Forum	Title	Content	Member	Sex	Country	Date/Time
Middle East and North Africa	Saturday!	Good morning! Happy Saturday to all! Memories of Saturday morning cartoons!! How times have changed! Morning Mandy!! Have a great time with the kids today! It's my shopping day. I hope I have fun. Have fun today and if you go out stay safe! Wishing everyone a wonderful Saturday!	JeanneVictoria	Female	Egypt	2010-09-04 09:22:00
Middle East and North Africa	Sunday	Good morning! Happy Sunday to all. Wael saw his first Tarantula yesterday evening. The joys of living in the desert! Will be another warm one. Will only get to 100 today! Cooool day!! I'm going to make maashi for dinner. Wael usually makes it, but he's literally in the books. I'm sure he will be "supervising"! Sure hope everyone has a beautiful day! Enjoy and stay safe.	JeanneVictoria	Female	Egypt	2010-09-05 11:45:00
Middle East and North Africa	First Monday in September is Labor Day!	Happy Labor Day! Good morning everyone! Morning Olivia and MsW!! Hope your holiday weekend has been good!! Maashi was excellent! We had nothing left for a snack!! Have a good day everyone. Stay cool and stay safe if you're on the road.	JeanneVictoria	Female	Egypt	2010-09-06 10:37:00
Middle East and North Africa	Where do you live in the US ?	Springfield, Ohio Hey Ronell!! How are you doing? Happy to see you posting!!	JeanneVictoria	Female	Egypt	2010-08-07 09:24:00
Middle East and North Africa	Where do you live in the US ?	Was stationed at Tampa twice. First time I couldn't walk out in the heat and humidity. Second time was a little easier. Was a beautiful area, but no way would I live in that humidity again. Loved the seafood !!	JeanneVictoria	Female	Egypt	2010-08-04 09:56:00
Middle East and North Africa	Where do you live in the US ?	Tucson, Arizona	JeanneVictoria	Female	Egypt	2010-08-03 10:11:00
Middle East and North Africa	cheap flights to egypt	I always use British Air thru their site. Have never had a problem with my flights. When I lived in California I would fly from LA-London-Cairo. Here in Arizona I fly Phoenix-London-Cairo. I myself don't find their rates high. Service is excellent!! Good luck with your tickets!	JeanneVictoria	Female	Egypt	2010-09-13 11:58:00
Middle East and North Africa	Becoming a Citizen	Occasionly we talk about me becoming a dual citizen. Who knows, maybe someday!	JeanneVictoria	Female	Egypt	2010-09-16 11:09:00
Middle East and North Africa	When they go back	Wael hasn't been back to Egypt since he arrived here almost 3 yrs ago. His job only allowed him to be away for 2wks. Now he's finishing his last year at the University of Arizona and he just doesn't have the time to be away. Depends if he goes to Graduate School or if he is working. Would love for us to go for at least a month, but in all reality it will probably be a couple weeks. He really doesn't talk much about going back. I think right now he's just so busy with school and that is his main concern to focus on.	JeanneVictoria	Female	Egypt	2010-09-14 21:15:00
Middle East and North Africa	10 yr Green Card in Hand!	Congratulations Bridget!!	JeanneVictoria	Female	Egypt	2010-09-19 15:22:00
Middle East and North Africa	verbal threats	I just had a talk with my husband today, Asked him if he thinks our relationship is a normal happy one and his answer was "yes, there is nothing with our relationship, all couples disagree on things and pass under stress, but now I am working and all will be good". I told him I talked to an attorney, he said I misunderstood him when he was talking and yelling, he was just telling me that he could have done all those things to others, but he wouldn't because he is a nice guy" he said he'll never use nor hurt anyone and that I am too Americanized that is why I misunderstood his intentions" and so on. he was very calm with fixed eyes, no emotions in them at all, then he hugged me and kissed me telling me he married me because he loved him. Did that happen to you? If this were me, I would have asked him what he thinks a normal happy relationship is. His views may surprise you. I only hope you will consider all of the issues you are facing. Be careful and stay safe. Wishing you all the best.	JeanneVictoria	Female	Egypt	2010-09-21 09:50:00
Middle East and North Africa	Have you been MENA-ized by your SO?	I have to agree with JVTA. Wael and his family are very westernized. He married me for who I am and that hasn't changed. I am extremely fortunate to have a man like him. Never has told me how I should dress, where I should go or not go, what to cook, how to clean, respects my Catholic religion and my beliefs. He always has told me he is so thankful for everything. He's always optimistic and energized! What a fantastic way he looks at life!! I was like this also, but more now since we have been together! Known him for 6 yrs and married almost 4 yrs and he's still the same person. I could not ask for more.	JeanneVictoria	Female	Egypt	2010-09-16 11:07:00
Middle East and North Africa	Buh Bye USCIS	Congratulations!!! Great news!	JeanneVictoria	Female	Egypt	2010-09-18 00:41:00
Middle East and North Africa	Bidets	They are also very popular in Europe!	JeanneVictoria	Female	Egypt	2010-09-23 18:10:00
Middle East and North Africa	Moroccan Culture?	This is a very American attitude - and it is your cultural perogative to think that way. In the US, we expect that our parents have saved lots of money for retirement and that they can "hold their own" so to speak. Whereas, in other countries, especially in third world nations, one's children are expected to contribute to the well-being (food, clothing, and housing) of their aged parents, to the education of younger siblings, and for major events like a family member's wedding. A friend of mine from MENA sends home about $50,000 a year to his family (he does very well for himself). His money provides a comfortable living environment for his parents, he has put his two brothers through medical school and he has paid for his sisters weddings. He wouldn't blink an eye about sending anything home - he considers it an honor to do so and he knows that his parents rely on his contributions. We send money home to Argentina - we aren't able to send more than about $200 a month - but that is $800 pesos, which helps them live comfortably. I will say that for as religious a country as we are, we truly do fail on the whole concept of "honor thy mother and thy father". Just sayin'. I don't agree with this Staashi. If something happens to our parents that they need our help, then by all means help them. Doesn't mean to take your salary (perhaps only one person is working or on unemployment) and make sure they are taken care of and your own family hasn't enough for milk and bread. Yes the cultures are different. If one has the money to send, then send it. I just wonder what these people did before their sons came to the states. We send gifts to Wael's parents and if we send money it is to pay for something we ASKED for. They do not expect Wael to send them money every month. This has never been brought up. It's always at the discretion of what someone wants to do, if you can afford it then do it, but not at the expense of depriving your own immediate family.	JeanneVictoria	Female	Egypt	2010-09-30 09:40:00
Middle East and North Africa	Green Card and Egyptian Army	Amy, my husband also said the same thing. Egypt won't take a dual citizen.	JeanneVictoria	Female	Egypt	2010-08-15 09:07:00
Middle East and North Africa	Green Card and Egyptian Army	If these ladies want to take the risk and believe what you're saying then by all means. This is the myth that is perpetuated and it's just not the case anymore. I hate to see when people fall into this trap though believing this is the case and it's not. And I'm sorry but what you believe is clearly misinformation because I know people first hand that they do take them, American or not, when the go to leave at the Airport if there is an unresolved Military service issue. The Egyptian Military honestly doesn't care if someone is married or engaged to a foreigner anymore or if they obtained status at another country. They still retain their Egyptian citizenship and are seen as Egyptians who avoided their military first. My Husband had several visits with the intelligence before they decided to take him for 16 months. Another Wife visited her Husband seven times and they took her Husband for 2 years and 8 months. Another Wife who'd already been married to her Husband for 5 years had her Husband taken for nearly 3 years and he has seven months left. She'd visited over 10 times already and staying several months at a time. I started an online support group for these wives. We know all about the ways of the Egyptian military. The four times of year they recruit. The recalls. The exemptions. What they can get out for. Where they get stationed and why. Who can visit them on Fridays at the basic training. That they get their Islamic holidays off and if the group is large then they rotate sections of the groups to go during the holidays at certain times. However, we also learned that by talking about the Egyptian Military online and sharing information about their ways we put the husbands who are still in Egypt in jeopardy and we risk our own selves when traveling there again. Every time I talk about it an officer who came to our wedding seems to contact my husband such as he did last night. Coincidence? Every time we've talked in the past online together seriously about going back to Egypt I get a travel advisory email from the Embassy. Coincidence? While my roommate and I were on Thanksgiving holiday last year my passport and Egyptian marriage certificate disappeared from my files at my apartment. This was after my husband was approved for the visa in August and we were on AP/AR until he got the actual visa in Feb. Coincidence? It's all very odd to me especially the disappearing act when I know where I put them and always keep them and had checked them in their place just prior to the holiday contemplating taking them with me. It is another popular myth that Americans are not touchable there. Americans can be arrested and put in jail. There have been several cases one such case was of the California Berkley student who was photographing the protests in Mahalla for his Masters Thesis. He was arrested and put in jail along with his translator. He got out because he used Twitter to communicate on his cellphone that he was arrested and his family notified the proper authorities. The translator to this day is still in jail there. If the student didn't have his cell phone who knows what would have happened to him. Just like with the pictures of the protest being taken the Egyptian military does not like photographs taken of their facilities or of their personnel or information shared about them and their process even if we are their wives and they knew this taking our husbands in there. Part of that is even a travel advisory warning for Americans traveling to Egypt on travel.state.gov. Now I've had my past threads about the Egyptian Military removed because I saw they were taken down on Google, all threads on VJ were Google searchable, and too many coincidences have happened in my own life. I've even maybe said to much for them in this thread, again. Spoiler We may be free in America but even we are not so free in Egypt. I agree with Olivia. I don't know your status SamOnline, but you definately are giving out the wrong information. Where did you get all this information from? Again, it's up to the people who asked questions regarding the Egyptian Army to listen or not to listen. Olivia has been there and done that. Thanks Olivia for setting the record straight!!!	JeanneVictoria	Female	Egypt	2010-08-13 15:36:00
Middle East and North Africa	k-3 0r CR-1 WHICH IS QUICKER?	We did a Direct Consular Filing (CR1) from Egypt. Our timeline was 1 yr from beginning to end. You will find many different timelines from those of us who filed thru Cairo. Are you planning on marrying in Egypt? Has she made any trips to see you?	JeanneVictoria	Female	Egypt	2010-10-12 08:25:00
Middle East and North Africa	MENA men and style	QUOTE (Meriem_setif @ Jan 27 2009, 10:36 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Jenn! @ Jan 27 2009, 01:27 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Meriem_setif @ Jan 27 2009, 11:54 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> "That women said she likes the smell of my "colon". bwaaaaahaaaa That was also the same women that asked me if Hachemi was my exchange student Meriem	JeanneVictoria	Female	Egypt	2009-01-27 12:52:00
Middle East and North Africa	MENA men and style	I FINALLY got Wael to buy another pair of shoes! He is so frugal (not cheap) and it really takes alot to make him buy something. He ran out of cologne that he brought from Egypt and cannot get him to buy more. He also cuts his own hair (he doesn't care for the barbers here), and looks for gel that will last him!! He has two heavy jackets but I had to buy him a lighter one for here, and of course the first thing he did was look at the price. I told him "IT'S OK!!" He uses my Aveeno lotion and loves it. His dress is awesome! He's tall and built like a matador. He really could be a male model. He is just a very humble person. I love this quality in him, but would love for him to buy something!	JeanneVictoria	Female	Egypt	2009-01-23 12:39:00
Middle East and North Africa	Journey Complete	Congratulations again to your husband!!! His pictures are great!! Wael's is right around the corner and i'm so excited for him!	JeanneVictoria	Female	Egypt	2010-10-14 12:07:00
Middle East and North Africa	Death in the family	We are so sorry for your loss	JeanneVictoria	Female	Egypt	2010-10-17 10:54:00
Middle East and North Africa	How well do you know your MENA S/O?	1. He's sitting in front of the TV, what is on the screen? News or C SPAN 2 2. You're out to eat; what kind of dressing does he get on his salad? Usually gets coleslaw 3. What's one food he doesn't like? Cornbread! Can u believe that!!! 4. You go out to eat and have a drink. What does he order? Steak and iced tea 5. Where did he go to high school? Alexandria, Egypt 6. What size shoe does he wear? size 9!/2 7. If he was to collect anything, what would it be? Books! 8. What is his favorite type of sandwich? Tuna or Cream cheese w/olives. 9. What would this person eat every day if he could? Tuna casserole 10. What is his favorite cereal? No cereal! 11. What would he never wear? White underwear 12. What is his favorite sports team? Ahly, Egyptian soccer team 13. Who did he vote for? Can't vote yet 14. Who is his best friend? Me! 15. What is something you do that he wishes you wouldn't do? Worry. 16. What is his heritage? Egyptian. 17. You bake him a cake for his birthday; what kind of cake? Chocolate. 18. Did he play sports in high school? Yes, soccer and basketball 19. What could he spend hours doing? Reading Economics and Math. 20. What is one unique talent he has? He can explain quantum physics! My head is spinning	JeanneVictoria	Female	Egypt	2009-03-12 13:48:00
Middle East and North Africa	Americans Soldiers Save woman who had her nose cut off	You know, I too am sick of people living in our country yet want to bash America. Why come here if you have horrible ideas about our country? Have your SO move to your country and then you can bash America all you want. I just de-friended someone on facebook who is from a muslim country because she continually posts anti-american things there and bs about how the pentagon was not hit by a plane blah blah blah. I think one thing you can say for most Americans is when we screw up we admit it. When we acted a fool by humiliating and torturing Iraqi soldiers I was one of the first to denounce it. Just because you marry someone from a muslim country doesn't mean you have to sanction all behaviors good and bad. If it's bad it's bad and if it's good it's good. There have been many humanitarian acts that have come out of these stupid wars and I don't believe all of them are just war propoganda.	JeanneVictoria	Female	Egypt	2010-10-17 08:59:00
Middle East and North Africa	Dawns killer is in prison~my open letter to him		JeanneVictoria	Female	Egypt	2010-10-27 12:07:00
Middle East and North Africa	Support Moroccan artist	Beautiful artwork!! Colors are breathtaking! I voted!	JeanneVictoria	Female	Egypt	2010-10-31 12:15:00
Middle East and North Africa	MENA Daily Chat 1.0	Good morning! Happy Sunday to all! I will be a happy camper when 1). HALLOWEEN IS OVER! 2) THE ELECTIONS ARE OVER! Seems like my Halloween experience from childhood is brought to life every freakin' year. For a month it's horror movies, costumes, etc. I just want to close my eyes and wake up for Thanksgiving!! Give me happy moments. Olivia, i'm sure the time will pass quickly and he will return! Am so happy your job will help you to pass this time and make money!! Hey, how good is that!! Beautiful day here. Our high is to be 82....just perfect. Hummingbirds are still hanging around. They are such cuties. I'm doing nothing today. I love "Office Space"....it's good to be able to relate to something! It's good to do nothing. If you want to see an Egyptian's face light up, tell him you are making liver and onions! It's so true! Yeah, i'm making liver and onions today. I have finished the series "The Tudors" and this series is absolutely brilliant. Sad there isn't a new episode, but I bought the DVD's so can watch it again and again. What a cast! We had a very nice Anniversary. Can't believe it's been 4 yrs. Certainly hope your weekend is going good! Take care and be careful!	JeanneVictoria	Female	Egypt	2010-10-31 12:10:00
Middle East and North Africa	MENA Daily Chat 1.0	HAPPY 4TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY SWEETHEART I LOVE YOU http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIrCFrFpHvw	JeanneVictoria	Female	Egypt	2010-10-28 07:21:00
Middle East and North Africa	MENA Daily Chat 1.0	What did you change your bank to Jeanne? We're considering changing banks. We would like something compatible with Egypt as well but I've looked into it before and there wasn't anything really. HSBC seems to be the only one and it was an online bank only in my area. I'm having trouble grasping that concept. Though I spoke about it with my Sister-in-Law and she does their banking through USAA which is what we have our car insurance under. USAA is also online banking only in our area. She says they have to mail in their deposits and everything else is done online. Banks in our area are Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Chase, US Bank, and then several local credit unions. We chose a local bank here. I've also used BofA which was ok.	JeanneVictoria	Female	Egypt	2010-10-27 13:58:00
Middle East and North Africa	MENA Daily Chat 1.0	Good morning! What a beautiful day we are having! Olivia, i'm so sorry to hear about your account also being compromised. Yes you are right. More and more people are being targeted by every type of fraud imaginable. Anything to make money. It's just so unbelievable that someone can literally take money from your "secure" account. Makes one stop and think perhaps the mattress sounds better and better! I had used WF for a long time and had a problem. When I was in Egypt one time, I tried checking my account and no way shape or form were they going to allow me to check it. They said they didn't recognize my computer, altho, I had checked it only a couple days before and had no problems. I was frantic. Called them from Egypt, but they never resolved it. Changed banks when I returned to the states. Sure hope you can have this resolved quickly! Enjoy your day!	JeanneVictoria	Female	Egypt	2010-10-27 12:22:00
Middle East and North Africa	MENA Daily Chat 1.0	LOL I just encountered an apple that had three of those suckers stuck to it, lol. They wouldn't come off!! I finally got so frustrated that I just peeled that part of the apple. Anyways had to comment because yes, I have also had issue with the fruit stickers. Hey JVTA!! I just added these stickers to my other "issues"!!!!!!!!!!!!!	JeanneVictoria	Female	Egypt	2010-10-25 15:17:00
Middle East and North Africa	MENA Daily Chat 1.0	Good morning/afternoon everyone! Loved this graph! Those stickers are soooo annoying! Hope everyone had a nice weekend. We are having a beautiful day here with mild temps! Hey Andrea, Jess, Jenell, Olivia, Sandy, Batta, Charles, Amber, Rosie and Mandy. Sorry if I missed anyone...if I did, then you may put one of those annoying stickers on my head!!	JeanneVictoria	Female	Egypt	2010-10-25 13:15:00
Middle East and North Africa	MENA Daily Chat 1.0	Good afternoon MENA!!!! Hello ladies and Charles I feel much better now, still hurts a little when I sneeze and cough though Still waiting for habibi to be approved.. we filed in May.. they last touched the file July 10th and now nothing habibi wants to go to school to get better jobs.. my daughter wants to go to school and I do too.. I don't know what to do.. they will look at my income.. I would be considered maybe middle class, but I don't have a lot of money to spare I want a better life for my family as I'm sure everyone does here... I love my job for the money, but I would rather be in the music industry somehow or maybe information technology.. my daughter can draw EXTREMELY well but hasn't caught a break.. both her laptop and the desktop will have to be replaced.. she needs them to do her artwork to do commissions.. habibi doesn't know what he wants to study.. but everything hinges on him getting his 10 year card and then citizenship.. my mother who is about to be 84 is taking medicine for mild demetia.. at least to prevent memory loss.. I want Autumn to do well in school so that she will be able to apply for scholarships later on .. I want to move because I'm tired of hearing people shooting in the neighborhood.. I'm African- American but I know how to act... it makes me sad.. I went to the thrift store yesterday to find some clothes for us and this little black girl was talking to her mother.. she kept saying " I is" and her mother didn't correct her.. she looked like she was maybe 4 or 5... I was like why on earth don't you correct her(to myself).. I mean public school is FREE.. she looked like she had on a uniform for maybe private school, but either way, dag(better than the other word) .. all I can say is Lord bless everyone on Visa Journey.. I pray EVERYONE gets to be with their loved ones and everyone lives a happy and productive life.. I've been married twice before and I didn't have pictures together with my husbands, bank accounts and ALL of the stuff Immigration is looking for.. I think they really need to treat us just like everyone else.. I know fraud happens, but in my case it NEVER was and NEVER will be.. I love my husband dearly and he's worried about all of this stuff.. we don't need the added stress of Immigration to compound the problems we already have.. I really want to cry right now but I'm at work.. I don't need a pill for this.. There is no pill for this.. I just want to live my life normally and can't.. Jeanne, I'd rather be flying too.. at least at that altitude I can clearly see my problems but I'm high above them so it doesn't really matter.. I guess that's why I go to the airport alot and watch the planes take off and land.. it's spiritual with me.. I feel so much peace.. I actually wanted to do space travel but alas the space program may be no more .. just pray for me please..again there is NO pill for me .. everyone have a great day Jenell, i'm so happy you are beginning to feel better. Always know that you are a wonderful woman and you do wonderful things for your family. Sometimes we become so overwhelmed with worry, and having the visa process certainly doesn't help with the stress level. Just know one thing sweetie, we are all going thru some part of this journey. You have many people here who love you and care for you. Just lean on us if you have to! We have great ears for listening and long arms for hugs!	JeanneVictoria	Female	Egypt	2010-10-22 12:14:00
Middle East and North Africa	MENA Daily Chat 1.0	Happy Friday morning to all! It's delightfully cool here this morning! WE can breathe!!! Morning Andrea! Wish I could say we had some plans for the weekend, but it's just the books that always win!! He has research projects, honor papers to write, group presentations to present, and always the usual suspects (HOMEWORK)! Will meet one of his groups at the UofA library this afternoon. He has some tough Profs....they have midterms every 3 wks. So I just do my own thing!! Wishing everyone a good day and a great weekend!	JeanneVictoria	Female	Egypt	2010-10-22 11:46:00
Middle East and North Africa	MENA Daily Chat 1.0	Morning all! A little overcast this morning. Had some rain last night and will have some showers today. So nice and COOL here!! Turned on the cold water last night and to my surprise........it's COLD!!!!!!! Winter must be arrivin'! Amber, if we're lucky there will be some snow on the mountains today. Always a beautiful sight when it's in the 80's. Have a wonderful day everyone!	JeanneVictoria	Female	Egypt	2010-10-21 09:58:00
Middle East and North Africa	MENA Daily Chat 1.0	Morning everyone! We have a few clouds with a possibility of rain today! Got my flu shot yesterday. Seems this one has a little more discomfort than last year. Good to go for another year! Hope your day will be a good one!	JeanneVictoria	Female	Egypt	2010-10-20 08:43:00
Middle East and North Africa	MENA Daily Chat 1.0	Good morning! Beautiful Tuesday to everyone! Olivia, what a relief for you to get your funds returned. Happy to hear the good news! Tammy, i'm so excited for you and Adam and your new home! Best of luck with your doctors appt also. Hope you will have some good news. Yes, time is flying! Wael will do his biometrics Thursday for his citizenship. He's so excited. Amal, loved the pictures of your family on FB!! They look like they are having a great time. Jenell, really happy you are feeling better sweetie. Just take care of yourself! Amber, so happy to see you posting! Hope your journey will be a fast one and he will be in the states before you know it! Best of luck to you both. Hey Sandy! Hope your day is good! Wael registered for his final semester yesterday. Celebrated with a cup of tea!! He has one more midterm then will do it all over again in a couple of weeks. Still maintaining his A average with 21 units of Economics. Don't know how he does it. Have some errands to do today. We are to have a slight chance of rain...wishing and hoping! Hello Andrea, Charles and Aya! Hope your Tuesday will be a good one!!	JeanneVictoria	Female	Egypt	2010-10-19 07:24:00
Middle East and North Africa	MENA Daily Chat 1.0	Beautiful Sunday morning to everyone! Jenell, sure hope you are feeling better by now and can take those pictures of the trees! Morning Andrea, Charles, Olivia, Aya, Amber, Morrocogirl, Tammy and Sandy! Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend. Ours has been quiet, but I have now introduced myself to the series The Tudors and i'm lovin' every episode!!! I love British history, and was excited to see many of the castles and areas i've been to. I have only 1 more episode in the series and can't wait to see it. Love the actors...they are brilliant in the series. Here's hoping your day will be an excellent one filled with happiness and love.	JeanneVictoria	Female	Egypt	2010-10-17 11:10:00
Middle East and North Africa	MENA Daily Chat 1.0	Hey Jeanne how are you doing??? Is the weather better there??? Hey Jenell, i'm doing fine thanks! Weather is nice in the mornings, but still hot during the day. Should cool down more by December.	JeanneVictoria	Female	Egypt	2010-10-16 11:25:00
Middle East and North Africa	Algerian victory	QUOTE (Nawal @ Nov 21 2009, 10:14 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz Annie, I just love the new pics of the babies!! What little sugars they are!	JeanneVictoria	Female	Egypt	2009-11-22 12:02:00