ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
Middle East and North AfricaNEWSFLASH!!!
:dance: Congrats and best wishes! :star:

Twila
tnh9479FemaleMorocco2006-06-26 17:35:00
Middle East and North Africaplane tickets
My husband went to travel agent in his town who booked the one way ticket for him.

As for two hours at immigration...it just depends on how many people are in line in front of you! He said the actual time with the officer was maybe 10-15 minutes. They ask for the paperwork they gave him on the plane and his passport. They verify where you are going to be (address, etc.). Then explain you have 90 days to get married and filing for AOS. They also mention this is a one-time entry visa.

Twila
tnh9479FemaleMorocco2006-07-12 07:45:00
Middle East and North Africaplane tickets
Sarah,

We went through all this too when my husband was coming over.

The only direct flight from Morocco to the States is with RAM. My husband chose this so he would not have to worry about dealing with another foreign country on his first ever flight. It might be something you need to consider too.

His time at immigration was around 2 hours.

Best wishes on a hopefully speedy reunion!

Twila
tnh9479FemaleMorocco2006-07-10 07:51:00
Middle East and North AfricaYallah Middle East 2.0


OOOHHHH the women's beach. I can't wait to be back and go. Enjoy yourself Jess.



yea i am hopin ill be able to enjoy myself. i am a cow and i look horrible in a bathing suit, so going to the beach doesnt really suit me, but i want to have a good day and get outa the house.......hopefully no one will qwak at me, nobody around here used to seeing a big women lol.



Who cares what anyone else thinks! Just go and have a great time!

Twila
tnh9479FemaleMorocco2006-06-24 17:05:00
Middle East and North AfricaYallah Middle East 2.0

Also, keep checking http://www.zabihah.com/ because places are added all the time and you may find one you don't know about.


I would keep checking on the website too. I know Hicham and I found a place locally that we absolutely love. It was not on there and Hicham just happened to spy the Arabic writing one day. I added them to Zabihah.com because I wanted others to be aware.

Twila

Have you tried baking it in the oven? I don't like the Jennie O turkey bacon. Hmmm, what is the one I get?

If you do have that kind of craving, try the Jennie O turkey ham though. That tastes a lot like real ham. Mmmmm...



Be real careful with the turkey bacon. My step-dad went out to get some for my husband last time we visited. It still had pork in it for flavoring. I can't remember which one I finally found in the store was totally pork-free. Just read the label.

BTW...I never realized just how much pork my family eats until I went to visit them in March. I swear it seemed like that is all they were eating!!!! My grandmother was telling me that she never thought I was a picky eater. My uncle then asked her what she is thinking. That I probably don't eat pork much anymore and all she was doing was giving it to me in ten different ways. (Go uncle!)

Twila
tnh9479FemaleMorocco2006-06-19 10:54:00
Middle East and North AfricaYallah Middle East 2.0

lol.... I went on cattle class from Tunis to London Gatwick.. no reason to buy first class because most of the seats are empty!!

i have a question!! if anyone can help me!!

i'm trying to help one of our neighbors here in Algiers find a plane ticket from ALG to YMQ (pierre trudeau airport) in montreal... but all the sites I have where I find good deals will not accept flights that originate in Algiers, does anyone have any directions to point me to so I could find a good deal!? Thanks in advance!!


Try www.kayak.com

(one that I know works)

Twila
tnh9479FemaleMorocco2006-06-11 17:06:00
Middle East and North AfricaYallah Middle East 2.0

We went today to get his SSN and they wouldnt do it till he's been in the country for 30 days ... not good cuz he needs to start working asap ... is that true ? It sucks that we have to wait 30 days does anyone know why ?


Then we went to go get his ID and they said they needed the I-94. What the heck is that ? They said he should have gotten it at the POE .. which he didnt. All he got at the POE was his Welcome to America letter and a paper about applying for his SSN.


He did however open a cell phone account with me on it. and we just have to add him to my bank account.



Please help me with this I-94 !!



Your husband may not be in the SAVE system yet. We were told to wait at least 2 weeks before going to SSA to get his card so that enough time has elapsed for the information to be uploaded to the SSA administration computers from DHS (POE).

Twila
tnh9479FemaleMorocco2006-05-31 17:18:00
Middle East and North AfricaYallah Middle East 2.0
Poor Hicham. Within 24 hours of him arriving here, he had to meet my step-dad. That was probably the worst thing to happen. He still won't tell me everything that was said. However, he also got to meet my mom, my sister, my grandmother and my grandmother's sister. They all felt so bad for him that he got the royal treatment. :)

The first month was not bad as we were kind of busy. Within two weeks of him arriving we flew to Vermont, got married, and spent a little over a week there. It was a welcome distraction. Then...we came back to FL. Since his SS card had arrived and he had a temp EAD stamp from JFK, he went out and got a job pretty quickly. That was the best thing and I SO highly suggest it. He got to practice his English, meet others and learn of the American culture, make some money, and get out of the house.

He got really depressed when it took FOREVER for his EAD to come. That was probably the hardest time. We were short on money and he was bored to death. Learning to talk and share our frustrations has only helped to make our marriage stronger.

Twila

P.S. Hicham also commented on how he was amazed you can do just about everything without ever having to leave your car (get food, get money, get alcohol, etc).
tnh9479FemaleMorocco2006-04-10 14:37:00
Middle East and North AfricaYallah Middle East 2.0

Hello all!Just wanted to say hello from jordan.Good to see my husband but th bad news is we got our interview date for january 25th 2007 :crying: But what can we say at least it is a date.This is a bad thing but we just keep hangin on.Guess i will be back here again in october.Hope all is well with everyone


Wow! That is just ridiculous! Scheduling for January '07 already????

Best wishes to ya guys!

Twila
tnh9479FemaleMorocco2006-04-09 14:15:00
Middle East and North AfricaYallah Middle East 2.0
It took us about 7 months to find a store in the area that sold decent halal meat. Zabihah.com did not have the store listed online that we found. (They are listed now. :yes: ) In addition, we did not eat halal meat for a time because we were literally too financially strapped to afford it. Now that Hicham is working at a well-paying job we can afford to.
tnh9479FemaleMorocco2006-04-03 11:48:00
Middle East and North AfricaYallah Middle East 2.0
Well...my husband is far from all you guys. The only American food he would eat at first was Chili, pizza, and chocolate ice cream. We have now expanded to steaks and this wood-fire roasted chicken. Oh...and don't forget my mom's potato salad. This was by far his harded adjustment to the US.

There is always some Morocco food cooking in our house...tagines, kefta, coucous, etc. I have to be a little more proactive this summer with learning how to cook. I have left it to Hicham as he likes things VERY flavorful and he does an AWESOME job.

Twila
tnh9479FemaleMorocco2006-04-02 17:19:00
Middle East and North AfricaYallah Middle East 2.0

I have not logged on in 3 days! I went to the (L) Amr Diab (L) concert over the weekend and could not really manage to do anything else :D I'm still starstruck! LOL its like missing a day of work, you come back to the office and your desk is piled with work. It's really alot to catch up on, sorry if I missed something!

Jordanian Princess (L)


We are jealous! He was not near South Florida! :( I told Hicham if a really good concert comes to Atlanta one of these days we will go.

Twila
tnh9479FemaleMorocco2006-03-20 23:03:00
Middle East and North AfricaYallah Middle East 2.0

hi girls
sorry if i don t post much .
Angelk , Mary thanks again for your messages .it s so nice of you to keep in touch :thumbs:

well, here is my news;


after i waited more then 3 weeks for the SSC my husband took a day off from work and we went to the SS office on the 24 th feb ,they asked for my birth certificate the women there said that it will take 6 weeks to get it translated from arabic,i tried to gave her the translation that i used to apply for my visa but she said they use only the SS translators. :crying: so the ssc will take at least 7 weeks to arrive.

i m still studing the florida driver s manual ,and i found in there website that in florida the new drivers needs to take a 4 h drug and alcohol classes .so i m doing it online .the package cost 55$ it includes the 4 h coursse and "Rules of the Road" and "Road Signs" practice tests,my husband teach me to drive in the week ends ,we go to this big parking land of an office deppo and i drive only when there is no guard there ,because as you know without a learners permit i can t drive somewhere else.

about the job,i need to passe the foreign pharmacy test first then work as an intern for 1 year then pass the Naplex test to get the license so i can work as a pharmasist wich will take a long time ,so i think i will start looking for a job as a pharm technician other wise i don t know what i can work i don t have any work experiance or other diploma.


i m still hesitated about starting work because i think my english is not good enough ,so i registered to this class to improve my grammar and pronouciation the class cost 65 $ for 8 weeks ,the class will start on march 22nd,they also have free ESL classes there.

about my adjustment,it s going good but i miss having freinds,i m a people person and like to be around people.

well, sorry to take your time for reading my message :blush:

kelly,i m counting down for your interview :dance:
take care
and good luck to you all.



Farah,

I am trying to get Hicham to take the Drug and Alcohol Awareness course online too. And do you know what? I looked at some of the websites from the Department of Motor Vehicles and you can even take your permit test online through some of the authorized places. If you pass, your print out the information and bring that to your local drivers license office to get your actual permit. (I don't know if you will have the same issue -- but when Hicham just got a state ID in August, it took more than a month to mail it to him -- they do background checks now for non-US citizens due to some of the 9-11 hijackers legally getting ID's in Florida even though on terrorist watchlists. However, they will give you the number that will be on your card and tell you that you are good to go with that until your card arrives.)

Twila
tnh9479FemaleMorocco2006-03-12 08:37:00
Middle East and North AfricaYallah Middle East 2.0

My ex husband's first job was as a Wal-mart cashier. I would have never thought of it, but one day he said he wanted to work there, he had seen the computer applicatiion center and off he went. I wasn't sure they would hire him since he had never worked, but he got a job with his temporary EAD and they allowed him to continue working after it expired because he showed he had applied for AOS. He said his manager said as long as they had that in the file it would be okay. I was scared, but went along because he wanted to work.

As far as mothering, I did a lot of that. As a woman in love how can you not worry about your man when he doesn't know his way around or anything about this country?



Wow! The legal department of the grocery store my husband worked in on his Temporary EAD said "No way! Even with the AOS notice they were not doing it. " Doesn't surprise me though. Hasn't Walmart been in trouble lately with the government for illegally employing people?
tnh9479FemaleMorocco2006-03-10 22:03:00
Middle East and North AfricaYallah Middle East 2.0
Dawn-

I am glad to hear your husband arrived safely and you two are trying to settle into a routine. Keep us posted!

Twila
tnh9479FemaleMorocco2006-03-06 16:36:00
Middle East and North AfricaYallah Middle East 2.0
:dance: Congrats Amy! I am glad to hear POSITIVE news (and on Valentines)!

Twila


POST SCRIPT:

BTW...we should have a thread...the infuriating comments others on VJ say.

"I also think that the UK applicants get a 'slightly' easier ride than applicants from countries such as the Phillipines, Isreal, Egypt, Morroco etc. This does not mean I think it is right, but with the terrorism and illegal immigrant threat as it is right now, I understand why this happens."

This post from someone in the AOS section pi$$ed me off (mainly because I expect it in off-topic and not there). I could post all the ways this irritates me, but I won't. I just needed to vent and I know all of you understand.

Edited by tnh9479, 15 February 2006 - 04:42 PM.

tnh9479FemaleMorocco2006-02-15 16:42:00
Middle East and North AfricaYallah Middle East 2.0
Welcome Neal! We're glad you stopped by!

And Rahma, I agree with your rant. I sometimes think if some of those people in European / Canadian embassies also had to go through interviews like I loved ones do as well, they would be a MAJOR uproar and reform of this whole process.

Twila
tnh9479FemaleMorocco2006-02-13 19:32:00
Middle East and North AfricaYallah Middle East 2.0
Debra was trying to sneak away without letting us say CONGRATS on the AOS approval !!!! :dance: :dance:

Twila
tnh9479FemaleMorocco2006-02-08 17:20:00
Middle East and North AfricaYallah Middle East 2.0

Ok, I'm confuseled. Which thread am I suppose to be posting in?


In any case, if ya'll have time, wander on over to my thread in Off Topic on the Complexities of the Muslim world. I spend a lot of time online and this last week, I've basically given up in frustration. I'm sick and tired of being the scapegoat for every stupid thing some muslim does somewhere. I know the thread will go right over some people's head, but maybe someone will read it and a light will go on in their head.



Well...I had not ventured into off-topic in quite some time. Now I know why. What the freak! I forget there are truly some ignorant people in this world. :(

Twila
tnh9479FemaleMorocco2006-02-06 20:38:00
Middle East and North AfricaThe Saga Continues.....
[quote name='noura' date='Jul 16 2006, 06:23 PM' post='313124']
[/quote]

The free Qur'an that CAIR is giving away is beautiful. It takes several months to arrive but is well worth the wait. http://www.cair-net.org/ Go to "explore the Qur'an" closer to the bottom of the page.

Rebecca
[/quote]

I went online and requested one a few weeks ago (maybe more?). Anyhow, I recieved an email last week saying that it was being sent to me, so, I'll let you know when it arrives... if this is the correct freebie. I do know I requested one from CAIR - I'll post when it arrives...
Noura (F)
[/quote]


Another thought for others too...I went on the website for our local Islamic Society and they listed some suggested translations of the Quran and some websites. You might check out your local society too to see what they suggest.

Twila
tnh9479FemaleMorocco2006-07-16 18:11:00
Middle East and North AfricaEvacuees arriving in Atlanta
Thanks for the good news story. I am glad to see people are getting back to the States safely.

Twila
tnh9479FemaleMorocco2006-07-23 18:55:00
Middle East and North AfricaPutting Packet together?
By the way...if you want proof of your calls...why not try the IDT Global Calling Card. Unfortunately I did not find out about it until my husband was here, but you can call Morocco for relatively cheap (18 cents/minute) and you can print off a calling history. It will come in useful for the future.

http://www.idt.net/personal/cards/gc/

Twila

P.S. I don't work for them. :) It just would have saved me A LOT of money versus the other ways I was calling Morocco.
tnh9479FemaleMorocco2006-07-24 11:40:00
Middle East and North AfricaGOT IT!!!
:dance: What wonderful news! You must be on cloud nine! Enjoy it! :dance:

Twila
tnh9479FemaleMorocco2006-07-24 12:27:00
Middle East and North Africaunbelievable




Agreed!

And why the hotlinking continues....I have no clue



Ok...I am stepping in here. Are there a set of rules for the ME/NA forum that I have been unaware of? Give me a break.

I have read a lot recently and have not posted. However, all of this just goes beyond and is why I rarely post any more. This is a general discussion forum. If Rebecca wants people in this forum to be aware of a movie that she thinks propagates discrimination that OUR loved ones do feel EVERY DAY living here in the US, then by all means I am happy she is making us aware. And I know what is coming next...we all see it every day on VJ...our loved ones knew what they were getting into. To be honest, I don't really think they did. My husband every day is surprised by the lack of freedoms he hears about or the blatant discrimination that goes on. I think almost all of us just want to spread tolerance, understanding, and peace.

Twila


Well, Twila, before you 'step in here' let me just say that if you have any clue to what we're alluding to, you'd be curious yourself as to why summat that opened up our site...specifically this forum...to outside hate....would continue. So while there are no 'official' rules per se to my knowledge on hotlinking.....I feel hotlinking (considering the LAST debacle)...especially hotlinking to summat that is hateful...opens this site up to unwanted attn. And someone who's preaching hate & whatnot on a site can SEE that it's been hotlinked (from what I'm told) and give them a direct heads up straight here. Do YOU think it's wise?

I can't blame you if you don't know what we're talking about here...but if you knew, you'd prolly be against the hotlinking too. It caused a lot of hurt & embarrassment to many ppl here & I don't think we should be looking to play with fire again. I'm not looking to pee in anyone's cornflakes, so you can put your defenses down.... we're all in the same boat here as far as what brought us here. I choose to look at common ground rather than focusing on what makes us different. I am just interested in trying to protect this site as much as poss...as should every other member here.

kthxbye :)


I know a lot more than you think. I was one of the people focused on by that site. I don't blame the person who linked to the site. I blame the hatred of the person who runs that site. It is amazing how religion can bring out the absolute best and the absolute worst of people -- regardless of whether they are Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Shinto, Wiccan, so on. I think being aware of what is out there is to be armed.

Twila
tnh9479FemaleMorocco2006-07-24 12:24:00
Middle East and North Africaunbelievable
[/quote]

Agreed!

And why the hotlinking continues....I have no clue
[/quote]


Ok...I am stepping in here. Are there a set of rules for the ME/NA forum that I have been unaware of? Give me a break.

I have read a lot recently and have not posted. However, all of this just goes beyond and is why I rarely post any more. This is a general discussion forum. If Rebecca wants people in this forum to be aware of a movie that she thinks propagates discrimination that OUR loved ones do feel EVERY DAY living here in the US, then by all means I am happy she is making us aware. And I know what is coming next...we all see it every day on VJ...our loved ones knew what they were getting into. To be honest, I don't really think they did. My husband every day is surprised by the lack of freedoms he hears about or the blatant discrimination that goes on. I think almost all of us just want to spread tolerance, understanding, and peace.

Twila
tnh9479FemaleMorocco2006-07-24 10:48:00
Middle East and North AfricaMonday
It is not a boring Monday for me. My cat was diagnosed with diabetes officially on Friday and I have to go get the insulin and bring him to the vet office so they can show me how to give him a shot.

What we do because we love our furry friends! :luv:

Twila

P.S. I really need to think about home monitoring him. Can you imagine pricking a cat's ear to get a little blood? I think just giving the shots will be challenge with this cat. Some fun days coming...I am sure!
tnh9479FemaleMorocco2006-07-31 07:55:00
Middle East and North AfricaWhen you marry or married your SO...
I wondered about this issue too. My sister and I were the last of my father's side of the family and it kind of meant that name would disappear. Also, I am a teacher and wondered how confusing would it be. However, I want to have children and I think for family unity it is better when ALL have the same last name. So...I changed it. There are still things a year later I find that need changing (all sorts of things you forget).

Twila
tnh9479FemaleMorocco2006-08-01 20:45:00
Middle East and North AfricaOMG! OMG! OMG!
Noura,

You also need to think how are you going to send all the paperwork to Said. I opted for regular mail (mainly because I was broke at the time from all the phone calls). If you go that method, remember you have to factor in a month in transit time. I actually sent two identical packages to Hicham (in case one got lost). The copies got there a week before the originals (sent out at exactly the same time)!

Twila
tnh9479FemaleMorocco2006-08-01 20:33:00
Middle East and North AfricaWomen that are established before marriage and have gone thru AOS
Well...I might be able to answer some of this. I already owned our condo, the car, had utilities, etc before we were married. If you filed a joint tax return (if that is possible by this time right now), that will definitely help (our interviewer was most interested in a copy of that). Otherwise, he just asked us a few personal questions as he was looking through Hicham's folder. (I think I might have also given him a copy of our joint bank statement.)

Twila
tnh9479FemaleMorocco2006-08-04 15:06:00
Middle East and North AfricaWindancer (Vernonica and Ashraf's) Interview
Wow! It really sounds like good news for all of you processing through Jordan! Congrats and good luck on the interview (my mom's birthday).

Twila
tnh9479FemaleMorocco2006-08-06 14:56:00
Middle East and North AfricaOh my gosh, say a prayer...
I think it is perfectly ok for him to go and try. The worst they can tell him is no. The best case scenario is that he gets the prints done and you are a day closer to him getting the visa. Like you said, at least this gives him back some power and he can feel like he has done all that he could.

Twila
tnh9479FemaleMorocco2006-08-06 20:51:00
Middle East and North AfricaSarah & Hicham
If coming thru JFK, you usually (but not always) just get a temp. EAD valid until the 90 day K-1 period is up. It is the only airport that does this (as far as I have heard).
tnh9479FemaleMorocco2006-08-06 12:36:00
Middle East and North AfricaSunday?
Well...we got back recently from going to get massive quantities of ginger. We go through a LOT of ground ginger here and buying those stupid little jars at the supermarket gets expensive. You want to know the cheapest place we found? Whole Foods...I know...I know...it is a shock to me too.

Twila
tnh9479FemaleMorocco2006-08-13 18:01:00
Middle East and North AfricaSalwa
Wow! Already coming? Awesome! Here's to a safe trip into Mark's arms!

Twila
tnh9479FemaleMorocco2006-08-14 01:32:00
Middle East and North AfricaRamadan moon controversy
Luckily, when my husband experienced his first Ramadan here last year, the local masjid had a recorded message you could call to find out when to observe (i.e. call every night to find out).

Twila
tnh9479FemaleMorocco2006-08-10 16:03:00
Middle East and North AfricaHappy Anniversary Donna & Hassan
:dance: :dance: A very happy anniversary to the two of you! :dance: :dance:
tnh9479FemaleMorocco2006-08-26 09:47:00
Middle East and North AfricaSaturday
Sarah,

Were you trying to sneak by that your marriage ceremony is tomorrow? Are you doing a justice of the peace thing?

Twila
tnh9479FemaleMorocco2006-08-26 09:51:00
Middle East and North AfricaMarriage, love and mercy
Thanks Rahma for that! I really enjoyed it and it reminded me of how I feel about my husband. I am glad that we both will probably be home from work tomorrow together. (Thanks Ernesto!)

Twila
tnh9479FemaleMorocco2006-08-29 14:14:00
Middle East and North AfricaNVC Touches

ok you need to get your tax returns, affidavit of support documentation, pics, letters, phone records, chatconversations,emploment letter, birth certificate, any divorce decrees, etc together. get it done ahead of time. he will go for his medical and after he gets his results he can call the embassy (or you can email) and make the appoinment for the interview. good luck !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Well...not quite the same for Morocco as Algeria. You should get all the paperwork together and get it to your SO as soon as you can. Make sure he has his ID card, passport, police check, etc done. Then...it is on to waiting to hear from Casa. Some have had luck in emailing them a few weeks after they received their petition from the NVC. Others have not. I wish you the best!
tnh9479FemaleMorocco2006-08-30 14:15:00
Middle East and North Africapotential changes at mecca
This does nothing to improve my perception of Saudis. :angry:
tnh9479FemaleMorocco2006-08-30 11:04:00