Forum	Title	Content	Member	Sex	Country	Date/Time
Middle East and North Africa	You know you're in a MENA relationship when....	QUOTE (Y_habibitk @ Nov 17 2008, 01:33 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> ok, I have a good one.... When people start asking.."sooo...are you gonna have to start wearing that thing on your head?" Yes, i got that one in the beginning... okay, you know you're in a MENA relationship when: you find yourself getting into heated debates about Islam and religious history, and there is never any resolution...and your spouse is convinced you just have it all wrong... until weeks or months later, you overhear him debating with someone else and using your arguments, direct quotes and all!! the sweetness of quiet victory!!	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2008-11-16 22:54:00
Middle East and North Africa	You know you're in a MENA relationship when....	QUOTE (Turia @ Nov 15 2008, 08:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> when there is water all over the bathroom floor cause they had a drain in the floor over there! when a meal just isn't a meal without bread.	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2008-11-15 17:54:00
Middle East and North Africa	What's up my 'ole MENA buddies?	Hi Allousa! Glad to see you popped back in... but so sorry to hear that DHS never resolved the deportation issue! It is really terrible what happened... Hang in there and all the best, hz	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2008-11-18 09:40:00
Middle East and North Africa	He's driving me crazy	QUOTE (venusfire503 @ Nov 15 2008, 03:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (AlHayatZween @ Nov 14 2008, 03:19 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> My husband doesn't ask any questions... he just does things... like taking the sofa apart, just to see how it's put together??? I laughed so hard when I read this... so, I'm not the only one who has experienced things like that? My husband's saying is "either I'll fix it, or break it for good"!! Oh, he asks questions, too - not as many now. It's more the timing, though (like when I'm trying to study, watch TV, sleep.... in hindsight, it was pretty funny... but to address the OP's concerns, yes, it is an adjustment. my Habib is here 4 months now, thank God. it hasn't been easy, but for me i find myself more exhausted than anything else. i just don't have the energy to get annoyed or frustrated... even if he takes the whole house apart! every day he figures more and more stuff out. he knows how to deal with people in his own way now, better than i do sometimes! it gets better... at least he is here! which is no small feat! good luck! hz	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2008-11-15 16:34:00
Middle East and North Africa	He's driving me crazy	Aww... it will get better, Belinda. in the beginning i sent mine out on a lot of errands, to the mosque, to English class... But just consider that him asking questions might be a blessing! My husband doesn't ask any questions... he just does things... like taking the sofa apart, just to see how it's put together???	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2008-11-14 15:19:00
Middle East and North Africa	been having a long time on line affair in MENA	QUOTE (Aymsgirl @ Sep 10 2008, 12:41 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I'm just as addicted to VJ but from work. I work on a pc so I have a minutes to browse the net on and off all day. In the evenings I may get on but rarely. I would say the part that has changed is getting on as much from home since he is here. My name is Tasha and I am a VJ addict! hehehe... same with me. i'm always on at work. i used to be online at home, too! so i've cut back some since Habibi's arrival, which is good, because for a minute there i was worried that i was developing a cyber addiction.	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2008-09-10 08:26:00
Middle East and North Africa	Abdou and Carol Have there visa!	Alhamdulilah!! So glad to hear your good news!!!	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2008-11-20 10:20:00
Middle East and North Africa	approved		AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2008-11-29 10:36:00
Middle East and North Africa	Visas In Hand - The List	Wooo-hooo!!! Thanks for keeping the list WOM! And congratulations to everyone on their recent successes!! Much luck and many prayers to all those still waiting!	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2008-05-12 23:14:00
Middle East and North Africa	Interview results....	Hi Star Dragon, Congrats for finishing the interview... Yes, i remember the post you are referring, too... although i don't have a free moment to search through VJ MENA. Sorry for that! (It wasn't that guy Abdo, was it?) But i think your experience sounds postive. It's okay if they keep the evidence to review it further... i've heard of them doing that before. What's important is that she seemed respectful to your SO and that she issued the standard 221, which almost everyone gets... With any luck she will be calling your SO to come back w/ his passport in a week or so... inchallah! Good luck! hz	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2008-12-04 09:46:00
Middle East and North Africa	EID AND XMAS	QUOTE (Hanging in there @ Nov 29 2008, 04:44 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> well if he doesnt come back I am going to this moroccan girls house near my house whos daughter plays with mine.. that would be super fun anyway.. You know my 3 and 1/2 year old is such a blessing ...she makes me and my 13 year old crack up constantly. She has decided she wants to be a cheerleader and she dances moroccan... she learned over at my Moroccan girlfriends house and they videotaped her too. It was freaking hilarious... she was swinging her hair around with her neck That sounds like fun... you should definitely make a point to go there, be it for Eid or sometime soon.	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2008-11-29 10:35:00
Middle East and North Africa	EID AND XMAS	Hi... This year the holidays are just kaput. It was Habibi's first Thanksgiving, and it was just one of those years when everything was kind of off and not much fun. We are bummed about Eid b/c we were hoping to go back to Morocco for a week or so, but my husband hasn't gotten his AP yet, so nix that idea. We are trying to figure out how to have a nice Eid ourselves in New York. Any ideas? i've asked around some Muslim colleagues, but they all seem to tone it down just to a nice lunch or something... We really want to do something proper, but so far no plans. We might get our first Christmas tree, too... that at least, i hope is fun because i've never had one in my adult life.	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2008-11-28 22:04:00
Middle East and North Africa	WTH to get them for Christmas	i think i'm getting habib an i-pod. my dilemma is whether to get him the i-pod shuffle, or the bigger one... ? this holiday season is like a zillion times better than last year!!!	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2008-12-04 09:51:00
Middle East and North Africa	American women vs Arab women raising children	Ugh.... Hi, S and S, Sounds like an awful confrontation, but don't feel bad for blowing up and letting off steam. It sounds like you offered her very clear, sound defenses that indeed, not all American women treat their children in the way she was stating.... before you blew up. There are always going to be people who generalize... the grass-is-always-greener types. And unfortunately, American women take hits from all sorts of stereotypes all the time. As for apologizing, if you feel bad for speaking to her harshly that's one thing, or if it will jeopardize your work relationship, but from what you told us, it sounds like she had it coming with her blatant insistence on generalizing. And sure, we've all been told to respect our elders, but: A) this is not the "Old Country" and What if your elder is just plain wrong? Older is not necessarily wiser, and it is she who made the mistake of badmouthing American women... to an American woman. My two cents... Feel better, hz	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2008-10-06 10:41:00
Middle East and North Africa	mena men and smoking	QUOTE (humpkinpumpkin @ Dec 4 2008, 07:33 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> "WOMEN should not smoke, smoking is for MEN!". Awww... miskeen. sorry, i don't have much advice... but he can't yell at you for something he does himself... i'm trying to get mine to quit myself. So far all i've suceeded at is making him get all upset when i steal his cigarettes and sit by the window and pretend to light up. Edited by AlHayatZween, 04 December 2008 - 04:55 PM.	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2008-12-04 16:55:00
Middle East and North Africa	It's that time again!	Rajaa, Just realized your interview is this week!! Wooo-hooo! Congrats and many good things to come, inchallah. i will be thinking happy thoughts for you, and will definitely try to make it Tuesday. Good luck!!	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2008-12-08 11:18:00
Middle East and North Africa	Happy Eid Al adaha	Eid Mubarak Sa3id, Everybody!!	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2008-12-08 09:35:00
Middle East and North Africa	Alhamdolilah Visa approved	Alhamdulilah! So glad to hear the good news!!!	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2008-12-10 12:35:00
Middle East and North Africa	Second interview scheduled....	Sounds good, Star Dragon! Good luck to you!! We always used FedEx for important dox and stuff... Expensive, but it got there...	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2008-12-08 09:32:00
Middle East and North Africa	Buying a house or property in MENA	Yes! As soon as we get some $$ saved, inchallah... would be great if we could purchase a place or some land or a start a small business in Maghreb. Inchallah... Until then, still dreaming.. hz	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2008-12-16 22:53:00
Middle East and North Africa	Turned down "promotion"	Dear Nutty, i think you have a good head on your shoulders. You have to take care of you first. If it's not what you want and your heart is not in it... and you have to concentrate on your private life... and you have one foot out the door already, then i think you made a good decision. hz	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2008-11-20 20:38:00
Middle East and North Africa	Alhamdolilah Got our Visa!!	Wooooooooooooooooooooooo!!! Great news! Congratulations! Alhamdulilah.	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2008-12-16 22:50:00
Middle East and North Africa	Poll to help the newer members	Hi... i'm getting an error message, too, when i vote. it took us over 6 months to get the I-129F approved. and then another 5 months to get the visa in hand. it was the hardest year of my life! good luck to all those who are waiting and still in the process! hz	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2008-12-22 10:02:00
Middle East and North Africa	My heart can beat normal again	Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyy! Congratulations!	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2008-12-18 12:56:00
Middle East and North Africa	Christmas Eve!	Happy Holidays, MENA Friends! Merry Christmas to all and many good things to come!	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2008-12-24 12:05:00
Middle East and North Africa	check in time - who are you, hows it going and just saying hi thread	Salaam Everybody, Me, too, i haven't been posting much, but i am around... Hubster has been here for two months and we are doing pretty well, alhamdulilah. It is a huge transition and a challenge, but we are keeping stiff upper lips and doing our best. i'm happy to say that we sent out our AOS application today, so we are back on course, and keeping our fingers crossed for speedy processing! Thanks, MENA VJ for everything.	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2008-09-20 12:46:00
Middle East and North Africa	Who lives in NYC??	QUOTE (star_dragon @ Dec 31 2008, 03:22 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I smell a NYC meet up in May!	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2009-01-01 13:36:00
Middle East and North Africa	Who lives in NYC??	QUOTE (MrsAmera @ Dec 31 2008, 02:27 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Awww so sad!!! Wish we could meet up! i know, i am so swamped with family stuff for the holidays... this is my first time home in a few years, and of course everyone wants to meet Habibi!! hope you have a good visit though! it was snowing today, but that doesn't mean it won't be back up to 65 on Saturday.	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2008-12-31 09:59:00
Middle East and North Africa	Who lives in NYC??	MsAsmera, i'm here in NYC, too! But unfortunately, i have family coming on Saturday afternoon so i won't be able to meet up. Hope you have fun though!! Sereia will you just move here already! C'mon, what are you waiting for!	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2008-12-31 09:25:00
Middle East and North Africa	Certificate of Celebacy	Salaam Syd, If you are getting married in Morocco, the US citizen needs to obtain a Certificate of Marriagiblity from the US consulate. It is a very easy document to obtain, see the US consulate in Morocco website. The Moroccan citizen has to obtain a certificat célibataire, a document stating you are not already married. I believe you obtain this document in the same city where your Carte National is issued. All the other stuff above about paying off doctors and reconstructing virginity and killing off women who had sex before marriage, i have never heard of or witnessed in Morocco. Good luck, hz	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2009-01-19 11:10:00
Middle East and North Africa	Who are you??	QUOTE (rahma @ Dec 29 2008, 10:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> The husband and I met a woman who was a taste tester for Haagen Daz last summer. Mmmm. i would be 900 pounds by July 1st. but it would be worth it! Edited by AlHayatZween, 29 December 2008 - 05:15 PM.	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2008-12-29 17:15:00
Middle East and North Africa	Who are you??	QUOTE (milo75 @ Dec 29 2008, 08:13 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> AlHayatZween - I was a chocolate taste tester...good gig if you can get it! !!!! Wooooooooooowwww!	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2008-12-29 16:52:00
Middle East and North Africa	Who are you??	Ali and i work in international emergency management... i don't do any managing... i just read about international emergencies all day. today i'm reading about Gaza. these are some jobs i'd LIKE to do: children's book writer comic illustrator voiceover artist food writer food critic chocolate taste-tester	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2008-12-29 14:33:00
Middle East and North Africa	No no no no!!! He's being stationed in Gaza!!!	So sorry for the unexpected news, Olivia! You have all our prayers and positive thoughts...!	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2009-01-14 21:15:00
Middle East and North Africa	Saturday!	Dear MENA confidants, Happy Saturday... Just wanted to pop in and give you an update. My husband received his green card this week! As always, thanks for all your support and insight and good advice! Much luck to all of us! hz	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2009-02-07 13:27:00
Middle East and North Africa	to the muslims wanting to buy a home	QUOTE (Henna Rose @ Feb 27 2009, 12:44 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Or suckers for the amount of interest we are willing to pay for certain things I am curious tho for Muslims living here and credit so easily accessible in such a consumer driven society, are provisions available for "special circumstances" or emergencies with respect to the interest? i am curious about this, too... i know Habitat for Humanity has worked with some Muslim families in New Jersey to help negotiate leases without interest. Don't know the exact details tho... Certainly what Sereia posted is uplifting news tho? Small victories...	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2009-02-27 13:21:00
Middle East and North Africa	to the muslims wanting to buy a home	This is a great resource! Thanks, Sereia!!	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2009-02-25 16:17:00
Middle East and North Africa	Morocco Phone Number Changes	it is going to be tough calling the Mother Land this weekend, i bet.	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2009-03-05 12:34:00
Middle East and North Africa	Bikes in Africa: from Capetown to Cairo	That's awesome! i'd love to do that... but i fear i wouldn't make it much farther than Brooklyn...	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2009-03-11 12:32:00
Middle East and North Africa	Is this discrimination?	Yeah, i agree... Sounds more like the manager maneuvering to get the days he wants off... but not an issue of discrimination.	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2009-03-12 14:42:00