ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
Middle East and North AfricaSpouses going home to visit and coming home different
Tasha, has he looked into taking paralegal courses, at least part time? Being a paralegal is in no way as glamourous as being an attorney, but hey I actually have a life, while my associate friends do not, lol.

It may help him to be working towards a goal, even if slowly. If he simply sees it that he'll be working dead end jobs his entire time in the US, that's pretty darn depressing. But if he's working towards getting a better job in the future, maybe it will help.


Re: wanting to leave to find a better job, I think this is very common amongst egyptian men. AbuS has spoken about doing this often, but thankfully has stayed put so far. His father did the same thing - he worked in Saudi Arabia for years, and the family only lived there for a year or 2. The rest of the time, they were back in Egypt and his dad only visited a few times a year. So long as the family is supported, it doesn't matter if the husband/father is around. The money should be sufficient. Of course, we don't see it that way here, but you know egyptian men, stubborn they are.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-04-28 08:27:00
Middle East and North AfricaCollege for my husband
Can he have a friend go to the university and get it for him?

I know AbuS got his "official" transcripts before he came over - apparently in order to be "official," you need to pay $$$$ (er LELELE) for stamps that they stick haphazardly all over. Try sending a friend over with some money and the paper and inshaAllah they'll give it to him.


Note for everyone who's husbands/fiances have not yet arrive: Bring along official transcripts, as well as transcripts in envelopes with the signature across the flap. Also, if possible, get letters of recommendation from professors. And bring along course descriptions. Alhamdulilah AbuS did an english language program, so they had all the course descriptions in english. If it's in arabic, get it translated.

If you have choices of where you can get the transcripts evaluated from, ECE takes the egyptian transcripts with the stamps and doesn't require anything in a sealed envelope. Or at least that's how it was in 2005.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-05-21 08:22:00
Middle East and North AfricaEgypt in the summer... What was I thinking?
Definitely plan to stay indoors from the late morning until the early evening. Look at bringing along some books on Egyptian history (mummies made in egypt is a great one) and maybe plan reading/activity time when it's too hot to go out. Make mummies and other ancient egyptian objects and then go to the egyptian musuem and see the real thing smile.gif

If you do go out, hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. I always carried a water bottle and have a sip every 15 or 20 minutes.

For places to run around, well, I know there are parks along the nile river downtown that we would often go to in the evening. We didn't have kids, so I wasn't really looking to see if there were any running around, but I would guess there are. I think that a lot of hotels will let you in to use their pool/green areas for a day fee as well.

Google "kids in cairo" and "kids in Egypt," as there are a lot of pages out there geared towards travel with kids. Here's a few sites I found that way:

http://www.touregypt...ies/fagnoon.htm
http://weekly.ahram....004/696/tr2.htm
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-05-18 15:33:00
Middle East and North AfricaThe MENA "Let's discuss religion and our own personal belief" thread
QUOTE (chemaatah @ May 5 2009, 03:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Ahmeds Girl @ May 5 2009, 10:25 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
"What separates Muslims and Christians for the most part is the believe in Jesus in the way that he was conceived" Sara

The way that Jesus was conceived (or the 'Immaculate Conception') also separates Christians, most notably Catholics.

i'm not sure i understand what you mean, or what sara means.

muslims most assuredly believe in the virginal conception of jesus. the utter majority of mainstream christians, whether catholic or protestant also believe in the virginal conception of jesus. there are groups who do not adhere to that belief, but they are not the majority, and do not fall along the lines of catholic vs protestant etc. when it comes to embracing or disavowing that belief.

i don't know what sara meant when she said that what separates muslims and christians is the manner of jesus' conception. the nature of jesus, absolutely. but not his virginal conception.



Not to mention that the immaculate conception refers to Mary's (ra) conception, and not Jesus' (as).
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-05-05 15:50:00
Middle East and North AfricaThe MENA "Let's discuss religion and our own personal belief" thread
As luck would have it, a new comparative religions website just launched:

http://www.patheos.com/

And another good religion website, well at least it was a few years back, can't speak for it these days:

beliefnet.com
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-05-05 12:45:00
Middle East and North AfricaThe MENA "Let's discuss religion and our own personal belief" thread
If anyone is interested in chatting with people of diverse beliefs, the forum allbeliefs.com is a good place to start. It's a bit slow, but it has a good diverse group of people.

Put me down as your referrer - I'm "rahma" there.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-05-05 08:31:00
Middle East and North AfricaFriday!
AbuS and I went once spent 18 months apart. Believe me, I remember.

Ditto to what Nagishkaw on still waiting. You're waiting for him to adjust. Waiting for him to get a job. Waiting for him to get a better job. Waiting for your relationship to hit it's stride. I'm still waiting, and he's been here more than 3 and a half years.


UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-06-05 11:44:00
Middle East and North AfricaWhere is everyone located??
Yup, TC gal here. I work downtown Minneapolis and love to do lunch star_smile.gif
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-06-09 10:27:00
Middle East and North AfricaI don't know if I can make it...
Honestly, it's best to come to terms now. You probably will have AP. Almost everyone I've seen go through Cairo has been in AP. And, you will most likely be approved. I can't think of a single case where someone going through Cairo has been denied. Yes, there will be a wait, but inshaAllah at the end your sweetie will be here to annoy the crud out of your every day of the week.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-06-09 10:27:00
Middle East and North AfricaWhat kinds of gifts should I take?
I've always given my niece beanie babies and she's loved them. Actually, I think my SIL and MIL would probably like to get beanie babies too whistling.gif

Bath and Body works stuff is a big hit with my female in laws. Middle of the road (nothing extravigant) gold necklaces were also well loved.

For the men, maybe fancy coffee and a grinder (hand, not electric)? I know AbuS's family just had instant nes cafe (bleck), and since moving to the US, he's totally fallen in love with fresh roasted, home ground stuff.

But, definitely ask what they'd like though. Everyone is different and you don't want a major faux pas right off the bat.


UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-06-05 11:42:00
Middle East and North AfricaStopping by to say hello
Woooo, break out the cheesy pictures, it's time to celebrate. Congrats!


UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-06-10 13:51:00
Middle East and North AfricaTammy's Somali Food Blog
Assalamu Alaikum Tammy,

that was me linking to your blog. We have a thread up at the top of the page called Sultan's Kitchen, where we share recipes. I've been having a great time making food from your blog, so I had to share it with everyone here star_smile.gif
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-06-12 08:52:00
Middle East and North AfricaHow did your MENA SO propose marriage?
I was always a bit miffed that my parents didn't have an exciting proposal story - they just mutually decided that it would be a good idea to get married after dating awhile.

Then what do I do? Not have an exiting proposal story - we simply mutually decided to get married.
Looks like these things run in my family, along with chosing a marriage partner that pisses off parents.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-06-04 15:07:00
Middle East and North AfricaMuslims and Public Displays of Affection
QUOTE (caybee @ Jun 12 2009, 03:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (UmmSqueakster @ Jun 12 2009, 04:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Yes, that's what I meant.

Jealousy is a disease of the heart, and I do not want to be a spark of that disease in another person.

This makes sense, and it's thought provoking. But I do have a question, and I hope I can phrase it right. The times when he and I are sitting across from a table from one another in public, laughing and relaxed and completely engrossed in our conversation with each other but not touching at all, I would think that sort of behavior might provoke at least as much jealousy in some people as slobbery PDA might. I imagine, though, that even that much public interaction between a couple would be less common in some traditions also, perhaps for that reason?


I think that it does depend on the culture. Here in the US, we tend to interact dialed back a few notches for the culture - we talk quietly to one another when in public, and laugh, but not too loud. We try not to seem too completely totally googly eyed and infatuated with each other, happy yes, but not lovey dovey.

In egypt however, we wouldn't laugh out loud in public. Maybe giggle a bit, but laughing and smiling too broadly draws attention.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-06-12 16:21:00
Middle East and North AfricaMuslims and Public Displays of Affection
QUOTE (chemaatah @ Jun 12 2009, 02:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
what i think rahma meant, (tell me if i'm wrong) wasn't about one's own husband being jealous, but rather others around you becoming jealous when they see you in public displays of affection. like she said, avoiding being boastful of the good you have to avoid arousing envy others might feel for your relationship. i've heard the same account from my husband about that, that sometimes when people see you have something good, it makes them wish ill will towards you, like you need to be taken down a peg or something. i don't think she's talking about someone's husband feeling jealous about actors or rock stars.


Yes, that's what I meant.

Jealousy is a disease of the heart, and I do not want to be a spark of that disease in another person.

There's a concept of the evil eye found in a few hadith, and it's manifested differently in different muslim cultures. We don't associate with a lot of egyptians, so I'm 100% versed in their quirks, but from what I know, marriage isn't something that's talked about amongst other people. At least according to AbuS, one doesn't refer to one's spouse by name with their friends. It's not hidden - everyone knows s/he is married, but it's just not something that's a topic of conversation.

Although it's an old book, Edward Lane wrote a bit about the evil eye in his book "The Manner and Customs of Modern Egyptians:"

QUOTE
enclosed in a case, generally of a triangular form, attached to the top of the cap; and horses often have similar appendages. The Egyptians take many precautions against the evil eye; and anxiously endeavour to avert its imagined consequences. When a person expresses what is considered improper or envious admiration of anything, he is generally reproved by the individual whom he has thus alarmed, who says to him, " Bless the Prophet! " 2 and if the envier obeys, saying, " O God, bless him !" 8 no ill effects are apprehended. It is considered very improper for a person to express his admiration of another, or of any object which is not his own property, by saying, " God preserve us !" * " How pretty !" or, " Very pretty I" The most approved expression in such cases is "Ma shaa-llah!" (or "What God willeth [cometh to pass !"] ) ; which implies both admiration, and submission to, or approval of, the will of God. A person who has exclaimed " How pretty!" or used similar words, is often desired to say, rather, " Ma shaa-llah !" as well as to bless the Prophet. In the second chapter of this work a remarkable illustration has been given of the fear which mothers in Egypt entertain of the effect of the evil eye upon their children. It is the custom in this country, when a person takes the child of another into his arms, to say, " In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful:" and, " O God, bless our lord Mohammad :" and then to add, "Ma shaa-llah!" It is also a common custom of the people of Egypt, when admiring a child, to say, " I seek refuge with the Lord of the Day-break for thee : " alluding to the Chapter of the Day-break (the ii3th chapter of the Kur-an); in the end of which, protection is implored against the mischief of the envious. The parents, when they see a person stare at, or seem to envy, their young offspring, sometimes cut off a piece of the skirts of his clothes, burn it with a little salt (to which some add coriander-seed, alum, &c.), and fumigate with the smoke, and sprinkle with the ashes, the child or children. This, it is said, should be done a little before sunset, when the sun becomes red.

UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-06-12 15:18:00
Middle East and North AfricaMuslims and Public Displays of Affection
We hold hands or link arms when in public, and will hug goodbye in an airport, but anything beyond that is a no no.

As for the reason why islamically, it's a matter of haya, modesty/shyness. These are intimate acts between a husband and a wife and aren't something that should take place in front of other people. We also shouldn't be boastful of the good we have, and if we have a good relationship with our spouse that we demonstrate in public by being over affectionate, it could lead others to be jealous.



UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-06-12 08:51:00
Middle East and North AfricaMaids and Nannies in ME
QUOTE (MrsAmera @ Jun 17 2009, 08:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Can you write a book and send it to me? Incredibly interesting and makes sense. I had a feeling somehow it all came down to that but very interesting to read about with your explaination!


It's already been written, if I remember correctly. Progressive Muslims: On Justice, Gender, and Pluralism - in particular, Kecia Ali's essay "Progressive Muslims and Islamic Jurisprudence: The Necessity for Critical Engagement with Marriage and Divorce Law," if memory serves me correctly.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-06-18 08:05:00
Middle East and North AfricaMaids and Nannies in ME
http://qa.sunnipath....=...614&CATE=10
http://www.islamonli...aEAskTheScholar

What islam says and what muslims do are all too often completely different things, and convincing a muslim man that his perception of islam is wrong can be quite difficult.

If you're not already married, hash out the housework question and put the results in the marriage contract. If you are and want to renegotiate, well, good luck to you, ha.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-06-17 09:30:00
Middle East and North AfricaTatoo Discussion
Just FYI, in the past in an incident that shall not be named, pictures were taken from the MENA forum and used on a right wing islamophobe's blog.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-06-11 12:17:00
Middle East and North AfricaTatoo Discussion
ehm, I'll state the elephant in the room.

No, we do not and we will not.

[elephant]Because it's the generally accepted islamic position that it isn't allowed.[/elephant]

All right, that's out of the way, so carry on star_smile.gif
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-06-10 11:08:00
Middle East and North AfricaWhat do I need to take?
Hippy clothes! My mom gave me two tops from a hippy shop before I made my first trip to egypt, and I was sooooo glad she did. That paired with linen pants and skirts, drinking lots and lots of water and staying inside from 11 am until 3 or 4 in the afternoon kept me cool in June and August.

I can't for the life of me remember what the tops were made out of, but if there is a new agey/hippy store in town, they'll probably carry light weight, flowy kurtas/tops.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-06-15 15:48:00
Middle East and North AfricaIslam and Chicken Marsala
QUOTE (chemaatah @ Jun 18 2009, 04:15 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
not all madhabs view alcohol as filth.


Really? I thought I had read that they all did. Back to the books for me then!
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-06-19 07:56:00
Middle East and North AfricaIslam and Chicken Marsala
QUOTE (~Flower~ @ Jun 18 2009, 03:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I mean just check out these dishes: http://www.hurghadam...estaurants.html

I've got to find the marina in Hurghada and get me some of that delicious looking Indian food. *drools*

le sigh - It's hard living like a local in a famous tourist town especially when you're looking like foreigner but married to an Egyptian.



Mmmmmmm. My favorite non egyptian restuarant in egypt is the Peking Chain in Cairo. The first time I went to Egypt, AbuS suprised me by taking me there, since he knew I liked chinese food. Totally concur that it's not doable for the average egyptian. I felt so bad that he spent half a month's salary on a single meal.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-06-18 15:13:00
Middle East and North AfricaIslam and Chicken Marsala
QUOTE (~Flower~ @ Jun 18 2009, 02:41 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I hear ya ummsqueakster. I have a nepali/indian tounge and love making their foods especially curries. I should have brought those spices here so I could cook curries for him and see what he thinks. I kick myself for it at least once weekly for not doing that as I miss it so much. I did find two Indian food resturants here in Hurghada but the prices are outrageous for Egyptians to pay in the 150 L.E. range for a dish so I'm having no luck getting Waleed to agree to go to one of them. sad.gif



I remember seeing something about indian spices on an expat blog *digs around* here it is - http://whazzupegypt....s-in-egypt.html

I think if you went to the spice markets in Cairo, you'd be able to find a lot of stuff for creating your own curry powders and garam masala.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-06-18 15:10:00
Middle East and North AfricaIslam and Chicken Marsala
I dunno. I introduced AbuS to assorted world cuisine slowly and now he's all over the variety.

He got here at the beginning of Ramadan 05. One of the first iftars we went to was hosted by indian families. Poor AbuS loaded his plate full, scarfed it all down and got increadibly sick. That put him off indian food for quite awhile.

But, I started making an indian dish here and there with little spice, and then slowly upped the hot factor. Now he's fine with quite a bit of cayanne pepper and is eager to try new foods. We're beginning to explore filipino cuisine per his suggestion. Of course, it's a bit hard to do, since pork plays such an important roll, but we're being creative.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-06-18 14:27:00
Middle East and North AfricaIslam and Chicken Marsala
QUOTE (~Flower~ @ Jun 18 2009, 01:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Mmm I love Chicken Marsala and Tiki Marsala. I had no idea it was made with alcohol and I was planning on buying the prepackaged stuff from the local co-op and serving it to Waleed. Good to know! good.gif


tiki masala actually isn't usually cooked with alcohol, to the best of my knowledge.



One can be a foodie without alcohol. You just have to be a bit more creative. Lots and lots of exciting foods out there sans alcohol star_smile.gif
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-06-18 13:07:00
Middle East and North AfricaIslam and Chicken Marsala
QUOTE (Melly 2 @ Jun 18 2009, 04:37 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
It seems to be a common misconception that the alcohol put in food evaporates as it's cooked.
It is, however, a misconception.

I've quickly found three articles, and could find many more if there were any point, but I think 3 should suffice, to show the actual facts about this subject.

site 1

site 2

site 3

I'd advise you to stop bugging your wife about this, since she is doing what is right.



Yup, I was just going to say that.

Also, alcohol is najas, filth. You wouldn't cook with urine and then argue that it's all cooked out at the end. That would just be gross.

As for missing out on foods that are a part of american culture, too bad. Can't have pizza hut pizza with pepperoni and sausage either. There's plenty of american food that is made without alcohol. Plus, there are plenty of substitutes for alcohol in cooking.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-06-18 08:11:00
Middle East and North Africatuesday
QUOTE (charles! @ Jun 23 2009, 10:57 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
um ladies.......your attention is needed.....

QUOTE (NickD @ Jun 23 2009, 10:15 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
With my wife and daughter, that only happened when they first came here, welcome to the USA, since then, I travel with them with no problems, but I will risk jail by breaking necks if they pulled that sh!t. Really bugs me when they let Arabs pass but pick on white people.




Because of course we know arabs never have any trouble with TSA/Immigration/et al.

Oh no wait...
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-06-23 11:10:00
Middle East and North AfricaAl Khan
stumbled upon this comic today thanks to a friend.









Only read through the first page, but so far, so good laughing.gif
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-06-24 15:30:00
Middle East and North Africajob search help
Even if fiances and husbands aren't here, it's not too soon to start the process. He can work on his resume, get an college papers in order and practice cover letter writing, so that when he gets here, he can hit the ground running.

Looking back, if we could have done things differently, he would have started doing all that before he arrived in the states.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-06-25 07:31:00
Middle East and North Africajob search help
My husband, AbuSqueakster, would like to offer his help to MENA men who would like help with their job search. He has taken courses on and has several years experience perfecting his resume and writing and re-writing cover letters. He's been to countless interviews and most likely knows questions they like to ask, and is willing to do mock interviews over the phone or via mic on the computer.

He's also had a lot of experience getting turned down and being rejected. He can provide support and encouragement to perserve. He describes his experience coming to america and looking for a job as being thrown into the middle of an ocean without being able to swim and no help in sight. He wants to make sure no one else has to flounder for air.

In short, here's the areas he can help with:

*Resume format
*Writing a resume
*Writing a cover letter
*Preparation for an interview
*Interview practice
*General moral support

He doesn't have unlimited time, but he will do his best, depending on how many people respond.

If your husband would like to talk with AbuS, please email me at rahmaa at gmail dot com. I'll then pass the information on to him.

And they feed, for the love of Allah, the indigent, the orphan, and the prisoner
(Saying): We feed you, for the sake of Allah only. We wish for no reward nor thanks from you.
Qur'an 76:8-9

UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-06-24 21:10:00
Middle East and North AfricaAOS Interview, FINALLY
woh blink.gif If anyone ever feels bad about how long they have had to wait in this process, I'm going to point towards you guys now.

Glad to hear things are finally moving along and positive vibes they keep doing so.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-06-24 13:45:00
Middle East and North AfricaHappy Birthday Tina!!! (Ahmed N Tina)

UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-06-25 07:42:00
Middle East and North AfricaNO AP EGYPT APPROVED!!!! HUMDULLA!!!!!!!!
Also not to be a spoil sport, but they kept AbuS' passport after the interview as well, and he still had a month and a half of AR, despite the fact they told him they'd get back to him in a week or so.

But it's still good news good.gif
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-06-24 09:00:00
Middle East and North AfricaHappy Birthday brnidokiegurl !!!

UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-06-25 07:43:00
Middle East and North Africa2 days till I leave
koshari is the food of jannah *faints* Ok, not quite, but it is one of my favorite things to eat.

Basically, it's a carb overload - rice, noodles and lentils, topped with a tangy tomato sauce, crispy onions and possibly chick peas, with the option of adding more oil and spicy sauce on top of that.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kushari




If you eat at a koshari shop, bring your own bottled water. It can be spicy, and you don't want to drink out of the metal communal cups that are on each table.


also, i cleaned out some pm's, so my inbox isn't full anymore.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-06-26 10:24:00
Middle East and North Africa2 days till I leave
QUOTE (skerber0 @ Jun 26 2009, 09:14 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
OK, thanks. i am a nervous wreck!


inshaAllah you'll be fine!

If things haven't changed since 2005, there should be a women's bathroom by where you get your luggage. You may want to bring a clean shirt or something to freshen up after the long trip. Just don't bring too much liquid or they'll confiscate it when you get on the plane smile.gif


Ahh, how I'm having flashbacks to my first time in Egypt. I was soooo nervous. I got my bag and headed to the door. There was a huge crowd of people waiting to greet the passengers and I was looking for AbuS in it. Not there. A bit of fear was creeping up when I looked to the right of the crowd in front of the rope - he had somehow convinced the security people to let him stand right next to the door, in front of the crowd luv.gif

Then we hopped in a taxi and I attempted to negotiate the price - in english. Needless to say, we paid waaay too much for a ride into cairo, lol. We stopped at a payphone to call my family, and then found our apartment in Giza. Then he let me settle in, and went out to get chicken and koshari for dinner. Mmm, don't forget to eat lots of koshari while you're there!

Edited by UmmSqueakster, 26 June 2009 - 10:11 AM.

UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-06-26 10:10:00
Middle East and North Africa2 days till I leave
Have a wonderful time, and if you can, find an net cafe at some point and let us know you arrived safely!
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-06-25 15:58:00
Middle East and North AfricaFirst Jobs in the US for MENA SOs
My brother worked for UPS for several semesters in college, and AbuS worked for them briefly as well.

To the best of my knowledge, they only allow you to work part time at first. Many of the people my brother and husband worked with only did the job to get health insurance, because their regular, full time position did not provide it. The benefits are good, but I believe if you take the health insurance, you're not taking much home afterwards.


UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-06-22 12:34:00
Middle East and North AfricaFirst Jobs in the US for MENA SOs
Even if they get a new passport, wouldn't their name pop up in the system? A new passport doesn't create a new record in the american immigration system.

Ugh, people gaming the system bother me to no end. Hopefully what goes around, comes around.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-06-12 14:16:00