ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
Middle East and North AfricaCaturday!
QUOTE (Kenza @ Aug 8 2009, 07:48 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Layla, inshallah everything gets settled soon...

I am back home without my hubby and i think i have run out of tears for now but inshallah 17 more days until his interview!

I pray everyone is doing well and is in good health!

btw, Zaid is sooo cuttee!!!!



Welcome home Kenza! Saw your post on FB and happy you made it home ok!
JeanneVictoriaFemaleEgypt2009-08-08 09:51:00
Middle East and North AfricaCaturday!

















Good morning! Happy Saturday to everyone!

Not a cloud in the sky. No rain in the forecast.
Just another hot day in the desert! Would love
some cooler weather.

Don't have any plans for today. Nice to sit and
relax!

Leyla, goodness you guys have had a tough time!
Happy you both are back to work. Sorry to hear about
your finger!
Best of luck to you both!

Have a good weekend everyone. Enjoy your day!










JeanneVictoriaFemaleEgypt2009-08-08 09:16:00
Middle East and North Africayom rishon, yam al ahad, yeksanbe, domingo, sunday!
QUOTE (Nawal @ Aug 9 2009, 10:28 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Happy Sunday MENA rose.gif

I have been home all weekend tending to sick babies sad.gif Zain is much better and left us to hang w/ Auntie Marsha...the little traitor... devil.gif Nour is still sick and after 1 pediatrician visit and 1 ER visit...I'm wiped out. They don't know whats wrong but have ruled out a few things. Her temp was 105.3 on saturday morning at the ER. I am a worry wart and freaking out...can't wait for Monday for her follow up...so I can get some answers. unsure.gif



Annie, I'm happy you are home. Been worried about the babies. Hope you find some answers
tomorrow when you go back for her follow-up. Take care sweetie!
JeanneVictoriaFemaleEgypt2009-08-09 13:25:00
Middle East and North Africayom rishon, yam al ahad, yeksanbe, domingo, sunday!
Good morning everyone! Happy Sunday to all.

Have a great day!
JeanneVictoriaFemaleEgypt2009-08-09 09:11:00
Middle East and North AfricaMonday
Good morning! It's a hot Monday here already. Hope everyone is having a good day!
JeanneVictoriaFemaleEgypt2009-08-10 11:09:00
Middle East and North AfricaMy MENA Friends..
I'm so sorry to have this happen to you Janet. Take care of yourself and God bless you.
JeanneVictoriaFemaleEgypt2009-08-09 13:19:00
Middle East and North AfricaHappy Tuesday MENA!
Good morning! Hope everyone is having a great day!

We have some clouds and the possibility of rain!

Not much going on today. Have a good day everyone!
JeanneVictoriaFemaleEgypt2009-08-11 10:04:00
Middle East and North AfricaVisa in hand!
kicking.gif kicking.gif kicking.gif kicking.gif kicking.gif kicking.gif kicking.gif kicking.gif

That is so fantastic Amy!! I was with Wael when he received his visa also!! Makes it so nice
to have him fly home with you!!!
JeanneVictoriaFemaleEgypt2009-08-10 11:11:00
Middle East and North AfricaMy 1 year anniversary is today!!! :)
Happy Anniversary and Congratulations! rose.gif
JeanneVictoriaFemaleEgypt2009-08-11 13:11:00
Middle East and North AfricaHappy Wednesday!!
Morning all! Happy Wednesday to everyone.

HLM, so happy your mom is coming!!!

Congratulations Olivia and Yasmine on your upcoming interviews!!

Gabby, soooo very nice to see you posting again! Baby is just the
cutest little guy!!

Amanda, hope you will feel better! I'm a donor also. Good for you!!

Hey Tasha! How are you doing?

Mornin' Maureen!

Mornin' Jackie!! I like jJ!

Olivia, are you back in class again?

Hope everyone has a great day today. Wiil be another hot one here, but at least
we have little hope for some rain again today!!
JeanneVictoriaFemaleEgypt2009-08-12 07:05:00
Middle East and North AfricaPyramid Webcam
View is always breathtaking!!! Magnificient!
JeanneVictoriaFemaleEgypt2009-02-14 10:52:00
Middle East and North AfricaPyramid Webcam
I miss the pyramids! sad.gif crying.gif
JeanneVictoriaFemaleEgypt2008-11-20 20:33:00
Middle East and North AfricaI can haz Friday?
Good morning! Well it's about time Friday showed up!! kicking.gif

Mornin' Maureen!

Mornin' Gabby! I'm really happy you are "back with us". yes.gif

Mornin' Charles! You are up early!! How's Ben doing?

Tammy, my twin lives in northern Nevada and no it's anything but
hot there! They have temps now dipping to the 30's at night, but
beautiful 60-70 temps during the day! I loved living in Texas, but
DID not like the humidity.

Mornin' Tasha, Amanda, William and Lal!

Have a great Friday everyone! If I don't see you, have a wonderful
and safe weekend.
JeanneVictoriaFemaleEgypt2009-08-14 06:56:00
Middle East and North AfricaHappy Caturday!
Good morning everyone! Yayyy for Saturday! Have a good one!
JeanneVictoriaFemaleEgypt2009-08-15 09:01:00
Middle East and North AfricaHappy Caturday!
QUOTE (*Maureen* @ Aug 15 2009, 05:01 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
morning olivia and Brini. I slept in til after 7am and that is sleeping in for me.

So last night, i was at my husband's soccer game and i was chatting with a friend there and I just wanted to smack her child(i think she's 4), she wouldn't even let her mom talk, she would yell at her mom and say no talking, watch me!!! and here this grown woman would listen and obey her 4 year old. She thought it was cute, i have news for her, it wasn't.

Well, i have the entire day free and so far the only thing that's on the list right now is laundry.



One good thing Maureen....YOU got to go home WITHOUT this child!!! Poor mom has NO idea what
is in store for her in the coming years......gotta feel a little sorry for her. Still the mom is a good
candidate for "where was I and what was I thinking" in the discipline category.
JeanneVictoriaFemaleEgypt2009-08-15 08:37:00
Middle East and North AfricaHappy Sunday!
Good morning! Happy Sunday to everyone! Have a beautiful day!
JeanneVictoriaFemaleEgypt2009-08-16 09:52:00
Middle East and North AfricaQuestion about engagement rings...
At our petition interview, the CO asked both Wael and I separately if we had a wedding party. We told him yes we did and showed our wedding pictures. When Wael had his home visits from the Embassy, (during AP) the guy asked his dad about our wedding party. He also asked his uncle.
JeanneVictoriaFemaleEgypt2009-08-16 16:09:00
Middle East and North AfricaOne way tickets to the US?
QUOTE (amysaid @ Aug 16 2009, 02:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (JeanneVictoria @ Aug 16 2009, 02:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (amysaid @ Aug 16 2009, 01:05 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Ahmed's trying to get a ticket to come back with us this September, but when he went to the Air France counter to ask about buying a ticket, they told him that since he's Egyptian he's not allowed to enter the US without a roundtrip ticket. Of course, he didn't tell the agent what kind of visa he has, or that he is immigrating, not visiting. headbonk.gif headbonk.gif Did your partners enter with a one way or a round trip ticket? I know at least one person who's entered on a one-way, but it was a few years ago, not sure if things have changed since then or not. I tried calling Air France, they said they didn't know. I'm scouring google now, but thought I'd ask here too.



My understanding Amy is that a K3 visa is a non-immigrant visa, therefore he will have to purchase a R/T ticket.

We had a CR1 which is an immigrant visa, therefore allowing my husband to purchase a one way ticket.


Well, it's confusing, because the embassy processes it as an immigrant visa. is there some way to tell the difference on the actual visa itself? does the CR1 visa have a expiration date on it like the k3 does?



The embassy doesn't process it as an immigrant visa. It is processed as a non-immigrant visa. He will have to complete the visa process once stateside with the AOS.

The CR1 is a immigrant visa good for 2 yrs. Then we do a Removal of Conditions for his 10 yr greencard.
JeanneVictoriaFemaleEgypt2009-08-16 16:51:00
Middle East and North AfricaOne way tickets to the US?
QUOTE (amysaid @ Aug 16 2009, 01:05 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Ahmed's trying to get a ticket to come back with us this September, but when he went to the Air France counter to ask about buying a ticket, they told him that since he's Egyptian he's not allowed to enter the US without a roundtrip ticket. Of course, he didn't tell the agent what kind of visa he has, or that he is immigrating, not visiting. headbonk.gif headbonk.gif Did your partners enter with a one way or a round trip ticket? I know at least one person who's entered on a one-way, but it was a few years ago, not sure if things have changed since then or not. I tried calling Air France, they said they didn't know. I'm scouring google now, but thought I'd ask here too.



My understanding Amy is that a K3 visa is a non-immigrant visa, therefore he will have to purchase a R/T ticket.

We had a CR1 which is an immigrant visa, therefore allowing my husband to purchase a one way ticket.
JeanneVictoriaFemaleEgypt2009-08-16 16:25:00
Middle East and North AfricaOMG!! He got his Visa minutes ago...
Congrats!!! kicking.gif good.gif kicking.gif good.gif kicking.gif good.gif
JeanneVictoriaFemaleEgypt2009-08-15 13:27:00
Middle East and North AfricaMonday
Good morning! Beautiful Monday morning to everyone!

Hope you had a good weekend.

Mornin' Maureen!!

Have a wonderful and peaceful day.


JeanneVictoriaFemaleEgypt2009-08-17 06:35:00
Middle East and North AfricaMy country this, my country that!
QUOTE (Turia @ Aug 18 2009, 10:19 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Nawal @ Aug 18 2009, 12:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
{{Terrie}}

When in Egypt and Jordan I would always make remarks like...."well, in the US we can....or we have...." tongue.gif I used to make fun of the fact that fast food delivered to homes WTH??!?? blink.gif I would talk about their plumbing, AC, refrigeration, transportation, etc.... Not on small trips but on trips I spent an extended amount of time i.e.: summer, etc and it drove my cousins and my hubby crazy. So now when my husband has said things like that, I pretty much agree w/ him on what he misses and then we start talking about "imagine not having...." etc. It's really not much of an issue now.

Last time we talked about it he said I have nothing to go back to except to visit family. My life and family are here now and thats the truth. That does not mean he doesn't want to go back and visit or for us to have a home there one day but not without our entire family.

rose.gif




I think you are all missing the whole premises of this post (and maybe thats my fault). My beef is not that its my country this and that but, I have to pay for ramadan cause i am under doctor's care and am not allowed to fast. So I bought up the subject with hubby and he wants me to always send the money to Morocco. I want to keep the money here. There are plenty of people here in need as I am sure of people in Morocco too. But I live here, not in Morocco. He is always worried about Morocco. I told him all he is obligated to worry about is his family there. This has been a real struggle to me. I have never yelled about sending money to morocco but this time am putting my foot down!

I also think that he wants to be like his brother (whom has money) also. He wants to be able to give to whoever and whenever.



Terrie, what about compromising. Half here, half to Morocco. Just a thought hon.
JeanneVictoriaFemaleEgypt2009-08-18 13:31:00
Middle East and North AfricaSafe amount of time
QUOTE (KHPerfectMatch @ Jul 15 2009, 12:22 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Salaam Sister Tammy,

Just information, a little bit of opinion, totally based on my own experience (having been married to one Palestinian and 3 Egyptians over 30 years), which may or may not be totally different from yours or anyone else's...

1) We don't know anyone from Egypt who has been able to get a Temp EAD at JFK. My husband has asked everyone he knows and none of them got it. Not on K-1 or K-3.

2) Even if someone does get it, in this economy it doesn't mean he will find a job that he believes is suitable during the 90 days.

3) That being the case he would need to be prepared to spend 6-9 months without earning any income. If you wait until the 90th day to get married, then file the AOS papers, the total time without permission to work legally could easily be that or more. (see my timeline as an example)

4) Egyptians do not accept the notion that they cannot work here simply because they don't have papers. ALL their friends come here and work without them.. so they plan to as well. They don't seem to mind taking the risk of destroying their immigration proceedings, if they can make $$. Money, making even more money, the perception of success, and showing the people "back home" that they improved their lives by immigrating to the West are the TOP PRIORITIES.

5) Very few men immigrating from Egypt have the means to support themselves and their new families with $$ they bring from Egypt. And if they don't plan to support themselves (and also generously contribute to the expenses of the household) in my experience this will likely be a LONG TERM attitude... and is considered quite shameful by Egyptian standards (and goes against how they were raised). And does not bode well...

6) Even if the USC wife doesn't demand or expect to be supported, if the Egyptian husband does not support her over such an extended period of time, he will feel diminished as a husband and a man. This puts a huge strain on the relationship and adds to the other frustrations the couple faces regarding finances, priorities, etc.

And if he doesn't feel bad, well.... what can I say.... there's likely something abnormal going on or something strange about his upbringing... or both...

7) The great majority of Egyptians have little to no concept of step-families, and less about step-parenting. Traditionally (in Egypt) when a woman remarries her children either go to live with their father, or their grandparents. Step fathers in Egypt rarely interact one on one with their step-children. The concept of "Evil Step-parents" is the conventional wisdom. Even step-mother's intentions towards their step-children are considered highly suspicious.

Generally Egyptians love children - their own, and the children of their blood relations and Egyptian friends are of great importance, but this does not always transfer to the children of another man. And in my experience over time, the novelty wears off and because there is no blood-relationship, so does their patience with children who do not behave as they EXPECT children (based on Egyptian standards) to behave. This is particularly true of men who have never raised their own children. (And parenting norms are TOTALLY different in Egypt...)

8) Whoever wrote that everything about choices/relationships change when children are involved spoke the truth. I wholeheartedly wish I had not remarried (my Egyptian ex-husband) after my first marriage (to a Palestinian).

My son was 3 months old when husband #1's drug use and alcoholism finally reached a point I could no longer ignore it or handle it. I waited 9 years to remarry husband #2, and I wish I had waited 9 or 10, or 11 more. My son is scarred for life from the emotional abuse he received, followed by the abandonment of the 2nd husband (8 years later) when he couldn't Adjust Status in the USA and finally gave up and left to live in Canada following a notice of a deportation order.

It never occured to me that if he divorced me he would also divorce my son, who called him "Baba" for 8 years. My son deserved a more stable and less dramatic/chaotic life. I thought he needed a male role model, an example of moral living, a devout/pious Muslim head of the family... (to contrast with how his father was living). I was wrong. He needed security, stability, tranquility, (and the full undivided attention of his mother). I wish this for your children too.

Fi'aman'illah



Perfectly said! good.gif
JeanneVictoriaFemaleEgypt2009-07-15 06:49:00
Middle East and North AfricaSafe amount of time
QUOTE (tammy sue kay @ Jul 11 2009, 08:23 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I so hope I don't offend anyone with what I am about to say. Simply, I don't like American men. As the saying goes, been there, done that.
Islam has made no secret of the fact that he wants out of egypt, asap. I can't say I blame him, and at least he is honest about it. It's not about the fact that he is younger, good looking, or hot. I didn't fall in love with him for those reasons. I fell in love with him because he is open and honest, funny, smart, kind, caring, the list goes on. I love him because he goes out of his way to do things for me. Little things, like staying on skype with the boys while I run errands, even when it's 4am and he has to work the next day. Going to mosque on Friday and then lessons and coming back to teach me those same lessons in a way I will understand.
When we first discussed the possibility of us having a relationship, I questioned him about the financial aspects of the immigration process. He is adamant that the financials will be paid for by him, and that it is his responsibility, and in no way am I to spend a dime.



Tammy, this statement really has me worried. My hope is you are thinking with a clear head instead of jumping into another relationship without giving it at least 2-3 years. If it is love, then clearly the test of time will tell. Give yourself a break sweetie. Give time to your kids and yourself before beginning another long and tedious process of paperwork and stressful situations. You SO deserve it!

Good luck in whatever you chose.
JeanneVictoriaFemaleEgypt2009-07-12 10:12:00
Middle East and North Africaour new addition
He's a cutieeeeee!! Congratulations!!!
JeanneVictoriaFemaleEgypt2009-08-15 13:28:00
Middle East and North Africaour new addition
Congratulations!! Love his name!
JeanneVictoriaFemaleEgypt2009-08-15 10:37:00
Middle East and North AfricaTuesday
Good morning! Beginnings of a beautiful sunrise this morning!

Mornin' Maureen! Savor all your "cartoon" moments!! What fun it is!

Mornin' Jackie! Won't be long now till your hubby is here! Time will fly
after Ramadan.

Mornin' Amanda!! Can't believe your ex is allowed to not pay child support
for months! Is he violating a court order? Just hope you can resolve it soon,
and Raad will find employment. Big hugs for you!

Mornin' and afternoon to everyone who posted early!!! Thought it was
Tuesday yesterday when I saw the thread late last night! Too many days
to remember in one day laughing.gif

GG, you definately are getting close to leaving. Just sit back and enjoy
flying sweetie!!! Congrats on your no smoking!!! That's fantastic.

Yahya, yep we are ready for Ramadan! Wish we could have spent it back
in Egypt. Love the lights, the noise, the crowds....how exciting!

Nagi, know what you mean about the heat. Sorry you are having probs sleeping.
I hope it will cool down for you soon. How are you doing?
I'm so sorry to hear about your dog. rose.gif

And_Sam, good morning!

Mornin' Olivia! I hope Waleed will be joining you soon. Hardest part is always after
we leave. Prayers for you sweetie.

Tammy, hope you are feeling better today hon. Tell Adam hi for us!

Mornin' Jenn!

Have a wonderful day everyone! Take care.



JeanneVictoriaFemaleEgypt2009-08-18 07:49:00
Middle East and North AfricaDCFs from Cairo getting stuck in AP?
We filed DCF thru Cairo. Start to finish was 1 year. Time in AP after visa interview was 6 months.

It's a process going thru Cairo. There is no set date for how long someone is in AP. It just
takes time. It's hard waiting, but just have patience.

Good luck on your journey and your upcoming interview!!
JeanneVictoriaFemaleEgypt2009-08-16 11:46:00
Middle East and North AfricaThursday!!
Good morning! Have a good day everyone!

Morning Maureen!

Morning Angel!

Morning GG!!

Morning Judy! Good luck with your husbands driving test.
JeanneVictoriaFemaleEgypt2009-08-20 07:17:00
Middle East and North AfricaWednesday
Perhaps I missed it, but did Amal's husband arrive back Saturday? I just don't
remember seeing her post if he got back ok.

Thanks!


Tasha, so happy you will be home soon! Have a great flight!
JeanneVictoriaFemaleEgypt2009-08-19 18:00:00
Middle East and North AfricaWednesday
QUOTE (Rosie and Farid @ Aug 19 2009, 12:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Happy Wednesday to everyone out there.



Hi Rosie! Keep forgetting to ask you....how was the Elvis festival?
JeanneVictoriaFemaleEgypt2009-08-19 14:15:00
Middle East and North AfricaWednesday
Amanda, so sorry to hear of your loss. rose.gif
Your daughter is such a cutie! Love this pics sweetie!

Jackie, wish you the best today! rose.gif

Hi Angie! Keep up the postive thinking!! good.gif

Morning Lisa!!! Take care and have a great day!

Morning Bridget!! Hope you have a good day!
JeanneVictoriaFemaleEgypt2009-08-19 10:25:00
Middle East and North AfricaWednesday
QUOTE (*Maureen* @ Aug 19 2009, 05:07 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hey Jeanne, how the heck are you? still baking in the Tucson sun???



Yep, but wish it was Tuscany! laughing.gif
JeanneVictoriaFemaleEgypt2009-08-19 10:16:00
Middle East and North AfricaWednesday
Good morning! Happy Wednesday to everyone!

Melinda, beautiful litte guy! Congratulations!

Aya, sorry you have to go thru all of this. I do hope you will
have your net back soon! Good luck!

Mornin' Judy, GG, Amanda, Maureen, Nagi and Baj!

Have a beautiful day everyone!
JeanneVictoriaFemaleEgypt2009-08-19 07:04:00
Middle East and North AfricaFriday - 8/21/09
Good morning and happy Friday!

We are to have some rain for the next week...but we have a slight prob...no clouds! I
think our weather person has had toooo much sun. Oh well, it's still exciting to even
think of having some moisture!!

Hope everyone has a great day. Looking forward to the weekend!

Wael begins his classes Wednesday and he's excited! Has a full load this semester...15 units.
JeanneVictoriaFemaleEgypt2009-08-21 09:26:00
Middle East and North AfricaWent home for visit...and
I for one am so blessed with how well Wael adjusted. He took to the states like a duck to water!
We have had very few disagreements. He is the same sweet, generous and kind man I met 5 yrs ago. I know there are times he misses Egypt, his family, his friends etc, but he is the one who says when the time is right I will go back for a visit. He has always told me that America is his home now and how much he loves being here. Like you said Amal, he loves all the comforts!! It's so darn hot here and I laugh when he says thank God for A/C!

He's very busy here and I know that is a huge benefit! Next month he begins his classes and he's
looking so forward to obtaining his second degree. We have always talked about goals and now the second goal will become a reality. I'm proud of what he has accomplished since arriving stateside. My heart goes out to the women who are having a tough time. Plz know you are always in my prayers.

Your post was an inspiration Amal!! Thank you!
JeanneVictoriaFemaleEgypt2009-07-20 21:53:00
Middle East and North AfricaSunday!
Good morning! Congratulations to everyone who passed their interviews! kicking.gif kicking.gif

Have a beautiful Sunday and enjoy your day!!


JeanneVictoriaFemaleEgypt2009-08-23 08:42:00
Middle East and North AfricaJust wanted to say Hi and Introduce myself
Welcome to VJ! Sorry, but i'm a little confused. Are you engaged or married?

I love Italy! Lived in Vajont.
JeanneVictoriaFemaleEgypt2009-08-23 08:47:00
Middle East and North AfricaWednesday
Good morning!

Mornin' Maureen! Think everyone is still sleeping!

Take care and have a fantastic day!
JeanneVictoriaFemaleEgypt2009-08-26 06:46:00
Middle East and North AfricaRamadan Kareem 2009
Moving and breathtaking pictures! Thank you for sharing!!
JeanneVictoriaFemaleEgypt2009-08-28 09:35:00