ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
Middle East and North AfricaOk, Honestly, What did my family do wrong?
oh amal....the week before it was your week from hell

this last week it is mine

i am still praying for you, plz say a prayer for moi helpsmilie.gif
SandrilaFemaleMorocco2009-02-12 15:00:00
Middle East and North AfricaOk, Honestly, What did my family do wrong?
OH AMAL!!!!!!!!!! crying.gif rose.gif

sending prayers and positively thinking your way....May God give you and your family the strength you need this difficult time
SandrilaFemaleMorocco2009-02-09 14:14:00
Middle East and North AfricaIs abuse ever OK in a relationship?

I dont believe ANYONE can say for sure what they would do (i.e. stay or go, forgive or not forgive) if in fact they were being abused.
Whether it is right or wrong, it happens more often than is reported and it may take years before #1 you either see the signs from your loved one or #2 you decide it is time for you to get out. It is not so black and white, I think.

If it is typical of an abuser to have no self esteem, than that means they dont love themself and not loving yourself, how could you possibly love another. I think it is unfortunate that women fall for men who become abusive because when you are in the courting stage you dont sit down and usually say "hey, um, if you ever hit me I am going to leave you" I mean the SO should know what the limits are..OF COURSE NO ONE WANTS TO BE ABUSED! But you dont go into a new, loving relationship anticipating that person is going to abuse you or have to warn them about doing so.

People show their good face first and let's face it , it can take years, even after a long marriage, to finally see the "REAL" other person.
I would say one thing, in America we are really lucky to have the law on our side for this, which for the most part is not the case in most Middle Eastern countries.

I dont think it is acceptable at all for a man to put his hands on a woman for any reason.
I dont think that anyone controlling the other is healthy and both spouses' have the right to be respected and treated with love.
We all have stress and disagreements and add into it the fact that there are diverse cultural and religious differences and treatment of women, it is possible for there to be some grey areas. It is truly hard to assess the person you marry from over the internet and intermitten trips overseas.

I know control and abuse are individual traits that are most definitely passed on from generation to generation.
One should not expect or accept it but from alot of the research and experiences I have discovered, some of these characteristics are
striking similiar amongst the men from the same countries/cultures where women dont have the same rights as we do and abuse is just something that is tolerated and kept in the dark.

I did not say for all.
SandrilaFemaleMorocco2009-02-17 16:18:00
Middle East and North AfricaHow long....to all the ladies w/beneficiary hubby
hello jello and welcome
well my husband was very lucky that after 2 months of arriving he got a job.
I was concerned about this too mainly because he has no real job history over there, as you may know the times are extremely difficult in Morocco and add the fact that I didnt know how he enthusiastic and serious he would be about working since he really never worked over there.

I worked for a security company and they knew my husband was coming and would need a job.
My boss told me without a ? he would hire him and so when the green card came 6 weeks after arriving here my boss kept his word.
I went there because i knew it wouldnt be degrading work. I knew he would get a little more than minimum wage and I knew it was an easy "in"
due to the hard times I knew finding a job would be extremely difficult
I figured that because he had no work history to show on paper he wouldnt stand out as a candidate
I worried that if he got a job he may not adjust well not having money skills or exact english grammar and dialect to associate with people

the job he has now is not perfect but just good enough to get a paycheck, make him feel productive and like he is contributing and it will start him with a base history to move on to the next job

I am proud of him and he is doing an excellent job with what he is doing. Perfect! and better than any candidate I had seen walking in and out of that company!

As for any man not willing to pull his weight...no tolerance. We all gotta work to make a livin and us women should not make it easy for ANY man to be lazy and unproductive especially when they have a family to care for!

Hugs Zawji! good.gif
SandrilaFemaleMorocco2009-01-29 14:36:00
Middle East and North AfricaMena house decorating in the U.S??
Rajaa, he is here only a month? Of course redecorating the bedroom wouldnt be the most important work getting done whistling.gif
SandrilaFemaleMorocco2009-02-23 10:24:00
Middle East and North AfricaMena house decorating in the U.S??
this bidet business wacko.gif

very new to me
is there something wrong with me cuz I havent thought about this?
nor did he mention that he needed any special amenities

i know our layout is not conducive.
SandrilaFemaleMorocco2009-01-20 13:56:00
Middle East and North AfricaMena house decorating in the U.S??
QUOTE (Rajaa_Reda @ Oct 20 2008, 10:26 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (caybee @ Oct 20 2008, 07:14 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I've never done orange, but I like the idea. And the turquoise and chocolate brown sounds luscious!

Right now, I'm looking at slipcovers. My husband brought pillows that his mom and sister made, and they are heavy on the red, so I want to complement that. We've talked about bringing fabric back from Morocco the next time and having the sofa plumped up and reupholstered, but that's just a thought for now. Actually, some satiny pillows with corner tassels caught my husband's eye at Wal-Mart, and it would be really easy to make something like that to match our colors, as well as maybe add a border and tassels to the cross-stitched pillow covers his sister made since they have an all-white background.

I've looked at some instructions for making window seats out of prefab kitchen cabinet units. I think we could wrap those around three sides of a small room and add some upholstered cushions and it would be very much like a Moroccan sofa if the units were deep enough, plus we'd have a ton of storage underneath. That will probably have to wait until we have our own place though. And I need a source for nice, thick foam on the cheap.

I like the henna lamps I saw in Morocco. We didn't bring any back, but it made me wonder how henna designs would do on something like unbleached muslin or a natural lampshade, something the light can shine through. The real ones are made of animal skin, and the ones I saw were just dyed, not patterned, so I don't know how fabric does with henna drawings. I picked up some scraps but haven't sat down to experiment yet.

I'd love to do some tile work, but our place is also rented, so we're thinking of laying out small tiles on the coffee table and covering it with a piece of glass. I've also thought crocheting an afghan with a Meknesi tile pattern to hang on the wall, but it's been years since I've had that kind of time. There may be an easier option, a quilt maybe, although I don't know if that would really save much time. Maybe plastic canvas -- but plastic canvas always reminds me of Kleenex box covers. biggrin.gif Actually, though, bet I could do a quick tile pattern with the plastic canvas and use that under glass on the coffee table instead. Might look awful, but it wouldn't be a ton of money wasted if it didn't work out...and it could still be reborn as a Kleenex box cover.

Right now, our decor is still shabby-chic (or I like to call it that -- better than "hand-me-down"). To put my ideas in motion, I need more time, a little money, and less clutter.

Great topic. I love reading everyone's creative ideas.


I love your ideas but also rent so will have to wait. I am loving the tile on the coffee table idea wow !!!! great way to have the MENA feel and rent at the same time.

I didn't see those henna lamps ??? blink.gif but i am telling you now next trip I don't care what they say I am SHOPPING and i am only bringing two outfits and a huge suitcase. star_smile.gif


QUOTE (caybee @ Oct 20 2008, 07:14 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I've also thought crocheting an afghan with a Meknesi tile pattern to hang on the wall, but it's been years since I've had that kind of time. There may be an easier option, a quilt maybe, although I don't know if that would really save much time. Maybe plastic canvas -- but plastic canvas always reminds me of Kleenex box covers. biggrin.gif Actually, though, bet I could do a quick tile pattern with the plastic canvas and use that under glass on the coffee table instead. Might look awful, but it wouldn't be a ton of money wasted if it didn't work out...and it could still be reborn as a Kleenex box cover.

Right now, our decor is still shabby-chic (or I like to call it that -- better than "hand-me-down"). To put my ideas in motion, I need more time, a little money, and less clutter.

Great topic. I love reading everyone's creative ideas.

ooohhhhh great idea... do you have any pic ideas?


I always swear that the "next time" i am bringing $1,000 JUST FOR SHOPPING!
and the same issue about suitcase space...yeah right, me bring just 2 outfits...I am definitely obsessed with packing a ton of clothes... yes.gif
SandrilaFemaleMorocco2008-10-20 10:23:00
Middle East and North AfricaMena house decorating in the U.S??
QUOTE (Rajaa_Reda @ Oct 20 2008, 02:41 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (S and S @ Oct 19 2008, 11:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Rajaa_Reda @ Oct 20 2008, 01:11 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
wanna know somethin???? secret7vf.gif I got my comfy couch at Value village for $25.00 and the dark blue cover brand new in the package for $5.00... hehe i just can't get rid of it... it's soft and comfortable and i can wash the cover any time....



That is an awesome deal. The couch cover I bought was for a lot more. I don't think we have a Value Village here, but I should try to keep an eye out. Maybe I will get lucky.

you know it is that Luck!! I saw on the news that discount places like value village, good will etc are having an increase in sales by 6% this year. wonder how nordstrum is doing? whistling.gif



QUOTE (Nawal @ Oct 19 2008, 11:32 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
S&S, have you tried looking at Craigslist and freecycle.com in your area? I can't tell you how many amazing deals I have found on both!

great reminder i'll be hitting those too why not??? star_smile.gif

QUOTE (Nawal @ Oct 19 2008, 11:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Rajaa I forgot to add that I didn't have any cool ideas for you. LOL. I am so far away from MENA style in our home. Hehe. I'm not particularly fond of it. Love it when I'm there but not here in my house.

I do dig the Oriental themed styles. Go figure.

i am doing the orange as part of the MENA look but now i am being convinced it's the new "in" color... I am adding the black though did you see the chair that i am purchising??? tell me what you think Nawal



rajaa
you hit the nail on the head
second hand and thrift shops are making a killin this year
i have been out of that loop for too long
i am going to start hitting those markets again
if i go to the main line and the more "well off" areas
you find THE BEST stuff with all the MAJOR LABELS good.gif
SandrilaFemaleMorocco2008-10-20 10:07:00
Middle East and North AfricaMena house decorating in the U.S??
QUOTE (Rajaa_Reda @ Oct 20 2008, 02:37 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (sereia @ Oct 19 2008, 11:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I would definitely hang a curtain to cover those verticle blinds *shudder* I hate those blinds with a passion!!!

I would get fun with patterned pillows and possibly the curtains. Hard to say without seeing what you've got already!

Here's a photo of an orange/blue room. Its not MENA inspired but it helps you pick a color palette! hgtv

Great link!!! ty... yeah covering those blinds is a must i hate all the white so stale and sterile



omg white blinds are the worst...and they get so dirty
i am so tired of that
i am not very creative either....i am so plain...i am ready for the first time in my life to spice it up
i have never put much effort into decorating except for the nurseries for my children..i mean I have never really settled in any place for too long as of yet

Nawal....those twins are growing and so sweet!!!
SandrilaFemaleMorocco2008-10-20 10:04:00
Middle East and North AfricaMena house decorating in the U.S??
QUOTE (sereia @ Oct 20 2008, 01:58 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Orange is really "in" this year. And blue is on the opposite of the color wheel so... it goes! smile.gif



sereia..what a great blend my favorite 2 cultures...MOROCCAN AND INDIAN...nice
I saw Ravi Shankar last night, the guy is 88 years young! good.gif
SandrilaFemaleMorocco2008-10-20 10:00:00
Middle East and North AfricaMena house decorating in the U.S??
If I had the money to do so I would decorate my place total Moroccan style
I just love it! And I am trying to buy things little by little from over there to decorate our place
right now I live in a very small 1 bedroom apt...it is just a slow process like this whole journey
i guess at least I have time to "get ready" if you will for his BIG ARRIVAL whistling.gif

QUOTE (sandrila @ Oct 20 2008, 10:37 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
If I had the money to do so I would decorate my place total Moroccan style
I just love it! And I am trying to buy things little by little from over there to decorate our place
right now I live in a very small 1 bedroom apt...it is just a slow process like this whole journey
i guess at least I have time to "get ready" if you will for his BIG ARRIVAL whistling.gif



oranges of various hues are my favorite colors
pinks with oranges..delightful
i dont want to paint my apt..even tho i could...extra money and too much work...eventually we are going to move
ONCE he gets here and works and we can get some more money for it

QUOTE (S and S @ Oct 20 2008, 01:45 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I think it sounds nice what you are doing. Nothing makes me feel better more than doing a little decorating and spicing the home up. I change up my bathroom about every two years. Just changed the bedroom up with completely new furniture early this year. I've slowly been working on my living room, but don't have the money for new couches yet. For now I got the curtains and wall hangings I want. My entertainment center is fairly new so if I can just change up the couch, get a love seat and change the in-tables, I could be set. If only my husband could get here and get any kind of job then it could free up money for this!

I love the chair you picked. It looks nice and comfy. I'm sure a them with the colors you mentioned would look really nice.



S and S
I hear ya doll!
SandrilaFemaleMorocco2008-10-20 09:40:00
Middle East and North AfricaHappy Monday MENA
MORNING!

Maggie HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! I hope you have a beautiful day, so nice you can celebrate it together! luv.gif

I am surprised to see so many early birds, that too on a Monday morning.

Charles...........Ahhhhhhhhhh the nesting has begun Papa Bird tongue.gif

Well Annie, I have never sensed you being stressed out...I hope all is fine.

I am stressed out...major issue at hand unsure.gif and prayers please to help me keep my patience and roll with these punches. mad.gif

Just another day at work, at least it is hubby's payday.


I heard the temps will be creeping up little by little all week, with Friday a nice 50!! Yeah for that!

Just trying to keep a postive attitude when I really dont have one offtopic45vn.gif

Edited by sandrila, 23 February 2009 - 09:41 AM.

SandrilaFemaleMorocco2009-02-23 09:41:00
Middle East and North AfricaTuesday
QUOTE (Far2Long @ Feb 24 2009, 02:04 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I'm facing the same issue as you sandrila. I am going to have to share a bed with Hubby and I've had my own bed nearly all my life. I like sleeping soundly in the middle of it! And Waleed only sleeps 4 hours and I remember it was so difficult to get all my sleep when he is always up coming and going. lolz! I especially don't like him staying out late at night or waking up and he's gone in the middle of the night but what's a girl to do?



oh olivia thank you for that comment
i have really lost my patience about it, i have my routine for sleep
i mean sometimes i can stay up late with him and i understand it is not all his fault
he comes home from work at 12 - 1 am he is all wound up, he has to eat (and you know how the men are about that) and wants me to sit and eat with him.
I dont like hubby going out either, but sometimes he wants to go out across the street and play pool, have a drink or whatever and I am like, I am sorry, I have been going all day from 8am-11pm, i want to sleep
is that so wrong?
we live in apt too, very small
i just put my head down and out for the night never waking, now i am up at least 3-4 times and tossing and turning like you wont believe
god bless him and lucky me, he is so cuddly but i just am used to being alone and i like to sleep on my side and he on his blush.gif
SandrilaFemaleMorocco2009-02-24 14:10:00
Middle East and North AfricaTuesday
i am lost unsure.gif
what is the farm business? whistling.gif is this face book?
i dont have a profile there
SandrilaFemaleMorocco2009-02-24 14:06:00
Middle East and North AfricaTuesday
Oh GOD I need a day off from work...just to sleep in.
I am not getting any good sleep lately, my husband is an insomniac and my once very sound, undisturbed sleep has become an intermitten night
of noise and disturbances. Sorry to say it, some of you may sleep peacefully I am having a very hard time adjusting to having another full grown person in my bed and one that cant fall asleep or stay asleep.

Thank god I didnt have to wake up till 9am instead of 7 30. I had to take my daughter to the dentist so got to work at noon.
No chance of me going home and sleeping. I have my son coming for dinner, I got american Idol then at 11 pm i have to go get hubby
downtown...i am looking at sweet dreams about 1 am blink.gif

just needed to vent that

charles, nothing looks appealing to me on that dvd list

i actually saw a couple movies recently, as I turned off my cable due to the extra expense ( i realize i cant stand to be without it)
in case you care I saw Darjeeling Limited (not bad but not really good) and Dont Mess with the Zohan! Funny but he always plays the same
most pathetically stupid roles.

I guess the next flick i go to see in the cinema is going to have to be....JONAS BROTHERS, back stage pass or whatever...my daughter will nag me to death till I take her tongue.gif

Edited by sandrila, 24 February 2009 - 02:03 PM.

SandrilaFemaleMorocco2009-02-24 14:02:00
Middle East and North AfricaMENA Sunday 2 ~ 22 ~ 2009
i never had maglooba before but that pic that Jax posted looks delicious...Egyptian right?
I am not too familiar with their food but I like anything so I am sure I will love it!

I get to back to my cooking again. I had wonderful FREE Indian cuisine last night and just in time for the big SLUM DOG sweep at the Oscars good.gif
SandrilaFemaleMorocco2009-02-23 10:08:00
Middle East and North AfricaMENA Sunday 2 ~ 22 ~ 2009
I also love to watch the Oscars and I was pulling for SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE!

What a great movie and for a country who produces more films than anyone else in the world I am so glad to see
them get the international recognition they deserve. good.gif

Great country, great culture, great people!

I just adore the Bollywood films as well.
SandrilaFemaleMorocco2009-02-23 09:53:00
Middle East and North AfricaSCAMMED FOR A GREEN CARD
QUOTE (Berber Mama @ Jan 27 2009, 11:21 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Nobody has the right to attack the OP and claim that she is stirring up drama. It could happen to anybody, no matter how secure you think your relationship is. I read all the posts in another related thread about "Oh I'm sorry for you but that would never happen to me". ####### ever. It could happen to any of us. It happens to more people than you would realize because the majority of them don't post about it on VJ.
Don't add insult to injury by jumping her case. She came here for support. She feels that she was used by this guy, nobody knows her marriage better than her.





good.gif

rose.gif I hope you find the strength and answers you need
SandrilaFemaleMorocco2009-01-28 13:58:00
Middle East and North AfricaWednesday
Ronnell....keep your hopes up, it will happen

i know your frustration with AP, we had it for nearly 6 months for CR1 visa

rose.gif I will keep you in my prayers...2 weeks is no time at all by the time you start getting settled and unpacked it is time to repack and get going sad.gif
SandrilaFemaleMorocco2009-02-25 16:45:00
Middle East and North AfricaWednesday
Mornin All

ARALB, guess what I always have the same problems and Charles I have tried clicking that icon and different combinations of things
I keep seeing everyone posting their pix and such and I cant! crying.gif I know it cant be that hard.

RONELL, back already, welcome! how long were you gone and how was the weather? I know it is so hard to get back into groove once arriving from aonther county that plus having to leave your darling rose.gif


SandrilaFemaleMorocco2009-02-25 09:39:00
Middle East and North Africathursday/almostday 26 feb 09
ARALB!!!!!!!!!!!

kicking.gif kicking.gif kicking.gif kicking.gif

what great news!! How exciting and how quick his arrival!! You better get to work girl!

So happy for you and good luck to you and your beau...may you have a blessed life together!


S'up peeps!
Got some small showers coming in this morning.

Hubby actually cooked dinner for himself last night!!!!!!! yes.gif
I didnt ask him too but I guess after all the bickering about it he wanted to prove something to me and himself.
Or maybe, if my wife won't do it, i guess I better do it myself. He called his mom and got some simple receipe
put some roast in the pot and VIOLA! It was good but can I ask you ladies, I am not experienced with big hunks of meat.
I dont have a crock pot either just yet, so what cut of roast is best i.e. not much fat, tender, easy to cut?? and what is a simple way to make it?


SandrilaFemaleMorocco2009-02-26 09:51:00
Middle East and North AfricaFriday!!!
G'Day!

We have, what I call, warm weather today but it is freezing in my office! blink.gif
They say showers later, but the clouds are already rolling in.

Jeanne, I wish, oh how I wish I could have 92 all year long yes.gif

ARALB ! That is great! Enjoy yourself, take your time and you know where to find us when you have time.
My son actually arrived in Jackson Hole, Wyoming yesterday morning for his annual ski trip.
I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to see that country.
I think your sweetie will likey!

I am happy for Tasha that your husband is near coming home!!

I hope you all have a great day and weekend! I still cant believe how quickly Fridays keep rolling around ohmy.gif
SandrilaFemaleMorocco2009-02-27 10:34:00
Middle East and North AfricaPoping in to say hi!
Hello!

Will be sending some positive vibes your way for some quick results! rose.gif
SandrilaFemaleMorocco2009-03-02 10:21:00
Middle East and North AfricaSunday March 1st!
Livvie luv.gif

Breatheeeeeee in

Breatheeeeeee out

one task at a time, it will all be fine good.gif , prioritize and dont wear yourself out too thin rose.gif
SandrilaFemaleMorocco2009-03-02 10:24:00
Middle East and North AfricaMy vent!!!!
can i be your assistant?? sounds like recess yes.gif tongue.gif wink.gif
SandrilaFemaleMorocco2009-03-02 15:06:00
Middle East and North AfricaI think I was Used
rose.gif

consider yourself lucky to see the "light" now and not after marriage or wasting even more money

sorry sweetie
SandrilaFemaleMorocco2009-02-25 15:56:00
Middle East and North AfricaHappy Moody Monday MENA!
I guess y'all got snowed in so you arent at work doing nothing but posting on VJ tongue.gif

well the school called last night as soon as the first snow started, I knew nothing of our "winter storm" so they closed schools for today and gave the 2 hour last notice for tomorrow.

we got the most snow we got all year and it started at 7 30 ish sunday night and it is still going this morning heavy

i had to get hubby at midnight so I already trekked the roads and dusted off the vehicle 2 times through the night so I was not too bad this morning.
Even though my work isnt all that important I still felt so inclined not to miss work cuz my dear boss is leaving for Hawaii on Sat morning.
I know he needed to get things done. The roads were not good but not bad either. Made it here 20 mins late, and I wish I could have slept in snuggling with hubby this morning sad.gif

My son is supposed to fly in from Wyoming sometime tonight, but all flights in and out have been cancelled for now, so I havent heard from him and if he will have to lay back out west another day. unsure.gif

i guess we have 8 inches at least.

My big fun for the weekend was taking my 9 year old to see JONAS BROTHERS IN 3D
It was fine..we went one hour early for 3pm, SOLD OUT, we got 5 o'clock...got there and 4 15 and the line was already wrapped around!
I cant stand all these loaded disney babies....I cant believe how much money they are raking in daily blink.gif

I dont know what all the fuss over Wii is about.
I have a PS2 for hubby at home that someone gave us and right now that is new and interesting enough for me.

Be safe, enjoy your snowy day

Edited by sandrila, 02 March 2009 - 10:19 AM.

SandrilaFemaleMorocco2009-03-02 10:16:00
Middle East and North AfricaIt's Tuesday!
Nawal...I love the new pix of the babies...I think your daughter looks like hubby and your son like you?
SandrilaFemaleMorocco2009-03-03 13:03:00
Middle East and North AfricaIt's Tuesday!
QUOTE (sara535 @ Mar 3 2009, 12:21 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (just_Jackie @ Mar 3 2009, 06:00 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Twilight comes out on DVD this month!

Happy Tuesday everybody! Where is Spring? It's 19 flippin degrees here. I'm ready for some grass.


I hear ya! tongue.gif

by the way, where's GG been lately?



LOL
whistling.gif
livin it up! cool.gif
SandrilaFemaleMorocco2009-03-03 12:58:00
Middle East and North AfricaIt's Tuesday!
Morning...I can see we all agree that we are ready for the warm weather to come.

Beverly Hills Chihuahua was really cute.

Just another day at work. I will have a busy week because my boss is leaving for a week to Hawaii on Saturday. Lucky him cool.gif

Enjoy your day. wink.gif

SandrilaFemaleMorocco2009-03-03 09:18:00
Middle East and North Africawhat did you know about your SO's culture before marriage/arrival
When meeting my husband I was already very seasoned with relationships, had been married for 10 years, with 3 children.

I had no idea about his culture or religions, other than the negatives I heard after 911.

We talked about, what it seemed to be, everything and anything before marriage and after, up and until he arrived here.

I had never discussed such issues with my first husband...child rearing, limitations, religion, expectations, etc...just went with the flow and that did bring problems down the line because there was no base, no real sense of what the other wanted or how we would be choosing to live our life and how we would control business in within our family.

Living a cyber relationship or just going to visit a few times during your wait for the visa does not prepare one for real life with your spouse.
I didnt realize it when I was pining for him and eager to become one with him. We could "get to know" each other but not really know each other until we lived together. I have been married 2 years and I am newly wed, as if there was no time for courtship or engagement, just thrown right into marriage. There was nothing or no one I wanted more than to have him here with me.

Once I became serious about him, I delved into his culture and religion but it took a lot of time for me to network with other women, who were involved with similiar men, to understand some characteristics of MENA men. It took me time to really see who this man is and what he is about.

Believe me it is quite different than any other relationship I have had before. Somethings I so adore about him and other things drive me mad. It has been hard to mesh our 2 ways of life and expectations. I just find it has been an adjustment for both of us. I feel bad because I find myself losing my patience completely because my husband is someone who is unyielding most of the time. We are working on that. I am also so independent and outgoing. I am a good wife, but I cant be dictated to or isolated. I believe so much of give and take, and 50/50 but I dont know if it will possible with my husband. I believe that his "ways" and expectations stem from where he is from and how is was raised.

I understand about him assuming the role as MAN in my life and wanting to be in control but it is hard for a woman to religuish control completely after living alone and accomplishing so muc,h from nothing, on her own.

I admire all of you for your candid posts. Thanks for sharing. I never thought that I would need to be advised on issues in my marriage.
I thought we would just be married and we would just be happy just for him being here with me. Totally not true. It takes alot of hard work.
It takes both of us working together to have both our needs met and establish the kind of relationship and happy home we want and that we need to succeed.

Edited by sandrila, 02 March 2009 - 12:17 PM.

SandrilaFemaleMorocco2009-03-02 12:13:00
Middle East and North AfricaSharing some wedding pictures
You look stunning dahlin!!!!

Congratulations, when was your wedding?
i have been dying to post pix of our wedding back in 2007 but I cant figure out how to do it. DAH wacko.gif

well anyway your husband does not look Moroccan at all...GEEZ I thought my husband was fair, he is even more fair
what city was he born and raised?
SandrilaFemaleMorocco2009-02-17 10:17:00
Middle East and North AfricaWonderful Wednesday!
Ronnell GREAT NEWS kicking.gif and great timing..shouldnt be much longer now

again I say ...brrrrrrrrrrrrr sad.gif

Tasha I can understand...and i guess it doesnt help me that both myself and my ex both had braces
my oldest got his off probably 2 years ago and we are almost done with retainer
my middle child needs them and my youngest is prepping
omg
we made it first time around with the help from grandparents and dont know what we are doing with the other 2
i dont even have dental coverage! unsure.gif

I swear, just working to hand our money over to everybody else
I am only 36 and completely tired of it! mad.gif
SandrilaFemaleMorocco2009-03-04 15:09:00
Middle East and North AfricaWonderful Wednesday!
Mornin

Charles blink.gif no0pb.gif

I am tired of freezinggggggggggg!
SandrilaFemaleMorocco2009-03-04 09:11:00
Middle East and North Africahi
It means that they are taking additional time to review and research your case. I.E. making sure your relationship is valid, doing background, name and police clearances.
It can be as little as a week or even a couple of years (in worst cases).

Everyone's situation is different and there are no guarantees as to how long AP will be or when it will end.
I call this THE BLACK HOLE. It is truly the worst but if you are enduring this my prayers are with you and keep your patience, your answer will come.

rose.gif
SandrilaFemaleMorocco2009-03-04 10:13:00
Middle East and North AfricaThursday
Ho Ho Ho! laughing.gif

Jeanne and Jax...your coffee selections look delightful! Yummy!

Dont forget to set the clocks ahead on Sat night...I am happy for that, I cant wait for it to stay lighter longer, that is more time hubby and I have after I get home from work to go out and sight see. Since it has been winter there is not much I want to do outdoors and I know we both have cabin fever.
He has never experienced such a cold as this and I tell him that GOD we are not more north or in the midwest.
I hope the snow we had sun/mon will be the last we see this year.

ARALB...your absence is totally understandable....go enjoy yourself and relax! are you saying that you didnt have ANY days off since your darling got here? That stinks!

Tasha...the countdown begins and I hope it goes fast for you, nothing like a separation to make one appreciate the other. I am sure you have had alot on your hands with your kids and work, being alone. God Bless ya girl! rose.gif

Have a good day. I am so looking forward to Friday and the entire week next week my boss is on vacation! YEAH! I AM IN CHARGE!!!!!!!!


SandrilaFemaleMorocco2009-03-05 10:36:00
Middle East and North AfricaMena meeting S/O
I met my beloved on MY SPACE
he sent me a message and I ignored it for 2 weeks before it started to invoke some curiousity
that was in 2005..so 3 years ago our story began..we got married in February of 2007

now just waiting for the happy ending heart.gif
SandrilaFemaleMorocco2008-10-04 19:58:00
Middle East and North AfricaHelp pls
rose.gif

I cant imagine giving birth to our baby and my husband not being there. sad.gif

Sorry but I think most of the people who have been in similiar situations can advise you better.
I dont think you would have time to file and wait for a tourist visa at this point nor do I think they really care
about anyone's sensitive situations. Has anyone from your country even gotten a tourist visa? unsure.gif
SandrilaFemaleMorocco2009-03-06 11:59:00
Middle East and North AfricaFreaky Friday !
We have a kite too and hubby had never flown one in his life.
We sought out and found some cheapy one Morocco, well hubby loved it, I couldnt get him to stop flying it and whereas I couldnt get mine off the ground his was soaring.

I cant wait till the winds of March begin and we can go fly our kite too smile.gif
SandrilaFemaleMorocco2009-03-06 11:54:00
Middle East and North AfricaFreaky Friday !
We have a kite too and hubby had never flown one in his life.
We sought out and found some cheapy one Morocco, well hubby loved it, I couldnt get him to stop flying it and whereas I couldnt get mine off the ground his was soaring.

I cant wait till the winds of March begin and we can go fly our kite too smile.gif
SandrilaFemaleMorocco2009-03-06 11:53:00