biggish data

TuuTuesdayy

QUOTE (allousa @ Aug 21 2007, 07:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Sereia - I am SOOOO glad that things are working out for you guys!

We'll keep our fingers crossed that Abdou gets the job!!!!!

MAJOR MOJO!!!!

Every time I see that word "mojo", I think about Mojo Jojo from the Powerpuff Girls.

I am just surfing Youtube and eating some cantaloupe. Exciting, huh?

There are a couple of people here, but not many people are posting. Are Tuesdays boring still?

Oh - and that clip was funny. I downloaded it to my collection!

monnik

Not Telling

Egypt

2007-08-21 14:48:00

U.S. Official Denying Entry

Thanks for posting the story here. I get it now. The officer COULD have denied him, but they didn't. I know that will terrify you when your husband gets to the airport!

Don't worry. I don't think that will happen to him!

monnik

Not Telling

Egypt

2007-08-21 11:16:00

U.S. Official Denying Entry

I couldn't open the article to read it, allousa, but I sure hope that it doesn't happen to your husband! That would be so awful!

What was the reason they denied they guy in the article? Did they give a reason?

monnik

Not Telling

Egypt

2007-08-21 10:34:00

WTF Wednesday!

DISCLAIMER: No humps were actually exposed in the photographs here.

hehehee. They were in a tall truck, so I couldn't get their humps, their humps, their humps, their humps

.......

HAHAHAAAAA

monnik

Not Telling

Egypt

2007-08-22 10:47:00

WTF Wednesday!

QUOTE (jenn3539 @ Aug 22 2007, 05:54 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (monnik @ Aug 22 2007, 10:44 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Ewww. I am so sorry about the skunk smell. I have never smelled it, and I don't want to. Sorry again.

You've never smelled a skunk? What!? That's like never having eaten a muffin! Not that muffins taste like skunks.

You have never tasted my sister's cooking........

Well, I have smelled some pretty rotten things. But, I usually chalked it up to a dead animal roadside. Where I am from, there are a lot of opossums and raccoons. So, there was always some dead smell coming from the woods. Maybe I smelled it without knowing it.

I have missed out on some of the finer things in life.

monnik

Not Telling

Egypt

2007-08-22 10:41:00

WTF Wednesday!

Ewww. I am so sorry about the skunk smell. I have never smelled it, and I don't want to. Sorry again.

All of the happy hump day pictures that I have seen made me take this picture the night we came back from Alexandria.

Happy hump day everybody!!!!!

monnik

Not Telling

Egypt

2007-08-22 09:44:00

I gotta say Thanks to you all

I like hearing that she's ok. Thanks doodle for any updates you can give us.

God bless you Dee!

monnik

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Egypt

2007-08-19 04:18:00

I gotta say Thanks to you all

Stay safe, dee. You are a great mom for protecting your boys!!! (F)

And, don't forget that Melinda posted that she has experience and education in dealing with situations similar to yours. She may be able to offer guidance.

God bless you and your babies.

monnik

Not Telling

Egypt

2007-08-10 12:57:00

I gotta say Thanks to you all

Dee, I think you are very strong and very smart. I hope you have luck in making a peaceful home for your family.

One of my experiences -

I pitched a couple of fits here for no real reason except I was feeling frustrated and isolated. (I have been away from my home/country/family for more than a year) I miss my family a lot. (I don't really know why....I mean, after I am with them for a couple of days, I need a break

) And, I really think that when we get to USA and if he starts to feel the same, I will know where he is coming from. I guess I just want to say that anybody can feel those frustrations. I don't think it just affects men, or people from MENA, or any particular group.

You are doing a great thing for yourself by reaching out for support for yourself and your husband to counteract the turbulence at home! I hope it passes soon! (F)

monnik

Not Telling

Egypt

2007-08-06 21:22:00

Phone call from Embassy

That's great news Tammy! It's amazing how one little contact from the embassy can make you perk up.

Looks like everything is moving along.

monnik

Not Telling

Egypt

2007-08-22 13:22:00

I don't know if anyone ever asked you, Cheryl. But, what do you do at the tattoo shop? Are you an artist? piercer? What's your specialty?

monnik

Not Telling

Egypt

2007-08-24 15:24:00

It's like Denny's. Only, it's about 5 degrees in there all year round. Even in the summer, you need a sweater when you go in there. The windows get condensated like a cold glass of Bebsi!!!!

Here's another link to a Waffle House video. I only saw the first couple seconds, but it seems to be working.

monnik

Not Telling

Egypt

2007-08-24 14:47:00

QUOTE (allousa @ Aug 24 2007, 10:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

My memories of the Casa de Waffle are VERY fuzzy at best. That was the place to go after a heavy night of drinkin' and dancin'. Know what I mean?????

Somehow all of the grease was the best cure for a vicious hangover!

Some of you may know, I go to the Y at lunch to exercise or swim. Well, today I finally made my goal of swimming 10 laps straight. I'm really, really proud of myself as I'm really accomplishing my weight loss goals. Any of you doing that...just hang in there and keep on believing in yourself. I'd pat myself on the back, but after all that, I don't think I can even lift my arms!

When I got back from working out, I went to get my sammich out of the fridge in the breakroom....AND IT WAS GONE!!!! I walked down the hall of the office and started asking around about my sammich. Finally, one of the guys that I work with was like...ohhh...I thought that was my sammich from last week, so I threw it out. And then he didn't say anything else. I was like, "Hey you azzz, that was my lunch!!!!"

Yeah. Waffle House was always a pit stop on the way home from the club. Sometimes it was so full, it was like a whole nother disco going on in the parking lot!

WOW! That guy made a big mistake. Did he offer to buy you another sandwich or anything?

monnik

Not Telling

Egypt

2007-08-24 14:22:00

Well...........I think we were about 15 and we used to walk downtown every afternoon in our town. We also used to play a stupid game with books of matches. We would light the matches as fast as we could and throw them at eachother. When they hit our skin, the match would be put out, and it wouldn't burn, but it would sting a little bit. (dumb kids, I know) Plus, it was summertime, so we were wearing shorts and short sleeves. We would aim for eachothers' arms and legs. (never on the clothes or hair - because that, see, would be DANGEROUS

)

So..............she threw a match at me and it went behind me near the trash at the Waffle House and I didn't pay it any attention. I thought that it was extinguished. Then, when we were on our way home, we saw a fire truck putting out a fire in the big dumpster at the Waffle House.

OMG!! Our pockets were full of books of matches! We were drowning in evidence! So, we ditched the matches and stopped playing that game.

monnik

Not Telling

Egypt

2007-08-24 12:35:00

I am here. Happy Friday everyone. I love the Waffle House.......my friend accidentally set the Waffle House's trash dumpster on fire one time.

That's one of my finer Waffle House memories.

Double those hashbrowns please! Scattered and smothered.

And I love pecan waffles (pronounced PEEEEEE-can) .

monnik

Not Telling

Egypt

2007-08-24 12:18:00

I know it took so long

She is such a precious baby. Thanks for sharing, Salwa.

monnik

Not Telling

Egypt

2007-08-20 16:34:00

That was funny, Tammy! So cute!

monnik

Not Telling

Egypt

2007-08-25 12:47:00

That's what I would say- wear a body shirt or a camisole underneath. Not only will it prevent you from exposing yourself, but they can smooth you out, too.

You could look for a style like that Jackie but with a higher neckline.

What color looks best on you?

monnik

Not Telling

Egypt

2007-08-22 17:15:00

double post - bad connection

Edited by monnik, 22 August 2007 - 01:11 PM.

monnik

Not Telling

Egypt

2007-08-22 13:09:00

I like this style:

It would be good for hiding my love handles!

monnik

Not Telling

Egypt

2007-08-22 13:08:00

QUOTE (jmagayreh @ Aug 22 2007, 08:30 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi everybody. I have been in a little funk lately, so have not been posting much. Love the purse doodle, but after Labor Day I wouldn't use pink.

Help me find a shirt to wear to the concert.

Jackie

What kind of top are you looking for girl? Give me an idea and I will look for some inspiration for you!

Chin up. We are here for you.

monnik

Not Telling

Egypt

2007-08-22 12:41:00

I like it! Maybe if they had it in another color (white, gold, silver) , it wouldn't stand out as much to you. But there is so much pink in the world, I don't think people would notice! I LOVE PINK!
See:

Buy it!

Edited by monnik, 22 August 2007 - 12:32 PM.

monnik

Not Telling

Egypt

2007-08-22 12:31:00

Nope. I have never seen that one. But, you made a good choice.

monnik

Not Telling

Egypt

2007-08-22 10:56:00

Hmmmm. Good job allousa. He IS hot!

monnik

Not Telling

Egypt

2007-08-22 09:52:00

Those were cute, amal!!! Thanks.

monnik

Not Telling

Egypt

2007-08-22 04:49:00

Changes you would like to see take place at US Embassy in Cairo?

I am putting together a petition and a campaign to provoke changes at the US Embassy in Cairo. I would appreciate your feedback regarding, but not limited to, the following:

What is Cairo's problem? Understaffing, Egyptian Red Tape, Lack of Enthusiasm, Large # of Cases, Politics, etc.

#1 thing that bugs you about Cairo- AP/AR times, Unresponsiveness, Generic Emails, Rudeness, Discrimination, etc.

How has it impacted your life? Fatal Illnesses, Financial Burden, Discrimination, Denials, etc.
(Aside from being apart from your fiancee/husband/wife, give specific hardship that I could paraphrase for impact in my objective statement.)

Can anything be done to change it?

I am very uninformed about the whole process and how the petition could help. But, I'm willing to give this a try! Please give me your opinions on the most direct way I can use this information to affect how the Embassy processes our cases.

I would also love to hear from people about other things I can do to accompany this petition (i.e., writing letters or phone calls) that may help us.

Vent, rant, rage, or do anything else to let me know about your story. You never know what opinion or perspective could be helpful in creating change.

monnik

Not Telling

Egypt

2007-05-05 22:40:00

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL ON MENA!!!

monnik

Not Telling

Egypt

2007-05-13 17:22:00

How well does your SO speak and use your language?

My husband's English is about 75%. It's weird, but all of the bigger words like "production", "consumption", "dictatorship", "opportunity", etc. are part of his vocabulary, but smaller, more common words like "chance", "forest", "odd", etc. he has never heard.

Overall, he improves every day. He speaks better English than anyone in his family, his grammar is awesome (sometimes we play the "speak, spoke, spoken: see, saw, seen" game and he passes 99%) and he writes and reads very well.

He makes some mistakes (like CATCH THIS! instead of HOLD THIS!), but he knows the right word. Sometimes he translates from Arabic to English directly without adjusting his words. But, he self-corrects and I don't have to do much except practice with him.

He has a long way to go to be able to attend univ in USA, but that is one of our goals!

monnik

Not Telling

Egypt

2007-05-13 01:43:00

Ethnic/Religious Fears...

Thanks for all the advice.

Perhaps I offended some folks, but I'm not really sure how...

I don't believe in "reverse" discrimination, discrimination is discrimination....however I can only speak about our experiences being Muslim.

I don't think it's stupid or unwarranted to have fears about these issues, but I am so glad that there have been so many success stories here, thank you all for sharing the happy information with me.

Insha`Allah we can be on that list one day, and after reading it I'm feeling lucky that we're applying from Riyadh and not from Cairo!!!

Thanks again..Masalaama,

Emily

I think you will be successful!!!! Your case sounds steady and I don't see any immediate red flags for you guys. You will be fine. Sorry I couldn't give you more personal advice about discrimination towards arabs/Muslims, but I just wanted to let you know that it's normal to worry or be scared. The process is nerve-wrecking, but you will find plenty of support, advice, and information here.

Wishing you luck and happiness, Nicole

Posted Image

and, yes you are lucky that you are not in Cairo!!!!!!!!!
Posted Image

monnik

Not Telling

Egypt

2007-05-13 18:19:00

Ethnic/Religious Fears...

With all of the current problems in the world I have a huge fear that my husband's visa will be denied simply because of his ethnicity and our religion. I know legally they "can't" do that, yet I also know there are many ways that they can find problems and reasons to deny anyones application if they wish to. We are really at their mercy.

Does anyone have any thoughts or advice on this matter?

Thoughts: Everyone is at the so-called mercy of the Consular Officials, but that's no reason to panic. If you talk with anyone from the ME/NA board, they will testify that many visas have been issued to Muslim men with either Muslim or non-Muslim wives. Also, I personally know of 2 Coptic Christians who were denied visas. (Is that a case of reverse discrimination? I'm not sure, but I don't think so.) But, what that means is that being of a certain religion doesn't help or hurt you. Your case will be searched for RED FLAG issues, and THOSE will be possible reasons for a denial.

Advice: Prepare yourselves and then Go for it!

monnik

Not Telling

Egypt

2007-05-13 04:56:00

Any word on M+S's baby?

??? ?????

monnik

Not Telling

Egypt

2007-05-13 04:37:00

hey guys good news tonite

thanks abdounjen!!

monnik

Not Telling

Egypt

2007-05-08 21:24:00

hey guys good news tonite

??? ????? ?? ???
congratulations friend!!!

monnik

Not Telling

Egypt

2007-05-08 20:57:00

Friday!!!

happy friday~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

monnik

Not Telling

Egypt

2007-05-18 17:06:00

Happy Birthday Tammy Sue

i don't know you , but i still hope you have a good birthday!! wooooohoooo~~~~~~~~~~~

Posted Image

i looooooove birthdays

monnik

Not Telling

Egypt

2007-05-19 02:22:00

[http://filfil.net/mo...ce97ea2f27e5f36

Speaking of balance.....to anyone who saw this video or has seen any other version of it in the past, here is a more BALANCED transcript of what was said on this program. It doesn't take away from the point of the video, but it does show another opinion for those who are interested.

7/26/2005 Clip No. 783

LA Psychologist Wafa Sultan Clashes with Algerian Islamist Ahmad bin Muhammad over Islamic Teachings and Terrorism

The following are excerpts from a debate between Wafa Sultan, a psychologist from Los Angeles and Dr. Ahmad Bin Muhammad, an Algerian professor of religious politics. Al-Jazeera TV aired this debate on July 26, 2005.

Wafa Sultan: Why does a young Muslim man, in the prime of life, with a full life ahead, go and blow himself up? How and why does he blow himself up in a bus full of innocent passengers?

In our countries, religion is the sole source of education, and is the only spring from which that terrorist drank until his thirst was quenched. He was not born a terrorist, and did not become a terrorist overnight. Islamic teachings played a role in weaving his ideological fabric, thread by thread, and did not allow other sources – I am referring to scientific sources – to play a role. It was these teachings that distorted this terrorist and killed his humanity. It was not (the terrorist) who distorted the religious teachings and misunderstood them, as some ignorant people claim.

When you recite to a child still in his early years the verse: "They will be killed or crucified, or have their hands and feet on alternate sides cut off," regardless of this verse's interpretation, and regardless of the reasons it was conveyed or its time – you have made the first step towards creating a great terrorist...

Bin Muhammad: The guest from America asked how a young man could blow up a bus. If only she had asked how a president could blow up a peaceful nation in Iraq. How does a president help the arch-killer of occupied Palestine? Why doesn't she ask from where Hitler was brought up – Hitler, who murdered 50 million innocent people. Why doesn't she ask where the people who dropped two atom bombs on Japan were educated? Who killed three million innocent Vietnamese? Who annihilated the Indians? Who maintained imperialism to this day? Who waged the Spanish civil war, which exacted a toll of 600,000 in 36 months? Why don't we ask these questions? Who has over 15,000 nuclear warheads – Muslims or the non-Muslims? The Muslims or the Americans? The Muslims or the Europeans? We want an answer. Where was Bush educated – if education is really what makes a person a criminal?...

Wafa Sultan: Murder is terrorism regardless of time or place, but when it is committed as a decree from Allah, this is another matter...

The Crusader wars about which the professor is talking – these wars came after the Islamic religious teachings, and as a response to these teachings. This is the law of action and reaction. The Islamic religious teachings have incited to the rejection of the other, to the denial of the other, and to the killing of the other. Have they not incited to the killing of Jews and Christians? If we had heard that a tribe in a distant corner of China has a holy book and religious teachings calling to kill Muslims – would the Muslims stand idly by in the face of such teachings?

The Crusader wars came after these Islamic religious teachings. When these Islamic teachings were delivered, America did not exist on the face of the earth, nor was Israel in Palestine...

Why doesn't he talk about the Muslim conquests that preceded all the wars he is talking about? Why doesn't he mention that when Tariq bin Ziyyad entered Andalusia with his armies, he said to his people: "The sea is behind you, and the enemy is in front"? How can you storm a peaceful country, and consider all its peaceful inhabitants to be your enemies, merely because you have the right to spread your religion? Should the religion be spread by the sword and through fighting?...

Bin Muhammad: Who invented slavery in recent centuries? Who colonized the other – us or them? Did Algeria colonize France, or vice versa? Did Egypt colonize England, or vice versa? We are the victims...

I am not saying that killing innocent people is nice. I say that all innocent people should be protected. But at the same time, we must start with the innocent among the Muslims. There are millions of innocent people among us, while the innocent among you – and innocent they are – number only dozens, hundreds, or thousands, at the most...

Wafa Sultan: Can you explain to me the killing of a hundred thousand children, women and men in Algeria, using the most abominable killing methods? Can you explain to me the killing of 15,000 Syrian civilians? Can you explain to me the abominable crime in the military artillery school in Aleppo? Can you explain the crime in Al-Asbaqiya neighborhood of Damascus, Syria? Can you explain the attack of the terrorists on the peaceful village of Al-Kisheh in Upper Egypt, and the massacre of 21 Coptic peasants? Can you explain to me what is going on in Indonesia, Turkey, and Egypt, even though these are Islamic countries which opposed the American intervention in Iraq, and which don't have armies in Iraq, yet were not spared by the terrorists? Can you explain these phenomena, which took place in Arab countries? Was all this revenge on America or Israel? Or were they merely to satisfy bestial wild instincts aroused in them by religious teachings, which incite to rejection of the other, to the killing of the other, and to the denial of the other. When Saddam Hussein buried 300,000 Shiites and Kurds alive, we did not hear a single Muslim protesting. Your silence served to acknowledge the legitimacy of these killings, didn't it?...

What do you want from me? To speak evil of the American society? I've never said that America is the eternal city of Plato, but I did say it was the eternal city of Wafa Sultan. The idealism of American society was enough to allow me to realize my humanity. I came to this country with fear.

Bin Muhammad:Along with the Indians? Along with the Indians? What was left of the Indians? What do you have to say about the Indians?

Wafa Sultan: Christopher Columbus discovered American in 1492. America was founded in 1776, approximately 300 years later. You cannot blame America – as a constitution, a regime, and a state – for killing the Indians.

monnik

Not Telling

Egypt

2007-05-19 04:01:00

Because Islam is nothing like Christianity. And while it's similar to Judaism in terms of obligations, it's still unique in its incrementalism and obligations. One can't look at Islam via Jewish or Christian POV and expect to understand what it is GEG is saying.

aren't you an athiest?

Come back when your question holds some relevance. Or better yet, let me just jump ahead through your vapid question and get to the meat of it all.

The fact I don't personally believe in God (atheist, btw) has nothing to do with my ability to understand a religion via its own POV.

I don't think that kerewin was trying to say that Islam and Christianity were alike other than the fact that people's outward appearance and/or their interpretation of their beliefs can vary from one person to the next. Even though they have the same essential beliefs, no two Christians will be identical in their dress/makeup/outspokedness according to their faith. The same goes for Islam men and women. No two people will look exactly alike in all aspects or expectations of their religion. Those variations exist inside each religious/cultural group. These variations can sometimes be viewed as "increments" of the person's faith if you take a look at their individual spiritual journey. ex., A young girl (doesn't have to be young, btw) who adorns her hijab now may or may not continue to do so if she acheives a more mature and obliging perception of her religion.

Although an individual's current behaviors can be used as a measuring stick to see how much their faith projects onto others in their everyday life, taking a look at these types of behaviors shouldn't be considered mocking. It should be seen as an opportunity to educate. Many people have preconceived notions about other religions, and those prejudices go back and forth both ways.

I don't know if I agree with the statements made about a person's point of view. I don't think that you always have to look at Islam from a Christian perspective just because you are a Christian. (But, I don't believe you can separate yourself 100% from your beliefs, either.) I believe that Christians, Jews, etc. can view Islam from a human perspective and completely understand GEG's feelings. I don't think that your religion hinders your ability to be human. Along those same lines, I don't believe that atheism or any one religion gives one an insight into other religions. Anyone can understand where GEG was coming from. People were making light of Islam and Islamic tenets in her opinion, whereas other religions don't get "harped" on (so to say) as much. This is not about the religion itsself, as much as it is about others quickness to dismiss her values as "take it or leave it". To her, this trivializes her beliefs, and it can happen to anyone in any religion. It happens every day.

Her point, along with others' points, can be valid and co-exist without cancelling eachother out. People's religious beliefs, or lack thereof, are very important to them. Just as well, curiosity and lack of empathy exist in our world, so always be prepared to educate someone about what they might misconceive. This issue is multi-layered and people have a tendency to pull statements and words together (or apart) in order to emphasize. But, overall, everyone has a lot to give to this forum, to religions outside their own, and to the world. Just don't waste too much time trying to criticize or demonize the ones who are essentially in the same boat as you are. It all balances out in the end, I believe.

monnik

Not Telling

Egypt

2007-05-19 03:50:00

thanks for all of the information and opinions!!!
i don't consider any style that i would be wearing a hijab cause it would not be for religious purposes (fashion only). and, i have seen many Egyptians with colored eyes *my hubby's are honeydew green* so i know that is not reason alone for people to get stared at. (even though he does! he gets remembered for his eyes anywhere he goes. so, i know it's not the only reason, but it's one of them)

i already stand out when we are in public and i dont want to grab additional attention. it seems like the more people stare, the more i have to watch what i say or do. i didnt want to be looked at as a Christian who is mocking the religion like someone said. *btw, the blue-eyed thing was just a side note. there are other factors that let people know we are christians , like our names, no females being covered in the group, cross tattoos on our wrists, etc* all of those things together make it apparent.
the more i think about it, i think that it's ok and non-offensive to wrap my hair, but i will probably wait to test it out in USA.
i guess the main thing is like moody said she likes to blend in while in Egypt. and living here in another culture with Christians who don't cover themselves at all, i would not blend in with my family. that is the most important thing to me; to make them feel comfortable. and then when i go home, i can wear it without any apprehension.

THANKS AGAIN EVERYBODY
Posted Image

monnik

Not Telling

Egypt

2007-05-17 23:52:00

There are quite a few Christians who hold to covering their hair for religious reasons, and also for cultural reasons (in a lot of the ME you see people basically dressed the same regardless of religion). Strict orthodox judaism also involves haircovering for women. "Modern" orthodox jews cover their hair in the synagogue. I don't see how it would be disrespectful or offensive to any group. Maybe he has another reason? the "Spanish" style does not fit the "proper" muslim covering because it doesn't cover the neck and really does look like a christian or jewish covering to me. I'd say make a friend and ask! I belong to a yahoo group for women who are christian, muslim, or jewish who cover their hair and dress modestly or are interested in it.. I can see if anyone knows of an online tutorial.

thanks for the info. a tutorial would be nice.
when i wear it, it will be just for fashion. like i tell my hubby sometimes "cause i want to, thats why!" hehhehehe but, he told me part of his reasons. i mean, he said in his family, noone covers their hair. so, maybe he doesn't want me to stick out more than i already do. i mean i stick out in his family & in public.
so all eyes are on me, and in USA it wouldn't even be an issue, but here it is so important what your family thinks about you and i wouldn't want to give my MIL any reason to have to defend me or my fashion tastes.

but, im definitely gonna wear it when i get back to USA even if i have to teach myself how to do it. i just hope i dont ####### myself to death with the pins! :wacko:

monnik

Not Telling

Egypt

2007-05-17 01:22:00