Forum	Title	Content	Member	Sex	Country	Date/Time
Middle East and North Africa	Tanya and Mohamed no more!	Tanya, I am so sorry this happened to you. I don't have any other advice to offer, I just wanted to extend my condolences for your situation. May you find love and guidance in God and your family & friends. There is good and evil not just in every ethnic group, but in each of us as well...it's just a matter of how you are raised and sometimes even the situation you find yourself in as to which one actually shows itself. PS...to Kat, I am so proud of your thoughtful words. I just wanted you to know I still think of you and it looks like maybe you are getting your life back, I am so happy for you. Please continue to take care of yourself and remember there are still people praying for you. Jenn! I must agree, Adam is sooo adorable! Congrats! Edited by angie & abed, 18 November 2009 - 12:19 PM.	angie & abed	Female	Lebanon	2009-11-18 12:18:00
Middle East and North Africa	Tuesday	Morning everyone! Hope you are all having a great Tuesday! I can't wait for the end of January so I can go to Florida to see my cousin and enjoy the warmth!	angie & abed	Female	Lebanon	2009-12-29 10:16:00
Middle East and North Africa	New MENA Arrival	Soooo cute! Congratulations!	angie & abed	Female	Lebanon	2009-12-16 08:42:00
Middle East and North Africa	Just wondering....	We've been together 3 1/2 years, married 3 years the end of February '10.	angie & abed	Female	Lebanon	2009-12-29 10:15:00
Middle East and North Africa	Anyone going to Casablanca/Rabat Sale in the next few months that has time to hang out?	There is Mt Dew in Lebanon and Saudi Arabia.... It sure doesn't taste the same though...ick! I missed peanut butter the most. All I wanted after our summer trip to Lebanon was a peanut butter and jelly sandwich on white sandwich bread...and some birthday cake (white cake with white buttercream icing)...	angie & abed	Female	Lebanon	2010-01-12 14:53:00
Middle East and North Africa	Need advice abt transportation from Mohammed V airport	I don't have any advice for transportation in Casa...however, when my oldest daughter & I went to Lebanon, my hubby hired someone to pick us that had space for us and all our luggage and other baby related stuff...I really suggest your fiance do that, that may be a little more expensive, but in the long run, the best option. I hope you have a great time and I am sure the whole family is super excited to meet your little angel! (Especially daddy! Oh! And make sure to have your camera ready for those first moments, they are priceless!)	angie & abed	Female	Lebanon	2010-02-17 14:24:00
Middle East and North Africa	have visa now what??	Hi, First of all, congrats on your visa and your hubby getting here soon! Second, to answer your question about public assistance, no, you will not lose benefits. However, you won't be able to include him in the application or renewal for those benefits either. So, once he starts working, you'll let your case worker know and they will include his income with your own, but they will not count him as a family member. For instance, in our family there is me, my hubby and our two daughters...they would include both adult's income, but only consider us a 3 member family. So...basically after he starts working, you may not get benefits anymore. Just something to think about and maybe plan ahead for. Hope that helps with your question. Congrats on the new son too! ~Angie	angie & abed	Female	Lebanon	2010-03-21 12:12:00
Middle East and North Africa	Letter of Invitation	The embassies don't care whether or not an American citizen sends a foreign citizen an invitation to visit. The person would need to demonstrate to the CO (Consular officer) that performs the interview that there is no intent to immigrate to the US. Such proof would be owning a home, a letter from an employer, family ties, money in the bank, etc. If the CO even briefly thinks he is coming here to marry, I would almost guarantee a visitor visa would be denied. In my opinion, you would be better off to go there and then apply for a K-1, marriage in a MENA country can take a lot of time and extra money on top of the fees (bribes, or should I say "encouragment money"). Good luck whatever you decide, and have patience, it takes time...sometimes more, sometimes less.	angie & abed	Female	Lebanon	2010-04-21 08:59:00
Middle East and North Africa	Family B2 Visa Denied	Hi Aya, Sorry to hear about your stepfather and your brother. We had a similar experience with my hubby's mom when we applied for her B2 visa and she was denied...the first time. She really had no ties...they are not able to own property (Pali in Lebanon), she has never had a job (outside the home), she is a widow of 15 years and all but one of her children are grown and we for sure don't have a lot of money. So, she was denied, however, we fought it...she applied again and I contacted my congressman's office and when it was time for her 2nd interview, the congressman's office sent a letter to the embassy. I am not sure if that letter helped or if it was the female CO she had that sympathized with her situation, or it could have been a number of reasons I suppose, but she was approved the second time. We are getting ready to try to get a visa for his 15 year old brother and still haven't decided yet if we are going to attempt his 21 year old brother or not yet, we don't want him to have a denial on his record, but we want him to be able to visit...anyway, I'm sorry honey. Maybe they should try again? I hope your family won't hold these things against you... Edited by angie & abed, 21 April 2010 - 08:45 AM.	angie & abed	Female	Lebanon	2010-04-21 08:40:00
Middle East and North Africa	Asylum	Thanks for the responses ladies. Sorry it took so long for me to respond, had some issues here and just now looked for my post. I do appreciate you taking the time to respond! Angie	angie & abed	Female	Lebanon	2010-05-17 11:05:00
Middle East and North Africa	Asylum	I don't want to really go into a lot of specifics on the board....but if you have a good deal of knowledge about asylum (probably polictical I am guessing) or if you know of an attorney that may specialize in this...please send me a message. Thanks in advance! Angie	angie & abed	Female	Lebanon	2010-05-02 19:39:00
Middle East and North Africa	MENA pregnancy/baby/parenting thread	I guess everyone is busy with theor little ones, I had to really look good for this thread...page 7!! Anyways, I am curious about potty training, I hope some of you have experience with this.... Malak is completely trained (except I don't trust her at night and put her in a pull up), anyway, my husband wants me to train her to clean herself with the bidet...however, I need to learn to use it first (well, first we need to install one). Is there any pointers anyone can give me to help her learn to do this, you can PM me if you would rather (it may be a few days before I respond though). But I want her to know how to do this to make hubby happy. Hope all your little ones are doing well...they are all growing like weeds and soooooo adorable, every single one of them!!! I can't believe my littlest one will be a year old in less than 2 months! Time flies for real! Thanks ladies! Angie	angie & abed	Female	Lebanon	2010-05-24 16:39:00
Middle East and North Africa	MENA pregnancy/baby/parenting thread	Hi Ladies... I'm Angie (hubby is Abed...go figure!), I have 2 girls, Malak (2 years old going on 20) and Samar (6 months tomorrow). Don't have a whole lot of time to write right now, but thought I'd say hi. Oh, and I would MUCH rather have 2 girls than 2 boys...right now anyway...then when they are teenagers, I would want to switch to boys...anyone want to set up a trade for the future?	angie & abed	Female	Lebanon	2010-01-12 15:01:00
Middle East and North Africa	Muslims	Thank you ladies very much for taking time to answer my question. I apologize for not replying sooner...babies took the place of computer time, haha. Tasha, I am going to send you a PM as soon as I can to get the info from you if you still don't mind. I need all the help I can get! For their sake, I want to have as much understanding as I possibly can...I'm sure my hubby and sisters-in-law and mother-in-law will help me too, I just have to ask. Squeakster (I'm sorry I don't remember your real life name) Thank you! I'll take a look at your blog to try to get more info as well! Take care all and have a wonderful week! ~Angie	angie & abed	Female	Lebanon	2009-12-16 08:59:00
Middle East and North Africa	Muslims	Hi! I just wanted to ask a question, and it may have already been answered in the 170+ pages, so please forgive me if that is the case. I am trying to learn more about Islam. I am not really considering converting, neither of us are very religious. But, I do want to learn more since my kids are Muslim, I want to be able to answer their questions when they are old enough to understand and whatever happens beyond that is God's will. My problem is this, I don't read Arabic. The ones of you that converted, did you learn to read Arabic first, or did you use an English translation of the Quar'an? I have an English translation that a friend gave me a long time ago, but of course a translation is not the best to learn from since it is just that, a translation. If you did use an English version, did you find it held true to the actual meanings and teachings? Any help would be appreciated, I look forward to any feedback. Thanks, and hope you all have a great day! Angie	angie & abed	Female	Lebanon	2009-12-13 08:59:00
Middle East and North Africa	Egypt - Pregnant - Should She Tell Him?	In my opinion, she should wait until she is back in the US to tell him. He COULD stop her, if he really wanted to. Foreign citizens, American or not, have to abide by the laws of whatever country they are in...I believe that in Egypt, a man has a right to say whether or not his wife may travel without him or not. I know in Lebanon I had to carry a document with me when I flew into and out of the country that was in English and Arabic giving me permission to travel with our child. It's better to be safe than sorry in my book. Unless she really really wants to live there, because that IS a realistic possibility, at least until she gives birth...	angie & abed	Female	Lebanon	2011-09-30 23:29:00
Middle East and North Africa	The Forum Interview Cheerleading Thread Vol. 2	WOM...thanks for all your hard work in keeping up with all of us! We are currently in AR (name check) now instead of picking up our visa.... Thanks! Angie Oh, and I try to keep track of my Lebanon girls, Sweet_Peach has interview for K-1 on 9/10/08 and Nita & Assad have interview for CR-1 on 9-29-08. Just to let you know.	angie & abed	Female	Lebanon	2008-08-21 22:28:00
Middle East and North Africa	MENA Baby Names	I loved the name Malak as soon as he said he wanted to name our daughter that, I had a hard time with a middle name, but finally fell in love with Rihanna...so, our 1st born is Malak Rihanna. Second daughter we couldn't agree on a name, seriously even when my water broke we couldn't agree on a name. The names I loved were all vetoed because they were either too common or too old sounding and the ones he loved no one here would ever say correctly. So, we ended up naming her after his mom and my mom chose a middle name since she didn't want us to use her middle name (cause she never liked her own name!, everyone was soooo difficult). Our second daughter's name is Samar Leigh. (though I think she should have really been named Aya, but whatever, I'm only her MOM!!)) Our future son, if we have one, will be Hussein Orion, first name after his deceased father and middle name cause I've always liked the name Orion. If we have another daughter, God bless her, I don't know if we can come up with another girl's name we can agree on.	angie & abed	Female	Lebanon	2009-11-02 14:18:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Husband moved from His country of origin to another country	They will need to fill out an I-824 (Application for Action on an Approved Application or Petition) and pay a $340 fee. They may want to call USCIS to make sure they don't need to do anything else other than that. Hope that helps some. Angie	angie & abed	Female	Lebanon	2008-08-04 20:27:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Help to locate	QUOTE (Haole @ Aug 9 2008, 09:33 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (brnidokiegurl @ Aug 9 2008, 02:45 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> ok i give up some one has asked me for a breakdown of the cost cr1 vs K3 in trying to decide which to file i know somewhere lately someone posted this One thing that isn't considered is the money a K3 can lose not being able to work during the time it takes to get EAD, SSN and GC. Nor the money saved in child care once the daddy finally gets here and can watch the baby!	angie & abed	Female	Lebanon	2008-08-09 22:20:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	NVC loost 130 approvel copy	Seems our petitions were in the same envelope, our I-130 was "lost" too. I refused to send in the form I-824 and pay a $340 fee for them to send something I don't believe they ever sent to begin with (who can say it won't get "lost" again?? or how much longer it would have taken?). We decided to pursue the K-3 route, it may cost more in the long run, but at least my husband will be with me when our daughter has her 1st birthday. Good Luck to you whatever you decide! ~Angie	angie & abed	Female	Lebanon	2008-08-19 22:33:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Guess who's got a CR1 interview date!!!!!!!??	Congratulations! And best wishes for a speedy reunion! ~Angie	angie & abed	Female	Lebanon	2008-09-18 23:27:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Harsh Wording - Please don't move	I completely understand! You don't need to post anything, I was just suggesting reading the posts of previous people. You are not alone honey! And it *WILL* come out like mine....good things come to those who wait.....and wait.... ...and WAIT!!! Like I said before, I'm here if you need me! HUGS, Angie PS...Can't wait to do my dancing smiley for ya! [quote name='Nita&Assaad' date='Sep 30 2008, 03:55 PM' post='2262599'] I know the MENA forum has some good imformation, just I dont feel comfy posting there as much as this forum... and I really appricate you listening to me it's helps to know that someone from Lebanon has been through it before that I know and that INSHALLAH in the end I pray the outcome will be as yours.. I AM PRAYING!!! Hugs Nita	angie & abed	Female	Lebanon	2008-09-30 20:13:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Harsh Wording - Please don't move	Hi Nita, I don't think Pattu Rani was trying to be mean to you by telling you maybe to should check out the thread in MENA....there are lots of ladies (and LuLu...and a couple other guys) there from MENA that have gone through this (me included!) that might give you some insight on it. We all know there are tons of people from all over that go through this...MENA or otherwise, but sometimes it helps to have a little advice from people who are from the same parts of the world (UK for example may not be as bad as Lebanon...ya know?). But, it is pinned right at the top, if you want to read it...Anyway, you stay wherever you feel comfy. I hope you are doing a little better today, I know that I was a nervous wreck after Abed's interview....and since I was the first through Beirut in a while, I really didn't know what to expect...and I am sure you felt the same way since one happened to us (AP) and Amanda didn't get anything....it was a toss up. With all the problems you have been having with name clearances and such, I honestly can't say I didn't expect it for you, but I pray it is over for you soon and your habibi can be with you soon. Don't worry, you have gotten this far, and the embassy did not deny the visa, it is just waiting on these checks to be completed and the visa will be in the passport! I would wait at least until Friday (maybe Monday) if you can hold off to call DOS, give them time to get the info and get it in the system before they tell you "oh yeah, we got it....and yeah, it is in process...". They don't usually give much info. And then tell you you don't need to call again for at least 2 weeks....yeah RIGHT! Hopefully this will be over before you get the form filled out for the congressperson... OK, enough rambling, good luck sweetie! You are in my prayers this Eid and that you remain strong and try not to worry yourself to death...you are in the home stretch!! Take care, Angie Edited by angie & abed, 30 September 2008 - 02:18 PM.	angie & abed	Female	Lebanon	2008-09-30 14:14:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Copy of Birth Certificate front and back? What? My birth certificate only has a front, what does the back mean?	QUOTE (BigCityDave @ Oct 16 2007, 03:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Well, the title of my thread asks my question. I am just a little confused on this one, is there something I am missing? Do I have a bad birth certificate? *Some* birth certificates have writing on both the front & back (such as NC's). I made a copy of the front & back even though mine didn't have any writting on the back. Hope that helps.	angie & abed	Female	Lebanon	2007-10-16 14:44:00
National Visa Center (Dept of State)	Tracking status after NOA2 approved	I received my NOA2 March 12th, 2008, as of this past Friday, the NVC still has not received it. They say it takes 3-4 weeks up to 90 days. Guess mine is one the 90 day ones. Patience is a virtue. Don't stress if it takes longer than everyone elses.	angie & abed	Female	Lebanon	2008-05-19 06:47:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	I-134 Affadavit Question	Hi Jon, According to the Lebanese Embassy, I had to send one as well as the co-sponsor. As for question 11 was concerned, I wasn't sure of that myself, I just checked I do not intend to make specific contributions. Email the embassy just to be sure, but I would go ahead and prepare to send both forms. Angie	angie & abed	Female	Lebanon	2008-08-06 13:12:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	now what???	Hi Rajaa, For a K-3, the embassy in Casa will contact your husband with the packet 3 information. He will need to get the documents on the checklist they provide him. The only shortcut is looking on their web-site or USICIS's website as to what they may request and having it ready when they contact you. My hubby needed a family extract (not a birth certificate) though. Or, of course, you can wait the 90 days and see if the CR1 is received at NVC. Hope that helps. ~Angie PS... "thirdsjen": It *IS* possible for the CR1/IR1 to get lost....ours did! We were approved for both 130 and 129F (K3) on March 12, 2008 and the K3 arrived, but not the CR1, and it still, to this day, has not.	angie & abed	Female	Lebanon	2008-08-28 10:11:00
Middle East and North Africa	Anyone filed in Lebanon	QUOTE (wife_of_mahmoud @ Oct 4 2007, 11:58 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Welcome to VJ ! We've had a few active members here who processed through Lebanon -- erika1228, ghassan, Lebanese Mama, roula, and amalitta are the ones who come to mind. Most of them don't post much any more, but you might try sending a PM with specific questions. I don't remember any of them mentioning any unusual difficulties specific to that particular consulate. I haven't paid too close attention to timelines lately, but I *think* CSC is running about 5 or 6 months on the average to approve a petition. So that puts your NOA #2 around the end of December or in January. After that (barring any RFEs) -- your case goes to NVC for 3 months or so, and then on to the consulate for the interview. I'm thinking if all goes smoothly, your husband's interview will be *maybe* around next May or June. (I know it seems so far away, but unfortunately that's the norm.) The good news is: Lebanon is a small consulate, and works fairly fast to schedule interviews and complete processing. Beirut is not known for extremely lengthy AR delays after the interview (like what has become common in Egypt, for instance.) Your husband being a Palestinian refugee will not be an issue Best of luck with your process ! -MK Thank you so much for your information, I was really afraid it was going to take longer than that since we filed it so late! Even though that is plenty long enough. Do you think us filing the K3 will help any with him getting here sooner? We sent that in September. Congrats to all the pregos out there! ~Angie (Abed & baby Malak)	angie & abed	Female	Lebanon	2007-10-04 14:34:00
Middle East and North Africa	Anyone filed in Lebanon	Hi, This is my very first post. I have been searching and have not found anyone in our same situation. My husband and I were married in February 2007 in Beirut, we didn't immediately send in our forms for the I-130 until the end of July (don't get me started on that one though!). I am 8 months pregnant and getting a little anxious as to when he might possibly get here. He is a Palestinian Refugee born in Lebanon, will that be something against us? Also, does anyone know how long after our I-130 is approved it might take for an interview or any information would be helpful. I am sorry if I am rambling, I just really don't know what questions to ask, so anything would be nice. Oh, and just a little background, we met online in June 2006, and I went to Lebanon in February 2007 which is when we got married (and pregnant!). Thanks in advance, Angie (Abed & baby Malak)	angie & abed	Female	Lebanon	2007-10-04 09:45:00
Middle East and North Africa	jp - should be pregnant or not!	Congrats JP! I hope your pregnancy will be as easy as mine was and that your little one is as sweet as Malak! (I hope he/she will sleep though, unlike mine!)	angie & abed	Female	Lebanon	2008-01-04 08:50:00
Middle East and North Africa	Adding info to our already sent in I-130 packet?	Thanks you guys! I knew I could count on you all to at least put this in perspective. I think I will try one more time to get through to a person, but if I can't, I'll just give the birth certificate to my husband when we go visit so he can have it for his interview. You are prolly right, it'll prolly get lost somewhere along the way... I don't trust 'em any further than I can throw 'em! Have a great day! ~Angie (& Malak)	angie & abed	Female	Lebanon	2008-01-08 08:46:00
Middle East and North Africa	Adding info to our already sent in I-130 packet?	OK....so I sent in the I-130 in July, received the NOA-1 on the 3rd of Sept (2007), our baby was born Oct 27th ...is it possible to send in a copy of baby's birth certificate to add to our file? Or should I just leave it? I have tried calling USCIS and I can't get through to a human being, so I am coming to the experts to get some advice.... can anyone help? BTW...our case hasn't been touched since I sent in the I-129F (for K3), which was 18th of September ....maybe it'll help get our case felt up if I sent it in? I guess I am getting anxious....sorry for rambling, but any advice would be appreciated!! Thanks in advance!! ~Angie	angie & abed	Female	Lebanon	2008-01-07 16:39:00
Middle East and North Africa	Born Here - DAM	I like it....but you know, I tried to go to the website: www.bornhere.net but all it does is bring up a crazy website that I know isn't right. Guess I am doing something wrong....was anyone able to access it, or did anyone even try?	angie & abed	Female	Lebanon	2008-01-08 15:48:00
Middle East and North Africa	dealing with separation and lonliness	I know what you are going through, but you will get through this. You will get through it because you are a mommy and you will find the strength. Believe me, there were many a days I didn't think I could go on, I felt alone and cried myself to sleep many a night. But I did get through it, and you will too! I realize that it wasn't hard on just me, it was (and is) even harder on him. All the nights I called crying, I made him feel even worse than what he already felt. Everytime I look at my little baby, I get sad cause he is missing everything, he is watching her grow up in pictures and on webcam, she thinks her daddy is a picture and the telephone likes to say her name....anyway, I'll stop before I start crying (again).... I am here if you need someone to talk to, you can message me anytime. Please take care of yourself and the little one. ~Angie	angie & abed	Female	Lebanon	2008-01-26 13:58:00
Middle East and North Africa	SUPER DUPER HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MISS JACKIE!	Happy Happy Birthday! May God bless you with many more! ~Angie	angie & abed	Female	Lebanon	2008-02-05 16:38:00
Middle East and North Africa	VISA IN HAND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!	Congratualtions! I am sooooo happy for you and Hicham (and your son)!!	angie & abed	Female	Lebanon	2008-02-13 09:13:00
Middle East and North Africa	Congratulations, Monnik - Visa in Hand !!!!!!!	Congratulations again! Speaking of sweet tea....if you have a Bojangles near you...I know you've had their tea...mmmm...I'm drinking some now! I am soooooo happy for you guys! When are you coming home?	angie & abed	Female	Lebanon	2008-02-21 11:53:00
Middle East and North Africa	Memories, Memories, Memories of your spouse	My whole trip to Lebanon we both acted like kids. I don't think I have ever laughed so much in my life. The one thing that we talk about the most was a rental car his friend got for "us" to use....which we only got to use late at night cause his friend had it during the day! But it made so many creaks and just noises in general. Every time we turned a corner or hit a pot hole (which was often, my husband can't drive!) it made some sort of noise. It will be a month I will never ever forget. I was so nervous to go there and meet his family, and now his mom would kill him for me, she cried for a week before I left cause she was going to miss me (and no one ever cries alone in my presence!). I can't wait to start making some new memories with him and our daughter, it's a long hard journey, some are longer than others, but like someone else said, the end result is so worth it and I would do it over and over again for him.	angie & abed	Female	Lebanon	2008-02-21 08:47:00
Middle East and North Africa	VJ Timeline	Am I the only one who checks the date at the bottom of the VJ timeline for when my I-130 *MIGHT* be approved every 5 minutes?....I don't know why I do that, it's not like it changes anything.....please tell me I'm not alone.... Hope everyone is having a great Friday!	angie & abed	Female	Lebanon	2008-01-25 13:47:00