biggish data

It's Caturday!

Good morning everyone!! Morning Jackie!!

Good luck at work Jackie :thumbs:

Hope everyone has a great day and weekend!!!

mandyu1

Female

Egypt

2010-08-14 09:10:00

guess i didnt get my thoughts across properly, sorry, because that is NOT what i meant. i said it is a distraction, not that it causes them fall away. since we keep referring to american and christian things (even though this is a muslim/foreign country at issue) how about this: decent people know not to speak during quiet prayer in church = it is an obnoxious selfish distraction. "talking" isnt illegal and doesnt hurt anyone, but there is a time and place... think of ramadan as your quiet prayer time...it is a month of worship.

so when someone plops down beside you in church on Christmas with a big sloppy submarine sandwich or a turkey leg, i dont want to hear any complaints teasing

Ok, in case you didn't read my first 2 posts to this thread, I never mentioned other religions or America until you came along and started comparing seperation of religion and state in the USA, how muslims are treated differently compared to other religions, women wearing bikini's in the bible belt, and the debate about the mosque at ground zero. So since you included in your posts and like to compare how muslims are treated differently from other religions in the USA, I will compare how other religions are treated here in the USA.

Second, I never said it was right for a person to eat in front of someone else while they fast, but said it would be courteous of them if they didn't. My argument is that a law should not be imposed simply because some people are weak, and need to have their hand held in order to serve Allah.

Also, the post refers to breaking fast in public, which means in a restaurant and/or in the street. So since you are saying that going into a restaurant or a cafe is a person's choice, would it then be ok to say that the law should only be enforced on those who are walking in the street eating. Because the people that come into the cafe or restaurant are coming by choice and if they have a problem with seeing people eat then they should leave or stay home.

Also, I am Muslim so I won't be going into church on Christmas, but if I was I could care less if someone was eating next to me. I will also be going to Egypt in a few weeks and will finish Ramadan there and celebrate in the feast, but in the days prior to the feast if I seen someone eating while I was fasting I would not care, I'm a bit more mature than that, and wouldn't cry and complain over something so pety.

A saying many people in the world should learn.."pull up your big girl/big boy pants and get over it."

mandyu1

Female

Egypt

2010-08-11 00:24:00

You're right, just because people do something in the USA does not mean it has to be accepted everywhere else in the world. But laws should not be in place or enforced to prevent someone from being offended or insensitive.

As for the smoking, both of my parents smoke, and I refuse to let them smoke in my house and they know how much I hate it. When I see them my father will not smoke in front of me, while my mother could care less. And it makes both my father and I upset she does that, and he's not saying "OMG how dare you smoke that cigarette in front of me," but is more upset that she is being inconsiderate of others around her. And again, second hand smoke is hazardous, eating is not.

Now if I were on a diet and not eating, and with 2 friends and they both knew I was dieting, and the one refrained from eating in front of me while the other didn't, I can say that yes I would feel bad for me friend that is suffereing and not eating because of me and my choice to diet. i would never tell anyone they can't eat in front of me or get upset for them doing it, and as Jenn said, its not like people are gloating about it.

As for people coming back to Islam around Ramadan, and that seeing people breaking the fast can cause them to fall back away from Allah again, well what about all the Christians who only fill the churches during Christmas and Easter. Should it be said then that during this time everyone should refrain from using profanity, drinking alcohol, gambeling, the list goes on and on, because a person who sees another doing these during these holy times can cause them to fall back into their sinful ways?

And as for lent, Catholics do not eat meat on friday during lent, however you can walk into any restaurant and order a steak or hamburger all year, and there are many Catholics that do it to, but you don't hear them saying "look how rude they are, they know its lent and we can't eat meat, they should show us respect and remove meat from the menu, or refrain from eating it unless they are at home." So no, not everyone repects other religions, its not just Muslims.

mandyu1

Female

Egypt

2010-08-10 21:41:00

but the law doesnt require people to fast, only to respect the holy month and the people who are observing it.

Yes it would be the repectful thing to do and not eat if you know someone is fasting, but the truth is, regardless of country or religion, not everyone is courteous. And laws should be in place to proctect people, not to make their life easier. That is why here in the US so many places are banning smoking in public, because its hazardous to the people around you. You want to smoke, fine, go kill yourself in your own home and car, but don't infect those around you. Eating in public during fasting, although its rude, is not harming or dangerous to other people.

mandyu1

Female

Egypt

2010-08-10 14:00:00

Separation of church and state is impossible. Even in USA that is "supposed" to be the way it is, but truly it isn't. you know if you receive benefits (i.e. welfare in various forms) they put the people to work to "earn" those benefits... how many people knew that? (you receive $x amount in food stamps you will divide that by minimum wage and that's how many hours the person will "work" for that organization). now here is the kicker... most times those "jobs" they work at are working for church based organizations. so much for separation of church and state huh?

or what about the "bluelight law" that still exists in smaller more rural areas? anyone remember those who have moved away or live with it now? That is state law based on churchgoers wishes.

but they've taken it to the extreme in gov't schools ... not a single show of faith is allowed to be uttered, displayed, discussed. i can understand it not being taught in school, so that children in minority groups are not pressured, but at same time a child should be allowed to say prayer over their food, they should be allowed to discuss and debate especially at the high school level, when they discuss and debate everything from homosexuality, abortion, and so on. GOD exists, why arent they allowed to speak His name.

now as for the original post...
i am on the other side with this. This is a muslim country so the majority would be fasting. They are NOT requiring or making law everyone has to fast, they are saying just not to do it in public during fasting hours. and IMHO that is just a common courtesy, something we learn as small children even! you dont eat/drink in front of others who cannot. society has become so selfish and uncaring toward others, always worrying "what about MY rights" but what about thinking of others first... imagine what a beautiful society we could have if people truly thought about others first before themselves.

and just my 2¢ but i DO believe these people are being anti-muslim... there seems to be a growing mindset "it's ok to bash muslims" and it's shocking. look at all the chaos over the mosque in NY which has been there since the 70s but now suddenly people are throwing a hissy fit about it becasue OMG it is close to ground zero. well, how far away do they have to be to make these hatemongers happy? 20 blocks away? a city away? no mosques in the whole state of NY?
now let's look at it this way, and step back just a few years (and really not that many!) and go down south...
how many people said "i dont want a Baptist church built here" when blacks (even children) were killed? no one cared did they?
or how about on our news stations when a muslim commits a crime it's all about that he is muslim and the hatemongers come out with "we dont want those *nasty label* on our soil, send'em back where they came from"... yet not once have i ever heard mention on the news when a KKK or Aryan nation guy goes on a rampage that they say "a christian man" even though they're christian based organizations (yes, people dont like to talk about that).

it's sickening the hate that is breeding and the people who rear their children on it. intolerance. hatred. contempt. it's infecting the next generation if parents, teachers, leaders, dont teach them properly. we will go backward and self-distruct as a people.

First I can say at one point I struggled financially and needed to go to the government for help, and I never had to work for what I was given. I know if a person is not presently working they must actively seek work in order to receive any benefits. And if they do make you vonlunteer at a church or something what is wrong with helping others, they are not forcing you to attend church or believe in their doctrine.

As for the Mosque at ground zero, I have heard a lot about that, but honestly I have heard more people supporting it rather than objecting it. Majority of people feel this is America and freedom of religion, and are well aware that Muslims died on that day as well, and the ones who don't understand that are just ignorant.

I am an American Muslim convert and I do support the seperation of religion and state. I'm not Muslim bashing, and as I stated before if a person chooses to fast it should be out of obedience and love for Allah, and if they have a problem seeing someone else eating when they choose not too, then IMO they are not fasting for the right reasons. The argument of "poor me," and "what about me," can be said from both sides. Poor me I can't eat in public because of the law, and poor me I'm fasting and seen someone eating and its not fair. One thing I was taught when I was a Christian, is that when we choose to fast we should not inform everyone we know we are fasting (unless they ask, then you can tell them), or let others know you are suffering because you can't eat. Fasting along with prayer, and others things we do is to bring us closer to Allah, and we should not complain about the hardship we endure during the process, but rather be glad that our actions and obedience is pleasing to Allah, and know that it is much more pleasing to him if we do it with a clean heart and not self pity.

mandyu1

Female

Egypt

2010-08-10 13:17:00

I completely support seperation of religion and state, and this article is interesting. I have a friend who is Moroccan and I asked once if the most holy day to Muslims is Friday why is it not your weekend (like other Muslim countries), but rather in Morocco the weekend is Saturday and Sunday. She said that at one time Friday was their weekend, but the country decided to seperate religion and state and made the weekend on Saturday and Sunday but do allow extra time off of work on Friday for Jummah prayer. So if this the case, and religion and state have been seperated how can they impose a law like this? And personally I feel the punishment is a bit harsh. And as stated you can't compare the consumption of food/water to alcohol in America, thats like comparing apples to oranges. But just for the argument, if someone is caught drinking alchohol outside of a bar/restaurant, I would be shocked if they received jail time, but would most likely receive a ticket or just forced to empty the contents, and thats if the law was enforced.

IMO, and as Islam teaches, everyone is responsible for their own actions and for their own salvation. Forcing someone to fast during Ramadan is not going to make them a better Muslim. They have to want to do it in their heart, just like wearing the hijab and praying. IMO fasting, along with prayer, and other teaches or Islam should be done out of obedience and love for Allah, if it is forced then it loses its meaning.

mandyu1

Female

Egypt

2010-08-10 07:20:00

Sunday

Good Morning Olivia, and good morning MENA!!

What was this book you read about?

I can't believe its Sunday, this weekend went by way too fast and I feel I got nothing accomplished. One more week and kids go back to school :dance:

Hope everyone has a great day!! :star:

mandyu1

Female

Egypt

2010-08-15 09:26:00

Monday

Good Morning MENA!!!

Salam Alikom, and happy Ramadan to all

It's the dreaded Monday again :crying:

Hope everyone had a great weekend. I had big plans for the weekend, but as always, don't seem to get anything accomplished :whistle:

Although I did manage to survive the mall and finish school shopping, you would have thought the mall was giving out free gold!!

Hope everyone has a great day!!

Edited by mandyu1, 16 August 2010 - 08:48 AM.

mandyu1

Female

Egypt

2010-08-16 08:48:00

Ramadan

Hot Guy, Im in Florida, the same time zone as you, and Ramadan started yesterday here.

mandyu1

Female

Egypt

2010-08-12 10:08:00

Ramadan

Can someone please tell me when Ramadan officially begins in the USA? My calendar at work says Tuesday at sundown but my husband works with Muslims and they are beginning tomorrow morning.

It begins tomorrow at sundown, so fasting should begin Wednesday morning

mandyu1

Female

Egypt

2010-08-09 21:01:00

not fasting.... :(

I don't think you should feel like a failure. I think one thing people need to realize is that most Muslims began fasting at a young age, and I'm sure even as a child it was tough. Also, I'm sure people who have converted to Islam (myself included) can admit that it is very tough to do, especially in the beginning and when you live in a society where majority of people don't celebrate Ramadan and there is a lack of support. Although you're not Muslim, I believe your intention was to support your husband during this time, and that's whats important. I wouldn't let it get to you too much, and if it makes you feel any better maybe try and fast again tomorrow and in the coming days. Also, even in Islam, if a person is not physically well to fast they shouldn't, your health is most important and you know your body better than anyone else, if you feel that this was making you sick or could cause more serious problems then you should most definately stop. Keep your head up

mandyu1

Female

Egypt

2010-08-14 17:34:00

Terrific Tuesday!!

Good Morning MENA!! Happy Tuesday!!

Sure glad monday is over..yesterday I went to the school for my son who will be starting Pre-K, and was told they don't have a spot for him anymore. Needless to say I was not happy since I accepted the offer online and the only explanation they have is that some how his offer got deleted. :angry:

After arguing back and forth, and the fact he just got 5 shots and I bought all of his uniforms (that are non-refundable) all they could tell me was to come back Saturday and they will try and get him in.

But its a new day, and everything is great

Hope everyone has a great day!!!

mandyu1

Female

Egypt

2010-08-17 08:27:00

Thanks Olivia

I hope everything goes well with the job interview!! I've worked for the government twice, and their hiring process is soo drawn out..Good Luck :thumbs:

mandyu1

Female

Egypt

2010-08-19 07:48:00

Good afternoon MENA!! Hey Andrea and Mandy... i was wondering the same thing Mandy.. where is everyone... i wanted to start a thread but i was going to wait until i got home my favorite group is going to be in Atlanta next Thursday.. i wanna go but the good seats are taken and i don't know if i will have the money.. Tears for Fears .. omg i have wanted to see them and never got a chance,.. WHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY

Hi Wonderful!! I love Tears for Fears!! I hope you get the chance to go, even if you don't have great seats at least you will see them. The last concert I seen was Bon Jovi haha, and that was a few years ago.

Well my mother called me this afternoon, she got the letter today that is is officially a US Citizen :dance:

I'm not sure what happened with her immigration, but she's been here for over 55 years, has a social security number, voters card, drivers license, everything and found out a few years ago she wasn't even a citizen!!

Have a good evening

mandyu1

Female

Egypt

2010-08-18 19:22:00

Hey Mandy!
LOL I was posting on Tuesday's thread. Just a day late!!
Hope all is well on your side of the state! Any news of an interview yet?

Hey Andrea!! LOL thats too funny, you were posting on Tuesday :lol:

All is fine over here, still blazing hot and humid; how about you?

And no, he still hasn't received packet 3 yet. And I need to update his address so I've been trying to contact the embassy, sent them 2 emails and get up bright and early to call and can't get anyone to answer.

Enjoy the rest of your day!!

mandyu1

Female

Egypt

2010-08-18 16:34:00

Happy Hump Day all!!!

This is a late posting...where is everyone at???? :whistle:

Hope everyone has/had a great day!!

mandyu1

Female

Egypt

2010-08-18 14:59:00

Thursday

Watched Chasing Mummies last night and if I have to hear one more little peep from Zoe I will NOT watch it again.

These students (Fellows) have a chance of a lifetime to go on digs with his highness "The Pharaoh" and all they
do is complain. What is their problem!!! Get some students who would appreciate this chance of a lifetime.

What channel and time does it come on? My boss is really into this too and was telling me there is a really cool Egyptian museum/exhibit in NYC.

mandyu1

Female

Egypt

2010-08-19 11:32:00

Thursday

Good Morning MENA!! It's Thursday, and only 1 more day to go!! :dance:

It's going to be another scortcher here today, its only morning and already feels like 96 degrees!!!

Stay cool everyone and have a great day!!

mandyu1

Female

Egypt

2010-08-19 08:42:00

Yea, they have like a mini bank at window #4. Screen all the windows and try to know where all windows are while you wait so you can run right at it!

Relax, smile and be at ease at the interview, you got nothing to worry about.

Did you have to pay the $140 before you returned packet 3 or just prior to the interview?

mandyu1

Female

Egypt

2010-08-20 13:43:00

Sounds great! Looks like you got everything ready, send him an originals (for ex. your original divorce decree if you've been divorced before)

About the fees, I paid about $140 at CIB bank, and on my interview date, right before my interview, I paid $219 (He can pay with dollars or pounds) and I paid LE 75 at the DHL branch they have.

Let me know if you have more questions!

Good luck.

I will be attending the interview with him, and will bring all original/certified docs with me. You paid the additional $219 at the embassy? Thanks for the help

mandyu1

Female

Egypt

2010-08-14 07:54:00

I sent them packet 3 about 10 days after they sent it to me ( I worked on it pretty hard, but you guys can take your time, a friend of mine sent it a month later) and 3-4 days later, they sent me packet 4, saying my interview is in a week. It moved super quick for me, but normally it's slow. It might be slower now that we are in the summer and they're pretty booked with people who want to visit the US. September is only 2 weeks away, so don't worry, just working on packet 3 takes a while.

Good luck!

P.S: In packet 3, they state that if you can't be at the interview on the date they specified, you should tell them that ( call or e-mail ) and they will reschedule it for you)

Thank for the info. Your timeline is one that I had looked at and had seen how fast it went for you. I already sent all the documents needed to my fiance; tax returns, W-2, employment letter, pay stubs, I-134, copy of NOA2, proof of ongoing relationship, letter of intent to marry, and we completed the DS-156, DS-156K and the DS-157 (he helped me complete and I printed them off and sent to him with the other documents). He is planning on going for the police report tomorrow or one day next week, and then he just needs to have his documents translated, so for packet 3 I think we have just about everything ready. Also, an email I received from the embassy said the fee was $131, but I have heard it has incresed; how much did you have to pay?

mandyu1

Female

Egypt

2010-08-14 07:37:00

ok thanks. I think we will wait a week or 2 and see if we get packet 3, if not I will email/call and ask if we can send the documents back, and go from there. thanks

mandyu1

Female

Egypt

2010-08-13 15:57:00

Because we were thinking of sending it and writing a little note and asking that the interview be after a specific date, but I didn't know if that would look strange, or if I should wait until about 2 weeks before we want the interview and send the packet back. Someone told me before that they give you about 1 months notice for the interview and I wanted to know if this was the case, because if it is we would send the documents next week in stead of in 2-3 weeks. Thats why Im wondering how long after they recieve the documents the interview will be. I will email the embassy and ask them, but according to the email I got from them before it said when he has gathered the required documents to send them in so an interview can be scheduled.

mandyu1

Female

Egypt

2010-08-13 15:42:00

I guess what I was asking was how long after he returns packet 3 is the interview. I understand that from when packet 3 was sent to interview may be a couple of months, but some of that delay may be from people gathering their information. I received an email from the embassy a while ago listing everything that he had to return, a link to complete all documents etc... I have already sent him everything he needs from me and the forms are completed. All he needs to do is have his documents translated. If he does this before he receives anything from the embassy can he just send it in, or does he have to wait to get packet 3 from them?

mandyu1

Female

Egypt

2010-08-13 14:57:00

No he has not received packet 3 yet, but according to DHL it was delivered to the embassy on 8/5 and I confirmed with DOS on 8/11 that they had it processed in their system. I have looked at some recent K1 filers also and have seen that packet 3 was sent out within a week of receiving the file, and an interview was done within 2 weeks of getting it back. Maybe they just got lucky, but that is why I was asking. Thanks for the info

mandyu1

Female

Egypt

2010-08-13 14:39:00

Ok I put this in the right forum and no one answered me so I'll try it here. How long after you sent back packet 3 was your interview? For a few reasons we would like the interview to not be before sept 20. When he sends packet 3 back I was thinking of putting a little note in there requesting this, but didn't know if they would listen or if it would cause any type of red flag or raise any questions. Or should we hold off on returning the packet until sometime in September?

thanks

mandyu1

Female

Egypt

2010-08-13 13:08:00

~Mandy~ Hey I thought your daughter was lining up a trip to the Bahamas for us!!!! (better than JB or the Jonas Bros!!!!)

Andrea thanks for encouraging her, thats all she's talked about and even asked, "is your friend Andrea coming with us?" I said, "us, you mean me!!" :lol:

She said that since I may be in Egypt for her birthday that I owe her BIG, so she wants either VIP tickets to JB, a cruise to the Bahamas, or stay at Atlantis

She's in for a big surprise :lol:

Congrats to Sameh on getting his permit :dance:

When are you going to Mickey's trick-or-treat thing? I want to go there this year.

mandyu1

Female

Egypt

2010-08-20 21:35:00

Hey Mandy and Jeanne.. isn't Justin the guy that got hit in the head with a water bottle at a concert... i was like omg....my daughter showed me the video ..poor kid... Mandy habibi isn't going, he has to work he said we can do it next time but i said they may not be close again... but he's ok if we travel to see them in another state... all that driving though

ohh that too bad he can't go with you, but the up side is that you may be able to see them twice

mandyu1

Female

Egypt

2010-08-20 18:00:00

Still morning here! Made it before the noon deadline!!

Hope your day is going well!! It's hot again. Like what else is new here!!

Congratulations MsW!!!! That's so awesome!

Mandy, if I had to go see Justin I think I would just shoot myself! Sorry, thanks but no thanks!

Have a great day everyone! Take care and stay cool.

I agree Jeanne...I took her to see the Jonas Brothers a couple of years ago and that was torture, I don't want to imagine how much worse he would be :lol:

mandyu1

Female

Egypt

2010-08-20 14:27:00

Happy Friday MENA!!! Hello everyone... i hope everyone has a great day today... Mandy i ordered the tickets the other night for the Tears for Fears concert... i gotta rent a car to go... i don't want to get stranded...this may be costly and i may not have the seat up front like i would have loved too, but this is a dream for me to see them in concert... do you know in 2006 when they were in Belgium i was going to go see them there...i truly didn't have a clue how flying to another country works but now i do... not to mention the plane ticket, hotel... omg$$$$$$ .. what was i thinking .. now if i can only get onstage and play with them, just one song and get their autograph Tears for Fears, i'm coming for ya darlings

haha Wonderful I'm so happy for you :star:

I know you won't regret going, no matter how costly it is...hope you have a great time!! That would have been pretty cool to see them play in Belgium though, its funny how when we're younger we don't think about all of the details, all we care about is living the moment. Is habibi going with you? My daughter is bugging me for tickets to see Justin Beiber for her birthday :huh:

I would consider getting them for her, but I know I'd have to sit thru the concert and I can't bear to listen to him!!

mandyu1

Female

Egypt

2010-08-20 13:39:00

Hey Andrea! TGIF MENA!!!

I have had a rollercoaster of a week, sure glad its over!!! Plan on relaxing tonight and watching the Bounty Hunter, I heard its hilarious.

Hope everyone has a great day!!

mandyu1

Female

Egypt

2010-08-20 08:44:00

Well we thought about that route but unfortunately they had a severe financial blow recently due to a con played on them. long story, but to cut it short it would be quite impossible for them to pay the price of two tickets when their sources are tight for now. I do however plan Inshallah on making a small party when i visit Egypt again. Thanks for the replies and the tips Juni, and sorry for hijacking your thread Mandy! I will post my real experiences when i fly there Inshallah.

No worries Ahmed

Sorry to hear about your family

Getting married is such a big milestone in one's life, and one we usually like to celebrate with our parents and family.

mandyu1

Female

Egypt

2010-08-19 13:38:00

I like a lot of things about Americans, how they can be nice and let you pass before them at a supermarket, how they don't gossip about everyone, how they are friendly and nice to strangers, no country is perfect really, every country has its good and its bad, it could be hard when you're still not used to it at first, but once you get used to it, it becomes very normal... it doesn't shock me when I see crowded streets here in Egypt!

One thing that really shocked me in Egypt was the driving, and Mohamed kept telling me its only Cairo that is like that. I remember driving and seeing so many people almost getting run down by cars!! I would always say, OMG that person almost got hit!! He would laugh at me :blush:

I think most of the time we drove I had my eyes closed haha.

But on the other hand, when he was taking me places and didn't know how to get there :whistle:

he could pull over and ask any person on the side of the road or driving next to him, they were so nice and helpful. Here you don't really see that, people use their GPS, call on the phone for directions, or go into a gas station, you don't see too many people on the streets to ask for help and I think I can count on 2 hands the number of times I've seen someone ask another driver for help.

mandyu1

Female

Egypt

2010-08-19 12:25:00

I have to admit I'm so lucky that Wael's transition was a smooth one. He's loved the states since his arrival.
Got his license and car shortly after arriving and I do think this was a key in his adjustment. He was on his own
to search the city, and didn't have me to rely on. Everything was so exciting for him. Once he obtained his
year residency he began his courses to obtain his Bachelors in Economics which has kept him so busy. He
has mentioned occasionally that he misses Egypt, but in the same time he has said he could never live in
Egypt again. Of course he loves his country, his friends and his family, but his home is here and he lives
everyday doing his best in whatever challenges arise.

I love listening to him speak of how amazing America is. He loves to see clean streets, traffic
laws that are enforced, clean air, abundance of food in our markets....so many things we live with that are
taken for granted he sees as wonderful and exciting! I've always said he should have been a motivational speaker.
He always looks at the glass half full. Always tells me one can do and be whatever they so choose and desire here.
All one needs is to be committed to hard work and have the desire and motivation to accomplish it.

He is achieving the American dream and i'm so very proud of him.

This is so great Jeanne, I'm so happy for the both of you.

Many times Mohamed will ask me how certain things are here in America and when I tell him he says, thats so nice, I wish things/people in Egypt were like that. Talking about clean streets, I remember when I was in Egypt a few months ago there were garbage cans on the streets for people to use, but they were over flowing!! We were out one night and had some garbage and he was surprised but also admired that I did not just toss my trash out the car. He asked what I was going to do with it, and I said same thing I do when I'm at home. Wait until I get someplace and throw it away. And I informed him that if he's caught littering in the US he may have to pay a hefty fine

mandyu1

Female

Egypt

2010-08-19 10:24:00

I think men are having a harder time than female beneficiaries, being an Egyptian or Arabic woman I could think of why they're having a hard time adjusting, Arabic men like being "in control" and want to be quite the macho man When I used to go on dates, most of my dates would consider it very rude if I want to pay for my dinner for example.

We grew up in societies where men are always the leaders, bread winners, and very independent, expecting their wives to depend on them and be led, respecting their men. Also, there are lots of misconceptions about American women, all the freedom and liberty an American woman has. We just have many ideas about how free Americans are, and that worries us. My mom kept asking my fiancé if he has another girlfriend, besides me! She even asked his dad when my in laws visited us. He was like, I can hardly keep up with one!! and my mother in law kept asking "do you have a gf i don't know of??"

Thats a good point, I think a lot of women don't have a problem coming here and allowing their man to support and take care of them. I read somewhere that men thrive more from respect while for women it is love. When a man is taking care and providing for his family, and being responsible, those around him have a lot of respect for him. And for wowen (I'm speaking for myself) I enjoy doing things for my family and husband that will make them happy and let them know I love & care for them, and in return be appreciated and loved.

Also, IMO women are more sociable than men, so it may be easier to make friends around the neighborhood with other women who are home during the day, whereas a man not so much because most men are at work.

Good luck when you get here

mandyu1

Female

Egypt

2010-08-18 14:44:00

Mine is having such a hard adjustment, he has left and come back 3 times in 2 years.

Jackie

oh wow, how long does he stay gone for? Is he having a hard time find a job or is it the culture thats is hard for him to adjust to or a combination of things?

mandyu1

Female

Egypt

2010-08-18 08:09:00

We can't have a satellite, so we use www.talfazat.com and it works great with our TV. It doesn't pull in a lot of Egyptian stations though, but it has a lot of good programming and you can watch online or on your tv. We've had it over a month now. Noura's husband is a dealer and you could probably contact her for more information

honestly I don't like the dish much, but I never heard of this before. I was just on the website; is it like a receiver for your tv, or how does it work on the tv?

mandyu1

Female

Egypt

2010-08-17 13:09:00

Dish Network has a nice satellite package for Arabic channels. I believe for the "elite" package it's around $50 or so a month. They have smaller packages for less money if you don't want all the channels in the elite. We've been looking into this ourselves lately.

oh thats great, I didn't think Dish network or Directv had arabic channels, thanks

mandyu1

Female

Egypt

2010-08-17 12:06:00

That's the most important point .'' Love'' if you guys love each other so much it means that you are going to make it .We all know that life is not always happy or as we say in Egypt life is not always rose LOL .You will have your bad and good time thats for sure .
But as much as you guys love each other you will survive .

And i notice that we are just talking here about how the '' Woman '' make her husband happy and how to help him to adjust to his new life .We always have to talk about how the man be a good husband to his wife .

Here are some tips about how to be a successful husband

1. Dress up for your wife, look clean and smell good.When was the last time us men went shopping for designer pajamas? Just like the husband wants his wife to look nice for him, she also wants her husband to dress up for her too. Remember that Rasul Allah - sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam - would always start with Miswak when returning home and always loved the sweetest smells.2. Use the cutest names for your wife. Rasul Allah - sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam - had nicknames for his wives, ones that they loved. Call your wife by the most beloved names to her, and avoid using names that hurt their feelings.

3. Don't treat her like a fly. We never think about a fly in our daily lives until it 'bugs' us. Similarly, a wife will do well all day - which brings no attention from the husband - until she does something to 'bug' him. Don't treat her like this; recognize all the good that she does and focus on that.

4. If you see wrong from your wife, try being silent and do not comment! This is one of the ways Rasul Allah - sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam - used when he would see something inappropriate from his wives - radi Allahu 'anhunn. It's a technique that few Muslim men have mastered.

5. Smile at your wife whenever you see her and embrace her often. Smiling is Sadaqah and your wife is not exempt from the Muslim Ummah. Imagine life with her constantly seeing you smiling. Remember also those Ahadith when Rasul Allah - sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam - would kiss his wife before leaving for Salah, even if he was fasting.

6. Thank her for all that she does for you. Then thank her again! Take for example a dinner at your house. She makes the food, cleans the home, and a dozen other tasks to prepare. And sometimes the only acknowledgement she receives is that there needed to be more salt in the soup. Don't let that be; thank her!

7. Ask her to write down the last ten things you did for her that made her happy. Then go and do them again. It may be hard to recognize what gives your wife pleasure. You don't have to play a guessing game, ask her and work on repeating those times in your life.

8. Don't be little her desires. Comfort her. Sometimes the men may look down upon the requests of their wives. Rasul Allah - sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam set the example for us in an incident when Safiyyah - radi Allahu 'anha - was crying because, as she said, he had put her on a slow camel. He wiped her tears, comforted her, and brought her the camel.

9. Be humorous and Play games with your wife. Look at how Rasul Allah - sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam - would race his wife Aisha - radi Allahu 'anha - in the desert. When was the last time we did something like that?

10. Always remember the words of Allah's Messenger - sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam: "The best of you are those who treat their families the best. And I am the best amongst you to my family." Try to be the best!

Very nice list, I will pass this on to him hehe

When I think about the sacrifices he is making for me so he can come here, and the struggles he will endure, it makes the hardships I will encounter seem minimal. I'm constantly thinking of ways to make his transition easier, and thats one of the reasons I wrote this thread. And fortunately I work remotely from home so I have a lot of flexibility. This will allow me to be with him during the day (even if I'm still doing some work)and he won't be completely alone. He is from Cairo, but has been living the last year in Makka, and just recently returned to Egypt. Prior to working in Makka he worked in Sudan for a year also, so he has already had a taste of what its like to be away from his family, although being in the USA is a lot further away.

Maybe someone can answer this for me; are there any satellite providers that offer Arabic channels? This is one thing he has asked me about, so I've been trying to find out.

mandyu1

Female

Egypt

2010-08-17 11:41:00