Forum	Title	Content	Member	Sex	Country	Date/Time
Middle East and North Africa	i Think We've Talked About This Before	Thanks, Herolmounia! Inchallah.... i hope you get your NOA2 soon!!!	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2008-05-12 14:10:00
Middle East and North Africa	i Think We've Talked About This Before	Salaam all, Happy Monday. Can i just bump this to the top again, for any other takers? Does anyone foresee it being a problem if I buy Habibi a one-way electronic ticket here in the US, and then just send him the confirmation number? Will the people at Casa airport give him an issue with that? He would be coming on a K1 visa, inchallah. Thanks again! hz	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2008-05-12 09:58:00
Middle East and North Africa	i Think We've Talked About This Before	Thanks Theresa! May i asked why you opted to have him buy it there? Can i buy him an electronic ticket via RAM online and just give him the confirmation number? Or is this not a good way to get him the ticket? Thanks again! hz	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2008-05-10 19:51:00
Middle East and North Africa	i Think We've Talked About This Before	Salaam all, How is everybody? Here is my question, and i know we've discussed this before. Do i have to purchase a return ticket for Habibi for him to enter the States on a K1? Usually the difference in price for the one way and return is so minuscule it doesn't matter, but i just looked on RAM's website and the difference in price is about 4000 dirhams!! That's a lot of centimes especially since our dollars are worth a lot less these days... So, can i just buy him a one way online, and he won't have any problems with it at the airport or anything? He'd be flying, inchallah, from Casa to JFK... Thanks everybody! hz	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2008-05-10 19:33:00
Middle East and North Africa	CASA INTERVIEW TODAY	QUOTE (booboo2 @ Jun 1 2008, 02:50 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> i think you mean Sigil el Adli Yes! Sigel el Adli!! That's exactly what i was thinking... Thanks!	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2008-06-01 08:12:00
Middle East and North Africa	CASA INTERVIEW TODAY	QUOTE (brnidokiegurl @ May 29 2008, 05:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> yes keep checking but it just looks and sounds like he needs to bring this one form back and it will move on...(it did mention 221g then) but they only said return the form they DIDNT say will be returning petition... Salaam all, Kodi, so sorry to hear that the interview wasn't the greatest... But not to despair too much! i believe this is the standard form that they issue when they need a missing document. He must go to the city/willayat where he was born to obtain the court document. i forget what it's called in Arabic, but i can look. Good luck! As soon as he goes back with the document, he will be on his way, inchallah! hz	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2008-05-31 09:19:00
Middle East and North Africa	VISA in HAND :0)	wooooooooooo!!!! Congratulations!!!	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2008-05-31 10:18:00
Middle East and North Africa	MENA: I Need you opinion	Hi Tammy! i'm always so touched when i read your posts... you are strong and brave. yes, i think you should do whatever you can... it's not that you are "pushing" something. remember, God helps those who helps themselves. you have been waiting a long, long time... so try it... you have nothing to lose, and you can find solace in the idea that at least you are doing everything you can. to contact your Congressmen & Senators... i think i just googled something like "Congressmen [your state]" and usually your state has a website of all it's legislative representatives. if you know your Senator by name, just google him/her, and they will have a website. Then you call, you tell the assistant about your situation, and they will tell you how to continue, and what to do for a release form. you may have to contact a bunch of them because some are not interested in helping with immigration issues. i did not receive much advice from my different Congressmen's offices, but one of my Senators was happy to get involved. don't give up and don't be dissuaded by crabby assistants who say "there's nothing we can do." you just want to make an inquiry since it's been so long, and your hubbie has gone to the consulate 3 times. good luck to you. you are doing the right thing, and you have been very patient. i hope you receive some good news soon, hz	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2008-06-01 08:27:00
Middle East and North Africa	Got the Visa + Ticket	Alhamdulilah. Congratulations, Sarah & Azziz!!!!!!!!	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2008-06-03 11:50:00
Middle East and North Africa	its me again	Mabruk! Allah kum b'khair!	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2008-06-05 10:06:00
Middle East and North Africa	Arabic satellite	QUOTE (Alhamdulillah @ Jun 9 2008, 05:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (AlHayatZween @ Jun 9 2008, 12:54 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> i don't even know what the Dish Network is, maybe it is a west coast thing? i am in New York. i am wondering if anyone on the east coast has the Arabic channels listed on the Direct TV program? they don't look very good to me... no Al Jazeera, which is the one we would want, along with the soaps. do most of you watch online? is that how you are getting Arabic tv? interested in knowing... thanks!! hz No, I'm on the east coast! NC.... I didn't know Direct TV even had Arabic channels... must be something new but after looking at their line up it doesn't seem very impressive. Dish Networks Arabic line up is much better but they moved all the channels this year and I don't have a clue where they are.... maybe they canceled them. Yes, as far as i can tell... (i'm looking at cable providers now in hopes of moving into a new apartment, inchallah) as far as i can tell, Direct TV has 4 Arabic channels, which you pay extra for... but they are ####### channels. nothing i've ever heard of, and no news... it is mostly like Arabic Music TV... maybe i will see if they have Dish Network in NYC?	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2008-06-09 12:29:00
Middle East and North Africa	Arabic satellite	i don't even know what the Dish Network is, maybe it is a west coast thing? i am in New York. i am wondering if anyone on the east coast has the Arabic channels listed on the Direct TV program? they don't look very good to me... no Al Jazeera, which is the one we would want, along with the soaps. do most of you watch online? is that how you are getting Arabic tv? interested in knowing... thanks!! hz	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2008-06-09 11:54:00
Middle East and North Africa	Arabic satellite	Hi all, i'm just reviving an old thread on how to get Arabic channels on the TV. Those of you that have "Dish Network" is that like Direct TV? i'm in New York and i'm about to hook up cable & internet service, just wondering what i should pick to get some Arabic. Also, do any of you have Optimum Online? Do they have an Arabic add-on, do you know? Thanks!! hz	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2008-06-06 10:26:00
Middle East and North Africa	CR1 Interview and 221g	i'm sorry you are feeling so down, Sandrila. But i really hope he hears some good news fast! Good luck!	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2008-05-18 09:09:00
Middle East and North Africa	some good news to share	Wooooo-hooo!! Congratulations! Alhamudulilah... Next step is like Wife of Mahmoud wrote... You should receive your NOA2 in the mail. Then they will send your case to National Visa Center. Then NVC will send it to the US consulate in Casablanca, and inchallah, not long after, you will get a packet stating when you should come in for an interview. As for preparing, you could start to think about all the proofs of your continued relationship, which you will bring with you to the interview. Other than that...enjoy your success!	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2008-06-10 22:31:00
Middle East and North Africa	Sons and middle east culture	QUOTE (Olivia* @ Jun 9 2008, 05:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I say let the maids do it. that'll work, too!!	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2008-06-09 12:25:00
Middle East and North Africa	Sons and middle east culture	QUOTE (Olivia* @ Jun 9 2008, 03:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (kerewin21 @ Jun 8 2008, 07:14 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I guess I haven't noticed this that much. What I have noticed in Morocco is that the boys are free to sit on their butts while their sisters cook and clean. my husband says he wants all daughters. probably for that reason. tough break! well, at least you won't have to do it all? i'm kidding...	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2008-06-09 11:56:00
Middle East and North Africa	Sons and middle east culture	QUOTE (kerewin21 @ Jun 9 2008, 01:14 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I guess I haven't noticed this that much. What I have noticed in Morocco is that the boys are free to sit on their butts while their sisters cook and clean. ha! ain't that the truth... not all of them, of course, but i know what you are saying, Kerewin, sometimes it seems that way!	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2008-06-09 08:25:00
Middle East and North Africa	new ID cards in morocco	QUOTE (charlesandnessa @ Jun 10 2008, 09:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (martiniolive @ Jun 10 2008, 02:53 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I was told that morocco is issuing new ID cards that will allow moroccans with visa's for the usa to drive in the usa legally in any state. Does anyone know info about this? I am told it is simular to our drivers lic. and ID card that's gonna be interesting, morocco taking over the licensing for every state. ha! that would be awesome! look out New York!	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2008-06-10 21:41:00
Middle East and North Africa	Good suggestions needed for buying	Hmmmm... i am always a fan of buying really pretty head scarves, mostly b/c they pack light. but yes... your husband is right, they definitely have those there! if it is a couple living modestly with limited income, anything for the house that they can't or won't buy for themselves would probably be greatly appreciated, no? i'll keep thinking... hz	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2008-03-27 11:30:00
Middle East and North Africa	My husband arrives on Sunday	Oh my goodness, Nutty!!! i'm so happy for you!!!!!!! (and a little envious, too!!) Yaaaaaaaaayyy, he is finally coming. Don't worry, everything will be fantastic. And also, a size and a half is nothing... men don't even notice sizes. there is like a 30-pound differential that they can't even tell and we beat ourselves up about. and even so, he loves you and he is going to be so happy to see you. Yaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyy! i wish you both the best. what great news!! hz	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2008-06-13 09:47:00
Middle East and North Africa	Casablanca is on a roll...Visa in hand	Alhamdulilah. Congratulations!!!!! Go Casa!!!	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2008-06-13 21:08:00
Middle East and North Africa	Representing MENA!!!	Salaam everyone, i'm Al. I met my husband in 2006, while we were both living in Rabat. He is Moroccan, i'm New Jerseyite. Because we never married in the civil courts, we petitioned for a K-1 in June 2007, when i returned to the US. He's not here yet.... but i hope he comes soooooooooooon!!!	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2008-06-11 15:23:00
Middle East and North Africa	senators and congressmen	QUOTE (nu7015 @ Jun 26 2008, 02:35 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I don't think it would hurt to establish a relationship with your congressmen so in the event that you would need them, they would be familiar with your case and ready to help quickly. Chances are you won't need them, but if you did, you'd be one step ahead of the game. Also, since you will have several steps to go through in the future, it wouldn't hurt for the congressmen to know your case from the beginning. Good Luck!! Yes, this was our thinking at the time around our interview. i called all of our Congressmen & one Senator in New Jersey (where i was living at the time). Only the Senator agreed to take some information from me and seemed helpful. The other offices not so much. i agree with what others have posted... i certainly can't hurt to have your information in their file, and it is always better to be prepared... Good luck!! Smooth sailing for you both, hz	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2008-06-26 11:11:00
Middle East and North Africa	Wondering what other sites he/she is on??	Hey all, i think i might be doing it wrong... i checked my own address, and nothing came up... nothing... it says "no networks found." does that mean i'm off the grid?	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2008-05-31 14:42:00
Middle East and North Africa	Translating my marriage certificate	Salaam Henna, Just a quick note... i vote you get it done in Morocco, by someone asermonte (spelling?)... it will be way cheaper... just throw in some extra dirhams, and i'm sure he/she could do it bzerba. Good luck, hz	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2008-06-30 12:58:00
Middle East and North Africa	Did You Change or Hyphenate Your Name?	QUOTE (Staashi @ Jul 4 2008, 01:59 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (julianna @ Jul 4 2008, 01:09 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> The rules may have changed, but last time I checked you can only legally possess (without a hyphen which would count as a compound name) 3 names in the USA. That's why forms, SS, etc all make you pick 3. ETA: you can have up to 1 legal alias though, so you can continue to call yourself whatever you feel like-- which is especially easy if you're using his name or your maiden or a combo as your alias. Actually, my social security card has my first, middle, and husband's double last name. They never made me change anything - and that was the feds...so I assume that the rules have changed. interesting... i'm always interested in hearing what decisions others have taken and how they arrived at their decisions. thanks for sharing! hmmmmmmmm... i will have to read up on it because i don't like the idea of a hyphen, but i didn't know there was a legal limit to how many names you had... i just remember having professors in college with four or five names, and they used all of them in formal instances... hmmmm... hey, does anyone remember the 'Friends' episode, where Phoebe changes here name to Princess Guadalupe Something Something... and her husband changes his name to Sh*tbag, or something like that? Edited by AlHayatZween, 04 July 2008 - 02:46 PM.	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2008-07-04 14:44:00
Middle East and North Africa	Did You Change or Hyphenate Your Name?	Everytime i actually let myself think about fun married-life stuff (instead of dreadful USCIS stuff), i think i might like to keep all my names: Given Middle Family Hubbie's. No hyphen, just a bunch of names... is that too much?	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2008-07-03 13:14:00
Middle East and North Africa	Did You Change or Hyphenate Your Name?	Salaam all, When you got married or were preparing to get married, did you decide to change or hyphenate your name even though traditionally Arab women do not take their husbands' last names? What was your husband's opinion, if any, regarding the matter? Just wondering... Hope all is well, hz	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2008-07-03 12:12:00
Middle East and North Africa	My love and i got married today!	mabruk!	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2008-07-03 13:29:00
Middle East and North Africa	casablanca consulate	QUOTE (claaudba @ Jul 9 2008, 02:40 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (rachidaderdour @ Jul 8 2008, 09:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> hello Guys, my case is at consulate since 26, june... my husband still waiting package 3, i wonder how long now its about 12 days? my lawyer said that i hav eto send to consulate a form OF-169 in order to have an interview date...? iam confused that others dont send anything and just get package 3!!! anyone could help i would appreciate the answering question above thank you alA It took 3 weeks for the consulate to send package 3. I sent an email asking the consulate after 2 weeks and they told me the package had been sent and the interview date: "IV, Casablanca" <IVCasablanca@state.gov> I hope that helps. Salaam, Yes, send them a quick e-mail and they should be able to tell you when they sent out the packet and when the interview is... they send the packet to the SO in Morocco, not the USC. Good luck!	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2008-07-09 10:40:00
Middle East and North Africa	Co mingling finances.. loans etc	QUOTE (Pattu Rani @ Jul 9 2008, 07:24 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I agree with you - he wants to do some computer related work(repair, networking) and I am thinking there must be some way he can do this without a BS - the guy that hooked up my cable modem was from Bangladesh and he said he did some kind of 2-year course here in the US. Queens College has some night/weekend tech certification courses and this might be an option - I haven't really looked that heavily into it to be honest since the $%^& visa process is our focus right now. I just want to GET HIM HERE...... Absolutely... just get him here! i've been looking at some options for my own habeeb when he gets here in terms of schooling and stuff... the good thing about NYC is that there are a lot of trade and tech schools that i think we can use as an asset. also, a lot of them allow you to earn a technical degree or Associate's without having to have a GED... or the GED/Diploma programs are merged into one... keep your eyes open on the subway cuz that's where i see most of the ads. but for now, let's just get them here! QUOTE (caybee @ Jul 9 2008, 09:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (AlHayatZween @ Jul 9 2008, 04:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Staashi @ Jul 9 2008, 08:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> That is crappy treatment to say the least. I will say that what you can start by doing is contacting certain companies like the phone company, electric co, etc to put his name with yours. I'm really sorry about all of this for you...you do need to talk to someone there who can truly help you. My husband and I first started out with our own accounts, me at one bank and he at BofA. Over time, we realized that it would just be better for us to combine into one checking account. Don't get me wrong, this whole comingling thing is a big pain in the booty, but there is a point to it...and you all will be better for it. really? you can add your SO's name to your electric & phone bills? do they need to have an SSN or do you just call to add them? (sorry, i'm a newbie at the whole AOS thing.... ) Depends on the company, but I just called them. I think I had to give them my husband's SSN verbally when I called. We were able to get him a library card with just his passport and SSN, if I remember correctly (he came on K-1 and received his SSN maybe three weeks after applying for it). We weren't able to get a joint bank account until he had his green card. Fortunately, he didn't have an AOS interview, but we still have to remove conditions. That reminds me -- wouldn't hurt for him to put his siggy on a rent check from time to time. good to know, thanks!	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2008-07-09 16:12:00
Middle East and North Africa	Co mingling finances.. loans etc	QUOTE (Staashi @ Jul 9 2008, 08:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> That is crappy treatment to say the least. I will say that what you can start by doing is contacting certain companies like the phone company, electric co, etc to put his name with yours. I'm really sorry about all of this for you...you do need to talk to someone there who can truly help you. My husband and I first started out with our own accounts, me at one bank and he at BofA. Over time, we realized that it would just be better for us to combine into one checking account. Don't get me wrong, this whole comingling thing is a big pain in the booty, but there is a point to it...and you all will be better for it. really? you can add your SO's name to your electric & phone bills? do they need to have an SSN or do you just call to add them? (sorry, i'm a newbie at the whole AOS thing.... )	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2008-07-09 15:48:00
Middle East and North Africa	Co mingling finances.. loans etc	QUOTE (Jenn! @ Jun 12 2008, 01:53 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> this must be a new MENA sub-clique... more exclusive than the Pineapple Club...	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2008-06-12 08:58:00
Middle East and North Africa	Co mingling finances.. loans etc	QUOTE (Jenn! @ Jun 12 2008, 01:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> You're right about the actual credit scores. It will only affect yours if the account is a joint one. Or if you make a joint application and it is refused due to the spouse's credit score being too low, then your credit score can be negatively impacted. Oh my goodness! i just saw that you changed the little caption under your picture and it says "Goat ####### Member"!!!	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2008-06-12 08:53:00
Middle East and North Africa	Co mingling finances.. loans etc	QUOTE (Henia @ Jun 11 2008, 02:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> And just now ... I glanced at your timeline (mabrouk!) he seems to be coming soon! Soooooo maybe my last comment cross that out ... focus on him getting extra job/skil training when he gets to the US! hahaha! thanks! yes, inchallah, he'll be coming soon... and first things first is extensive language classes! as for jobs, it is a tough market for everybody... even Americans with advanced degrees and such are really coming up empty. we'll see... it should be a very interesting and challenging year to say the least!	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2008-06-11 11:49:00
Middle East and North Africa	Co mingling finances.. loans etc	Yes, it is true.... Thank goodness, i think he is somewhat aware of how our economic situation here... and Alhamdulilah, he is ready to work wherever, doing whatever... i guess my anxiety stems not so much for how much it is actually costing to get him here, but from how job availability, etc... seems to have gotten so much worse in just a couple of months. i remember, three months ago, i was doing hypothetical job searches for habibi and finding real possibilites and feeling very optimistic. but now, i'm not really finding anything. sometimes i think it must be me, i must be going crazy, but the truth is, there really are less jobs to go around.	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2008-06-11 09:22:00
Middle East and North Africa	Co mingling finances.. loans etc	QUOTE (LuLu @ Jun 11 2008, 01:21 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I am putting R to work right away when she arrives. All jokes aside, i'm getting very nervous about Hayati's arrival... It is the economy and the fact that the dollar has tanked that really worries me. I'm worried that he won't find work... it's really stressing me out. i'm worried that we won't live as well here as we did in Morocco...	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2008-06-10 22:45:00
Middle East and North Africa	Is It Normal...	QUOTE (sarahaziz @ Jul 11 2008, 12:10 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> am taking my spouse to the bank tmoorrow then hahaha good luck! i'm so happy that you were lucky enough to set him up with a job with you family. that's awesome!	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2008-07-11 09:01:00
Middle East and North Africa	Is It Normal...	QUOTE (S and S @ Jul 10 2008, 04:03 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (AlHayatZween @ Jul 9 2008, 11:23 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Thank you, for your responses... i don't know why i am fixated on all the unimportant stuff (like my hair!!) this is my before and after: up to 2007 and after filing for immigration Your hair is truly a work of art, either way ha! thank you! i hope Habibi thinks so... i hope it grows back when all this is over! QUOTE (nu7015 @ Jul 10 2008, 11:10 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Donna A @ Jul 9 2008, 11:53 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> i know its hard now because u life is going to change but once he gets her it will be so exciting. everything will be new to him and ull want to do and show him everything just to see his reaction. kinda like those first steps, first everythings we experience with children. u should have seen how my husband was when i took him to his first amusment park....just like a child, he wanted to ride everything. there was his first experience at the bank...put my check in the tube and the teller on the other end gives me my money back without even leaving the car. there was the first time he ever pumped his own gas too...he just could not figure that out to save his live. things we take for granted was a big adjustment for him. oh just wait...the real fun begins when he gets here. I have to laugh because mine still can't get over that! He wanted to video tape it to show people back home. He told his brother that people here in America don't want to get out of their cars for nothing!	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2008-07-10 08:10:00