ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
Middle East and North AfricaApproved
I just wanted to say thanks to everyone for all of your support and thanks for your advice. I will definately be going the CR1 route as a recent grad money is tight.
CasandraYounesFemaleMorocco2009-04-30 12:19:00
Middle East and North AfricaApproved
I am so excited. I know I might not have been waiting as long as others have but I would like to keep encouraging others that their approval will come soon. I got that approval on April 24 after I put in a service request. Crazy huh. Both of them were approved. Before my husband was so frustrated about not hearing anything that now that we have he is just filled with nerves concerning his interview. My only question now is what to do next and could I go with the CR1 instead of the K3
CasandraYounesFemaleMorocco2009-04-28 10:35:00
Middle East and North AfricaVisa Approved!
Congrats Stacy I knew that was coming omg I cannot express how excited I am for you because your journey has definately been a long one. Now all you need to do is get the hubby here that should not be a problem......
CasandraYounesFemaleMorocco2009-05-19 10:50:00
Middle East and North AfricaSunday
Night everyone,

Nawal - Thanks for the words of encouragement I could really use it right now.

And I just wanted to say that everyone has beautiful children I enjoy the seeing the wonderful pictures. I can't wait till its my turn.
CasandraYounesFemaleMorocco2009-06-07 21:35:00
Middle East and North AfricaSunday
I'm not usually on or up this late, but I am. I am completely missing my hubby right night. Since being back from my long trip it feels so wierd being home. I guess it just dawned on me that if I hadn't canceled our K3 interview it would have been on Monday. I am completely hating myself, but I know that it was the best decision for us to make based on our situation. By the way NVC is moving, I don't know when we will get our next interview date. Hope its soon. Sorry I haven't been on in a while ladies, but I would love to know how everyone is doing.
CasandraYounesFemaleMorocco2009-06-07 01:45:00
Middle East and North AfricaWhere is everyone located??
I am Casandra and I live in Jacksonville, FL. Would love to meet up with VJ members as I have a passion for traveling.
CasandraYounesFemaleMorocco2009-06-09 19:52:00
Middle East and North AfricaTammy's Somali Food Blog
I love to cook and I enjoyed checking out your recipes. They look really good, I will have to try them sometime.
CasandraYounesFemaleMorocco2009-06-11 19:33:00
Middle East and North AfricaHow did your MENA SO propose marriage?
I'm really late in this, but my husband didn't do an official proposal. When I met my husband, it was during a stressful time at school. I had came back from volunteering with Hurricane Katrina victimes in LA and just found out my roommate's mother passed from cancer. Two days later I had a dream that my father had given me over to a Muslim man. Don't know why, but at that very moment my husband called me for the first time and told me he had wanted to talk to me and that my father had given him my number. My father lives in Morocco with his wife and my little brother. I brushed him off for a couple of hours and then finally decided to meet him on yahoo. The first day that i met him he said that he wanted to marry me after talking with me for 5 hours, I told him he was crazy. After 6 months of talking everyday for long hours, I finally decided ok I will go to Morocco. During my whole 2 week trip in July of 2007 the proposal wasn't really discussed. Then one day my husband came up to me in front of all his family and said "I want you to marry me Casandra, there is no one for me, but you. Please do not tell me no, I cannot live without you." Now here is the crazy part, rather than him having a ring on hand, all of us (my husband, his family, my stepmother and I) went to go pick out our rings together. Wish it were a little more private, but it is what it was and I love him very much.
CasandraYounesFemaleMorocco2009-06-11 19:51:00
Middle East and North AfricaWhat thing about ur SO's country surprized u the most???
Lots of things: Not having regular toilets or even toilet paper in bathrooms for that matter, eating big meals at 1 in the morning that nearly killed me after having a big lunch, and the fuss of neogiating over prices when you buy something. So hard to do here.
CasandraYounesFemaleMorocco2009-06-07 21:41:00
Middle East and North AfricaCultural differences and Weddings
I was involved in a similar situation as yours....There was just too much drama involved that was unnecessary. One thing you do have to take into account is that due to the language barrier, there may be some misunderstandings. Like many have said in this forum, you are now being married to his family as well and there are some compromises that you have to make. Even when he comes to the states, his culture stays with him and he is not going to want to feel torn between the two.

As for your wedding, if it is like Morocco, the family wants a wedding celebration. Sometimes big, sometimes small and in many cases the man is expected to pay. Something small seems like an insult, but it all depends on preference. I had an engagement party and I knew only 5% of the people (his immediate family and my stepmother that lives in Morocco) no one else. I know it may seem like you are wasting the money, but the experience in itself is liberating to know that you are celebrating that day with your fiancee. It doesn't have to be all out, do it the way you guys can afford it, but it would be nice, especially to show your family. Seriously talk to him about this and your feelings and see what he thinks about the issue because you two are in this together.

As far as evidence goes, it is always nice to show pictures of a wedding.
CasandraYounesFemaleMorocco2009-06-15 23:47:00
Middle East and North AfricaMuslims and Public Displays of Affection
I noticed the same about my husband's parents. They aren't that affectionate either. In Morocco, if I was with my hubby's family, I would be holding onto his mother or sister's hands whenever we went out with them in public, but we aren't afraid to show are affectionate sometimes either. I remember the first time I went to Morocco and it was my last day we went to go eat breakfast in a restaurant and me not knowing anything my husband kissed me when no one was around. Low and behold the waiter comes around the corner and scolds us and said something to the effect of "this is not a hotel!" LOL OMG.... Just for like 2 pecks and a touch of my face that we thought no one saw, but after being there 4 times, I know what is accepted and respectful.
CasandraYounesFemaleMorocco2009-06-12 23:18:00
Middle East and North AfricaMuslims and Public Displays of Affection
My hubby and I always hold hands in public and when we greet each other we kiss, but as for kissing in public we didn't do that in Morocco because my husband told me that they considered it to be disrepectful and that if you had a good relationship others would be jealous. Thus he said maintain a form of "shyness" especially in taxis. I took a taxi once with him and he came close to him ear to tell me something and the man that he was kissing me and scolded us. He thought I was just some girl that was being taken out, not his wife. I almost told him off.
CasandraYounesFemaleMorocco2009-06-12 17:27:00
Middle East and North AfricaTransit Visa
That is what I meant as well....It applies to anyone even if you are not a USC because when I called the airport in Madrid that is what they had informed me.
CasandraYounesFemaleMorocco2009-06-19 16:29:00
Middle East and North AfricaTransit Visa
When I called the airlines in spain, they told me that if I left the airport then I would need a transit visa. I stayed 18 hours in the airport twice. If you go to Madrid, there is no one walking around checking anyone. not even security because they do clearance right when you get off the plane. The visa should be sufficient. I have been to every other place for connections and back to try to make my tickets cheaper.
CasandraYounesFemaleMorocco2009-06-18 21:37:00
Middle East and North AfricaWhat's that you say??? An approval??
congrats on your approval
CasandraYounesFemaleMorocco2009-06-15 23:26:00
Middle East and North AfricaHAPPY BIRTHDAY , BRNI !
kicking.gif Happy Birthday kicking.gif
CasandraYounesFemaleMorocco2009-06-26 14:35:00
Middle East and North AfricaFirst Jobs in the US for MENA SOs
Everyone has posted really great advice and tips. It is definately of great use for those of us that are waiting for our SO's. Sometimes I do wish that I had waited to file immigration because going to school and worrying about bills is tough.
CasandraYounesFemaleMorocco2009-06-09 19:36:00
Middle East and North AfricaPalestinian, new here
Welcome and you will love San Antonio, I just moved from there. Been there 15 years so if you have any questions do not hesitate to ask.
CasandraYounesFemaleMorocco2009-06-27 18:26:00
Middle East and North AfricaPrayers for one of our own
rose.gif Wishing that my prayer may touch who reads this and those in need...Blessings rose.gif
CasandraYounesFemaleMorocco2009-06-23 20:40:00
Middle East and North AfricaHappy Birthday Amanda!
Happy Birthday I know you are happy now!!!!!!!!!!
CasandraYounesFemaleMorocco2009-06-28 12:13:00
Middle East and North AfricaSaturday MENA June 27
Congrats Amanda I am sure you have been waiting for this for a while
CasandraYounesFemaleMorocco2009-06-27 10:19:00
Middle East and North AfricaI-94 Form - Record of Arrival/Departure
Oh Wow Stacy I would try calling them because you might be able to save money from that fee....how is it with him being home? Great I bet.....

Edited by CasandraYounes, 28 June 2009 - 10:21 PM.

CasandraYounesFemaleMorocco2009-06-28 22:20:00
Middle East and North AfricaProbelms entering receipt number... and I the only one????
I was able to view my I-130 receipt number information, but I was not able to view anything on my I-129F for many months until it got approved. You're not alone. Many people are not able to view it.
CasandraYounesFemaleMorocco2009-06-29 19:10:00
Middle East and North AfricaSay it aint so!
OMG he deserves more than what he is getting. I cannot believe the baby survived.
CasandraYounesFemaleMorocco2009-07-04 11:18:00
Middle East and North AfricaGetting Married!
Congrats and try to make this event all about you, don't worry about all of the little things that make you unhappy...I don't know how it is across different MENA cultures, but for me in Morocco, it seemed to be a lot involved in the whole celebration. Henna, dresses, cookies, candy, cake, hair, make-up. Just for an engagement party that was close to $600 or $800. Try to make the wedding what you can and what you're comfortable with spending. You want this to be about you and your soon-to-be hubby. I hope that it proves to be a memorable day for you. kicking.gif

Edited by CasandraYounes, 27 June 2009 - 10:39 AM.

CasandraYounesFemaleMorocco2009-06-27 10:36:00
Middle East and North AfricaNot able to log in
thats great from what I understand we both are in the same boat
CasandraYounesFemaleMorocco2009-07-09 22:04:00
Middle East and North AfricaNot able to log in
Hello everyone,

Some of you may remember that i cancelled my K3 interview to go about the CR1. Although it feels like it has taken forever to get any news, I do feel like we have made some progress and the waiting does not seem as bad as I thought for what it might be worth. Today I tried to log into the NVC fee payment website and was not able to. I'm not exactly sure what that means, but from my guess I am hoping it means that they are almost finished with my processing and I will have an interview date soon? What are your thoughts?

Cassie
CasandraYounesFemaleMorocco2009-07-09 16:54:00
Middle East and North AfricaGuess its my turn to share my bad news
I am so sorry to hear what you are going through. I can just imagine how painful this might be for you after everything you have gone through and to feel hurt by someone you love. Your health is most important. I will be keeping both you and your husband in my prayers and hope that things work out the way you would like them to be.

rose.gif
CasandraYounesFemaleMorocco2009-07-10 11:09:00
Middle East and North AfricaSending Packages to Morocco
QUOTE (brnidokiegurl @ Jul 13 2009, 07:04 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
we always just used regular post office air mail express, we sent the last box and it took right at 2 weeks to arrive no problems, some earlier took 3-4 weeks. When i sent our papers for some reason alot of them got WET so you might put in plastic just in case nothing was ruined but part of the box was wet also the last box cost 80.00 its very expensive



Thanks I appreciate the advice.
CasandraYounesFemaleMorocco2009-07-13 16:42:00
Middle East and North AfricaSending Packages to Morocco
Yes I have everything on a flash drive, even my pictures. Thank God. I was just wondering if you guys used the regular post office or Fedex, UPS store, or DHL. I was trying to get it out this week.
CasandraYounesFemaleMorocco2009-07-12 10:10:00
Middle East and North AfricaSending Packages to Morocco
So pretty soon our interview date will be coming up and my hubby will be in need of our evidence of an ongoing relationship. From previous posts, I have heard that the post office is not reliable for some, but as you know it is important that he gets this information. Was wondering what have been some other sources that you guys have used to send packages to Morocco that have worked well?
CasandraYounesFemaleMorocco2009-07-11 19:59:00
Middle East and North AfricaTHANK GOD! Administrative Processing Completed!!!
congrats that is great news
CasandraYounesFemaleMorocco2009-07-09 16:50:00
Middle East and North AfricaSunday
Hello everyone,

Hope everything is going great for everyone...Another Sunday of grilling and stuck watching Lifetime's "Army Wives", "Bridezillas," amd "True Blood." Trying to catch up on things for grad school before I start and fishing through the Sunday paper for some sales for the new apartment. Wish me luck.

Happy Anniversary ZaidsMommy. Texas Roadhouse sounds great...I love the loaded baked sweet potatoe.

Taken, great movie I would totally watch again.

Take care everyone and have a great Sunday.

Edited by CasandraYounes, 19 July 2009 - 11:11 AM.

CasandraYounesFemaleMorocco2009-07-19 11:10:00
Middle East and North AfricaMarriage certificate
I had the same question a while back....your wedding pics are so beautiful. So happy for you guys.
CasandraYounesFemaleMorocco2009-07-06 21:38:00
Middle East and North AfricaA Land Called Paradise
Absolutely loved this video. My husband was trying to show me this months back, but I wasn't paying attention.
CasandraYounesFemaleMorocco2009-07-21 20:33:00
Middle East and North AfricaSurviving the distance
I am one that is all too familiar with this....it was hard when I had to leave my husband not once, but four times. I felt like I had gotten so used to him and his family because I stayed months at a time during breaks. The last time was the most difficult for me because it was not like I had something else to keep me focused. After I graduated college this year, I felt like ok what do I do now other than look for a job. I didn't have school anymore to keep all of my attention. Its like a mini depression just swarms in. What do I do now? What do we do now as women in these difficult situations?

Like others have said, keep connecting with VJ. It helps to put your feelings out there and know that others are feeling the same way. Find positive activities to become involved in that you might have done and don't anymore or that you would like to, I started reading books again, watching movies, and make it a point to at least email when the other half is busy. Communication is key. Keep it there because once it starts lacking, believe me, that loneliness starts taking control.

Stacy, I loved your comment about not letting the process become your relationship. This past month, I think that is what bothered Aziz and I so much. Talking so much about the process and what needs to get done is stressful. After a while, my husband just said enough with this process, I don't want to hear about it for a couple of days. Thats what we did. Took a little NVC vacation. Though not for everyone, but take a little time-out sometimes.

Like everyone, you will make it, trust that your relationship is strong and can withhold whatever the distance may be. I will keep you and your husband in my prayers and hope that the journey it takes for you to be reunited is not a long one.

Take care

rose.gif


CasandraYounesFemaleMorocco2009-07-26 11:02:00
Middle East and North AfricaCalling out to my San Antonio friends
Hello Amal,

I know the area very well. I just moved from San Antonio to Jax. I have many contacts I know there is a huge mosque also with contacts, maybe they would be willing to let her stay. What school is she attending? I just graduated from OLLU there and one of my friends was in a situation where she had no choice to move because her husband was reassigned, they couldn't obligate her to stay and allowed her to finish out her courses. Let me know how I can help and where you would like me to start.

Edited by CasandraYounes, 28 July 2009 - 12:43 PM.

CasandraYounesFemaleMorocco2009-07-28 12:41:00
Middle East and North AfricaFinally interview date
Thanks everyone for all of your comments and support. We will definitely just use the copies.
CasandraYounesFemaleMorocco2009-07-28 12:50:00
Middle East and North AfricaFinally interview date
Hello everyone,

Well just a little update. Since canceling the K1 interview, we got great news today by email. Aziz has his interview scheduled at Casablanca on September 14th @ 8:00am...... kicking.gif So excited. Still waiting for his evidence that I sent to get to him, but I am excited.

They sent all of this info to us by email though, will they send Aziz originals by mail for his medical and interview or should the copies be enough?
CasandraYounesFemaleMorocco2009-07-27 20:07:00
Middle East and North AfricaNot a religious Man
so sorry to hear about your loss...I will keep you, your father, and your family in my prayers. rose.gif
CasandraYounesFemaleMorocco2009-07-26 10:41:00