


Thanks, how are things with you? I'm so behind, lol.
S and SFemaleIraq2009-09-10 23:24:00
Middle East and North AfricaHaven't been on here in awhile
Finally decided to come on here last night. So much has been going on that I didn't get around to it for months now, lol. I started school at OU this fall. I'm loving being a student and the University atmosphere. I have taken night classes before while working, but its so much nicer to just study and not be working. Thankfully I can collect unemployment for awhile and I'm getting paid a monthly stipend while in school so we can manage it. Still hasn't been easy as my husband just finally started a job a few weeks ago. He applied at every place we could think of with no luck. He applied for any position at the local hospitals and transfered his CNA license to Oklahoma but no one ever called back including some nursing homes he applied at. He put applications at Walmart, Best Buy, stores at the mall, 7-eleven, and even telemarketing, but nothing worked out. Finally the Imam at the mosque made some phone calls to one of the other members of the mosque and got him a job at Ihop. Not the greatest, but it is better than nothing. We couldn't keep going on financially without getting some more income. We hope this will at least give him some experience to start so he can get something better later. At least they don't serve alcohol so the only thing is he had to learn what all the pork products are, lol. He is getting the hang of things and many customers already like him as their waiter. The manager is from Pakistan and really sympathetic. He felt bad that my husband was a med school graduate and reduced to working at a restaurant though there was no choice.

I can't believe he has been here nine months now. Most of the time we are really happy with each other, but there are definitely times that cultures/ideas clash. Slowly you learn to work through it and know which topics are just better off not being discussed, lol. We have had to learn to make compromises and try to put the other first. Still have issues pop up, but it does get better with time. I feel the waiting was worth it, even if he makes me crazy sometimes. I know I do the same to him, lol.

Good luck to those waiting. I hope it is not too long for you.
S and SFemaleIraq2009-09-10 23:15:00
Middle East and North AfricaHappy Birthday Annie!
Happy Birthday!!!!

I hope you have a great one.
S and SFemaleIraq2009-09-11 09:33:00
Middle East and North AfricaDelays in Muslims’ Cases Spur Interfaith Call to Action
Its the New York Times website so I don't know why it says that, my anti-virus software has no problem with it.
S and SFemaleIraq2009-09-12 17:11:00
Middle East and North AfricaDelays in Muslims’ Cases Spur Interfaith Call to Action
I was wondering if anyone had attended this mosque and knew anything about it. Thanks for the additional information. I hadn't realized two of the hijackers attended this mosque and it explains why so much attention is drawn to it by Homeland Security, though I don't think its right to punish so many of its members. How many years does it really take you to figure out if someone is good or bad and they can punish them whether they are citizens or not if they do turn bad later.
S and SFemaleIraq2009-09-12 14:41:00
Middle East and North AfricaDelays in Muslims’ Cases Spur Interfaith Call to Action
I am happy to see so many non-Muslims rallying to support these people, but it is sad so many are having problems. I knew of an Iraqi woman who lived half her childhood here in the United States before going back to Iraq as a teenager. She stayed in Iraq until after college, getting married and having three daughters. She then returned in the mid 1990s with her husband and daughters. The husband and daughters have all received citizenship since then but they continue to delay her case for no obvious reason. She was told she may even have to leave the country as they may not renew her green card.
S and SFemaleIraq2009-09-12 10:18:00
Middle East and North AfricaDelays in Muslims’ Cases Spur Interfaith Call to Action

Delays in Muslims’ Cases Spur Interfaith Call to Action

FALLS CHURCH, Va. — Early one morning last June, fully two hours before his appointment, Mustafa Salih arrived at a federal office here in the Washington suburbs. He wore the new suit he had bought for the occasion. A friend, accompanying him, carried a camera to record the event. Mr. Salih had not slept the previous night.

High emotion was not supposed to be the province of a middle-aged accountant, which was exactly what Mr. Salih was. But on that particular morning, he was scheduled to be sworn in as an American citizen, the culmination of a process that had begun when he immigrated from Sudan in 1991.

The process had tested his patience and nerves. He had received his green card as a permanent legal resident in 1995. He held a master’s degree and worked in a white-collar profession. In the two years since filing his petition for naturalization, he had passed the required history test, sat for the required interview, and submitted the required fingerprints, only to be told in a form letter from the Department of Homeland Security that he could not become a citizen until he cleared an unspecified “background check.”

By this morning in June 2008, however, Mr. Salih had been assured by his lawyer that everything was O.K. He had an appointment for a 10 a.m. swearing-in ceremony in an office of Citizenship and Immigration Services, a unit of the Homeland Security Department. A staff member walked him to a second-floor conference room to join about 25 other citizens-in-waiting.

Only then and there, as Mr. Salih, 44, recalled in a recent interview, did a different officer call his name and ask him to step out of line. Taking Mr. Salih to another room, the officer told him, “Your name isn’t clear yet.” When Mr. Salih asked why, the officer said he did not know.

Now, 15 months later, Mr. Salih remains in limbo. He remains there despite efforts by his mosque, a large interfaith coalition in northern Virginia, and even one of Virginia’s senators, Jim Webb, to get an answer from homeland security officials.

“Every two weeks, I go to immigration,” Mr. Salih said. “Every time, they tell me everything is fine, except for the background check. I’ve become so familiar, the officers recognize me. They ask me, ‘You still coming here?’

In his anxiety and frustration, Mr. Salih happens to have a great deal of company, and thereby hangs a broader tale. About 150 members of his mosque, the Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center in Falls Church, have come forward in recent months with similar stories of lengthy delays in federal decisions on their applications for citizenship, green cards or political asylum. In virtually every case, the applicants have received only vague explanations about continuing name or background checks.

It is hardly news when the bureaucratic wheels grind slowly and inefficiently in responding to immigrants seeking to become fully legal residents or citizens. But, at least to Mr. Salih and other members of the mosque here, the fact that these cryptic delays predominantly involve Muslims seems no mere coincidence.

Story continues here http://www.nytimes.c...05religion.html
S and SFemaleIraq2009-09-12 10:15:00
Middle East and North AfricaMENA CR1/K3/K1 filers
QUOTE (Rajaa_Reda @ Apr 24 2009, 11:11 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Alhamdolilah!! you gotta look me up on facebook.. I got your email we have so much to talk about!! but for now gotta get ready for work sad.gif


QUOTE (S and S @ Apr 24 2009, 09:09 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Rajaa_Reda @ Apr 24 2009, 11:08 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
just thought i would pop in and see how everyone is doing... Kisses all and some huggs too smile.gif


Hey girl, I've missed seeing you around. Hope all is doing well for you!!!




No facebook or any of that for me. I got my fill of myspace years ago and left it. Too much drama and problems that way. I've had a lot less stress by not using it anymore. We can still talk through email though smile.gif

Have fun at work.
S and SFemaleIraq2009-04-24 11:14:00
Middle East and North AfricaMENA CR1/K3/K1 filers
QUOTE (Rajaa_Reda @ Apr 24 2009, 11:08 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
just thought i would pop in and see how everyone is doing... Kisses all and some huggs too smile.gif


Hey girl, I've missed seeing you around. Hope all is doing well for you!!!
S and SFemaleIraq2009-04-24 11:09:00
Middle East and North AfricaMENA CR1/K3/K1 filers
As I said before, I get it, you didn't mean to be rude. It just came off that way. If it didn't, I would never have said a word. The thing that is confusing is if you post a question and don't want depressing news than state that you only want answers that will make you happy. Then I would have never responded to your thread. In fact, I thought it was happy news to know that the Jordan consulate has sped up the appointment wait time by a lot. This is why it was so confusing that you went to another thread away from yours to complain about my comment and post it. It was like you didn't want me to see that you were complaining about me. You can see how that could be interpreted.

Anyway, its over and done and obviously a misunderstanding. No need to apologize again. You explained what you meant and I accept that. The process is frustrating and long. Any time there is an added delay it only makes things more frustrating. I remember the feeling of watching month after month as people got appointments and I didn't. It was extremely depressing knowing you have to keep waiting. Hopefully there is still a chance for you to get a June appointment. I will pray for you.
S and SFemaleIraq2009-04-24 10:48:00
Middle East and North AfricaMENA CR1/K3/K1 filers
QUOTE (Y's_habibitk @ Apr 24 2009, 08:15 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Amanda_Raad @ Apr 24 2009, 08:22 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I was not trying to offend. I was just looking for more hopeful news. I see a lot of people on the INTERVIEW WAITING CLUB thread that are getting their interview dates already. When I call NVC, I keep getting rude operators with the same programmed response "we only schedule interviews the second week of the month...call back after May 15th." And when I told the operator yesterday that someone I know got an interview scheduled yesterday she got short with me and said "well there is no interview date for your case yet." I'm sorry if I upset anyone but I am just trying to get through this like everyone else. I do appreciate all the support and advice. I only said why did I have to hear something depressing....Again, I'm sorry.

Amanda


Honey, you are one of the LAST people I would think to be offensive or sh!tty. So I dont think you should apologize tongue.gif We all need to vent and we all have a safe place to do that here smile.gif
Believe me when I say I understand what it's like. It makes it harder to see others going forward while you feel "stuck". rose.gif
((((Amanda)))))


QUOTE (Rosalinda @ Apr 24 2009, 09:03 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Mrs. Lisa.. what can i say? I'm super happy and excited you have an air ticket already are you meeting him along the way or is he taking the ride alone? keep me and moh updated.

Rosalinda!!! Always glad to see ya.

Thanks hun. We'll keep you posted and stay in touch for sure smile.gif



I went through the same thing she did, but I was never rude to someone on here when they gave me the bad news of having to wait. You know I don't even go to this thread. It was someone else who messaged me and pointed out how rude her comment was. I was trying to help and her response did come off wrong. Apparently I wasn't the only one who took her comment the wrong way. She responded and explained what she meant so its fine.

This process is not easy for anyone and I agree with that. We all want to be the one who has the fast process. Some get luckier than others. Who knows why? Yet I was never rude to anyone during the 18 months I waited for my husband. I wasn't even allowed to go back and visit him, while everyone else has that option. They took my passport and denied me the right to leave the country after I married him. I had no choice but to sit and wait and worry. I can't even tell you everything I lost just to be with my husband, but I kept it quiet and most people on here had no idea. Sorry if I lose patience with those who haven't waited long, but I have faith she will be reunited with her husband in no time.
S and SFemaleIraq2009-04-24 09:59:00
Middle East and North AfricaMENA CR1/K3/K1 filers
QUOTE (Amanda_Raad @ Apr 23 2009, 05:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
So I posted a topic looking to see if there was anyone else out there that was waiting for an interview date at the Amman embassy in Jordan. Someone posts that :

Before my husband was accepted for refugee, I had waited almost three months and still had no interview date. That was back in December. I think another girl on here waited a little less, like two months instead. The Amman embassy is always backed up and so getting an interview date takes longer. It is an improvement though. In 2007 you had to wait 8 months or more for an interview date.

Really? Do you have to give me depressing news? Why can't I hear something good?? Come on now...please.


Why did you ask the question? No one was giving you a straight answer so I was trying to be helpful. I had been through it just a few months ago so I thought I would be nice in telling you that. When I asked the same question last year people replied to me that I might have to wait 6 months or more. How do you think that made me feel when my husband and I hadn't seen each other in more than a year and I was living in constant terror of him being deported back to Iraq where he would have been killed for sure as he had death threats against him?
S and SFemaleIraq2009-04-23 18:49:00
Middle East and North AfricaMENA CR1/K3/K1 filers
QUOTE (Rajaa_Reda @ Nov 17 2008, 11:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
S and S... sister you have no idea what ####### I am doing to myself. it's insane



Ahhhh, its that need to feel in control coming out. I understand you totally. I hate for things to be out of my hands too.
S and SFemaleIraq2008-11-18 01:04:00
Middle East and North AfricaMENA CR1/K3/K1 filers
QUOTE (Rajaa_Reda @ Nov 17 2008, 11:36 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
ok so i am stressing I mean BIG stressing!! I am freaking out all over the place like the "what ifs......" we are at the 22 days" that's just over 3 weeks. He hasn't made his doctor's appointment yet cause he is waiting for his mom to send the shot records uuuuughh!! I told him he could make the appointment 2 weeks away just so he knows he has it. Mine is like Star's just easy going relaxed......



Hang in there and hopefully he will get that medical appointment done soon!
S and SFemaleIraq2008-11-18 00:55:00
Middle East and North AfricaMENA CR1/K3/K1 filers
QUOTE (Y_habibitk @ Nov 6 2008, 10:05 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (S and S @ Nov 5 2008, 12:05 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (just_Jackie @ Nov 4 2008, 10:45 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Lisa I look everyday for your news! Gonna have to cross my fingers and toes, it kinda worked for brni smile.gif



I cross my toes too! lol



Thanks girls! I did get somewhere with uscis today and they are going to do an update service request... 30 days
I do appreciate you guys crossing all those fingers and toes biggrin.gif
Thanks for the early happy dance rajaa!


Lisa


I hope that makes the difference and you get good news soon!
S and SFemaleIraq2008-11-06 23:12:00
Middle East and North AfricaMENA CR1/K3/K1 filers
QUOTE (just_Jackie @ Nov 4 2008, 10:45 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Lisa I look everyday for your news! Gonna have to cross my fingers and toes, it kinda worked for brni smile.gif



I cross my toes too! lol
S and SFemaleIraq2008-11-05 00:05:00
Middle East and North AfricaMENA CR1/K3/K1 filers
QUOTE (Rajaa_Reda @ Nov 4 2008, 08:26 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
ok ok..... I couldn't wait to call 2nd week in november but the good news is

DEC 10 is his interview WHooooOOOOoooT



kicking.gif kicking.gif kicking.gif kicking.gif kicking.gif

Sending "No AP" vibes your way. I'm so glad things are going smooth for you now. Inshallah you will be with your husband soon.
S and SFemaleIraq2008-11-04 19:32:00
Middle East and North AfricaMENA CR1/K3/K1 filers
QUOTE (HisLittleMasriyah @ Oct 31 2008, 07:55 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Jackie; yes its one more day for me unsure.gif

S and S; YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY CONGRATULATIONS SISTER!!!! kicking.gif kicking.gif kicking.gif well i can only talk about cairo it takes average of 3 months for interview date! sad.gif but start checking other ppl from Amman so u can have an idea at least.

Rosalinda; ill pray for u sweetie star_smile.gif star_smile.gif star_smile.gif



Thank you so much and I am hoping that you have a great interview with no stress!

Rosalinda- My heart goes out to you and I will remember you in my prayers. Hopefully your wait will end soon.
S and SFemaleIraq2008-10-31 19:58:00
Middle East and North AfricaMENA CR1/K3/K1 filers
QUOTE (just_Jackie @ Oct 31 2008, 07:33 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
CASE COMPLETE??? !!!!!!!! kicking.gif kicking.gif kicking.gif YEA that is great news!!!



Thanks, so what do you estimate my appointment will be? lol, one can always hope Amman is catching up on their cases but I'm not holding my breath on it.
S and SFemaleIraq2008-10-31 19:38:00
Middle East and North AfricaMENA CR1/K3/K1 filers
Just thought I would put it somewhere over here in MENA but my husband's case is complete at NVC, now just waiting on the interview appointment. For Jordan there is no telling how long that will take though.
S and SFemaleIraq2008-10-31 18:52:00
Middle East and North AfricaMENA CR1/K3/K1 filers
laughing.gif
QUOTE (Rajaa_Reda @ Oct 19 2008, 12:53 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Y_habibitk @ Oct 18 2008, 10:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Rajaa_Reda @ Oct 19 2008, 01:23 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Y_habibitk @ Oct 18 2008, 10:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Thanks Rajaa. smile.gif

Im feeling better today and tomorrow i get more time with zawjy. biggrin.gif

I usually only let myself wallow in it for a few days lol

thanks ladies

Lisa

it's all good..... give me say three weeks and i will be there it's usually about 4 days and it seems to be every 28 days i have the worst times whistling.gif hehehehe


lol! I wish i could blame it on that hee hee

why not??? i have my husband convinced he has "boy time"

S and SFemaleIraq2008-10-19 01:12:00
Middle East and North AfricaThank God its Friday-
Hope everyone's day goes well and that we all remember those who died so tragically.

As for me, gotta get to class soon (American Government class). Its my only class today so at least my day is short.
S and SFemaleIraq2009-09-11 09:37:00
Middle East and North AfricaI think I'm cursed lol
lol, I have had that happen too, though sometimes we are hoping for feedback to our comment and it never comes sad.gif
S and SFemaleIraq2009-09-11 01:28:00
Middle East and North AfricaSyria Cracks Open Its Frail Economy
I know I drank Pepsi while I was there, lol, not sure what else to say. I mentioned it to my husband and he laughed because he has always drank Pepsi whether he was in Iraq, Syria or Jordan. I don't remember seeing 7-up while I was there. I think I saw it in Jordan though.
S and SFemaleIraq2009-09-13 23:05:00
Middle East and North AfricaSyria Cracks Open Its Frail Economy
Thats weird you guys didn't see the Pepsi. That is all my husband drinks and he bought it every day at a little store by his apartment building though I saw it in every shop we went to when we were out. This was in 2007 so not that recent.

Oh, and Syria makes its own pepsi in the country. I guess they work out some deal to get the recipe, but it tastes the same to me.

Edited by S and S, 11 September 2009 - 11:47 AM.

S and SFemaleIraq2009-09-11 11:45:00
Middle East and North AfricaSyria Cracks Open Its Frail Economy
It really wasn't a bad to place to visit, not like what they made it out to be according to the media. Of course its the politics between the US and Syria that are the real problem.

lol, about KFC, its not the best, but I think I would have just liked something familiar while I was there. Then again, I kind of liked that Syria was mostly untouched by the west compared to many other countries. It had such an old feeling to it.
S and SFemaleIraq2009-09-11 09:32:00
Middle East and North AfricaSyria Cracks Open Its Frail Economy
Wish there would have been a KFC when I was there, lol.

I would like to see relations between the US and Syria open up more. I just hope that life for the Syrians improves and that it doesn't come back to haunt the US later.
S and SFemaleIraq2009-09-11 02:41:00
Middle East and North AfricaQuestions/Concerns you wished you had discussed before they got here
My husband just got his first debit card. I want him to get used to that first, but he already understands how the credit system works here as I talked about it a lot before he came. Credit cards still scare him though, so he likes the idea of easing into it.
S and SFemaleIraq2009-09-14 11:51:00
Middle East and North AfricaQuestions/Concerns you wished you had discussed before they got here
Make sure he knows there are no drains in the bathroom floor. Someone mentioned that in the old thread which was before my husband came. I made sure to explain to him you can't just get out of the shower soaking wet as there is no where for the water to go. He knew it before he came, but there are times he still forgets and I find a puddle of water on the floor, lol.

I think my husband and I really discussed everything we could before he came, but the transition is hard no matter how much you talk. They really have to start from scratch here and you have to be patient in teaching them everything. I knew this, but there are times you will go crazy from all the questions, lol. When he first got here, we could spend hours in the grocery store as he asked what everything was and why do we need so many kinds of salad dressing, vinegar, ketchup, butter, etc. It is so much more limited there (at least in the places he lived). I'm finally able to send him to the store on his own (which is so wonderful, lol) but I try to keep the list short when I'm not with him and I put a lot of detail on the list. Of course I keep the phone close so when he calls I can answer any questions. Still, I am happy he is willing to get out there and try to figure it out without me. That was a big step.
S and SFemaleIraq2009-09-13 23:13:00
Middle East and North AfricaWorking in the US
My husband spent many months looking for a job. He is a medical school graduate but not licensed here so he can't work as a doctor yet. We tried getting him lower, entry level positions at hospitals, but none of them hired him, no matter what job he applied for. He also applied at Best Buy, Walmart, Walgreens, telemarketing, gas stations, department stores at the mall, etc with no luck. Job market is just tough right now. It was only a month ago that he finally got a job at Ihop and that was only because a guy at the local mosque helped him get it. We hope as he builds a US work history things will change. I did send my husband to Nursing assistant school and got his licencse, but for whatever reason, no one hired him. We suspect it was because he is Iraqi and all his education is in Iraq with no US work experience, since they desperately need nursing assistants everywhere, but of course they don't tell us why they didn't hire him.

Your husband has a unique talent that may help him more to get into that field though I really don't know much about jobs in that area. Probably the first thing is for him to go to the schools and make friends or for him to just start his own school like someone else mentioned.
S and SFemaleIraq2009-09-15 11:15:00
Middle East and North AfricaCR1 approved
Congratulations!!!! It is so good to see people get their visas without the horrible delays and problems some face. I hope he can come to you soon and you can finally start your life together! Wishing you both all the best dancin5hr.gif
S and SFemaleIraq2009-09-14 12:57:00
Middle East and North AfricaMonday - al-Ithnayn
Back from my classes for today. I have so much studying to do for classes tomorrow. I hope everyone's day is going well!
S and SFemaleIraq2009-09-14 11:56:00
Middle East and North AfricaMonday - al-Ithnayn
QUOTE (Astarte @ Sep 14 2009, 12:23 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Thank you very much, S. rose.gif I just finished my phone call to them and I said pretty much what you wrote there. My husband tries to be very strong but I know from his sisters that he's quite shaken over this. They kept asking me to take care of him but it's not real easy at the moment. sad.gif


I'm glad you at least got to talk to your in-laws. Sometimes I find it hard to know what to say even under normal circumstances. I hope you can see your husband soon so that you can at least comfort him in person. I feel so bad you are going through this hard time right now. Just remember to try and stay strong for your husband. I'm sure he does need you even if he is trying to act "okay".

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S and SFemaleIraq2009-09-14 01:07:00