ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
Middle East and North AfricaJust Curious...
IMO it's worth the longer wait and I wish we would have gone that way. For our K1 DH came in January and didn't have a green card/work permit until almost the beginning of December...long hard wait!
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2009-12-08 08:24:00
Middle East and North AfricaJust Curious...
Yea the difference is the spousal visa gets a green card - with a K1 the fiance comes here, then marriage in 90 days, then apply for green card. It takes longer for the spousal visa because all the paperwork for the greencard is processed too.
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2009-12-07 22:32:00
Middle East and North AfricaAP lengths
Karima - There are 3 people you can contact - your 2 Senators for your state and the US House of Rep. member for your district. Check them all out and see where they stand on immigration and also give them all a call to see what and how they would be willing to help.
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2009-12-20 01:01:00
Middle East and North AfricaLosing friends because of marriage choice
After reading through some other things I think there is a difference between someone who is a permanent resident and someone who lacks no standing (ie no verified background) in the US.
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2009-12-27 21:46:00
Middle East and North AfricaLosing friends because of marriage choice
I also think this is BS. My BIL is an army special forces member with a high clearance. The only limitation is on him obtaining a presidential clearance - which is not an issue once my husband obtains his citizenship. Also I have a clearance and my marriage was not an issue...sounds like she might have got some skewed information.
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2009-12-27 21:44:00
Middle East and North AfricaIntroduction
Hi smile.gif I'm Amanda (Amera) and my husband is Youssef. I originally am from Wisconsin and my husband is from Marrakech, Morocco. We met on New Year's Eve 2004 in Marrakech and filed for a K1 visa in May of 2005. After 4 visits back and forth including living in Marrakech for the summer of 2005 he came to the US in late January 2006. I have a son from a previous relationship, although my husband has been with us since he was 8 months old and in all senses of the word is his father. We also have a son together that was born New Year's Eve 2006 (see a pattern?? LOL!)

We currently live in the Washington DC Metro area where I work as a recruiter for a government contractor and he works in customer service with a large grocery chain out here. I'm finishing my MBA in Project Management and inshallah he will go back to school this fall for Criminal Justice.

The road was definetely rough - getting the visa was the easy part! It was what came after, adjustments, struggles etc that were difficult. It seems like life is fitting into place most days and we are in the final stages with USCIS. He will file for naturalization in August of this year and then inshallah it will all be over! I hope that you can get all the support and help you'll need from here!
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2009-06-02 15:12:00
Middle East and North AfricaOverseas Visits
I just want to add - of course yes things like that do happen (look at the kid in Brazil who was just re-united with his dad). If your kids have not been registered with the Moroccan courts, they are not Moroccan citizens. My son was not. Therefore should things have gone south, they would be basically holding an American citizen hostage. I used to work with several people from the US State Dept in DC and all American citizens are permitted to leave the country without prior permission. IE if my husband had tried to keep our son there - it would have been a major issue for the Moroccan government because he is not a Moroccan citizen.

Bottomline - I trusted my husband to bring our son home. He did. I had no reason to think he wouldn't. All situations are different but if you think things could go awry then by all means don't do it. I did want to add however that not all foreign husbands are evil and would try to kidnap their children.
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2009-12-31 14:47:00
Middle East and North AfricaOverseas Visits
Hi - Zaidsmom mentioned me so I'm chiming in wink.gif I traveled with our oldest son to Morocco when he was 16 months old. My husband took our youngest son when he was about 14 months old, and I went for the 2nd half of the trip. That being said, I traveled all over the US via air with him (more than 10 times) before the big trip to Morocco. He went to Morocco again this past summer, when he was 2 1/2. His dad took him, and stayed for a month. He came back to the US, and our son came back 2 months later with a very close family friend (more like a sister to me and 2nd mom to him). He didn't have any problems and while it was hard to be away from him it was really good for him to spend time with my husbands family.

Having said all that, do I think 7 months is too young, yes. Although they would like to see him I think it wouldn't be worth it unless it were a family trip and you were all going to visit. He's too young to really do anything or be interested or even remember his dad's family at that age. If you are comfortable with your husband taking him at an older age, I would try to work on a compromise, but know air travel with little dudes is stressful as all get out and your husband should be prepared for that.

PM if you want more details or anything.
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2009-12-29 21:00:00
Middle East and North AfricaSaturday, Jan 2, 2010
Can my kids go back to school yet? Oh shoot 2 more days. ...
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2010-01-02 09:50:00
Middle East and North AfricaSeattle/Tacoma Peeps plz read
My nephew has been found and is safe with his mom - thank you so much for prayers and thoughts.
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2010-01-04 23:31:00
Middle East and North AfricaSeattle/Tacoma Peeps plz read
Hello all,

My 3 year old nephew was abducted by his father and a known drug dealer this afternoon from Kent, Washington. He is in a silver BMW 330i Washington state plates - this is a dangerous situation. Please if you are in the area keep your eye out and contact police if you see anything. Here is a photo of my nephew Jamison: http://bit.ly/6MHQla

If you can please forward to your friends in the area and/or post on Facebook or Twitter. We are trying to get out the word as fast as possible. This is a very real situation
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2010-01-04 21:57:00
Middle East and North AfricaMarrying in Morocco
Kenza: Your dad is also Moroccan which I'm sure helped tremendously!

Berber Mama - we tried when he was about 14 months - but because our marriage wasn't registered in the 3 month window afterwards that caused a problem (that still hasn't been resolved). We tried to fix it in the US and in Morocco (twice now) with no resolution. We plan to try one more time when we go to Morocco. Dealing with the embassies here is pointless and the rules are always changing.
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2010-01-04 16:03:00
Middle East and North AfricaMarrying in Morocco

Is it really going to be an issue, since we ultimately intend upon living in the US permanently, and here he is already on her birth certificate and has legally established paternity? What would the ramifications be of him not having legal paternity in Morocco, in relation to the I-130 petition?


I really do think it will come up as an issue. I don't think you can't overcome it but it is something you need to be prepared to deal with. They (Morocco) don't really care whether you intended to live in the US or there. And even though he is on the birth certificate I think you will still end up going before a judge. Was the paternity established via DNA? If so I would bring that with and have it translated as proof. I don't think it will be an issue re: immigration to the US however it might be a hurdle in getting married in Morocco (which is what you wanted to do for DCF).
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2010-01-04 15:34:00
Middle East and North AfricaMarrying in Morocco
The one thing that may cause a hiccup is that your daughter was born before you were married. To get the family book, your husband has to apply using your marriage certificate, then you can add your children. I am guessing that this will involve you going before a judge to overcome the fact that your child was born before your marriage - sort of to prove paternity. We registered our marriage after our son was born (he was born after we were married however). We then had to register his birth, but it was after he was 1 yr old. This is still a problem for us and we can't seem to get them to do it either here or in Morocco. I am guessing you will have an issue trying to register her into his family book.
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2010-01-04 13:28:00
Middle East and North AfricaHusband needs airport visa?
The only reason he would need a visa would be if he were leaving the airport. MY husband too has flown through CDG and never had a problem. Sounds to me like the consular guy got mixed up or didn't understand what your husband was doing. And why would he get stopped going into Morocco? He would show his Moroccan passport when entering (no green card needed) and that would be it. The GC is only needed when checking in on the way back..
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2010-01-14 08:30:00
Middle East and North AfricaHaiti and Mena members
Islamic relief is very reputable - I know many executive members personally and they do great work.
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2010-01-16 18:05:00
Middle East and North AfricaRe-order for first cookbooks
QUOTE (amal @ Dec 29 2008, 11:48 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Aymerlu @ Dec 29 2008, 09:01 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Got mine Saturdayand it looks awesome! kicking.gif Only drawback is now hubby says I have to cook more. tongue.gif Great job Amal! good.gif

LMAOOOO it was my evil plan from the beginning to make aymerlu have to cook more muwahahahaha devil.gif whistling.gif hehehe I'm glad you like it though blush.gif

QUOTE (Rajaa_Reda @ Dec 29 2008, 09:20 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
went to the arab/indian store and got some of the "different" spices and flours.... i am trying to lose weight... but gotta try these recipes smile.gif


Eating these foods whilst in the midst of losing weight is not necessarily a bad thing. A lot of them are megga veggies with a little bit of meat....

Noura and I were talking about making another one like..."sultan's kitchen, light and tasty" so we could have the chefs of the group sift thru the recipes and see how many calories and fat they can remove while leaving them tasty and filling .......


That is a great idea/experiment that I would love to participate in!
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2009-01-02 14:17:00
Middle East and North AfricaThursday
Jen,

First time we went we did do Typhoid meds (but it was pills not a vaccine). We (I went with my dad and sister) took them for like a week, one each day. Now I've never even seen a mosquito in Morocco so not sure how I would have gotten typhoid but it's all good.
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2009-01-15 14:10:00
Middle East and North AfricaThursday
OMG I don't know how cold it is here today but I'm freezing!!!! I really hope that by Tuesday it warms up. My little sister is coming to visit and we're going to the inauguration (not my idea -hers)

My poor mom near Minneapolis said that she is not even venturing outside because it's soooo cold! I saw it was about -15 this morning with no windchill.....wow I do not miss that. Stay warm Jen!

Jeanne where are you that it's always warm??? I want to go there!
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2009-01-15 09:45:00
Middle East and North AfricaFriday
One of the first really romantic memories I have of my husband was when we were riding in a taxi from Casablanca to Marrakech. I had come with my son and my younger sister to spend the summer there. This Celine Dion song came on the radio. He was too shy to kiss me and barely touched me with her there but he started singing this song in my ear. Everytime I hear it it feels like Im sitting there again.


Edited by MrsAmera, 16 January 2009 - 10:33 PM.

MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2009-01-16 22:31:00
Middle East and North AfricaFriday
No work MLK day for me - little guy has school, we have to work Tuesday (can you say NIGHTMARE) and my son has school off. Mostly because they are closing a major interstate for traffic control that day.....*sigh*
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2009-01-16 11:20:00
Middle East and North AfricaFriday
OMG I'm soooo cold this morning!!! I hate this weather. My grandma is here a few more days so tonight we're going out to dinner - I'm trying to decide between crab or steaks... She can get steak anytime but blue crab is sorta the specialty here.... Also tomorrow we're going to DC she wants to see the "hubub" as she calls it - meaning all the bleachers, the innaguration podium etc. She doesn't walk so well so I'm trying to figure out how I can get to where she can see stuff and take pictures etc without having to walk much. Sunday she is flying out but my sister is flying in Monday!!! No rest! have a great day everyone!
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2009-01-16 09:39:00
Middle East and North AfricaThursday
Good morning! My sister left today and it's the first time in two weeks that we've had our apartment to ourselves! I had to drive her to the airport at 4am and then came slept a little more and am at work. I've got to get some homework done the next few days and then hopefully do some cleaning and cooking this weekend. I'm planning to cut up and marinade some different meat for meals during the week and also make some mezze dishes to freeze and have on hand. Hubby is going to take a more active role in evening meal preparation starting next week but I think having frozen things around will be a huge help. I'm going to post some things that I'd like recipes for in the Sultan's Kitchen thread so please stop by and help me out!!! smile.gif
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2009-01-22 11:32:00
Middle East and North AfricaTFIF
Tasha, does he have his US cell phone there? We have T-mobile (with the SIM card) and I just had to unlock hubbys by calling T-mobile and then he could buy a SIM card there and use it like a prepaid phone. Worked really well for us.
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2009-01-23 08:41:00
Middle East and North AfricaWho are you??
Ugh Jen let's ditch this place travel, eat and take pictures!!! We'll deposit the boys and my hubby in Morocco and make like hay!
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2008-12-29 13:24:00
Middle East and North AfricaWho are you??
I'm Amanda and I am a recruiter for a government contractor in W. DC
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2008-12-29 10:43:00
Middle East and North Africamonday morning thread
does that mean 'tard??? I have never heard it before...
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2009-01-26 14:05:00
Middle East and North Africamonday morning thread
I'm here and I'm awake - don't ask for much more...
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2009-01-26 11:41:00
Middle East and North AfricaMENA FOOD
jen - i just saw at trader joes last night pure vanilla that is alcohol free. a bottle was $2.99!!! just an fyi
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2009-01-24 08:11:00
Middle East and North AfricaMENA FOOD
QUOTE (HannahP @ Jan 22 2009, 08:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (MrsAmera @ Jan 22 2009, 03:47 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
If it's kosher gelatin it's fine.


Kosher gelatin can be made from the skin/hooves of cows, as well as from fish bones. It's not Halal if it's not slaughtered properly, is it?


Depends on how strict you are with eating things slaughtered only halal-ly (not a word i don't think). For me and my family as long as it's not pork it's fine. We say bismillah before eating it and call it good. This would be interesting to see what the yogurt in the ME are made of. -- Also gelatin made from fish is considered halal, there are no dietary restrictions on fish or fish products (aside from the blood) as far as I know. We often buy halal marshmallows that are made with fish gelatin.
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2009-01-23 08:39:00
Middle East and North AfricaMENA FOOD
If it's kosher gelatin it's fine.
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2009-01-22 14:47:00
Middle East and North AfricaMENA FOOD
You can check - I only buy Kosher hot dogs for the kids, and I think oscar meyer turkey hot dogs have non-pork casing. Always best to double check. I've considered peeling the casing off but husband won't eat them if the pork's been touching the meat and "soaking" in as he says LOL
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2009-01-22 12:44:00
Middle East and North AfricaMENA FOOD
brni - certain doritos/cheetos also have this enzyme in them as well as actual packaged cheese. My husband is like the others, as long as he isn't actually eating a hunk of pork he's good to go. However at first he was a little worried, I had found substitutes (like turkey ham, turkey bacon, turkey pepperoni) and it made him nervous because they are supposed to be made of pork. Now he's cooled his jets and enjoys it! As someone said, there comes a point where, is it really pork or is it so far removed from the source. This is how we think of the enzyme issue. PattuRuni is right about the candy thing, this is the hardest issue with my kids, I have to read EVERYTHING! Also the casing issue. Even if it says that they are non-pork hot dogs or sausages, check what the casing is. Also if you're unsure of a product you can alwasy call their customer help line, I've always been helped and gotten answers easily.
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2009-01-22 08:56:00
Middle East and North AfricaTuesday
So funny Kelly I was thinking about some of those same people the other day!!! I haven't heard or seen any of them around. I was esp in Lebanese Mama - for a baby update!!
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2009-01-27 14:59:00
Middle East and North AfricaHappy Birthday Dorothy !!
HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2009-01-29 09:38:00
Middle East and North Africagreen card marriages, ladies beware
allousa,

your words are so true and echoed a lot of the issues that we have - particularly with my family and the kids. erika , please pm me if you would like to talk more about the support issue.
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2009-01-19 10:15:00
Middle East and North Africagreen card marriages, ladies beware
erika - if the money issue is already coming up might i suggest really really talking about this issue before your marriage. i knew that my husband planned to come start our life together and support his widowed mother at home, just as his 3 other bros and sis who live abroad do. We have two children and both work full time, and send money home monthly. This at the outset didn't bother me but when we started to struggle, and he still was sending money i got upset. but i've realized that she truly needs the support and have come to terms with. please sort this issue out before he comes so that the surprises wont pop up - it really did a blow to our marriage.
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2009-01-18 21:50:00
Middle East and North AfricaTasha's Birthday!!
YAY Happity Birthday!!!
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2009-02-05 10:36:00
Middle East and North AfricaNeeding a good lawyer....
an immigration lawyer? where are u located?
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2009-02-04 19:50:00
Middle East and North AfricaStopped cooking for my husband!
He shot down that idea she had said....
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2009-01-30 16:08:00