ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
Middle East and North Africai gave up
Unless there are circumstances that you arent saying, my advice would be to not give up. You entered into this knowing that there would be a wait, and although I am assuming it is far longer than what you thought if anything in this world is worth fighting for surely it is love. What is 3 or even 5 years in the face of a lifetime? My fiance and I have been at this for 2 years now, and yes there are nights I cry myself to sleep but inshallah patience will win out. Mohammed and I look at this as a test from God to see how much we want this. I wish you the best of luck....only you know the situation but you made a promise before God, now I think its time to put your faith in him and let him carry you!!!
chasnikFemaleMorocco2007-05-01 20:00:00
Middle East and North AfricaHow well does your SO speak and use your language?
When I met Mo he spoke 3 languages english french and arabic...now he speaks 4 english french arabic and southern!!! I think my accent is thicker than his lol. He has trouble with some words but honestly I believe this is because I say them so far from "normal" english. However when my mom talks to him online or my kids they are always saying what huh. The ear has to be trained I guess to listen to a certain accent...case in point I work for Windstream and we provide service for Sugarland Texas. People pass those poor people from person to person because they say they cant understand them, they get to me and Ive taken care of their issue in about 3 minutes. Well that was really off the subject huh? :blink:
chasnikFemaleMorocco2007-04-11 19:56:00
Middle East and North AfricaCasa update

I've just about given up.

Don't give up!!! I firmly believe my quote if God brought you to it, he will bring you through it. Those things that come easy...really do they mean anywhere near as much as the things you fight for?
chasnikFemaleMorocco2007-05-22 19:48:00
Middle East and North AfricaMENA Filers W/NOA 2 May '07

Shokran Jazillan (Thank you very much!) to all those who sent their congrats. It's totally appreciated. Thanks a zillion mybackpages for clarifying that issue with the packet mailed from Casa....that really helps us understand what's left to do and put everything into perspective. :D

are you a native arabic speaker?


No, I'm not a native arabic speaker, but I attend Arabic classes. I'm also learning Tamazight, the native language of indigenous Amazigh (Berber) people of North Africa, which I find to be easier for me than Arabic, though Most advised me to start with Arabic first. The Tamazight script is Tifinagh, which is related to ancient Egyptian/Libyan Hieroglyphics.
Happy Shavout....Shalom! :star:

what does that have to do with anything here? this is an english forum. yet another "i'm a new revert, i'm insecure, i need the attention of being 'different' so im going to write random words in arabic on an english forum " type of nonsense. blah blah blah.

Ok... I sit and I watch topic after topic get messed up by these random acts of stupidity. First of all...what is it to you if she chooses to use these phrases? Are you sitting in wait for someone to attack?? Are you not on a visa journey youself? I am on here for support through that...as are most of the others here...why to attack someone? When this came up in another topic..I actually stopped using these phrases and my fiance got upset and asked why.. I let him read these post and he thinks it is sooo stupid. If you revert ... you are muslim. When something good happens you give praise to God Alhamdulillah. If you encounter a sister or brother...Assalamo alaikum if you are planning something inshallah I do not see how this is show...religion isnt show whether it be Christianity,Judaism, or Islam. It is to glorify God...my fiance has been muslim oh going on 33 years now and he uses these phrases daily. Are you so uncomfortable with religion that you must attack someone trying? Could it be just for show? Sure...is it your job to call people out and try to belittle them? Havent seen a post stating that. Good luck on the arabic sister.... Im trying but to no avail...
chasnikFemaleMorocco2007-05-24 07:29:00
Middle East and North AfricaThe Interview
:dance: Congrats!!!!
chasnikFemaleMorocco2007-05-23 10:47:00
Middle East and North Africacould you say a lil prayer?
You are in our prayers.. dont borrow trouble, chances are its simply a "bug". It sux not to be there when they are sick...I know I went through that with Mo..refused to go to the doc..he finally went and it was stress mainly.BIG relief. He is praying for your husband as well!
chasnikFemaleMorocco2007-05-24 10:07:00
Middle East and North AfricaHappy Wednesday

every time i see a trainwreck in the making in a thread, all i can think about is that old Coke commercial where everyone is holding hands and singing. "I'd like to buy the world a Coke........." remember? :P

Buy me a coke!!!! I havent had one in ummm 5 months since I joined curves!!Or if you think that'll make everyone get along I can drink one in the name of helping!!!
chasnikFemaleMorocco2007-05-30 16:00:00
Middle East and North AfricaHappy Wednesday
Well... I for one care what happens in your case..because I joined vj to get and offer support to others going through this frustrating and sometimes heartbreaking process. I was enjoying that thread greatly because it was a lighter side to everything we have to go through. I'm a religious blogger and some of my stuff is probably inane to most, but the great thing about that is that if you dont want to read something or you consider it a waste of your time...your mouse didnt click there by itself. As a southern girl born and bred my mama taught me if you cant say something nice dont say anything. Sometimes, people ask for opinions and input...and at that point yes you do open yourself to everyones different personalities and ideas, but otherwise..... :whistle:
chasnikFemaleMorocco2007-05-30 09:10:00
Middle East and North AfricaA Broken Journey
I have been in an abusive relationship..and it is really a good thing that you cant get him out. If you had the means you probably would..I did and it doesnt change, your just walking on eggshells waiting on the next time. Just posting this here shows what strength you have..you will need that , the bruises fade...inside takes longer. But it can be done, you have my support and my prayers..stay strong and know that you did the right thing.
chasnikFemaleMorocco2007-05-27 18:28:00
Middle East and North AfricaHappy Friday!!!!!

i'm excited! i have a movie date with a really cute fella tomorrow. i let him pick the movie(Shrek 3) and i just know i'll end up paying for the whole date but that's ok. i mean, how many more times is my 5 year old baby boy going to ask me for a date before he's asking other girls, lol? :)

Its a cute movie, you will enjoy it!! Luckily at 9 Elisha is still more into mama than girls...the same cant be said of Olivia and boys at 13 though. Baseball geme tonight, work and baseball practice tomorrow, laundry and cara and mo time on Sunday. Did you air get fixed Allison?
chasnikFemaleMorocco2007-06-01 15:20:00
Middle East and North AfricaTuesday

:dance: :dance: :dance: Ok he just called me and said that the interview was so great tehy kept his passport and gave him the paper so that he could go pay for amermex for when they send him his passport back in about 4 days. Well we know thta it will take about a week so Yes my husband will be coming on the CR1 visa. I am so happy and will be even happier once he has it in his hands and can purchase the ticket. :thumbs: :thumbs: :thumbs: OK well I ahve to get up in 3 hours so I hope everyone has a wonderful Tuesday i know mine started out perfect.

Thats wonderful!!! Im soooo happy for you!!! For those of ya'll getting all the rain send it to Ga...we have to sneak outside at night to water our flowers or get a 1000 fine if caught!!!
chasnikFemaleMorocco2007-06-05 06:33:00
Middle East and North Africatoutched!
Ok Allie... are you checking the uscis website as much as I am now??? I think I am there more than I am on myspace or the windstream webpage(and I use that 8 hrs a day at work lol)!!! Hope everything is good!!!
chasnikFemaleMorocco2007-05-17 12:51:00
Middle East and North AfricaLookie what we got yesterday!
Yay Allie!!!!Now share those crumbs... no need to be selfish!!!!LOL!!!
chasnikFemaleMorocco2007-06-08 10:09:00
Middle East and North AfricaPersonal Attacks?
I think what it boils down to is no one...absolutly no one can know what your life is like...what has happened to shape your decisions. And some people are not able to tolerate something that falls outside of the "norm" for them. I dont post on here much unless I really have something to say because the very first post I made got some harsh comments sent my way about my relationship with my SO. About him having my checkcard there...no one bothered to find out that we had been together going on 3 years and that the reason he had it was when I asked for him to send me stuff(something I do often) I got tired of going to wal mart to moneygram him money..because face it most people in Morocco arent rich and I wasnt going to ask him to pay to buy the stuff and ship it although 9 out of 10 times he does. People just started in with the comments about me supporting him or paying him to be with me basically. I say that to say that it astounded me that these people who I didnt know would make such wild assumptions for people they knew nothing about. But maybe something had happened to shape those thoughts for them...Mohammed said maybe they were afraid that this is what was happening in their relationships. In the end I think people need to stop thinking that because this is a web site where opinion is often sought that this gives them the right to belittle, attack, make fun of or just plain be mean to other people. Common courtesy. Not everyone is the same thank God. And what works for Mrs Smith will not always work for Mrs Brown!
chasnikFemaleMorocco2007-06-08 06:29:00
Middle East and North AfricaNatalies Mojo Thread
Good luck!! We will be praying!!! :thumbs:
chasnikFemaleMorocco2007-06-07 20:52:00
Middle East and North AfricaSunday
How come no Windstream? Mine is working. Or do you work there?

Just got home from church so I have lost most of my day. Time to crack the whip and get going.
[/quote]

I work there...Im very glad to hear yours is working...1 less person to scream at me tomorrow!!! :lol:
chasnikFemaleMorocco2007-06-17 15:45:00
Middle East and North AfricaSunday
Happy Fathers Day to all the dads out there. My son Elisha and I gt up early and cooked all my dads favorites for breakfast. No Windstream today thank God so it will be a lazy day here in Ga!!!
Posted Image
chasnikFemaleMorocco2007-06-17 08:58:00
Middle East and North AfricaInterview Success!!!!
Congrats!!!!! :thumbs: :dance:
chasnikFemaleMorocco2007-06-11 05:48:00
Middle East and North AfricaMy Story
From reading everything you wrote, I think if you look at it honestly and really analyze it, the signs were there all along that something wasnt on the up and up. You certainly have the right to be mad and hurt.... anyone would. I think everyone is right on target though in saying you need to find out if you are legally married and if you are get that taken care of then maybe you will have some closure and move on.I wish you luck with that.
chasnikFemaleMorocco2007-06-30 13:05:00
Middle East and North AfricaUSCIS-Calif Service center
As you can see from my timeline I am waaaaayyyyy past the 100 days...waiting sux huh? I vent my anger on my myspace regularly. I did get a hold of an agent that said that at 6 months(tomorrow for me) Maybe I could push something. Before he looked at when I filed he told me the average time was 3 months...when I stated I was past that he came up with the 6 months. Im sure when I call tomorrow it will be "We are working on cases received before or on December 14 2006" Ive had 2 touches one on Jan 13 and one on May 15. Good luck with the wait!
chasnikFemaleMorocco2007-07-02 19:46:00
Middle East and North AfricaPosting personal pics as avatar/signature

It's sad that those people got caught in this womans venom. Brings to mind one question for me....that being did she maybe have an arab husband/fiance who found out how she was and dumped her? Therefore the stupidity and racism and closedmindedness(is that a word??) Hard to believe someone could be that way without provocation. But in the end Im a picture person... my desk at work... probably 100 pics, myspace...lol theres a link go see. Here, I am on this long frustrating journey to be with the man that I love. And the pictures I have remind me of that man and that journey. If from my pics someone can see that Im desperate and gullible then I say "Use those incredible powers for good b**** or sthu and leave me alone!!! :D



You can't have read her blog and seriously thought this woman would have ever touched an arab/muslim with a 10 foot pole, let alone marry one.

Yes I can say that, because to me it seems like she is 1) Scared of something or 2)has been hurt by something and is lashing out at it. Most bullies and idiots go hard against what they are scared of or hurt by to cover the fear. There again that is only mho and you know what they say about those.....

Edited by chasnik, 30 June 2007 - 12:55 PM.

chasnikFemaleMorocco2007-06-30 12:54:00
Middle East and North AfricaPosting personal pics as avatar/signature
It's sad that those people got caught in this womans venom. Brings to mind one question for me....that being did she maybe have an arab husband/fiance who found out how she was and dumped her? Therefore the stupidity and racism and closedmindedness(is that a word??) Hard to believe someone could be that way without provocation. But in the end Im a picture person... my desk at work... probably 100 pics, myspace...lol theres a link go see. Here, I am on this long frustrating journey to be with the man that I love. And the pictures I have remind me of that man and that journey. If from my pics someone can see that Im desperate and gullible then I say "Use those incredible powers for good b**** or sthu and leave me alone!!! :D
chasnikFemaleMorocco2007-06-26 06:10:00
Middle East and North AfricaPosting personal pics as avatar/signature
Wow......that's harsh stuff....it amazes me what people write about people they dont even know. Derogatory ####### won't deter me...if someone has that much time and idiocy on their hands not having a pic wouldnt stop them. Any scrap of info would be used looks to me.

Edited by chasnik, 25 June 2007 - 06:51 PM.

chasnikFemaleMorocco2007-06-25 18:48:00
Middle East and North AfricaPosting personal pics as avatar/signature

Ok... I guess I am clueless or maybe just addlebrained from a Monday at Windstream... but what kind of stuff could someone who didnt know you post? You can pm me if you dont want to dredge up bad stuff.

you had to read it to believe it. it made a mockery out of many of the relationships in mena.

Oh... tht's kinda what I thought. Doesn't bother me really..I like to argue, that's why I work for the phone company... I know my fiance loves me...I know what I look like physically, nothing that anyone on here could really bug me with. If your secure in who you are and where you are....the idiots that show up showing off their lack of common decency and intelligence are just fodder for jokes. IMO anyway.
chasnikFemaleMorocco2007-06-25 18:31:00
Middle East and North AfricaPosting personal pics as avatar/signature
Ok... I guess I am clueless or maybe just addlebrained from a Monday at Windstream... but what kind of stuff could someone who didnt know you post? You can pm me if you dont want to dredge up bad stuff.
chasnikFemaleMorocco2007-06-25 18:13:00
Middle East and North AfricaOffical MENA Cultural Differences Thread
One of the biggest differences I see that already seems to bother him before he even gets here is the lack of community and family closeness. I dont know how many times someone in the neighborhood has died and Mo goes to help prepare them. If someone in his family is sick, everyone is there. At his house there is always extended family coming and going. He ask me about some of my aunts or cousins and I have to think hard when the last time I saw them was.
chasnikFemaleMorocco2007-06-24 18:49:00
Middle East and North AfricaIt's hump day!
Dr.s visits for me today...had my psych eval in preperation for my surgery and amazingly enough I am normal!!! Or maybe they just want my money lol. Everyone have a great Wednesday!!!
chasnikFemaleMorocco2007-07-11 10:58:00
Middle East and North AfricaMENA: What is playing on your iPod?
Hmm if we're still voting I prefer Cheb Khaled to Outlandish... just cant get into them. On my ipod a quick rundown would be...
Mohamed Fouad(habibi ya is our song)
Amr Diab
Ozzy
Motley Crue
Cheb Mami
Seven8Six
Rascall Flats
Dolly Parton
Eminem
The whole soundtrack to the Bluffmaster Movie
Ek Ladki Ko Dekha
Salaam Namaste
My Dil Goes Mmmm
Ok I could go on and on and on as music is a BIG thing in our house but I wont!!! If you want to see the vid I made to this song fee free!
chasnikFemaleMorocco2007-07-06 21:49:00
Middle East and North AfricaMoroccan Health Question

It always seems weird in Morocco when people die that no one really knows why, and they never find out what happened. Hicham told me about his friend's Mom dying and I asked what happened and he said "she ate something that was in the microwave for too long". I just say, "oh that's too bad" even though that sounds like the most ridiculous reason ever. Do people go to the emergency room there? Everytime someone passes away that I have heard in Morocco it's in their home, and the family doesn't ever really find out how they died. Oh well.

Well when I was there Mohammeds mom got real sick and they took her to the "er" we came from our house to meet the family there and seeing what I saw.... I can understand why people do not go... it was horrible. No wonder they are trying all of these things to stay out of there lol. They told me all of these things too, freaking out becuase I refused to wear the sandals...finally they bought me socks, I gave in and wore them so they wouldnt all have heart attacks!! They kept coke for me because I cant drink tea(makes me an outcast in the south) but like half an hour before meals they sat it out to warm, the first time I asked for ice and had his 3 brothers 2 sisters and mom looking at me like I had 2 heads...I gave up!!!
chasnikFemaleMorocco2007-07-13 05:49:00
Middle East and North AfricaInterview
Good Luck ur in our prayers!!!!
chasnikFemaleMorocco2007-07-16 05:49:00
Middle East and North AfricaI can't stop crying
If you think there is even a hint of post partum depression run do not walk to your doctor. When my daughter was born I spent like 6 weeks in a black hole. When I went back for my 6 week checkup the doctor was very nice and said there was no reason for me to have suffered like this. Those are 6 weeks with my daughter that Ill never get back. Of course it could just be stress God knows that this process is enough to make anyone crazy...Im sooo sorry that you are going through this. Just words I know but hopefully the prayers for you behind these words will help ease your heart.
chasnikFemaleMorocco2007-07-03 09:58:00
Middle East and North AfricaAny Mena w/children from prev. relationship
My kids are 13 and 9 and at first I didnt mention Mo to them, I wanted to be sure this was what I wanted. Now that we have been together for 3 years he talks to them online, he and my son play games in yahoo and talk "man" talk lol. My daughter made him get a myspace to talk to her, she sends him pms there. He is teaching them arabic and french, they are teaching him southern slang...you haven't heard anything till you have tried to teach your man ya'll omg the kids were rolling. I take pics of everything we do whether its the grocery store or football chorus etc and their first question is usually what did Mohammed say. My son wants to change his name to Belhaj...that made Mohammed cry. Olivia has a list a mile long of stuff we need to take Mo to do once he gets here. One of the biggest things age appropriatly of course I think is preparing them for the difference in religion if it is going to be a christian/muslim household. I guess all dont but Mohammed prays his 5 every day and is very devout so that will play a big part in our lives. My kids have asked questions Elisha at first told everyone mohammed was a musler lol. Their dads brother is a baptist preacher and went on a rant to my children screaming and saying all muslims should be deported and that they were going to hell...my kids sat quietly and then Olivia my 13 yr old said Mohammed has never said anything bad about christians...how can you say that you dont even know him.....I was sooooo proud!!
chasnikFemaleMorocco2007-07-26 07:59:00
Middle East and North AfricaHappy Friday!
First day back at work for me since surgery :crying: going to miss being able to be online with my baby when he was home, but money doesnt grow on trees as my grandma says lol. Everyone have a great Friday!!!
chasnikFemaleMorocco2007-07-27 05:23:00
Middle East and North AfricaConcerns and Trust
Well..... I have been up to my eyeballs in grief over an american man a time or two and I still wouldnt trade those experiences for anything. They are part of me and shaped me to who I am good or bad. Do we need to go into this with our eyes open? Of course that is true of any relationship. Do we have to work harder to get to be with them...yes in some cases although I worked pretty hard to tear my ex away from his mom. But I dont sit and think Oh look what I am having to do to be with him...I just do it, it's just part of what we have to do to be together. And if he gets here and the pressure and change were too much for him or even if he left me after he got a greencard it wouldnt change how happy I am with him now or how much he loves me and I love him. IMO you cannot love halfway.... you cant hold some small part of you back in a wait and see mode. If you can do that then I dont see how it can be 100% love. Because when you love you do it with everything you have and you risk everything you have.
chasnikFemaleMorocco2007-07-31 10:58:00
Middle East and North AfricaConcerns and Trust
This is what freaks me out about this...alot of people in this thread are now questioning their relationships/marriages. Yes maybe the fears were there before, or maybe as I feel was the intention the seed was planted here. If I am wrong, then I do apologize(sp?) to the op but really it is like a mantra....you will listen...you will make my views your own...Yes there is fraud out there. But it isnt limited to immigration marriages. And all multi cultural marriages that end didnt do so due to fraud. This process to get them here is long and hard, and seeing each other online each day and over a phone makes it hard to stay connected. Then actually getting here and combining households and culture shock...thats alot for anyone...if they just cant get it together does that mean fraud??? Not imo. I was with my kids dad from the age of 15 on. When I was 22 we got married. When I was 24 we got divorced. He was a redneck american citizen....it was alot harder to live day to day together when we didnt have seperate houses to go to...some marriages even with the best of intentions do not work. My advice would be to talk wioth your so about this....not in an accusatory manor just talk. I did to Mohammed...he read the post and we discussed it. When my best friend died in 2004 someone sent me a poem...I try to keep this in my head, maybe it'll help someone here...not all relationships are forever relationships whether they are friendships, or marriages. But you do get something from each of them...and maybe that was the purpose all along.
Reason, Season, Lifetime
People come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime.
When you figure out which it is, you know exactly what to do.
When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a
need you have expressed outwardly or inwardly. They have come to assist
you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support,
to aid you physically, emotionally, or spiritually. They may seem like a
godsend, and they are. They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrong doing on your part or at an inconvenient time,this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they act up or out and force you to take a stand. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled; their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and it is now time to move on.
When people come into your life for a SEASON, it is because your
turn has come to share, grow, or learn. They may bring you an experience of
peace or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy.
Believe it! It is real! But, only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons; those things you must
build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation.

Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person/people (anyway);
and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas
of your life.

It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.

Thank you for being a part of my life...
chasnikFemaleMorocco2007-07-22 07:07:00
Middle East and North Africayayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Congrats!!! :dance: :thumbs:
chasnikFemaleMorocco2007-07-31 10:46:00
Middle East and North AfricaMENA BABIES
I really like Riyadh, as someone stated above if it would bug you to have your kids name constantly mispronounced keep that in mind. My sons name is Elisha...like in the bible...didnt stop to think this being the good old USA not many people have read that lol..the worst was last year we signed up for football as usual and they called him for cheerleading based on the name....his coach got a kick out of it and bought him a pink helmet to tease him lol!!!
chasnikFemaleMorocco2007-07-28 14:29:00
Middle East and North AfricaDe-Nile Is More Than A River In Egypt....
Im so sorry....Im a member of another group just for people with moroccan husbands/fiances and it seems like Casa is into denials lately. I hope you get this turned around.
chasnikFemaleMorocco2007-08-03 19:32:00
Middle East and North AfricaA Poll on Jealousy
People looked when I was there....at times you could feel them stare even if you werent looking....I dont think it was jealousy, just curiosity. Usually as americans going into a different place we kind of stick out whether by looks, attitude or just mode of dressing. Mohammeds sister told me there were some comments made about Mo being with an american and not a moroccan girl, but that was aimed more at the situation at hand not me. This just my opinion of course and we know what they say about those :whistle:
chasnikFemaleMorocco2007-08-08 06:29:00
Middle East and North AfricaMixing money and taking loans

Mohammed and I plan to open a Moroccan resturaunt in Chattanooga, but we both decided no loans...at least not at first...we will work and save for some years, then maybe. Building a solid relationship and marriage is hard enough at first without financial ####### thrown in imo.


Starting a restaurant can be verrrrry expensive.

Yes I know, I owned a resturaunt /catering business for a couple of years...sold it due to partner dying. This is his dream and something that I am actually good at so if he is willing to work and save for it, I am too.

Edited by chasnik, 11 August 2007 - 05:05 AM.

chasnikFemaleMorocco2007-08-11 05:04:00