Forum	Title	Content	Member	Sex	Country	Date/Time
Middle East and North Africa	Red Wine Vinegar	Does anyone know what could replace red wine vinegar in a vinaigrette? The results I find say to use balsamic which also includes wine... Any suggestions?	New Beginnings	Female	Morocco	2009-10-08 09:37:00
Middle East and North Africa	It's FRIDAY!!! TGIF MENA	Happy Friday everyone!! Stuck on a 2 hour conference call that has nothing to do with my job function!! These should not be allowed on Friday's!	New Beginnings	Female	Morocco	2009-10-09 10:50:00
Middle East and North Africa	? About Costs, Mailing Proof and Docs for Interview!	Scan everything and upload your pictures if possible to a website he can download them from and have them printed at a photo place there. That way you eliminate the need to mail anything! Scan everything and upload your pictures if possible to a website he can download them from and have them printed at a photo place there. That way you eliminate the need to mail anything!	New Beginnings	Female	Morocco	2009-10-11 18:53:00
Middle East and North Africa	It's Wednesday!	Morning Mena!	New Beginnings	Female	Morocco	2009-10-14 06:35:00
Middle East and North Africa	Sending money to ME/NA	As long as it is discussed and agreed upon I have no problem with it. I see no difference in my husband sending money home and me supporting my parents when they get older if needed. It's family, parents, siblings... what else can you do? If you can help when needed, you help. Doesn't matter if they're in MENA or Minnesota. That's just my opinion.	New Beginnings	Female	Morocco	2009-10-14 06:24:00
Middle East and North Africa	Leaving VJ	QUOTE (Astarte @ Oct 15 2009, 12:36 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> We're ruining the farewell thread!!! I blame you	New Beginnings	Female	Morocco	2009-10-15 12:41:00
Middle East and North Africa	Leaving VJ	QUOTE (Astarte @ Oct 15 2009, 09:29 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Well said. I want to add about your comments re: someone having a bad day or just a jerk in general. Many of us here who may seem "jerky" are actually really cool, lovely ppl. Not having a bad day, not having a bad life, not in a bad mood but perhaps have low tolerance for certain behaviors. Certain ppl rub me the wrong way. I like lots of ppl around here and act accordingly. I don't like some ppl and most of the time I just don't respond to their posts. When someone comes along behaving like the OP behaves it pisses me off. I get a warm, fuzzy feeling when I'm able to help someone but when it's obvious that someone doesn't even bother to do *any* leg work of their own, well that's just laziness. Instead of wanting ppl to lay everything on your lap perhaps ask, where can *I* find such and such info? I'm obviously not alone in my thinking here. There are many forums here, guides, archives, etc. Do a little poking around, if you can't find what you're looking for ask. Also, like many others I went through my VJ awhile ago. Things have changed with paperwork, requirements and procedures. But I can give advice about interview stuff, adjustment in the US stuff, etc. Sometimes it's the delivery. I know I can be short with ppl or straight forward and it comes off as b!tchy. Ppl should maybe be adults about this. We are a bunch of ppl with different lives, different situations and different personalities. QUOTE (New Beginnings @ Oct 15 2009, 09:56 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I don't know, maybe this is just my cynical side... but to me posts like this seem like a way to get people to try to change your mind to try to get you to stay so that you feel wanted. VJ is a give/take relationship. The people that take the time out of their busy schedule.. between work, school, family, friends, their own immigration situation.. deserve to be thanked for their contribution and willingness to help you. IMO.. if you have time to read the response, you have time to put a nice Thank You! post on the thread. Also, I remember feeling a little offended by some posts in the beginning because they weren't wrapped nicely in "warm fuzzies" (nice, gentle comments). A lot of time they're the straight fact and you have a choice to either accept what people say, or not accept it. In fact, that's also true in life. Most people don't keep your feelings and emotions in mind, if someone says something that bothers you... it is your choice on how to react to it. You can either accept it as someone just having a bad day or that maybe they're just a jerk in general or you can choose to give it power over your life. I often take the route of not giving it power to change my life. But being a girl.... I sometimes let things bother me All this being said, it's your decision if you want to leave and not use a valuable tool that is free to you. If you feel you have a great handle on this than go for it. Thankfully VJ members are not vindictive people so if you ever do need to come back, you would be welcomed with open arms. Make the decision that's right for you. To me, short answers are the perfect thing. Like I said, when people take the time out to help you they deserve a thank you. We aren't immigration lawyers that are assigned to help do everything for people. We're here to help clarify questions and point in the right direction. It bothers me when people don't do their own work because I'm not getting paid to do their immigration! I've always liked your posts Astarte so I say keep doing what you're doing!	New Beginnings	Female	Morocco	2009-10-15 10:59:00
Middle East and North Africa	Leaving VJ	I don't know, maybe this is just my cynical side... but to me posts like this seem like a way to get people to try to change your mind to try to get you to stay so that you feel wanted. VJ is a give/take relationship. The people that take the time out of their busy schedule.. between work, school, family, friends, their own immigration situation.. deserve to be thanked for their contribution and willingness to help you. IMO.. if you have time to read the response, you have time to put a nice Thank You! post on the thread. Also, I remember feeling a little offended by some posts in the beginning because they weren't wrapped nicely in "warm fuzzies" (nice, gentle comments). A lot of time they're the straight fact and you have a choice to either accept what people say, or not accept it. In fact, that's also true in life. Most people don't keep your feelings and emotions in mind, if someone says something that bothers you... it is your choice on how to react to it. You can either accept it as someone just having a bad day or that maybe they're just a jerk in general or you can choose to give it power over your life. I often take the route of not giving it power to change my life. But being a girl.... I sometimes let things bother me All this being said, it's your decision if you want to leave and not use a valuable tool that is free to you. If you feel you have a great handle on this than go for it. Thankfully VJ members are not vindictive people so if you ever do need to come back, you would be welcomed with open arms. Make the decision that's right for you. Edited by New Beginnings, 15 October 2009 - 08:58 AM.	New Beginnings	Female	Morocco	2009-10-15 08:56:00
Middle East and North Africa	Aid al-Adha - Sacrificing Sheep in US?	We'll go to someone's farm and probably go in on a sheep with a few people. Ask around at the mosques!	New Beginnings	Female	Morocco	2009-10-10 15:34:00
Middle East and North Africa	New updated numbers for Morocco's consulate	The phone number for the VISA office is 212 661-99-83-64 They are open from 3-4 Morocco time	New Beginnings	Female	Morocco	2009-10-08 10:54:00
Middle East and North Africa	Friday!!!	Morning MENA!	New Beginnings	Female	Morocco	2009-10-16 09:43:00
Middle East and North Africa	What is meant by Court and Police Certificate..	Police certificate is obtained from the local police department. the court papers are called the Fiche Anthropometrique and is obtained from the courthouse! Hope that helps!	New Beginnings	Female	Morocco	2009-10-18 22:56:00
Middle East and North Africa	Us embassy in morocco	I don't know of a way to change it apart from proving that there is a circumstance like a medical issue or something as severe that would push the interview date earlier.	New Beginnings	Female	Morocco	2009-10-22 09:23:00
Middle East and North Africa	THURSDAY MENA!!!!!	Good Morning! It's possible that all this financial aid junk is done now for my husband! Hopefully we'll hear something today... fingers crossed.	New Beginnings	Female	Morocco	2009-10-22 08:45:00
Middle East and North Africa	Medical exam	Yeah, I would call her back and confirm that she understands what you're asking for. That's significantly higher than it should be	New Beginnings	Female	Morocco	2009-10-16 09:13:00
Middle East and North Africa	Monday	Monday morning and I'm sick... This is great!	New Beginnings	Female	Morocco	2009-10-26 09:58:00
Middle East and North Africa	Minnesota MENA Mini-Meet Up, anyone?	I'm fairly open, I would just need a few days notice. Speaking of Eid... what is everyone doing? I don't think we want to get a whole sheep for ourselves... but maybe we will. Are people interested in maybe going halfsies or something?	New Beginnings	Female	Morocco	2009-10-26 10:47:00
Middle East and North Africa	Minnesota MENA Mini-Meet Up, anyone?	that would be great for me! My only request is the possibility for pedicures	New Beginnings	Female	Morocco	2009-10-08 13:30:00
Middle East and North Africa	Minnesota MENA Mini-Meet Up, anyone?	Next week might be better for me. Hicham & Darlene are in Hutchinson so I would definitely want to invite her. Maybe our men can get together and play a little soccer before the snow starts to fall!	New Beginnings	Female	Morocco	2009-10-08 13:22:00
Middle East and North Africa	Minnesota MENA Mini-Meet Up, anyone?	I am definitely excited for a meet up! It needs to happy before -50 degree weather!	New Beginnings	Female	Morocco	2009-10-08 08:52:00
Middle East and North Africa	dealing with a vindictive ex	QUOTE (venusfire503 @ Oct 17 2009, 03:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (New Beginnings @ Oct 17 2009, 04:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> This may not work at all but what about trying to get a mediator for the whole family or family counseling, him and his wife and you and your husband. Get all of you in the same place and try to work out whatever underlying issue is there.. He's obviously holding on to something and who knows, maybe that could help! New Beginnings, I did try to get him to agree for the two of us to get something like that - some sort of neutral third party - last summer. He was not interested. Then again, we went to marriage counseling off and on for 5 years, and that never got anywhere. I hope the court orders co-parenting therapy or something like that. For one thing, he thinks co-parenting = "I do what he says". He's really horrible. The stuff I heard from the kids that I KNOW he said to/around them.... Once, my daughter said something to me, and the following day, my ex used the exact same phrase in an email he sent to me (it was about how many days I had spent in Morocco). Another time, one of the kid's teachers told me that he said something to her (about what I fed them), and it was exactly what my daughter had said to me the night before - right after spending time with her father. Other times, the kids will just come straight out and tell me that he's said things - and I don't ask them, either (and I try not to react - just change the subject after saying "well, that's not true"). While we were still married, he said all types of things to me - that there was something wrong with me and I should "get help", he claimed that I was in poor health - talked me into getting tested for diabetes (I'm actually very healthy, although I could lose a few pounds). Oh - he told the kids I was in the hospital and needed surgery because I didn't take care of myself - I had an appendectomy, which has nothing to do with how you take care of yourself! Anyway, sorry to ramble on - I'm just so IRRITATED with him, and the closer it gets to the court date, the more irritated I get. On top of it all, I know he is teaching the kids bad things. He's one of those people who will do whatever it takes to get what he wants, and doesn't care who it hurts, if it's moral or legal, etc. I don't think he's the best influence on them, so I guess it's good that he always shoves them off onto babysitters or their friends' families - or has playdates at his house, knowing they'll more or less be out of the way. I'm so happy that he hasn't managed to turn them against me and my husband, at least. They know we really love them. I think the teachers, doctors, etc see through him too. Anyway, I appreciate the help and support everyone! venusfire Well it sounds like you've kind of wracked your brain trying to think of things to make it better and unfortunately nothing seems to work with this guy. I'm support therapy 100% so sorry if I sound like a broken record here If he's not willing to overcome this I wonder if it would do your kids good to be in some sort of therapy. It sounds like you're doing such a good job at trying to keep things normal for them but learning techniques for dealing with this type of controversy might be helpful. I really feel for you, I can't imagine having to deal with all of that stuff. We're all behind you!!	New Beginnings	Female	Morocco	2009-10-17 23:25:00
Middle East and North Africa	dealing with a vindictive ex	This may not work at all but what about trying to get a mediator for the whole family or family counseling, him and his wife and you and your husband. Get all of you in the same place and try to work out whatever underlying issue is there.. He's obviously holding on to something and who knows, maybe that could help!	New Beginnings	Female	Morocco	2009-10-17 15:06:00
Middle East and North Africa	Please pray for GinFar (Ginger and Farouk)	So sorry to hear this... our thoughts and prayers are with everyone	New Beginnings	Female	Morocco	2009-09-16 15:29:00
Middle East and North Africa	agencies for diploma accreditation - Morocco	First talk to the school you plan on attending. I know the school I'm going to has a service that they use. I wouldn't waste your time or money on something that isn't going to work for you. The admissions department should be able to help you with all of that!	New Beginnings	Female	Morocco	2009-11-03 09:28:00
Middle East and North Africa	MENA baby arrival!	Congrats!!!!	New Beginnings	Female	Morocco	2009-10-18 22:57:00
Middle East and North Africa	Eid in Minnesota/Wisconsin	I tried posting this earlier with the information you would need to contact a farm to do the Eid celebration but the posting was removed. If you are in Minnesota or Wisconsin and are looking for a farm please let me know!	New Beginnings	Female	Morocco	2009-11-03 22:13:00
Middle East and North Africa	plzzz help!!!	Well you're kind of talking about 2 different things here. If your I130 was sent to the NVC that is actually for a IR/CR-1 visa. If your speaking of your approved I129F then it's for the K3. For the I129F it will be sent to the NVC and quickly sent to the embassy to have an interview scheduled. For the I130 it will be sent to the NVC where you will need to submit an I-864, DS-3032, and DS-230. You will remit the applicable fees. Once the case is approved it will be sent to the embassy. The NVC schedules the interview.	New Beginnings	Female	Morocco	2009-11-04 10:25:00
Middle East and North Africa	K3 in Casablanca	They aren't requiring it. Although, have it prepared just in case!	New Beginnings	Female	Morocco	2009-11-05 09:56:00
Middle East and North Africa	help , the k-1 visa , port of entry	My husband brought several birth certificates with him and he also brought the copy of the vaccinations that the doctor gave him at the medical exam. I wouldn't expect to get anything from that packet that the embassy gave you. Bring extra!	New Beginnings	Female	Morocco	2009-11-09 20:58:00
Middle East and North Africa	visa issued	Great news!!! Now you can take a much needed breath!	New Beginnings	Female	Morocco	2009-11-09 20:59:00
Middle East and North Africa	Algerian Music Question	Maybe he was calling it Berberian or something relating to Berbers... Was he sure of what Bedoin meant?	New Beginnings	Female	Morocco	2009-11-04 13:28:00
Middle East and North Africa	T.G.I.F!	Happy Friday everyone!! We're celebrating our 2 year anniversary this weekend!	New Beginnings	Female	Morocco	2009-11-20 10:40:00
Middle East and North Africa	IT HAPPENED!!!!	My goodness! We are really happy!!! Alhamdillah. It happened! A big part of me still cant believe it though!! Thank you all for your great wishes & support thru this journey...thats OVER! at least partly! lol.. Yes Ahmed is here! I had to see him to believe it! I hope this gives you all more patience w/your cases, it WILL happen sooner or later, god willing. and it will be worth all the wait! For anyone who's wondering why the Adminstrative Review took 10 months, its probably because he's an Iraqi man...enough said! lol.. It took them awhile to make sure he's a good guy, but hey it happened!!! YYYYYYYYYYYAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYY. Once again, thanx to all of you for your support! Much love, and good vibes ur way... Fatima	reddaisy	Not Telling	0	2006-02-07 15:07:00
Middle East and North Africa	IT HAPPENED!!!!	YYYYYYYYYYYYAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY Ahmed finally got his visa Alhamduilillah. After 10 trying months of AR, it's over!! omg i cant believe it. I couldn't write earlier i've been horribly busy & kinda cant believe its true!! I couldn't believe it till he got here & i'm still strugglin w/the idea...lol I feel like i'm alive again. If any of you are ever tired or hopeless, have faith it will happen, our reunital happened after so long, it can happen for anyone!! I thought i'd share my joy w/y'all. But now i need to get goin, my man will be home soon!!!!!!!!!! Thanks to everyone who was supportful the way thru & listened. I wish you all the best of luck!! Alhamdilillah. After much patience it does happen. Fatima ....btw. take me off the AR list!! lol. Edited by reddaisy, 02 February 2006 - 09:03 PM.	reddaisy	Not Telling	0	2006-02-02 21:02:00
Middle East and North Africa	ME and NA photo album	Hey Rahma... That's really cool...I didnt know you were from minnesota!!! Way cool.. I live in NE minneapolis. The conservatory is really beautiful! Hey 5000 is better than 7000 + for a hotel. By the way, what's the capacity there? That would be so cool if we could pull off our wedding there, eventhough we have a billion and a half guests!! lol.. Best wishes for wedding planning!! Fatima	reddaisy	Not Telling	0	2006-02-07 15:11:00
Middle East and North Africa	Visa in Hand!!!!!	Congrats Angel!!!!!! It feels great!	reddaisy	Not Telling	0	2006-02-02 21:04:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	Slow Down at CSC	As you can see from this graph, it is common for each to slow down and speed up. I agree with Amy's point, but I would also add, that graph is way out of date. It's only updated when people update their timelines, which generally doesn't happen until approvals come through. Once the people do start getting approved again, that line for CSC is going to shoot up closer to 150 days to reflect the actual current averages.	tallfrond	Male	Canada	2010-10-14 14:08:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	Approved!!! (June CSC)	I just now received an email from CSC that my I-129F was approved! I was the first June filer on VJ from what I can tell (I could be wrong), so I'm really hoping that the rest of you are up next!! What do I do now? Aaaah!! So Relieved!!!!	tallfrond	Male	Canada	2010-10-19 21:30:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	may filers noa 2	If you look here, you will see that most of the May CSC filers have their NOA2 already (72 out of 86), although there are a few stragglers to be sure from throughout the month. (Who knows how many of those actually did get their NOA2 and just never updated their timeline...) It's mainly starting with us June filers that have almost no action whatsoever: just 8 approvals out of 93 June filers. (edit: fixed link) Edited by tallfrond, 11 October 2010 - 12:58 AM.	tallfrond	Male	Canada	2010-10-11 00:57:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	June CSC	AT 8 PM WE GOT OUR NOA 2 PRAISE GOD! You too!! Right on! YAY!!!!	tallfrond	Male	Canada	2010-10-19 21:35:00