StupidJourney

I met my husband 3 years ago in my first training week in the Peace Corps. He was a private contractor doing a water project in the village where I was doing my language and technical training. We dated for a while and got engaged after about a year or so. We "lived in sin" after that until we finally got married last summer. It was very anti-climatic! We were best friends from day one.

Deeshla, which stage were you in? Was it the March 2004? I might have met you if your training was in Ouarzazate (can't remember if that was the health or environment sector)

I also met my guy in the Peace Corps about 3 1/2 years ago. I lived with his family temporarily when I moved to my assigned town. He was going to school in Erfoud, so I only saw him a few times. He was immediately smitten, but it took me a while (two years!) to end another relationship and see the truth!

Arabic is the only official language of Morocco. Also, "native language" refers to ones first language, used in the home. So he should write it in Arabic in that spot. You can hand write it, but there are ways you can copy and paste the Arabic as well.

It's a 6 month visa. But does that mean she can just reapply for a new one for September/October? Her visa's good until July, but she'll only stay until May.

Doodle, I believe he is referring to people of the Gulf region. You'll find a lot of "prejudice" amongst the people of the Middle East regarding people from different countries of the region (i.e. there isn't much of what some call Arab unity). My husband doesn't consider himself Arab (actually gets offended if called so) because his family lineage doesn't contain blood lines of people from the Gulf region.

That's interesting. Doesn't seem to be the case in Morocco AFAIK.

Not necessarily. My husband is Amazigh and he'll be the first to correct someone!

Oh yeah, we're doing a wedding cake! I think our wedding cake cost more than twice the cost of my dress! We're doing pretty much everything: dollar dance, bouquet toss. I'm not so sure about the garter toss though (he doesn't like kissing in public, much less undressing!)

I am so glad that you shared this event and I am happy that you made it through Casa again. I wonder what type of wedding are you planning? I am so happy for you, what is so great about this is when you have a baby she gets to come and help if she wants.

We're planning a civil service wedding with spiritual undertones (I think that's what you're asking about the type of wedding?) It's going to be outside with a female minister. We're planning for around 200 people.

I hope she can come back when my baby's due (in September)! But I don't know if there are any restrictions on how frequently a person can get a tourist visa??

wow,thats amazing! looks like everything is getting better and better for you! i didn't know it was even possible for this. what are the requirements for them to come for a visit? what do they look for? i would love his family to come to our wedding here!

They look to make sure the applicant has ties to their home country/ country of residence that would compel them to return after a temporary visit to the U.S. This can be done with bank statements, job statements, etc. For us, since his mom doesn't have a job outside the home, she went to this guy (don't know his name) who's in charge of their district in Morocco. He's some type of official who's supposed to know about all the people in that community. They had him write a paper saying that she needed to come back to take care of her mom, who's ill. She also brought a bank statement. I wrote a letter saying she was going to stay with us while she was here, and we sent a copy of the invitation. They later asked for my bank statement too. That was really about it. They also need to apply online and pay $100 for the visa application fee.

We basically just followed the instructions on the website for the consulate. Good look trying to get them visas too!

I just wanted to let you guys know that Hamid's mom was approved for her tourist visa yesterday! So he'll have some family here for our wedding in March! Woo-hoo!

It wasn't too hard for her, but one piece of advice. I emailed Casa asking if I should give her any information about myself (job/bank statements, etc.) because we would be supporting her while she was here. They said, "no we look only at the applicant's status, not the information of anyone in the U.S." What was the first thing they asked for when she got there? My bank statement! I knew I could count on Casa to make our lives a hassle once again!

Congrats!

We just had our baby in November, his name is Noor or "The Hybrid" or Captain Mustard-Pants.

The lowdown -- crazy pregnancy of travelling all over Morocco, gave birth in Tennessee (natural delivery, NO MEDS! I thought I was going to die). He was almost 9 pounds.

Oh, and I gained 60 pounds during the pregnancy. (Most of it from Mexican food and calamari.)

So you travelled to Morocco during pregnancy? Any problems? We want to go this summer (in my 2nd trimester), but I was afraid of any complications that might arise (also the money issue but that's another story).

They're right - you don't need a SSN to get married in Texas. In my county all we needed was his passport. We didn't need a translationi either, but I think they used his K-1 Visa (which is in English in the passport) to prove his identity.

You might need to bring a birth certificate though. They asked him where he was born, and they just took his word for it. Maybe they were being nice or didn't know better.

Just went to the doctor yesterday. Due date is September 14. So far no sickness, but I feel really bloated all the time. That's about it!

My job can be rewarding, but I don't particularly like it. But I guess I will stay for another year because my man won't be able to find a job that pays as well and babies like to spend money!

(I teach 7th grade English)

Congratulations! I guess we'll be pregnancy buddies because I just found out I'M PREGNANT TOO!

Thanks. We just received one official copy original in the mail. And I think I'm going to need three to change my name on various documents.

I'm trying to get my name changed and need certified copies of my marriage certificate. What the heck is that? And how do I get one?

Thanks!

Liz

Thanks everyone!

Also, thanks for the info on separate checks. I would have botched that one up!!

Hey everyone, we're starting on the fun process of filling out the I-485. I had a couple of questions I was hoping for some help on. Thanks in advance!

On the I-94, they put the wrong expiration date. It SHOULD be 03/01/2007, but it is unmistakably written as 2008. When the form asks when his status expires, should I just go ahead and put 03/01/2007, because that's when the 3 months after entry are up?

Also, where's the visa number? Is that the one in red ink on the right hand side, near the bottom of the visa?

Final question, the wording on that notice is really weird. I have NO IDEA where I'm supposed to send this stuff. I live in Texas (not Dallas). Also, I can send it with EA and AP too, right?

Thanks for any help!

Anyone have any updates????

Yes, married Dec. 16!

Wow, I don't remember reading that either!!

Congratulations!!!

I hope you two had a wonderful day and are enjoying married life!

Best wishes to you both.

Thanks! If you don't remember readign that, that's because you didn't! I didn't make a post about it- been busy planning our "big wedding" and trying to survive in my job! Haven't been posting much lately!

Anyone have any updates????

Yes, married Dec. 16!

My husband applied for his SSN 3 weeks ago, and we still haven't received it. I am wondering if the number is mandatory for the AOS application, or not? It's been almost a month since we've been married and we want to send out the forms as soon as possible to get the ball rolling.

Thanks in advance for any info!

try these

1 http://www.marsaustin.com/ (expensive, I'vee been there - good)

2 http://www.foodhawk.com/austin_restaurants/details/Marakesh (cheap, I've never been there)

these are the menu links my friend sent to me

I went to the first one on this list a while back when I lived in Austin. It's good, but it's FAR from Moroccan. It's really mostly Asian. Good, but, I wouldn't group it in the category. (Also noticed on the website it says "In addition to all of that there are Eastern Mediterranean touches as well" - emphasis mine)

While we're on the subject, does anyone know of a middle eastern grocer in Austin?

I saw a Moroccan cafe the last time I was there, but it happened to be closed that day (it's near the university, and that area tends to shut down when classes aren't in session).

I don't know the name or address, but if you are coming from I-35, exit 26th street and drive towards the Universtiy. When you get to Guadalupe, take a right. Pass 27th street. It's right next to the Burger King on the left. You can't miss it, there are Arabic words and Tamazight letters on the outside.

Let me know what's it's like! Like I said it was closed the day I was there.

I think there's a Moroccan restaurant somewhwere too, but I'm not sure what it's called or where.

Ok after 5 pages of reading this, I'm really suprised this hasn't been locked yet. I'm done.

We're talking about doing that this year maybe. Neither one of us is especially happy with the American way/pace of life, and on my last visit I saw a way of life in the Moroccan cities which vastly changed my original impression of Moroccan life (as I spent my time in the Peace Corps in more remote villages.) I've already appliced at DOS schools and I've applied at Language Centers as well. I've actually gotten some positive responses (from two schools in Casa), so we may do it as soon as September.

It's less of a possiblilty and more of just a matter of time. And my darija is getting better by listening to his chats with family, although I really wish I didn't give away my EXCELLENT Peace Corps darija handbook!

Sorry I haven't been around much to contribute to the fireworks around these parts

I've been on vacation since December 16th, and now Mahmoud is off too, so we've been keeping ourselves pretty busy. We celebrated our 2nd anniversary in fine style -- had dinner at a very nice Persian restaurant, and Mahmoud gave me a beautiful gold and diamond necklace with a heart-shaped pendant -- that man is sooooo sweet (L). We've been visiting friends and family, going to see movies, doing a lot of shopping, home projects, all sorts of stuff.

I have to go back to work next week *Dreading the mountain that I will find awaiting me on my desk*

Miss y'all (well MOST of y'all )... but looks like you're doing just fine holding down the ME/NA fort !

-MK

Let me guess, Shiraz?