ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
Middle East and North AfricaMerry Christmas MENA !!
Merry Christmas to my MENA fam...Wishing everyone a happy holiday
CasandraYounesFemaleMorocco2009-12-25 14:49:00
Middle East and North AfricaCASABLANCA
Thanks for the tips. I am completely new and this and barely just sent my I-130 off on Monday. From what I have seen in regards to other couples, this looks like it is going to be a long process.
CasandraYounesFemaleMorocco2008-10-09 23:33:00
Middle East and North Africayay i got visa in hand today
congrats....I am so happy for the both of you
CasandraYounesFemaleMorocco2009-12-19 14:02:00
Middle East and North AfricaHappy Birthday to Monnik!
Happy Birthday
CasandraYounesFemaleMorocco2009-12-21 21:57:00
Middle East and North AfricaOMG It is HERE our NOA2 !!!
congrats....I so remember that feeling and could not get the excitement out of me.
CasandraYounesFemaleMorocco2009-12-18 23:56:00
Middle East and North AfricaHappy New Year...
Happy New Year MENA....Wishing everyone a safe and wonderful New Year with their loved ones kicking.gif
CasandraYounesFemaleMorocco2010-01-01 00:43:00
Middle East and North AfricaCheap flights from Morocco..
Check on Iberia....I left around this time last year and got a ticket for $637 and for students it can go way down to $537. I didn't know about the cookies thing either. I will def have to give that a try sometime.
CasandraYounesFemaleMorocco2009-12-31 18:31:00
Middle East and North AfricaInterview today in casa...
I am so sorry about the denial, but as others have said, all you can do is keep up that fight. That is something that I hate about CASA. They seem so unpredictable in that one day they feel to approve tons and the other deny as many petitions. I'm sure they are trying to do their jobs and to prevent fraud, but its hard.

I really feel for you in that I know how difficult CASA can be, but I completely wish you the best and hope that you are able to get an approval. Good luck and don't give up
CasandraYounesFemaleMorocco2010-01-06 00:56:00
Middle East and North AfricaNew MENA Arrival
Congrats on your little bundle of joy good.gif
CasandraYounesFemaleMorocco2009-12-15 22:14:00
Middle East and North AfricaWednesday in Mena-land
Morning MENA,

Just getting a start on my day and about to start writing another famous paper until my training for work tonight. Sleepy is still sleeping until I decide to wake him. Keeping everyone who has interviews this week in my prayers.



Casandra
CasandraYounesFemaleMorocco2010-01-20 10:21:00
Middle East and North AfricaThe Birthday Girl!!!
Happy Birthday glad that you enjoyed yourself
CasandraYounesFemaleMorocco2010-01-31 22:48:00
Middle East and North AfricaMore Good News in MENA-land!
congrats!!!!!!!!!!! That is great and I wish you the best over your next hurdle :dance:
CasandraYounesFemaleMorocco2010-02-04 23:01:00
Middle East and North Africamy first topic from usa
Welcome....So sorry to hear your trip was a pain. Just as my husband's so I can understand, but the greatest thing is you get to celebrate the New Year with your wife. Congrats I am so happy for you both
CasandraYounesFemaleMorocco2009-12-31 18:23:00
Middle East and North AfricaHappy Birthday RAKASA!
Have a HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

The de-tox sounds interesting, my body needs it due to my busy schedule
CasandraYounesFemaleMorocco2010-02-15 10:08:00
Middle East and North AfricaHappy Hump Day
Happy Hump Day MENA.....

I am on, but this week is full of deadlines, work, and lack of sleep. Today, ugh...work. Hope tomorrow is a more exciting day.


Casandra
CasandraYounesFemaleMorocco2010-02-24 12:34:00
Middle East and North AfricaWould you still be with your SO if ...
I lived overseas as a child, well being a military brat it was very common for me to live overseas at various times. Granted that whenever I did have surgeries or medical procedures done overseas, they were at a US based hospital. In terms of Morocco, I have stayed there on and off for about a year and love it. Had a scare last year, well twice and had to go to the hospital. The public hospital scares me, the clinics are ok and sometimes the private doctors seem to be the best option. Although, I think too much medication gets prescribed for anything. IDK about giving birth though, my hubby has told me horrible horror stories about what he has witnessed.

I have asked the hubby his take on living there and he has simply stated no. If the decision were up to me, like Aya and others, I would want our children (whenever we do have them) to be raised in Morocco during their teen years. There is so much that I respect there about the culture. Living in Morocco is really different from traveling and being that my father lives there, I have a good understanding of the trails and greatness of it. The biggest issue for me is that I have spent so much money on going to school here (master's degree IP), it would be upsetting to me if I could not find a job there. Thankfully, Aziz got his visa this past November, but if he did not get it, I think I would have converted my studies to an online program and would have moved until he was granted his visa. Now if Aziz wanted to live there, as stated before, we both agree that we would have to be financially stable to live a certain way that we want. Granted in the city were Aziz is from, living comfortably comes at a cheap price, but if I want to live where Americans and more luxury are, that is where I need the savings and a job to come in. Cooking and caring for the home is not an issue for me because that is something I always did in Morocco. I'm sure if I were to stay there for several years, I would have a greater understanding of Arabic than I do now. If the hubby is still content on living here when we do have children, then having a vacation home is something we would really consider as an option.

Edited by CasandraYounes, 06 March 2010 - 02:56 AM.

CasandraYounesFemaleMorocco2010-03-06 02:55:00
Middle East and North AfricaHappy Moanday MENA!

70's all this week! Time to bust out the Spring dresses! Inshallah going to be a good week despite having a test and paper due.


I am so with you concerning the paper and tests. I'm ready for this semester to be over
CasandraYounesFemaleMorocco2010-03-15 17:17:00
Middle East and North AfricaHappy Moanday MENA!
Morning MENA,

Wow this new site kinda scared me this morning thought I had maybe drifted off to some virus site or something idk. Looks good though, but will take me time to get used to.

This Monday and the next two weeks for me will be full of studying. Soon I will be picking up the hubby from work and getting back to studying. What a day for me.
CasandraYounesFemaleMorocco2010-03-15 10:28:00
Middle East and North AfricaVote for me MENA!
Done! It looks great and seems like you are far ahead....Good Luck :thumbs:
CasandraYounesFemaleMorocco2010-03-20 13:18:00
Middle East and North AfricaMy Story with DCF \ CR1 Visa interviews
Congrats....sorry to hear that you were sick though.
CasandraYounesFemaleMorocco2010-03-22 15:47:00
Middle East and North AfricaPick up Visa tomorrow 3/23
lol sorry about that.....don't know what happened with my browser
CasandraYounesFemaleMorocco2010-03-22 15:45:00
Middle East and North AfricaPick up Visa tomorrow 3/23
Aww congrats....looks like a great approval to me. By the way, your little one is so precious.
CasandraYounesFemaleMorocco2010-03-22 15:43:00
Middle East and North AfricaPick up Visa tomorrow 3/23
Aww congrats....looks like a great approval to me. By the way, your little one is so precious.

Aww congrats....looks like a great approval to me. By the way, your little one is so precious.

Aww congrats....looks like a great approval to me. By the way, your little one is so precious.

Aww congrats....looks like a great approval to me. By the way, your little one is so precious.

Aww congrats....looks like a great approval to me. By the way, your little one is so precious.
CasandraYounesFemaleMorocco2010-03-22 15:38:00
Middle East and North AfricaJihad Jane
This story just keeps getting strange....a few bad apples are what starts the pot.
CasandraYounesFemaleMorocco2010-03-15 09:59:00
Middle East and North AfricaInteresting article
Wow that is a very interesting article, but is so true and crazy how our system works sometimes.
CasandraYounesFemaleMorocco2010-04-01 20:22:00
Middle East and North AfricaCensus Race Question
Funny this is being brought up....Aziz and I just had this conversation last night. I told him I didn't know for sure, but I checked other and wrote Arab. He asked me about Indians that dont' look white and I didn't know how to answer that....It is definately confusing and I think that they should create more categories that take into account other and mixed races. :huh:
CasandraYounesFemaleMorocco2010-04-01 20:18:00
Middle East and North AfricaA Big Thank You!
Wish I would have known about them before....it always took 2 weeks for me to get things by post from the hubby. Sometimes opened and sometimes not :(
CasandraYounesFemaleMorocco2010-04-08 09:37:00
Middle East and North AfricaUpdate on 3rd Interview
Squeaky580, the little one is so adorable and I loved the cute pictures of the baby food you posted. I was like did they really have that....looked like something I wouuld eat :lol:

Edited by CasandraYounes, 09 April 2010 - 06:19 PM.

CasandraYounesFemaleMorocco2010-04-09 18:16:00
Middle East and North AfricaUpdate on 3rd Interview
Wow! I am sorry about all of the drama you have been put through with Casa. It is a whole different world to be going through them. One thing I would like to add is that I'm sure what was being said wasn't meant to hurt you or degrade your relationship, here in MENA we are like a little family with all of those little pieces. But, I apprecaite you sharing your story because it could happen to anyone. What I didn't know is that they check your messenger, but I had printed out so much for them to read. The love story I share with my hubby is a never ending one and we were fortunate to have my father living there. However, when Aziz went to his interview, he was thrown several curveballs that weren't true, but they were trying to see where they could trip him. For example, making the distinction between my biological father and stepfather and who is married to a Moroccan and does what. My husband was able to answer the false questions and able to turn them around. He did actually joke with them and it created a less tense environment for him. He also said they were looking at a computer screen as if they had information in there....for whatever reason IDK, but to each his own. They approved us and realized we love each other. No judgements here and congrats on being issued the visa and I wish you and your family the best.

(F) Cassie
CasandraYounesFemaleMorocco2010-04-09 18:14:00
Middle East and North AfricaLet's give a round of applause for Casablanca!
Congrats....I know you must be so excited. My husband had the blonde lady too and she was very nice to him. He was able to pick up his visa the next day. Glad she is doing better it seems. :dance:
CasandraYounesFemaleMorocco2010-04-14 07:03:00
Middle East and North AfricaMohammed had his AOS Interview today.
Wow that sounds great.....looks like a positive one. Congrats :dance:
CasandraYounesFemaleMorocco2010-04-08 19:51:00
Middle East and North AfricaMoroccan Passport Extension/Renewal
Aww that sucks....so will Aziz:( I wish they had an easier way of doing things other than having to travel all the way to New York. Aziz's expires in 2011 so we don't have too much time to wait though
CasandraYounesFemaleMorocco2010-04-08 19:56:00
Middle East and North AfricaNew Magrehbi
I will be praying for you and hope that he is out soon. I know it can be hard and there is a reason why you were at the doctor's office and not at home. My sister and myself were both born 5 months prematurely and have had to suffer some complications, but we are faring well. Each pregnancy my mother could not carry to term, except for my overdue brother of course. I was in the hospital for 3 months and both of us weighed in at 1-2 lbs, the best advice the doctors had for my mom was to keep her presence with us and when possible, try to nuture that close contact bonding to help us survive. I know it seems hard, but all things are possible. I wish you and all of your family well and hope that the little one joins you all soon.
CasandraYounesFemaleMorocco2010-04-08 09:31:00
Middle East and North AfricaCooking Contest
Congrats...knew you would win. I hope to start making Alegrian dishes soon.
CasandraYounesFemaleMorocco2010-04-20 23:04:00
Middle East and North AfricaFriday
Hey Everyone,

Rosie-cool that you're doing the Census. I was considering that, but got too busy with school. Weather has been really iffy here though to be going out and doing the Census.

Feels like I am up too early guys. On the list for today, eating Indian food and getting ready for summer classes on Monday. Also looking at possibly moving to Gainesville for an internship, anyone in that area or familiar with it?

Hopes everyone has a great day today.

Cassie
CasandraYounesFemaleMorocco2010-05-07 04:50:00
Middle East and North AfricaVisa In Hand!!
Congrats on such great news. Good luck with the move and I wish you both the best. :dance:
CasandraYounesFemaleMorocco2010-05-12 00:29:00
Middle East and North AfricaToday We Are Husband and Wife!
Such great news! Congrats to you Aya and wishing the both of you a blessed and happy marriage together...w/o the balls and chains :rofl:
CasandraYounesFemaleMorocco2010-05-03 15:09:00
Middle East and North AfricaUpdate

Cassie,

I just want to say I had a smile on my face reading your 7-month Update since your hubby's arrival. Seems he is adjusting very well. I think it depends most on the person's attitude towards the whole experience. Living in a foreign country and being married to a woman/man from a whole different culture can be very overwhelming if the person lets himself/herself to homesickness and dwelling on the memories instead of getting up and working for their future.

I am no expert in this, I've been here for only 2 months but I think that...Keeping a constant communication with the family is very important, going out and making friends is important as well (I haven't done that yet and I miss having lots of friends!), being optimistic and looking at the bright side of the experience should help a lot, and of course receiving emotional support from the USC spouse.

Thank you for sharing your experience, Cassie. I wish you a very happy long life with your husband. (F)

Aya


Aya,

I really enjoyed reading your response because it is great to hear it from another perspective. Especially since you are going through it. Yes, I can proudly say that my husband is adjusting pretty well and your are so right about the homesickness. Aziz felt a little like this in the beginning and I encouraged him to find a way to keep constant contact with his family, even if it is with at least memeber. You are right about the process being overwhelming and I know that sometimes we don't always take this into account. Well, I do speak for myself, but I am working at that. Its not easy for everyone. I can imagine not having a social network must be hard, but being the person you are, I am sure that you will make friends soon.

Thank you for your kind words and I wish you both a happy and long life together.

Cassie (F)
CasandraYounesFemaleMorocco2010-05-13 00:23:00
Middle East and North AfricaUpdate

Cass!
It was so good to see you here in MENA, its been awhile since we had a chance to connect and I'm so glad all is well with you & Aziz. Hassen & I often wonder how folks are doing but don't always find the time to get online to check in with everyone.
So glad you posted the ins/outs & ups/downs as every marriage experiences these, I'm sure we all can relate! :blush:
Anywho - again, glad to your both happy! TTYL ...Stacy :star:


Hey Stacy,

Yes gurl, it has definitely been a while since we last spoke. We do need to catch up. I remember speaking to you about all of these things that you had experienced before Aziz had come and was glad that you provided great advice. I'm sure that we can all relate. I see that you guys filed the AOS. That is great news and I wish you guys and approval w/o an interview.

TTYS....Cassie
CasandraYounesFemaleMorocco2010-05-07 04:42:00
Middle East and North AfricaUpdate

Wow, Mashallah, sounds like my life! It has been 7-8 months since Brahim arrived and the first 4 months before he found a job was tough. Where I live there isn't much to do and the Muslim community is somewhat far, so being home all day sending endless job applications without any calls back was frustrating for him. He is playing soccer twice a week on a team, so he has found something he likes to do. Alhamdoliallah he found a great job in January (despite the long hours) that is close to our house and that he can bike to. He is starting to get the hang of things here and I should have had more patience in the beginning with explaining everything. Inshallah once we move out of my parents house in December we can start to live like an actual couple and a visit from his parents will ease his depression here in the states. Brahim only came to the states to be with me, which is very clear as he hates it here. Inshallah I will finish school soon and we can move to Morocco.


Aww Kenza, as I read your reply I felt like we were living in the exact same boat. Our Muslim community is very far where we live, so much so, that we got lost and Aziz gave up on looking. Its a hidden treasure somewhere. In the beginning Aziz sent tons of applications, online profiles are not very helpful if they require a lot of US based information and references. So, of course he never got any call backs. I even helped him with a great resume that looked Americanzied that someone had suggested on VJ, but even that didn't help. What did help is Aziz actually going to places and talking with the manager and saying hey, I don't speak great English, but I am a hard worker. Now, his job requires him to talk all day. I am so happy that your husband found a job so quickly and so close to your house too. Yes, once you move out, I'm sure things will be different for you, but it will be a great experience where you will trully learn a lot about each other. Aziz feels the same way sometimes, but says that there are a lot of things he loves about being here. Inshallah things will get better for Brahim, especially wiht his parents visiting. I'm sure Aziz feels like he misses home when he sees his nieces getting bigger, people getting married, and things just happening with his family that he cannot be a part of. So we are planning to visit sometime next year to surprise his mother. I would love to raise my kids in Morocco, but worry about not finding the kind of job that I want. Good luck with school, and I wish you guys the best.

Cassie
CasandraYounesFemaleMorocco2010-05-06 04:39:00