UmmSqueakster

Because of course MENA men are all secretly terrorists Can't just be straight up scum bag users, nope, cuz they're muslim, they're out to get us.
OP, so sorry to hear this. On the plus side, it looks like he screwed himself by leaving too soon. I'll keep you in my duas that what is best will happen for you

Because of course MENA men are all secretly terrorists Can't just be straight up scum bag users, nope, cuz they're muslim, they're out to get us.
OP, so sorry to hear this. On the plus side, it looks like he screwed himself by leaving too soon. I'll keep you in my duas that what is best will happen for you

Thanks! It's taken me a year to reach the halfway point, and I hope to be finished one year hence (wooo, I used hence in a sentence ). It's basically the usual - eating very healthy and exercising. I've reduced my meat consumption to almost 0, eat only chicken on occasion, and fill up on whole foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains (especially those close to their native form like brown rice, bulgar, etc, instead of whole grain breads) and beans. I make almost everything for myself, which is time consuming, but I've found that processed foods have so much crud in them, it's worth it to make stuff where you know everything that goes into it.
And the biggest for me is not eating out. Even with being pretty much a vegetarian, there are still so many tempting choices for lunch close to my office that I have to hide my wallet from myself. Basically, when I eat out I fail. When I pack my lunch, all is well.
I've tried to blog about this, but as with just about everything in my life that isn't Squeaky related, I'm not too good at keeping up with it. The 2 series are Food Rules and Food Matters.

Everyone here is at different points in their visajourney. If you're new and perky and optimistic and happy, good for you. But those of us who are bitter, warn torn veterans have a right to be here and speak about our experiences, the good and the bad.
Should we just not speak about the negatives? Pretend that the scammers don't exist? Or just look the other way and be smiley happy?
Successful marriages do exist. I believe I live one. We've known each other for 9 and a half years, and have been married here in the US together for 5 and a half. On paper, we're a great match - we share the same values, are both bookworms, enjoy the same pastimes, like the same movies, are both cat crazy, are of the same faith, are both political junkies/revolutionaries, are very close in age, come from similar socio-economic backgrounds, have the same level of education, and have the same goals in life. If we were someone from each other's respective countries, we'd still have married each other.
But, every day is hard work. There was no "he got the visa and they lived happily ever after." AbuS came and has struggled mightily. It took him years to find meaningful work in his field. Then, the economy collapsed and he was laid off. And the struggle began again. The struggles in jobs and in adjustment have negatively effected our marriage. I do think that now, 5 years on, we're hitting our stride and actually talking about the whole ark of our future - having kids, buying a house, possibly moving overseas, pursuing advanced degrees. I feel like the last 5 years, we've been frantically treading water, trying not to drown, and only recently been able to actually start swimming in any meaningful direction.
So if I'm bitter and jaded, I think I've earned the right to say so. By all means, those who are at the beginning, continue. Just be forewarned that the process sucks, there are scammers out there, and you may end up bitter and jaded in 5 years time.

Everyone here is at different points in their visajourney. If you're new and perky and optimistic and happy, good for you. But those of us who are bitter, warn torn veterans have a right to be here and speak about our experiences, the good and the bad.
Should we just not speak about the negatives? Pretend that the scammers don't exist? Or just look the other way and be smiley happy?
Successful marriages do exist. I believe I live one. We've known each other for 9 and a half years, and have been married here in the US together for 5 and a half. On paper, we're a great match - we share the same values, are both bookworms, enjoy the same pastimes, like the same movies, are both cat crazy, are of the same faith, are both political junkies/revolutionaries, are very close in age, come from similar socio-economic backgrounds, have the same level of education, and have the same goals in life. If we were someone from each other's respective countries, we'd still have married each other.
But, every day is hard work. There was no "he got the visa and they lived happily ever after." AbuS came and has struggled mightily. It took him years to find meaningful work in his field. Then, the economy collapsed and he was laid off. And the struggle began again. The struggles in jobs and in adjustment have negatively effected our marriage. I do think that now, 5 years on, we're hitting our stride and actually talking about the whole ark of our future - having kids, buying a house, possibly moving overseas, pursuing advanced degrees. I feel like the last 5 years, we've been frantically treading water, trying not to drown, and only recently been able to actually start swimming in any meaningful direction.
So if I'm bitter and jaded, I think I've earned the right to say so. By all means, those who are at the beginning, continue. Just be forewarned that the process sucks, there are scammers out there, and you may end up bitter and jaded in 5 years time.

Everyone here is at different points in their visajourney. If you're new and perky and optimistic and happy, good for you. But those of us who are bitter, warn torn veterans have a right to be here and speak about our experiences, the good and the bad.
Should we just not speak about the negatives? Pretend that the scammers don't exist? Or just look the other way and be smiley happy?
Successful marriages do exist. I believe I live one. We've known each other for 9 and a half years, and have been married here in the US together for 5 and a half. On paper, we're a great match - we share the same values, are both bookworms, enjoy the same pastimes, like the same movies, are both cat crazy, are of the same faith, are both political junkies/revolutionaries, are very close in age, come from similar socio-economic backgrounds, have the same level of education, and have the same goals in life. If we were someone from each other's respective countries, we'd still have married each other.
But, every day is hard work. There was no "he got the visa and they lived happily ever after." AbuS came and has struggled mightily. It took him years to find meaningful work in his field. Then, the economy collapsed and he was laid off. And the struggle began again. The struggles in jobs and in adjustment have negatively effected our marriage. I do think that now, 5 years on, we're hitting our stride and actually talking about the whole ark of our future - having kids, buying a house, possibly moving overseas, pursuing advanced degrees. I feel like the last 5 years, we've been frantically treading water, trying not to drown, and only recently been able to actually start swimming in any meaningful direction.
So if I'm bitter and jaded, I think I've earned the right to say so. By all means, those who are at the beginning, continue. Just be forewarned that the process sucks, there are scammers out there, and you may end up bitter and jaded in 5 years time.

I'm much better at communicating via written word rather than speaking, so I've typed up what I tried to say yesterday but failed. inshaAllah going to email it to the congressman:
Although I am not Egyptian, I feel as though all of Egypt is my family today. I am married to an Egyptian. My brother in law has been part of the civil patrols formed to protect families, neighborhoods and properties. My mother in law has not left her apartment since this all began. We can only hope and pray that she is well and will have enough food to last until it is safe.
My husband came to the United States from Egypt in 2005. When I first showed him political satire on the Daily Show with Jon Stewart, he asked with wonder, can you actually criticize your government here?
We were involved in the 2006 elections, and attended a rally for you Congressman, with Jessie Jackson and Al Franken. My husband was so excited at the prospect of actually being able to chose who would represent him, and to be able to participate in politics.
This is what the people of Egypt want, very simply. They want freedom. As an American, I have these rights and freedoms by mere accident of my birth, and I will admit that I have taken them for granted. But in this last week, as I watch the young people of Egypt march against an oppressive regime, asking simply that they be given basic human dignities like the right to chose their own government, the right to earn a living wage, and the right to have pride in their country, I have begun to understand just how precious the rights enshrined in our constitution are.
In 2010, a young man by the name of Khaled Said exercised a right we Americans take for granted – he questioned the corruption he saw in his government. He posted a video on youtube addressing police embezzling from the spoils of a drug raid. Shortly there after, he was beaten to death – in public – by police, who later dumped his destroyed body (you can see pictures of it here, although I warn you it is very graphic). The police denied any involvement in his death and no government investigation was ever made.
This is why the young people of Egypt are out in the street. They yearn for freedom, for justice, for human dignity. They do not want to be afraid of their government any longer. They want to get married, to be able to find work, to be able to support a family. Quite simply, they want to live, just as any person who was lucky enough to be born in the United States.
The US government needs to stand on the right side of history. Tahrir Square should not be another Tinnamen. The brave men, women and children who stood in the face of government sanctioned violence must be supported by the United States – a country that is founded on the principles of liberty that the people of Egypt are now dying for.
We need to admit that we made a mistake. For 30 years, we support a dictator. Through our support and foreign aid, we are complicit in the crimes against humanity committed by Mubarak and his regime. The time is now that we must make a change. The United States can no longer support petty dictators. Instead, if we truly are a country of freedom and liberty, we must live these principles in our foreign policy.
The President of the United States must listen to the people of Egypt who are chanting al sha’b, yurid, isqat al nizam! The people want the regime to fall. The people of Egypt are tired of the corruption that has mired their once great country. They want to have pride in Ummul-Dunya, the Mother of the World.
Mr. President, tear down this firewall, and be on the right side of history, the side of life, liberty and the pursuit of hap

I'm much better at communicating via written word rather than speaking, so I've typed up what I tried to say yesterday but failed. inshaAllah going to email it to the congressman:
Although I am not Egyptian, I feel as though all of Egypt is my family today. I am married to an Egyptian. My brother in law has been part of the civil patrols formed to protect families, neighborhoods and properties. My mother in law has not left her apartment since this all began. We can only hope and pray that she is well and will have enough food to last until it is safe.
My husband came to the United States from Egypt in 2005. When I first showed him political satire on the Daily Show with Jon Stewart, he asked with wonder, can you actually criticize your government here?
We were involved in the 2006 elections, and attended a rally for you Congressman, with Jessie Jackson and Al Franken. My husband was so excited at the prospect of actually being able to chose who would represent him, and to be able to participate in politics.
This is what the people of Egypt want, very simply. They want freedom. As an American, I have these rights and freedoms by mere accident of my birth, and I will admit that I have taken them for granted. But in this last week, as I watch the young people of Egypt march against an oppressive regime, asking simply that they be given basic human dignities like the right to chose their own government, the right to earn a living wage, and the right to have pride in their country, I have begun to understand just how precious the rights enshrined in our constitution are.
In 2010, a young man by the name of Khaled Said exercised a right we Americans take for granted – he questioned the corruption he saw in his government. He posted a video on youtube addressing police embezzling from the spoils of a drug raid. Shortly there after, he was beaten to death – in public – by police, who later dumped his destroyed body (you can see pictures of it here, although I warn you it is very graphic). The police denied any involvement in his death and no government investigation was ever made.
This is why the young people of Egypt are out in the street. They yearn for freedom, for justice, for human dignity. They do not want to be afraid of their government any longer. They want to get married, to be able to find work, to be able to support a family. Quite simply, they want to live, just as any person who was lucky enough to be born in the United States.
The US government needs to stand on the right side of history. Tahrir Square should not be another Tinnamen. The brave men, women and children who stood in the face of government sanctioned violence must be supported by the United States – a country that is founded on the principles of liberty that the people of Egypt are now dying for.
We need to admit that we made a mistake. For 30 years, we support a dictator. Through our support and foreign aid, we are complicit in the crimes against humanity committed by Mubarak and his regime. The time is now that we must make a change. The United States can no longer support petty dictators. Instead, if we truly are a country of freedom and liberty, we must live these principles in our foreign policy.
The President of the United States must listen to the people of Egypt who are chanting al sha’b, yurid, isqat al nizam! The people want the regime to fall. The people of Egypt are tired of the corruption that has mired their once great country. They want to have pride in Ummul-Dunya, the Mother of the World.
Mr. President, tear down this firewall, and be on the right side of history, the side of life, liberty and the pursuit of hap

From the rally here in Minnesota


and my sign

News coverage (watch carefully and you'll see me, er my sign in the first 2, and at the 8 minute mark during the reading of the statement, you can see my down down mubarak sign)
http://kstp.com/news/stories/S1949298.shtml?cat=1
http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2011/01/29/rally-at-minn-capitol-supports-egypt-protests/
http://theuptake.org/2011/01/29/remove-mubarek-now-saw-minnesota-egyptians/

Peaceful demonstration for Egypt at the Egyptian Consulate in Houston (Capital One Tower 5718 Westheimer Rd.) from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Sunday

Yup, Twin Cities here.
And FYI, there is a rally for Egypt tomorrow, Saturday at 1:30 pm at the State Capital
I'll be there with a sign of Mubarak with every US president since Reagan inshaAllah.

Yup, Twin Cities here.
And FYI, there is a rally for Egypt tomorrow, Saturday at 1:30 pm at the State Capital
I'll be there with a sign of Mubarak with every US president since Reagan inshaAllah.

Nope, not much in condemnation.
Just thousands of average ordinary Egyptians of all stripes risking their lives to act as human shields on Christmas.
Just arabic language message boards being overwhelmed by debate and discourse on the issue.
Just major Egyptian figures like Amr Khaled openly calling for dialogue and trying to organize events to address this disgusting happening, and al Azhar going along with him.
Just the arabic language independent press and blogosphere adressing this issue and calling for change.
Nope, not much condemnation if you don't look.
And of course, the stellar response of the Egyptian government to the whole mess, including the torture death of a suspect and the mass roundup of "salafis" in Alexandria.
Nope, nothing to see here, move along, move along.

Um, yeah duh. That's why we live in the US. We appreciate the freedoms being a citizen gives us, and we enjoy exercising them freely.

You know what I love about america? The fact that we're allowed to disagree with the government line, and generally talk smack about policies we don't like.
Also, Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert. Never ceases to amaze AbuS that they're allowed to say what they say about the gov'ment.

Assalamu alaikum wr wb,
They're either going to be po-ed at your now, or po-ed at you later, so why not get it over sooner rather than later?
I'm one who didn't tell my parents about my conversion for fear of their reaction. But, they suspected something, snooped in my email, found out and we had a huge blow out confrontation. It's different for everybody, but I think in my case, if I had been more open and honest, things wouldn't have been so rough for me religion and marriage wise. I've been a muslim for almost a decade, and this is the first Ramadan my mother isn't actively discouraging me from fasting. It's also the first Ramadan that they're aware of it and taking an active interest - they found an article about Husain Abdullah, the Minnesota Vikings player who is fasting for Ramadan and shared it with me, which I thought was very sweet. Alhamdulilah.
If you can't bear to face them in person, write a letter and send it to the people you think will be most bothered. Emphasize you're not rejecting them, and that you will still always love and care for them. Lay everything out and invite only polite discussion and questions. Don't get into debates, and just say, yes, I'm muslim, alhamdulilah, and that's all there is to it.