Forum	Title	Content	Member	Sex	Country	Date/Time
Middle East and North Africa	Singer Michael Jackson dead at 50	totally taken by surprise on this one despite his, what I'll call "uniqueness" out of respect, he was an amazing artist and performer. I was a huge fan during his hey day and I continue to really enjoy alot of his songs. Off The Wall will remain a timeless favorite for me. I think he has to be the MOST WELL KNOWN, WELL LOVED public figure in the entire WORLD, ever RIP Michael Edited by Sandrila, 26 June 2009 - 01:14 PM.	Sandrila	Female	Morocco	2009-06-26 13:10:00
Middle East and North Africa	TGIF	guess it's morning where you are Charles? Howz the boy doin? Any firsts yet? Is he smiling? How about laughing?? I am sure he is laughing cuz you probably crack him up all the time Krissy you too, stayin up real late after work watching movies? us too tried to watch Tropic Thunder last night, I think the dialog and slang was too much for hubby to really understand plus they were talking so fast and with so much background noise from the war.	Sandrila	Female	Morocco	2009-06-26 13:06:00
Middle East and North Africa	TGIF	Mornin Still digesting the whole MJ thing . I am enjoying hearing all those songs I have loved throughout the years but forgot. I used to be a MJ lover yeah Friday! I hear ya Jeanne about the clouds in and out. It is humid as can be here Amanda have a lovely reunion. We all know you would be M.I.A for a while I wish a safe journey to your honey. Starting some light to medium moving tomorrow. Hubby works the entire weekend so he won't be able till help. Monday the few heavy things we have will be moved. Not looking forward to it. It will be interesting to see how we adjust sleeping in the new place. Have a great weekend peeps. Tonight...it's a pre 4th barbecue at my sis's.	Sandrila	Female	Morocco	2009-06-26 09:40:00
Middle East and North Africa	First Jobs in the US for MENA SOs	QUOTE (KHPerfectMatch @ Jun 10 2009, 01:11 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> H is unemployed.... He finally reached his limit of tolerance and just threw in the towel... He's been working in a restaurant where he was constantly being harassed and called "the terrorist" by the Mexican employees who thought he didn't understand much English because they typically heard him speaking arabic with the manager who is from Jordan. Amazingly once the manager got wind that H was being harassed (the assistant manager told him, not H) the manager decided to make his work so hard that H would leave... Rather than deal with his employees harassing H it was easier to get rid of H... On top of all of that, one of the Mexican women who had done the loudest talking about "the terrorist" had male family members come to the restaurant and sit out side watching H and even followed him part of the way home, which is what made him decide the job just wasn't worth his safety... I'm so depressed because it's his first and only job (other than working in our family business for a few weeks) and now he really can't use it as a reference because he walked out... So hard to explain on applications that you're his age and don't have ANY verifiable work history! He wasn't too proud to work at any job that wasn't haram.... and for that I love him even more... He was so happy to just be making SOMETHING so he could contribute, and now the sadness in his eyes is killing me. He has a bachelor's degree in Greek Philosophy (big call for THAT!!! NOT!!!) .... and was self-employed his entire life in Egypt... not a single thing in his work history that he can use here.... I don't know what to do to help him... It's so hard when you're his age to start over.... we need to think of a business he can do on his own, but so far, I've not come up with an idea that won't take all my time... I'm working 10+ hours a day already running my own consulting business... It's so hard on his Egyptian Machisimo Pride/Dignity.... I never dreamed it would be THIS hard to find something! ANYTHING!! Unemployment here is about 13% even the Labor Ready shop is closed... Soooooo depressing... That is really ignorant and immature KH. Sad. I give H alot of credit for sticking with it and not letting a selected fews intimidation and insults mold his permanent view of all people and opportunities here. It is not easy.	Sandrila	Female	Morocco	2009-06-10 11:26:00
Middle East and North Africa	First Jobs in the US for MENA SOs	QUOTE (UmmSqueakster @ Jun 9 2009, 02:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> AbuS' first job was in a check cashing place. Total soul suck and haram to no end. There are a few things that really helped him: 1. Internship. I wish we had thought of this sooner. He got an internship as an accountant in a non profit. This was how he landed his first real job as an accountant at a theater. He learned valuable lessons of how to work in an american office, bulked up his resume and he got a fabulous reference who helped him beyond compare. If you are ok on money and dont need him earning a ton of money, americorp offers a lot of internship type opportunities that look fabulous on the resume. 2. Practice practice practice. Practice job interview. Practice writing cover letters. Practice writing resumes. Practice until he's perfect, literally. The accent may not have completly disapeared, but he should be able to hold a phone conversation without confusing the person on the other end. And his cover letter should be fluent enough that the receipient won't be befuddled by the quirky english. 3. ESL classes. Even if he thinks he's good, he could probably stand for some improvement. And if the local ESL classes say he's good enough, find a way for him to speak english with a wide variety of people. I can't emphasize enough how important verbal communication is for landing a good job. 4. Keep a list of everywhere he's applying. Seriously, spreadsheet. If he's applying for a dozen jobs a week, it can be hard to keep track of them. 5. Don't answer the phone. Now, this may sound counterproductive, but it works. If they're interested in him, they'll leave a message. Listen to the message, consult the list of jobs, review the job posting, review the cover letter he sent and then call them back. That way he has a chance to compose himself and sound put together and with it. This is seriously how my husband landed his current job. They were so impressed with his initial phone interview that they asked him to come in ASAP and hired him 2 hours after the interview. 6. Job training. If he doesn't have a college education (or even if he does and isn't have any luck finding work with it), look into a job training program. They will help him with the necessary skills for job hunting and will help him in his search. 7. Patience! Patience! Patience! It took AbuS 3 years to find a good job, and many many many many long months of unemployment that were increadibly demoralizing. And then just when everything was looking up, he lost that good job due to the economy. It sucks. It really really does. But inshaAllah this too shall pass. Squeaky, your points were very informative. Thank you	Sandrila	Female	Morocco	2009-06-10 10:54:00
Middle East and North Africa	First Jobs in the US for MENA SOs	QUOTE (prince+angel @ Jun 9 2009, 02:14 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Ya know S & S, this is a very good question. Does anyone know of a "resource thread" of companies, businesses, organizations that may be a god starting point of newly arrived immigrants? I've been at the same job for more than 10 years and am also at a loss as to where to help my husband begin to find a job. He has a degree in Math and speaks 3 languages so I'm hoping he'll those strengths 1st... does your hubby have any special skills/talents/education he can promote for himself? I have heard alot of people tell my husband to apply with a more respectable company as a translator. But I think if you don't have a good handle on the English language, which involves slang, as well as grammar and sentence structure, add to that the short work history here and no real notable work references back home I don't see how they would jump for him. Now that I have reminded myself about it I will have to research that. Supposedly there is a great demand for arabic translators. This is what I have heard anyway.	Sandrila	Female	Morocco	2009-06-10 10:47:00
Middle East and North Africa	First Jobs in the US for MENA SOs	QUOTE (Cheryl & Medo @ Jun 9 2009, 02:15 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> When Medo got here we had our planes to open our tattoo shop. ( he is a artist) So after3 mo of him being here that is what we did. Thank God that was our plans because with the economy I think he would still be looking for a job. But the economy has not always been good for our busness. We keep thinking about what else we could open to make money. Wish you lived closer, we could hire him to give my hubby his first tat. I told him not to do it. I like to actually see his bronze skin but... I can't talk, I have 2 . Anklets. One is chinese good luck symbols and the other is a tribal piece. I never have regretted them and get complicated quite often on them.	Sandrila	Female	Morocco	2009-06-10 10:39:00
Middle East and North Africa	First Jobs in the US for MENA SOs	I knew and explained to my husband that he would have to do anything in the beginning just to get his feet wet. I had a few connections who may have been willing to help him but thank god my old boss promised me he would employ him in a heart beat and he did. He is a security officer. No ?s asked, no additional info from him. he didnt even have his SS card at the time of application. I was so relieved. He started one day after greencard receipt. I am very thankful. He is getting his feet wet and has started to apply for jobs elsewhere. He works very long 12 hour shifts both sat/sun and it leaves no time for us personally. He misses out on so much and his boss is a little of a jerk. School? He wants to go in the future but I think what is hard is that he can't move forward exactly like we do. He has to first take the initial English and Grammar lessons needed to understand and write the English language. You can't just jump right into any class without being able to read, understand and articulate what they are teaching and you are going to have to study and memorize. It will come little by little. At least he wants to work. Is reliable and a good representation of his company!	Sandrila	Female	Morocco	2009-06-09 14:47:00
Middle East and North Africa	Prayers for one of our own	You guys are the best!	Sandrila	Female	Morocco	2009-06-23 13:05:00
Middle East and North Africa	Prayers for one of our own	Thanks please keep them comin	Sandrila	Female	Morocco	2009-06-23 09:45:00
Middle East and North Africa	Prayers for one of our own	Friends, Today someone just like you and me needs your prayers and positive thoughts. If you would just say a prayer for someone who needs strength, guidance and support not only today but also in the days to come. Although they remain anonymous I want them to know YOU ARE CARED FOR.	Sandrila	Female	Morocco	2009-06-23 09:00:00
Middle East and North Africa	Monday	Safe trip back Terri Olivia...I hope you can recover from all this and physically return to normal soon. I also was never one that kept on track with the BC pills. Thank god for that IUD....it doesn't stop working. THANK GOD!	Sandrila	Female	Morocco	2009-06-29 15:34:00
Middle East and North Africa	Monday	Mornin Charles, Mornin Sara	Sandrila	Female	Morocco	2009-06-29 10:39:00
Middle East and North Africa	Monday	Good Morning Folks as I had said last week about someone dear needing your prayers, please please keep those prayers coming. I am with all of you non sleepers out there. Jess I think hubby will always be on that schedule of sleeping @ 4-5 am. With his job he is able to sleep as much as he wants during the day but me, I have to get up like the rest of the normal working 9-5s. It is hard because I like to stay up and be with him but I need my sleep! Last night I didn't sleep till 3 30 or 4 am! The funny thing, when he does go to sleep the same time as me, I can't fall asleep for a long time. Sleep alone, I am sleeping within 5 mins. Melly, I had a similiar situation sometime ago and it isn't easy. I can't imagine how patient you are having to stay cooped up with his family and not being able to understand them, have run of the house, your normal comforts of home (here) or friends to call upon. It would be one thing if you were able to be independent and go out and do what you wanted to do to keep busy. Prayers with you dear. It is very frustrating to be under the watchful and critical eye of the family especially when there are so many differences. BTW, how long have you been living there? I imagine that it is even harder in Egypt than it would be in Morocco. It seems they maybe a little more hardcore about somethings. Jackie, are you fully recovered yet? I imagine all went as planned with Amanda's reunion, I am sure she is wedded bliss	Sandrila	Female	Morocco	2009-06-29 08:48:00
Middle East and North Africa	Are Muslims in America Unfriendly?	QUOTE (Ihavequestions @ Jun 27 2009, 02:07 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (enraptured @ Jun 27 2009, 12:38 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> no offense, but when i read your post, i was like "why are you even dealing with him if he's that annoying"..that's kind of sad...... That's a fair question. I have two answers. 1.) Because I committed, before God, to a marriage. 2.) Because I feel that, in a lot of ways, he can't help himself because he's a product of his environment. I've said it before, and I'll say it again, Egyptian men should have to marry Egyptian men .... no Egyptian husband but I liked it	Sandrila	Female	Morocco	2009-06-30 14:24:00
Middle East and North Africa	Are Muslims in America Unfriendly?	I agree that the way we meet and greet each other is very different than the ME, I think. We are overly friendly and touchy feely	Sandrila	Female	Morocco	2009-06-26 15:27:00
Middle East and North Africa	Are Muslims in America Unfriendly?	just wondering since you and your husband are devout, practicing Muslims your husband didn't mind that you smiled at the men? I don't wear the head scarf and I think my husband would flip it if I smiled, even if being friendly just asking. Also, I haven't run into any obvious Muslims since being here. I know my husband can identify people of his origin quicker than I and I don't see a whole lot of people who appear to Muslims by their wear. Most of the Muslims I see are the women who are fully covered, with only their eyes showing. I rarely see Arab Muslims, here in Philly we mostly have afro american Muslims in full Muslim garb.	Sandrila	Female	Morocco	2009-06-26 13:20:00
Middle East and North Africa	positive MENA	?.....second that Nagi	Sandrila	Female	Morocco	2009-06-30 15:13:00
Middle East and North Africa	Tuesday	Liv you are super sensitive...you poor dear bridget...a water trampoline THAT SOUNDS ROCKIN! I wish hubby didn't have to work all day and night Sat/Suns I am dying for us to just get away and go campin...I haven't in quite a few years.	Sandrila	Female	Morocco	2009-06-30 15:07:00
Middle East and North Africa	Tuesday	QUOTE (ridasgirl @ Jun 30 2009, 09:38 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Morning Ladies (and Charles)~~ Everyone seems to be feeling much better today which is great! (Except for those of u melting around the globe.) This time next week, I will be on a plane headed for Morocco. I'm sooo excited I cannot even stand it! I'll be there just over a month, but am not sure how much travelling I will do while I am there. I love it at home, but would at least like to go on one excursion to Essouria for about a week. My crazy groom thinks that we should rent a car and I should drive to prevent the cab drivers overcharging us because I'm American. I have told him I DON'T CARE if the overcharge, cuz there's no way in h*** I want to get mixed up in that mess. Scary enough as a passenger! Not to mention that most of the cars are manuals which I have never driven. Yeah, I'm sure of it...he's completely nuts! Anyway, have a great day all!! Melynda Melynda We plan to go back to Maroc the end of May, next year and we plan to go to Essouria too. For the Gnawa festival. I haven't traveled too extensively in Maroc but have seen a few cities on day trips. I have too much more I want to see. I have rented a car too. If you can drive in Casa with a stick, honey, you can drive anywhere. Oh #######, here comes the rain!	Sandrila	Female	Morocco	2009-06-30 14:54:00
Middle East and North Africa	Tuesday	Hello Finally had day 3 of some moving. Thank God I don't have alot of #######, it isn't taking so long to move it down the hall. Hubby has been working out and I think it is paying off. I brought a co-worker to the house to help him move the heavy furniture and bed. When I got home, he had done it all himself! I was shocked. I always knew he was a powerhouse, even when not in the best shape, but after what he did it surely parallels superhuman abilities As for the a/c, our weather isn't so much hot as it is humid and being on the 3rd floor of a tiny apartment without many windows can stifle you. I have one small unit that we moved into our bedroom last night and it was like an icebox. I also do not like the AC too much. I love to bask in the sun and feel the warmth, up to about 90 then it gets unbearable. Everyone needs to have a place to cool down though. I feel sorry for those folks who don't have any chance for that. In the office the guys come in from the field and it has to be on. I always sneak it up to about 74 I just want to be comfortable, not freezing. First night in the new place. It's ok. The hard part will be unpacking and reorganizing now. I am still between both till Thursday. There is barely anything left to move. I just want to go home and do NOTHING tonight. Hubby won't get home from work till about 12 30 at which point I will feel inclined to be up and at em. At least I got to sleep a little past midnight last night. Like you Tasha I feel rejuevenated! I wish I had the jobs that you guys are disgruntled about. My job is so menial. I mean it is important but I am not bringing in a check like you I am sure. On top of it, I started this job without any written contract as to what I am entitled to. As it stands verbally, I get one week paid vaca and sick and personal days left at his discretion. I am really upset about that because I am here one year now. I have only used one sick day and 4 vacation (when hubby came). Now it is summer and I want some time... the problem is I am the ONLY one in the office who can do my job and my boss needs me. Now his wife...she did this before me and now she is semi retired. She comes in once a week to keep an eye on me (and probably her hubby) and do accounts payable. Whatever I can do my job and hers but I feel like if I ask for what i feel I deserve they will gripe about it. I don't even get paid that much. I get benefits but still what are my incentives and how do I discuss this with them. I love it here. It is cake BUT I am ready to look further. I just want to know do my personal/sick and vacations roll over OR do I get an extra week vacation per year. There reasoning will be THE BOSS doesn't even take his vacation. But that is NOT my fault! Edited by Sandrila, 30 June 2009 - 10:57 AM.	Sandrila	Female	Morocco	2009-06-30 10:54:00
Middle East and North Africa	Another MENA Hump Day	I want to thank you again for taking the time to let me see a beautiful part of Egypt thru your eyes	Sandrila	Female	Morocco	2009-07-01 13:58:00
Middle East and North Africa	Another MENA Hump Day	OMG Liv!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have never seen a place like that in my life. Are you sure that is Egypt?? Stunning. How lucky you are to be there. Your hubby must be doing well for himself. You are very lucky lady.	Sandrila	Female	Morocco	2009-07-01 13:51:00
Middle East and North Africa	Another MENA Hump Day	my first camel posting	Sandrila	Female	Morocco	2009-07-01 12:35:00
Middle East and North Africa	Another MENA Hump Day	I want to see pic of the area where you live, the city and the sea and all	Sandrila	Female	Morocco	2009-07-01 12:21:00
Middle East and North Africa	Another MENA Hump Day	Mornin Lovin the camel pix! Bridget...I have a nearly 13 year old. Before her . she was the worst, since getting it she has since mellowed a bit, however from what i have seen and heard....daugthers, especially with their mothers will be very testy, moody, ignorant and argumentative about everything from 13-17. It will straighten out eventually. It is a difficult time. Judy...you have a baby? One more day left till the holiday and I can't wait!!!!!!!!!! We are heading to the shore bright and early Friday for the day and all I want to do is barbecue and see the fireworks. Not sure that hubby will be lucky enough to see them this weekend tho, he is working the fourth NOON to MID such a bummer. On the bright side he gets time 1/2 for it. Enjoy the rest of the day. The dreaded question..just moved in to the new apartment and "what's for dinner?"	Sandrila	Female	Morocco	2009-07-01 10:34:00
Middle East and North Africa	Thursday!		Sandrila	Female	Morocco	2009-07-02 09:10:00
Middle East and North Africa	Thursday!	Mornin gals. we had a shower last night too, didn't hear any thunder tho. We did have the A/C on in our room and the rain beat that for quite sometime Bridget and Nagi...hubby is working too all weekend too bad we couldn't all hang out and see the fireworks together. It's not going to be an eventful 4th for me either. We are supposed to go to the shore for the day Friday, I wouldn't say I am 100% about it just yet. Just a lil something of what you might see July 4th here in Philly http://www.gophila.c...-2-RKennedy.jpg	Sandrila	Female	Morocco	2009-07-02 09:04:00
Middle East and North Africa	For those who have MENA spouses already in the USA.	Just wanted to update on my husband. We joined the gym 3 weeks ago and he has been working out so hard, I can already see the difference! It amazes me how fast men see results and how easy it comes off for them but for us it is so difficult and time consuming. Anyway he is looking great and he has even starting eating better too. Good Job Baby!	Sandrila	Female	Morocco	2009-07-02 09:16:00
Middle East and North Africa	For those who have MENA spouses already in the USA.	Ash I had no idea that you would be gaining weight too BUT FOR A GOOD REASON!	Sandrila	Female	Morocco	2009-06-25 12:34:00
Middle East and North Africa	For those who have MENA spouses already in the USA.	QUOTE (KHPerfectMatch @ Jun 25 2009, 01:20 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> H gained about 5 lbs. while I was in Egypt, and never lost it after I left... He gained about 15 lbs. after getting here because of the inactivity of winter and joblessness, and the boredom and stress of sitting in the house watching tv and eating 24/7... He was eating nuts like a squirrel! He quit smoking just before he came so I'm sure he was eating more related to that too... He then got DISGUSTED that his jeans from Egypt didn't fit any more so he quit eating nuts, and starting eating an entire Romaine "heart" (lettuce) every night in front of the TV... We got a 6 pack of them from Costco every week and he'd eat one per nigh t CRUNCH CRUNCH CRUNCH!!! He lost all of the weight he had gained, and is back to his "6 pack Abs.."... tehehehehehe Just amazing to me how quickly he lost it... He went from a 38 waist to a 32 waist in about a month... GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRr not fair! men always lose faster than we do, without much effort. lettuce hearts..plain????????? I only fed my husband as much as he wanted I guess when you go from having one meal a day without any choice of what you want or like then you come over here with your eyes and mouth wide open it is hard to control yourself. My husband also is short and that doesn't leave alot of room for the weight to spread around. I look forward to seeing his transformation. Edited by Sandrila, 25 June 2009 - 10:39 AM.	Sandrila	Female	Morocco	2009-06-25 10:35:00
Middle East and North Africa	For those who have MENA spouses already in the USA.	Hubby wasn't a stick to begin with nor was he severely overweight. Back in Morocco, he could have been in better shape and lost about 10 pounds. Since comin here and enjoying all our country has to offer he has gained about 20 pounds, I'd say, in 7 months I have told him all this time he could get out and walk around town for at least 30 mins to an hour just to keep active but he insisted on starting to lose when he got a gym membership. Thank god we got one a week and a 1/2 ago and he has been gung ho! He goes everyday and it has improved his mood as well as helping him to cut back on smoking. Being a personal trainer and having gained alot of weight myself over the last year, I know what we have to do and how to do it, the trouble is I don't want to keep at him. Everyone will at their own time get to their point when they finally either change their diet or get up and get moving. The one good thing about working out is we have something we can together. I know his friends and family teased him about "not getting fat" while here. I guess the whole world knows what a problem we have with eating in excess and being overweight here. Edited by Sandrila, 25 June 2009 - 10:28 AM.	Sandrila	Female	Morocco	2009-06-25 10:24:00
Middle East and North Africa	Summer Reading ~ sizzlin' favorites?	I can recommend 3 Cups of Tea, not an easy read but very touching story. Interesting. I want to read Eat, Pray, Love also. Henna on your advancing.	Sandrila	Female	Morocco	2009-07-02 14:24:00
Middle East and North Africa	Summer Reading ~ sizzlin' favorites?	If I write a book are y'all going to read it???? It would be an interesting read	Sandrila	Female	Morocco	2009-07-01 14:05:00
Middle East and North Africa	Say it aint so!	WOW! Wait till I tell my husband	Sandrila	Female	Morocco	2009-07-06 14:48:00
Middle East and North Africa	Getting Married!	So, how did it go??? I want to see pictures too!!! I have FB, what is your screen name on there?	Sandrila	Female	Morocco	2009-07-06 09:48:00
Middle East and North Africa	Getting Married!	Congratulations. Enjoy this pre wedding time and if you have no control over it just sit back and let it all happen. You will be fully involved in your celebration back in the States. Good Luck. Keep us posted, post pix....	Sandrila	Female	Morocco	2009-06-29 10:25:00
Middle East and North Africa	It was true...	don't ponder it more VISA IN HAND BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!	Sandrila	Female	Morocco	2009-07-06 15:18:00
Middle East and North Africa	I am back	I have had my luggage lost but returned the next day. Very nerve wracking. Was your name and address on that luggage w/the airline tag? I am sure you filed a claim already and keep calling to check up on it. It should turn up. Welcome back (even though it is hard to be back without your baby) and good luck with your luggage. Was that one or 2 pieces??	Sandrila	Female	Morocco	2009-07-06 13:42:00
Middle East and North Africa	For those of you who stayed with your SO for an extended amount of time overseas...	lucky you to be spending so much time in India. I dunno what to say about insurance....good thing to have esp if you have issues. I traveled and survived just fine without insurance for years upon years. I know once you have it you are scared without it and I did get a rash from the dust over there too but you know what you can find the exact same meds there and so darn cheap. I am not telling you what is best for you. I am just saying that you can NOT have insurance and have issues abroad and be fine. Good Luck	Sandrila	Female	Morocco	2009-05-14 15:07:00