ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
Middle East and North AfricaThursday!
QUOTE (melly @ Jan 3 2008, 10:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Disappointing results for the caucus tonight.

Go Hillary go!!!
kicking.gif kicking.gif kicking.gif


Actually, I have been waivering between Obama and Edwards. I was happy with both of their showings. I need to read more on their stances on certain issues before I make my final decision. It won't matter much, however, as the Democratic National Party has decided to not allow any delegates from Florida as the state moved its primary up and they were not pleased.
tnh9479FemaleMorocco2008-01-03 23:42:00
Middle East and North AfricaThursday!
My husband LOVES when I make djej makalli (the tajine with chicken, preserved lemons, and olives). I have to admit I love it too. I should make that this weekend. mmmmmmmm.....

We are on our third tagine now. Hicham brought two back from Morocco last March. One has already cracked. The one we had previous to that did as well. We have an electric stove, use a heat diffuser, and keep the temperature low. We still have issues. (I will admit the crack on the most recent one was due to its flight from Morocco and only has been exacerbated by use). I may be going to Vermont in April. If I do, I will probably make a sidetrip to Montreal and buy one in the Moroccan import store where I got our original one.

Twila
tnh9479FemaleMorocco2008-01-03 14:06:00
Middle East and North AfricaFreezing Friday!!
My vacation is slowly coming to an end! crying.gif Back to the grind on Monday!
tnh9479FemaleMorocco2008-01-04 11:51:00
Middle East and North AfricaThursday
I remembered hearing about why taxes where greater for British airports on Euronews. So...I did some googling.

U.K.'s new tax increase means unfriendlier skies
Updated 2/2/2007 11:26 AM ET E-mail | Save | Print | Reprints & Permissions |



By Gene Sloan, USA TODAY
Forget London. If you're looking for a deal on a flight to Europe, Amsterdam is now the place to go.
That's the bottom line in the wake of sharply higher British airline taxes that took effect Thursday.

The controversial change, announced in December by United Kingdom Chancellor Gordon Brown, doubles the country's Air Passenger Duty on long-haul flights to 40 British pounds for economy class, or about $78 (the premium-class tax also doubles, to 80 pounds, or about $157). The increase boosts the already high total cost of taxes and fees in economy class between the USA and the U.K. to nearly $300, more than double the amount levied on flights to rival low-cost hub Amsterdam.

"It (now) makes a lot of sense to use airports outside the U.K. for getting to Europe," says Tom Betts, editor of flycheapo.com, a British-based website that focuses on low-cost flights in Europe. "There is a real danger (to British airlines) of Americans avoiding the United Kingdom."

Indeed, with the tax increase, the total price of a round-trip ticket from New York to London, long the low-cost hub for Europe-bound Americans, can now be $20 higher than a round-trip to Amsterdam — a major flip-flop in the old rule of thumb that London always was a tad cheaper. Non-stop flights between New York and London for travel in March were selling this week on Orbitz.com for $517, round trip (a fare of $238 plus $279 in taxes and fees). Between New York and Amsterdam for the same days, they were $497 (a fare of $396 plus $101 in taxes and fees).

The United Kingdom also boosted taxes Thursday on domestic and intra-European flights by 5 pounds, or about $10. Betts notes that the increase makes London less appealing as a base for Americans who plan to visit multiple European cities using discount air carriers such as Ryanair and easyJet.

In announcing the increases on Dec. 6, Brown said the money would go toward improvements in public transportation and environmental programs.
tnh9479FemaleMorocco2008-01-10 21:53:00
Middle East and North AfricaFriday
Woo hoo! The NOA for my husband's lifting of conditions arrived in the mail today! It only took a month. mad.gif We are happy to know the petition wasn't gathering dust in the TSC mailroom. It just must have been forwarded by pony express to VSC. We don't care. We are relievd to know they have it, to have the extension on his greencard, and to just sit around and wait.

Twila
tnh9479FemaleMorocco2008-01-11 17:01:00
Middle East and North AfricaFactors i've noticed about issuing visas in MENA
I agree with others...it is pretty presumptuous to assume that if someone is staring at you that they are jealous. Maybe you are wearing or doing something socially unacceptable. Maybe you make a strange couple to them (whether its an age difference, apparent racial difference).

As for AP, I truly think it depends on the red flags they see in the petition and how the interview goes. We've discussed this on this board repeatedly. Age differences can be a factor. How the couple met can be a factor. The time spent together can be a factor. There are many more. It is the composite picture (and only you can know your case and try to address whatever issues you think you may have).
tnh9479FemaleMorocco2008-01-04 21:01:00
Middle East and North AfricaStatus of Hicham's final processing
Wow! I am so happy for you that Rome finally approved the petition. I'll definitely keep you in my thoughts. Let us know WHEN (no longer if... good.gif ) he gets his visa.

Twila
tnh9479FemaleMorocco2008-01-18 11:58:00
Middle East and North AfricaHAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!
It's a beautiful, sunny day in South Florida! It is one of those days that makes you happy to live here (gorgeous and in the 70's). Too bad hot and humid is only 2-3 months away.

Twila
tnh9479FemaleMorocco2008-02-14 13:49:00
Middle East and North AfricaVISA IN HAND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
kicking.gif The biggest of congratulations to you! kicking.gif kicking.gif
tnh9479FemaleMorocco2008-02-14 13:46:00
Middle East and North AfricaHappy Mr. Moroccan Butterball Birthing Monday Gabi!
It's the circle of life today.

Congrats Gabi on the baby!

We took one of my kitties to the vet this morning and put him down.

Twila
tnh9479FemaleMorocco2008-02-18 15:43:00
Middle East and North AfricaSad news :(
Yea...the post a few back kind of ticks me off as well. Look in my signature and you'll see the cat I had to put down on Monday. This wasn't because the vet told me so. I took him home from the vets Friday to see if I could get him to eat and recouperate. All he could do was lap up a little milk. Every time he tried to eat something (like shrimp...his absolute favorite) he would take it in his mouth, chew it in half, and spit it back out. He would do this multiple times. Then...he would walk away only to come back a minute or two later, cry at it, and try it again. He was starving. He had already lost half his body weight and to let him waste away and be miserable was nothing I would want any living creature to go through. He spent the weekend laying in the sun like he loved and saying goodbye to my husband, myself, and our other cat.
tnh9479FemaleMorocco2008-02-20 04:58:00
Middle East and North AfricaSad news :(
I know what you are going through. I have one of my cats home for the weekend from the vets. It is looking like Monday he will be put down.
tnh9479FemaleMorocco2008-02-16 09:50:00
Middle East and North AfricaTANTALIZING TUESDAY
I personally liked Mission to Mars. However, the husband was not so keen on it. I made him go on the adventurous side. He was sitting between me and some pre-teen boys. I loved feeling the "g's" and he was grabbing hold of my leg so tight saying he couldn't wait for the ride to end. It didn't make him feel better when we got off when I told him a couple of people had died on that ride before (it is pretty intense).
tnh9479FemaleMorocco2008-03-04 20:58:00
Middle East and North AfricaThe First Week
I would take it easy as well. I know my husband was exhausted for the first two days or so. And...don't be surprised if he has a hard time finding things to eat. Hicham survived on pizza, chocolate ice cream, and chili for a long time!
tnh9479FemaleMorocco2008-03-13 20:54:00
Middle East and North AfricaTUESDAY-Truth or Dare
Getting married just "to have coffee"?

I guess I hold marriage to a higher level. Then again...I was a child of divorce and swore I would never go through it again.
tnh9479FemaleMorocco2008-03-18 18:45:00
Middle East and North AfricaWhen a Spouse is ready to travel abroad to USA.
We searched online for what appeared to be the cheapest flights. My husband then went to a local travel agent and booked it in Morocco himself. It was a little cheaper and much easier.
tnh9479FemaleMorocco2008-03-23 18:24:00
Middle East and North AfricaMuta marriage in Egypt
I can see the one person Islamic judge and jury is back again.

I truly believe, especially when it comes to matters of faith, you need to be more concerned about what it is that YOU are doing. To callout another member of your faith in a PUBLIC forum, and not in a more private method, seems contrary to what ANY faith asks.

I know the response will come that people were merely defending their faith. I do understand this. HOWEVER, there are amazing ways to use tact to point out issues.
tnh9479FemaleMorocco2008-04-19 21:46:00
Middle East and North AfricaHow to Make your husband Happy
How to make your husband happy...

do not post an internet board (for all to see) about his eccentricities (whether in the bathroom, the bedroom, or elsewhere).

Heck...the same is true for the wife too!
tnh9479FemaleMorocco2008-04-25 04:29:00
Middle East and North AfricaOMG
QUOTE (SandyNJack @ May 12 2008, 05:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Don't you think that the letter sort of looked like a form letter of some sort? It is a strange situation.


I was going to say something similar -- it looks like something generic sent out to who knows how many.

Would I post it on a board? No.

Do I care if the OP did? No.

Do I care if others think this thread is a waste of space? No.

What I do care about if the fact that, somehow or another, people believe it is now in the TOS that it is mandatory to blow sunshine up one's @ss.
tnh9479FemaleMorocco2008-05-12 18:36:00
Middle East and North AfricaSunday
QUOTE (tenderheart197900 @ May 18 2008, 07:40 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (wahrania @ May 18 2008, 04:34 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (amal @ May 18 2008, 05:27 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Happy sunday peeps! I had a massive migraine last night so I was in bed by 730... I might go lay back down in a few minutes but for now...I figured I'd start the Sunday thread... I hope you all are having a super fantastic-a-riffic weekend!

rose.gif amal rose.gif

M e too. I am up without reason. I want a big gulp but its 6 am in the morning and i dont wanna go out and drive

i have a question for you Wahrania
well me and my fiancee trying to make plans to go to Disney land and sea world but we wanted to go about a time when i get there around April / may so i wanted to know when children get out of school so we don't get the crowd.
thank you so much


I live in Florida and I am a teacher as well. School gets out down here the end of May / beginning of June. In May, however, you might run in to a lot of end-of-the-year trips by school groups to those two places.

Best wishes on a speedy journey!

Twila
tnh9479FemaleMorocco2008-05-18 07:37:00
Middle East and North Africainterview for K-1
What you posted is definitely a denial. We have seen quite a few over the past few years. Your fiancee needs to follow the wise advice given...have people write letters of support and fax them to the consulate, get her US Senator involved, etc. Also, I doubt the consulate would even see your fiancee (considering they will not even allow them in during the interview). This is going to be a huge battle and hopefully you are already working on it!
tnh9479FemaleMorocco2008-02-10 11:27:00
Middle East and North Africai Think We've Talked About This Before
I know in the past some people had to call RAM directly (their office in NYC) to buy a ticket for their S/O. I think they had to fax them something.

At the time, my husband bought it through a local travel agent. We researched prior about flights that would be the best. He went in with all that information and actually got a better price.
tnh9479FemaleMorocco2008-05-10 20:32:00
Middle East and North Africasuper duper day!
Congrats Kelly!

The speed of approval is like the rest of USCIS, a total ####### shoot. Since my husband's petition got forwarded to VSC, we are in a LONG waiting line. I think he will be able to apply for citizenship before he ever gets the 10 yr gc. Blah!

Twila
tnh9479FemaleMorocco2008-06-13 16:20:00
Middle East and North AfricaMonday already?!?!?
Today has been three years since my husband arrived here in the USA! It's hard to believe time has flown so fast! Our third anniversary (as well as his 30th birthday) are coming up on 7/22!

Twila
tnh9479FemaleMorocco2008-07-07 11:52:00
Middle East and North AfricaThoisdey
I see West Palm is #5 for most uncomfortable. I disagree. I lived in Tallahassee for three years. I thought it was so much worse there in the summer. It was just hot, humid, and stagnant. The humidity maybe a little higher here, but at least there is a breeze!

QUOTE (mybackpages @ Jul 10 2008, 11:39 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
The most humid cities in the US (average humidity annually)
It does keep your skin natually moisturized laughing.gif

1. Quillayute, Washington
2. Olympia, Washington
3. Port Arthur, Texas
4. Lake Charles, Louisiana
5. Apalachicola, Florida
6. Gainesville, Florida
7. Corpus Christi, Texas
8. Eugene, Oregon
9. New Orleans, Louisiana
10. Houston, Texas

And these are the most uncomfortable cities (humity combined with summer heat) We make both lists! ohmy.gif

1. Phoenix, Arizona
2. Corpus Christi, Texas
3. San Antonio, Texas
4. Dallas, Texas
5. West Palm Beach, Florida
6. Miami, Florida
7. Waco, Texas
8. Houston, Texas
9. Montgomery, Alabama
10. New Orleans, Louisiana

tnh9479FemaleMorocco2008-07-10 16:19:00
Middle East and North AfricaMENA User_names
My user name was from the first part of my email address that I was given when I was in graduate school. It is unique so I use it.

Twila
tnh9479FemaleMorocco2007-09-17 04:42:00
Middle East and North AfricaLeaving for Morocco!!!
I would say it depends on where you are going. If it is someplace like Agadir or Marrakech, I don't think anything can prepare you. Cities along the coast stay pretty moderate.
tnh9479FemaleMorocco2008-07-25 15:12:00
Middle East and North AfricaFriday's Here!!!
The Santa Fe Chicken salad at The Cheesecake Factory is my favorite! That spicy cilantro dressing...hmmmmmmm. Ok...and the carrot cake cheesecake is not half bad either. whistling.gif
tnh9479FemaleMorocco2008-07-25 15:17:00
Middle East and North AfricaAlhamdulillah Rabbil Alamin
A huge congratulations and best wishes for safe and speedy trip home to your loved one!

:star: Twila
tnh9479FemaleMorocco2006-04-18 19:04:00
Middle East and North AfricaWelcome to the world little one!
Congrats Carolyn and Simo! I am sure you feel blessed!
tnh9479FemaleMorocco2008-08-19 17:50:00
Middle East and North AfricaMoneyGram - please leave in MENA
We have researched this a lot. We send via Moneygram online. I REFUSE to use Western Union. They charge almost double the fees of Moneygram and have a lower exchange rate. The cost of both still ticks me off.

We wanted to do Ikobo. However, we live in Florida and the state has some sort of issue with the company and prevents money transfers through that company.

We worry about getting a debit card to give his family as we worry about overdrawing. It may happen though the next time we head there.

Twila
tnh9479FemaleMorocco2008-09-05 22:27:00
Middle East and North AfricaME/NA pictures


A view of the fishing port in Essaouira, Morocco.



People buying fresh fish directly from the fishermen at the port in Essaouira.



A different view of the port in Essaouira.



A crowded area in Essaouira.



Train station in Casablanca.
tnh9479FemaleMorocco2007-01-15 19:48:00
Middle East and North AfricaWho will pop first?
Wow! What an experience! With the seizures, it sounds more like your preeclampsia proceeded to eclampsia. It was the reason I was born 4.5 weeks early. My mom was sedated for 3 days in the hospital after I was born in 1974. I am sorry that you didn't get more of a chance to recover in a clean and hygenic place.

Considering the experience, you have a gorgeous baby boy! Congrats!
tnh9479FemaleMorocco2008-09-27 08:44:00
Middle East and North AfricaWho will pop first?
Ok...there have to be more mom's to be out there! I am due February 6th. We just found out on Wednesday that they are boy/girl. So...it will be Hana and Zakaria. Both are growing well (if they are sucking every bit of energy from me). It's hard to believe I am in the fifth month already!

Twila

ETA: We are wondering if the twins will arrive before the conditions ever get lifted on Hicham's greencard. We submitted the paperwork last December.

Edited by tnh9479, 05 September 2008 - 10:40 PM.

tnh9479FemaleMorocco2008-09-05 22:37:00
Middle East and North AfricaWho will pop first?
Nawal...I totally understand where you are coming from. I am only a little over 15 weeks, but I am glad our family will be complete with two babies and one pregnancy!

Twila
tnh9479FemaleMorocco2008-08-17 19:25:00
Middle East and North AfricaDear Spouses of Moroccans
We got married in a local masjid in the US three days before our civil ceremony. There were absolutely NO problems. The president of the masjid talked with both of us and then the imam performed the ceremony before Friday prayers. The imam and the president of the Islamic Society were our witnesses. We got a beautifully printed contract signed by the both of them and the both of us.

As for registration, a lot of that has to do with what your plans are for the future. Mostly it has to do with wanting to live long term in Morocco and / or having inheritance / family law rights.
tnh9479FemaleMorocco2008-10-12 11:48:00
Middle East and North AfricaFor Bridget - leave in MENA please
I am glad your surgery went well! Did they do it laprascopically? I had mine out a year ago in April after a Gall Bladder attack. It wasn't too bad. I had the surgery on Thursday and was back at work on Tuesday. Just becareful what you eat afterwards. It takes a WHILE for your system to adjust.
tnh9479FemaleMorocco2008-10-26 13:19:00
Middle East and North AfricaIbrahim's K3 interview results
I am glad to hear you got good news Jackie!

star_smile.gif star_smile.gif star_smile.gif star_smile.gif Here's some wishes for speedy AP! star_smile.gif star_smile.gif star_smile.gif star_smile.gif

Twila
tnh9479FemaleMorocco2008-12-01 23:20:00
Middle East and North AfricaGet well soon, Jess!
Hope you feel better soon!

I had mine out in March 2007. I really tried to move around a lot and that seemed to help. I was going up and down the stairs to our condo by the second day. I found it quite amazing that you can go in for surgery at 8 am to have an organ removed and be on your way home by 12 pm. I had the option of staying overnight, but home was so much better. Unfortunately, I had a reaction to the narcotics and just dealt with the pain the second day with tylenol and didn't need anything by day three. I think the staples they put to close my small incision holes bothered me more than the actual surgery itself (I am sensitive to about everything). I had the surgery on a Thursday and was back to work on Monday.

Just watch your diet for a while. It took time for my system to adjust. The surgeon never told me this. My uncle did though. He had his out about ten years ago and told me it would take about a year for my digestive system to feel totally back to normal. I agree with him. Even now though, I still have problems with tomatoes.

Twila
tnh9479FemaleMorocco2008-12-11 00:31:00
Middle East and North AfricaIt's hump day!!!
What irritates me to no end...drumming on the desk. My students usually don't even realize when they do it! I usually ask them if they REALLY want to irritate their teacher like that. wink.gif That usually puts a stop to it. smile.gif
tnh9479FemaleMorocco2008-12-18 00:39:00