biggish data

The Lovely Tuesday Daily Thread

http://legalassistan....s._citizen.pdf

something to read up on... regarding citizenship Read from Page 91-

Naturalization: Becoming A Citizen
The process of becoming a U.S. citizen is called “naturalization.”
You can apply for naturalization once you
meet these requirements.
Live in the U.S. for at least 5 years
as an LPR (or 3 years if married to
and living with a U.S. citizen).
Be present in the U.S. for at least 30
months out of the past 5 years (or
18 months out of the past 3 years if
married to and living with a U.S.
citizen).
Live within a state or district for at
least 3 months before you apply

~PalmTreeGurl~

Female

Egypt

2010-08-24 14:02:00

The Lovely Tuesday Daily Thread

I wanted to add, that our AOS interview was also for the 10 year GC not the conditional. Our interview couldn't have been easier or less complicated. I'm not sure if this has to do with the fact that we didn't file right away or not. We waited a year before filing AOS after my husband arrived so we had a full year of evidence and proof of living together. Not that we really brought much of anything aside from about 20 photos and our lease.

Ours was also pretty easy. I dont even recall the IO wanting to look at any of our pictures, although I'm sure we offered it. We filed around 2 months after Adam got here. Had bills in both of our names, and bank acct in both names. The interview was very easy though and was 2 weeks after our 2yr anniversary so he got his 10yr card.

~PalmTreeGurl~

Female

Egypt

2010-08-24 13:21:00

The Lovely Tuesday Daily Thread

I thought you only lifted conditions bcz you had a 2 yr greencard... right? I've never seen someone with a 10yr greencard lift conditions.

~PalmTreeGurl~

Female

Egypt

2010-08-24 13:18:00

Translating and Certifing English Marriage Certificate

Was your friend a certified translator?

She was just a middle eastern friend that did it for us. This is what it said at the bottom of the page...

I, (inserted her first and last name) certifiy that I am fluent in the English and Arabic languages, and that the above/attached document is an accurate translation of the document entitled a Transcript of Birth Registration.

then right under this part she typed her name, address and phone number
then under that, she put this

Signature:
Date: and in this spot she signed and dated in front of a notory at Fed ex, then they stamped it with a notory, signed and dated it.

This is what we used for Birth Cert for AOS and had no problems at all.

~PalmTreeGurl~

Female

Egypt

2010-08-29 16:12:00

Translating and Certifing English Marriage Certificate

Hey Aya! Ok, we had a Syrian friend be our translator back home in Atlanta. She took Adams birth certificate in arabic and translated it into english. At the bottom of the page she had to write something along the lines of ... I am fluent in arabic and english and have translated this birth certificate. She then came with me and adam to Fed Ex or UPS and we both signed the paper in front of the notary there and I paid $5. Then we sent that english birth cert paper in for Adams AOS. There was no problem with it.

btw, I read somewhere back then that you couldnt be your own translator, so thats why we had our friend do it for us bcz she had to sign the bottom and we had to sign it or adam did anyways. I will find his english paper and find exactly what it was that she put on the bottom. Anyways, it worked great for us!

Edited by ~PalmTreeGurl~, 28 August 2010 - 06:17 PM.

~PalmTreeGurl~

Female

Egypt

2010-08-28 18:16:00

Translating and Certifing English Marriage Certificate

?????

???? ????? ??????? ???????? ???????? ??? ????? ???????? ??? ????? ???? ??? ??????? ???????? :

1- ?? ???? ????? ????? ?? ??? ????? ????????? ??????? ?????? ???????? ???????? ??? ???????.
2- ?? ?? ???? ????? ????? ?? ???????? ?????????.

??? ???? ????? ??????? ???????? ?????? ??? ???????? ??????? ?? ????? ??????? ??? ????? ?????????? ???? ?? ???? ??????? ????? ????? ????? ???? ???? ????? ?????? ? ???? ??????? ?? :

?????? ??????? ??????? ? ????? ?????? ??????? ??????? ? ?????? ?????? ??????? ?????????? ? ??? ??????? ??????? ? ????? ?????? ???????? ???????.

??? ??????? ??? ??????? ?????? ?????? ???? ?????? ??????.

http://www.egyptemba...vices.cfm?id=33

The consular section of Embassy endorsement translated documents if the following conditions are true:
1. to be certified by a certifying offices of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Arab Republic of Egypt.
2. or be certified by the US State Department.
The consular section of Embassy in some Egyptian documents translated from Arabic into English provided that the original documents are documented and annex with Egyptian passport, almerrat are:
Birth certificates, marriage certificates, divorce, death certificates, Egyptian and American drivers licenses, criminal record.

~PalmTreeGurl~

Female

Egypt

2010-08-26 20:49:00

Translating and Certifing English Marriage Certificate

Can you get a friend or someone that can translate english into arabic to do it on the computer. Then you and your friend that translated need to go to FED ex or someplace that notorizes and pay about $5 for yall both to sign it in front of them. Then send that page off to Washington Dc to get Stamped. I think that would work.
We did something similar for AOS.

and you would need to use Washington DC

Egypt's Conuslates in the US and their jurisdiction:

Egyptian Consulate- Washington, D.C.
3521 International court, N.W.
Washington, D. C. 20008
E-Mail: Embassy@egyptembdc.org
Website: www.egyptembassy.net
Tel: 1 (202) 966-6342
Fax: 1 (202) 244-4319
Covered States: Delaware-Florida-Georgia-Maryland- North and South Carolina- Virginia-Washington, DC- West Virginia

~PalmTreeGurl~

Female

Egypt

2010-08-26 20:42:00

Translating and Certifing English Marriage Certificate

Can you get a friend or someone that can translate english into arabic to do it on the computer. Then you and your friend that translated need to go to FED ex or someplace that notorizes and pay about $5 for yall both to sign it in front of them. Then send that page off to Washington Dc to get Stamped. I think that would work.
We did something similar for AOS.

~PalmTreeGurl~

Female

Egypt

2010-08-26 20:39:00

Tamara, Ive always known your views are shallow but this really surprised me. YOU SHOULD KNOW that by converting Adam to Christianity he had to abandon his family, culture, his friggin identity for god's sake. This girl asked for advice, not for the diluted views of born again Christians.

moving on....

You really need to just take everyones advice and come out. If you converted you need to tell everyone you did. There wont be a right time. I didnt convert nor do I practice organized religion but I still have shallow a$$ people always asking me "did you stop eating pork because your husband made you?" or "did you convert?" etc etc. The questionning wont ever end and if you just open and honest with everyone, the awkwardness will pass and you will be much happier.
Ive been married 5+ years now and my family adapted well, they wont even serve pork at family functions. It takes time, but it does happen.

Sorry Kelly, I thought you knew this already. Adam became a Christian at the age of 19. We met online 2 years after that. I dont convert people. Adam didnt know me or of me when he became a christian. His own family knew of him as being a christian before he knew me. This has already been stated a number of times.

Also, he never abandoned his culture. Hes quite the Egyptian fella. His own christian religious views are more Coptic Orthodox where as mine are not quite so much.

Edited by ~PalmTreeGurl~, 16 August 2010 - 08:09 PM.

~PalmTreeGurl~

Female

Egypt

2010-08-16 20:05:00

you obviously don't know tamara. anyone with long time history here knows what she's all about, and it is indeed very ugly. meghan may be a new poster, but she caught right on to what tamara's all about straight away.

having a christian family, that doesn't behave like ignorant, hick, bigots, i'm really offended to hear this ####### touted as a "christian family's point of view". no christian in my family would dream of behaving that way, nor would they ever believe something like "coming from a christian family its unacceptable to be married to a muslim" or "Its no surprise that your mom would react this way if she thinks you have converted or thinking to convert."
they would be so offended to hear that that kind of behavior is to be expected because they're christian.

Christianity does not accept anything in islam that goes against what is taught in the bible. Christianity is supposed to love not hate even its enemies and obviously it has enemies or it wouldnt be mandated to love them. Does not mean we are to accept islam as truth or agree with it.

~PalmTreeGurl~

Female

Egypt

2010-08-15 14:50:00

Meghan - I converted years ago, prior to meeting my husband, and fasted for several years prior to medical issues stopping me from fasting from food during Ramadan. I believe that my family (practicing Christian Catholics) was accepting because I was open and honest with them from the beginning. I don't think you can engender respect from your family for your beliefs and actions without being honest with them about it. While it may be an open secret, I think that you are contributing to the disrespect by not dealing with it head on. Honestly, I think you are contributing to issues by not honestly putting everything out on the table honestly. How can they respect and honor your decisions and actions when you're not addressing it directly yourself? They can easily be reading your ommissions as shame about your decisions. Why would they honor and respect it when you're not showing pride and maturity yourself?

I don't mean to be harsh and I hope you aren't offended, but from my perspective, you really seem to be contributing to the situation. You should not be ashamed of your decisions or hide behind your fiance about them. By doing so, I think that you're giving your family free reign to do what they are doing.

Also, with regard to not sharing with your family that you are Muslim until your fiance gets here, I think you are potentially putting your fiance in a very unfair situation. Your family seems to already have enough negative assumptions/feelings about your fiance and your relationship. Why not be strong on your own and deal with the conversion before he gets here so that your fiance will not be dealing with transition to a new country, etc AND having to deal with your family's feelings about your conversion all at once.

Just some food for thought from my perspective. I hope it's of some benefit to you.
Peace.

Even though I personally do not agree with converting to islam... I do think this is the best post I have seen Msheesha write. If your going to do something, might as well be open and honest about it. And your fiance and you will have things (culturally) to adjust to once he gets here. It would be overwhelmingly stressful to add something that you could deal with on your own.

~PalmTreeGurl~

Female

Egypt

2010-08-15 12:06:00

This post is for sharing stories for people with similar experiences, not for ugly comments or advice. I also never mentioned being surprised as this has been going on for more than three years. Thanks for you opinion.

Its not an ugly comment, my family was put into the same situation by my sister. except my sister is a christian and doesnt do ramadan, she still married a muslim man

Edited by ~PalmTreeGurl~, 15 August 2010 - 10:59 AM.

~PalmTreeGurl~

Female

Egypt

2010-08-15 10:57:00

I agree with this as far as expecting such a reaction. I imagine it's quite a shock for a Christian family when one of their own converts to a religion that is viewed as intolerant, chauvenistic, and in some minds, has ties to terrorism. Not saying that I necessarily believe this (aside from the intolerant part as I view all organized religions as intolerant) but there are a lot of people who do so it's not surprising to get a negative reaction. What I don't understand is the forcing of food on someone who refuses it for whatever reason. As if that will make the person come back to Christ or whatever. I find that it does the opposite and it usually pushes the person to hold on to their new faith because obviously the adherents of their former faith are intolerant and aggressive. I'll never understand this sort of tactic (forcing food or other guilting).

I dont agree with forcing food on some one either, but a mothers reaction to her daughter not eating... who knows what her mother is thinking is going on... maybe her mom is thinking depression, stress or maybe doing it to see if her daughter will be honest about why she acting evasive about not eating. If your not eating for a reason, isnt it better to state it then to have to be dealing with a day of your mom trying to figure out why your not eating?

Edited by ~PalmTreeGurl~, 15 August 2010 - 10:55 AM.

~PalmTreeGurl~

Female

Egypt

2010-08-15 10:54:00

added to say: to the OP- its a clash of religious views not cultures
and to anxious- christians fast at different times and at anytime throughout the year usually without letting others know its being done. So to only be doing it around ramadan is like a flag to a christian family.

Edited by ~PalmTreeGurl~, 15 August 2010 - 10:36 AM.

~PalmTreeGurl~

Female

Egypt

2010-08-15 10:36:00

You had to have known that coming from a christian family its unacceptable to be married to a muslim. Its no surprise that your mom would react this way if she thinks you have converted or thinking to convert.

~PalmTreeGurl~

Female

Egypt

2010-08-15 10:27:00

Wednesday Sept 1st

Happy Wednesday MENA Peeps! Todays hubbys 26th birthday! Hes at work right now, but as soon as he gets home he has dinner ready to go! I made oven cooked lamb seasoned with salt,pepper, turmeric, sumac, onion & garlic powder. Rice with vermicilli and chocolate cake.

Hope everyone has a great day. I spent the day with my sister while she had all 4 of her wisdom teeth out. She did fine, but her baby had an emergency and was rushed to the hospital at the very moment she was having her surgery. Its been a LONG day with everything going on !

~PalmTreeGurl~

Female

Egypt

2010-09-01 00:10:00

First Monday in September is Labor Day!

Good Morning Ladies! Hope yall have a great day! I'll be at work laboring! Adam has been the lucky one off work all weekend and I've been stuck there! Alot of theives this weekend. But since they keep coming back, they are going to get caught pretty soon.
The weather here around East Houston turned for a nice surprise... its not 100 degrees anymore! Im sooo glad about that! Now if it could only snow!

~PalmTreeGurl~

Female

Egypt

2010-09-06 11:49:00

Where do you live in the US ?

East side of Houston Texas

We are travelers, I like to go places and do things and meet people so anything is possible in the future. Our next trip we are going to see my girlfriend in Washington DC and probably drive up to New York.

But I have family in Baton Rouge La and we like to drive over to Florida.

~PalmTreeGurl~

Female

Egypt

2010-08-03 11:22:00

Becoming a Citizen

Heres something I read regarding Dual citizenship...

http://www.newcitizen.us/dual.html

On Being a Dual Citizen

As mentioned previously, the United States government does allow dual citizenship. They don’t approve of dual citizenship—they simply tolerate it. You need to understand this distinction so you won’t have problems with the US government at the border, at the airport, or abroad at one of their embassies or consulates.

In America
When leaving or returning to the United States always present yourself as a US citizen (show your US passport and declare yourself to be a US citizen). When inside the United States and dealing with the local police or any other local, state or federal official, if a question comes up about your citizenship, tell them you’re an American. It’s that simple. Don’t mention your dual citizenship or that you are a citizen of another country unless specifically asked. Ninety-nine percent of the time the police and government officials don’t care because in the eyes of US law you are an American first and foremost and subject to our laws.

In Your Native Country
When returning to or leaving from your native country, always present yourself as a citizen of their country (show them your native country passport, not your US passport, and declare yourself to be a citizen of your native country). When inside that country, be a citizen of that country. When dealing with the local police or any other local or federal official, if a question comes up about your citizenship, tell them you are citizen of that country. If they ask where you live, tell them in America. Don’t mention your dual citizenship or that you are an American unless specifically asked. In the eyes of that government you are citizen of that country first and subject to its laws and regulations even though you live in America.

If you go to a US embassy or consulate in your native country for help or assistance, represent yourself as an American. The embassy staff will probably ask about your dual citizenship. Why? Because as far as international law goes, your native country has legal claim on you first when you’re in that country. This may limit the kind of help the US embassy or consulate can give you, especially if you are in trouble with your native country’s laws and government.

~PalmTreeGurl~

Female

Egypt

2010-09-16 12:26:00

When they go back

Adam hasnt been back to Egypt yet since he came over here. He's been here 2yrs and 9months. Next year he will be eligible for citizenship and once he does become a US citizen, we will go back together for probably 2 weeks.

~PalmTreeGurl~

Female

Egypt

2010-09-14 22:10:00

Have you been MENA-ized by your SO?

Palm Tree Girl, Im interested to know if Adam eats pork. I know he is Xtian but being raised in a predominantly Muslim country I surmise pork is/was new to his palate? or no?
Kamram has tried it and doesn't like cuts of pork like a pork chop or a pork roast. He simply does not like the taste. However, he will eat pork products like bacon, sausages, pepperoni, etc. It's clear that he has become way more westernized than I have become Pakistani-ized. I guess all countries have their non-religious folk. I highly doubt we would be togther if he was a devout Muslim or even close to it. Wait. I'm SURE we would not even come close to dating if that were the case. But I do LOVE LOVE LOVE the Paki accent. Cracks me and everybody up on this end.

Adam has tasted it/eaten it, but he doesnt like it. Im not a fan of it either. I guess its the taste more so, bcz hes not used to it...I dont usually buy it or cook it. We eat turkey bacon, beef ribs, beef roast instead of pork. The only time I was actually surprised was at Thanksgiving when I bought a brown sugared honey ham for the family and he actually put it on his plate and ate it, then said he liked it. I was kinda puzzled, bcz the time before that when I gave it to him to try he said he didnt like it.

~PalmTreeGurl~

Female

Egypt

2010-09-17 23:36:00

Have you been MENA-ized by your SO?

Yesterday we were talking about children and a particular situation in the family. And Adam was saying that if his daughter did that she would be punished. Then I asked him what if a son did that? And he said its more tolerated, so I was like, No Honey... if our son can get away with it then so can a daughter... Then his famous line is.... well in Egypt!

Oh No Honey... This Isnt Egypt! -and thats my line and Im sticking to it!

Edited by ~PalmTreeGurl~, 17 September 2010 - 10:52 AM.

~PalmTreeGurl~

Female

Egypt

2010-09-17 10:50:00

Have you been MENA-ized by your SO?

LOL! Lal

and my answer to the question is.... Oh Heck NO!

~PalmTreeGurl~

Female

Egypt

2010-09-17 10:45:00

Buh Bye USCIS

Congrats on your news Jackie!!!

~PalmTreeGurl~

Female

Egypt

2010-09-18 00:22:00

MENA nicknames

I call Adam- boo bear, pookey boo, habebe or gozy... One time at my job Adam was coming to pick me up for lunch and I saw him a good distance away walking a different direction and I yelled out loud Babe, Babe, then HABEBE!... He turned around and turned every shade red! lol it was funny and cute! His name somehow escaped my mind!
I almost never call him by his name unless Im really reallyyyyy mad

~PalmTreeGurl~

Female

Egypt

2010-09-25 20:49:00

Bidets

When we get our own house, which we are currently working on that... then we will be getting a bidet! Yay! And btw Cheryl... Adam says the exact same thing! lol :rofl:

~PalmTreeGurl~

Female

Egypt

2010-09-24 23:50:00

Change the way I dress?

On a side note: but still on hijab... I came across a website from Egypt www.hejabfashion.com I find the styles very beautiful and elegant. Not sure if some of the hijab wearers on here have seen this site or not. The outfits are very well put together in style and color.

~PalmTreeGurl~

Female

Egypt

2010-09-25 21:48:00

Change the way I dress?

The only thing I can say is dress by your own convictions. Dont do it for pressure of a man or to try to please him if one is hoping to please him. Be yourself.

In my own life, I grew up wearing dresses and skirts and the modesty rule was set by my parents. I carried it over into my young adult life style. When Adam has the question of a clothing that I wear, I tell him that my conscience is clear and what I am wearing is modest. I stand firm on that. Rarely anything is in question since he understands that if hes going to be wearing shorts to the knees, so will I. Modesty does go both ways.

~PalmTreeGurl~

Female

Egypt

2010-09-23 22:48:00

Wow, Im truly sorry. This gave me chill bumps reading it and hearing pain you must be feeling. Thank you for being strong for yourself and for your children. Please take care of yourself and stay strong. Kick this guy to the curb and dont let him stay in a home you have worked for and pay for. He is abusing you mentally and verbally it seems, which can last longer than physical at times. Im praying for you.

~PalmTreeGurl~

Female

Egypt

2010-10-02 11:14:00

I know for our own situation we split bills. Adams check goes into one account and my check goes into another. He pays a set of bills like one car, car insurance half of rent and his own credit cards and I pay another car, our cell phone bill, half of rent and my credit cards. I buy the groceries. It works better for us bcz he knows that he has his set of bills to pay and then he has his own money to use for whatever... which is more like cigarettes, clothes and eating out. I do however feel that he isnt all that wise in the responsibility of money... he likes to spend and I like to save. We do not have a problem with the sending money to his family. We agree on sending money to his mother since his father has passed away during times for her birthday and when she needs money for medicine. He does know that he has to take care of his life here.

But to answer Sandnista, I didnt ever think about the sending money back home thing, maybe other women didnt think about that too. I know we talked about many things before we got married and still talk about things now, while I am glad we dont have an issue with helping his mother out when we can and what amount... I can see how it would be an issue for someone who wouldnt have known that something like that would be happening or so much money would be sent back home without taking care of the home here first.

~PalmTreeGurl~

Female

Egypt

2010-09-30 01:20:00

I would think forgivness and counseling could be possible with someone who was truly sorry and completely stopped all forms of cheating. But if not, then move on without him.

I cant stand guys that take up for other men who cheat. Its different to offer advice for forgiveness and counceling but to suggest she work things out with a man that is a continual cheat? Nonsense!

~PalmTreeGurl~

Female

Egypt

2010-09-25 20:35:00

Dear friend and neighbor,
there is no culture or religion on this earth that encourages cheating,it`s all about morals.am sorry this happens to you,helping his family is a duty,just like helping you is a duty too. most immigrants are coming from poor families and they need to support their families,it`s an act of worship for them, especialy when it comes to their parents.but as i said it`s his duty too to support you and help you.He doesnt seems a bad boy as he confessed to you what he did,i hope you`ll be able to work it out.i wish you the best.

Sorry but he is bad if he cheated not only once but TWICE! Imagine how you'd feel if your fiancee/wife cheated 2 times then someone told you she wasnt a bad girl...

~PalmTreeGurl~

Female

Egypt

2010-09-25 13:45:00

Journey Complete

Mabrookalations to your hubby!!! :dance:

~PalmTreeGurl~

Female

Egypt

2010-10-13 22:40:00

Welcome Letter?

Adams K3 visa was issued Jan 1st 08, he came here Jan 9th 2008. and our AOS interview was Aug 12th. 2 weeks later, Aug 26th he received his welcome letter/Greencard.

Edited by ~PalmTreeGurl~, 22 October 2010 - 11:04 PM.

~PalmTreeGurl~

Female

Egypt

2010-10-22 22:59:00

Happy Sunday Mena Peeps!

At work today I was asked why I didnt dress up... I replied, "I did!" I was Eve, but then I was sent home to put on clothes.

:rofl:

LOL Have a good one Peeps!

~PalmTreeGurl~

Female

Egypt

2010-10-31 21:03:00

Happy Anniversary Jeanne & Wael! (L)

~PalmTreeGurl~

Female

Egypt

2010-10-28 10:12:00

I just read the link up on it about what they were doing in Walmart. Its happening ALOT these days. Definitely do your homework on getting the police report made and contacting the Walmart stores where your credit/debit card info was used.

~PalmTreeGurl~

Female

Egypt

2010-10-27 23:28:00

IMO, You should get a police report made, and request that the police get with that Walmarts lost prevention to view the camera's on the guys that made purchases with yalls info. With your bank acct info you can get the date of purchase and amount so that the Walmart store can look up the receipts to those... it will show the last 4 of your credit card number on those transactions if they used your info linked to your card.

~PalmTreeGurl~

Female

Egypt

2010-10-27 23:15:00

I had a HUGE issue with BOA bcz I've always had another bank and when someone stole my SS # and I called to put a stop on my social security ... BOA was used to open a checking, savings, order checks in my name and ATMs used. Then... the person that had my SS# ordered a credit card in my name with them after I had told BOA that I had ID theft! Then.... after I found out what ATMs were used and what address... and made police reports ... BOA destroyed the video tapes that the police needed. I was ticked off with BOA!

~PalmTreeGurl~

Female

Egypt

2010-10-27 17:03:00