AichaKandisha

If only they would single just one person out! I guess you don't give them enough bashing pleasure Charles!

awwwww i better try harder

I have confidence in you that you will do your best. Now, don't let me down.

I agree moody. I'm sure that there are a lot of people with a lot of great things to share and that could add to the variety of opinions that all could benefit from, but they choose to keep it to themselves because they are afraid of the horrendous bashing that may take place by one little word or phrase that might set off a series of degrading and humiliating comments by those few people that choose to do such things. When I post something, sometimes I think, oh boy, I wonder what I said that could set one of these people off. I've been truly impressed by a lot of other members from just the few words that they've posted. I wish they would post more. I want to hear their opinions. Are they thinking the same thing I'm thinking and choosing not to post more because of the risk of being shred to pieces? What a shame if that is true.

they can always bash me, i'll keep them busy

If only they would single just one person out! I guess you don't give them enough bashing pleasure Charles!

I agree moody. I'm sure that there are a lot of people with a lot of great things to share and that could add to the variety of opinions that all could benefit from, but they choose to keep it to themselves because they are afraid of the horrendous bashing that may take place by one little word or phrase that might set off a series of degrading and humiliating comments by those few people that choose to do such things. When I post something, sometimes I think, oh boy, I wonder what I said that could set one of these people off. I've been truly impressed by a lot of other members from just the few words that they've posted. I wish they would post more. I want to hear their opinions. Are they thinking the same thing I'm thinking and choosing not to post more because of the risk of being shred to pieces? What a shame if that is true.

It surprises me how quickly women will come to the defense of men who post things that obviously raise questions about their sincerity.

I see people say obviously alarming things on this forum from time to time, and the "acceptable" form of support is tightening the blinders, patting them on the back and cheering them on.

Congratulations Hicham

Not defending here. I am amazed though at the lack of empathy that is expressed here on VJ. I know that I've said and done things that I wish I hadn't. Was this the right place to talk about their relationship? Probably not. And I know for me, this is one of the most stressful times that I've gone through (and I've had more than my fair share of stressful situations). We are all going through the same thing but all in our own way. There are ways to express your opinion about concerns for another, without degrading or humiliating them.

Sounds like great news!

if you can't say something nice, ya know.....

unbelievable

Ok, calm down, please. We know that this process can make you go crazy. Hicham913 or his wife would not be the first ones here to post about the strains of waiting. Many of us have gone thru this at one time or another.

Be nice, all. Hicham has had a good experience at the consulate, and that is always good to know. What happens between he and his wife later is up to them.

I couldn't have said it better myself! Well done! I'll never understand and I don't ever want to understand why throwing something in someone's face is considered 'funny'.

Congratulations on your successful interview!

As a side note: Don't take anything personally here on VJ. It's not worth it.

I've become unclear on what we are "allowed and not allowed" to post anymore, but I guess being human, I need to vent. If my venting annoys you, please just skip this post.

I spoke with DOS again today because of a very confusing email from the Embassy this morning. The woman spoke with was gentle and very kind to explain EVERYTHING to me step by step what they are doing. This was a first. She they are preparing to try to issue again. They tried the first time in August but he got a name hit so they did the prints and another round of security checks. She said it is possible for him to get another name hit this time, and if he does its another 3 months of security checks and on and on and on until I guess they exhaust all the freaking Mohammeds in the middle east.

I have been unglued today. I just cannot hold myself together. I have spent the entire morning in tears at my desk and I'm grateful to have an understanding boss.

Our relationship has been strained to its most fragile point, and I really fear what another name hit is going to do to US. So much so I can't get a grip at all. You just know he's going to get another hit. Its just been our luck to this point.

If y'all don't mind, I would appreciate it a whole lot not to get suggestions to "seek help" because if anyone knows her state at this time, its me. I just need to feel someone out there understands or can just offer some wee shred of hope that I can't seem to pull out of thin air today. All of this sh*t over a stupid name hit...

My heart goes out to you. This has got to be a huge strain in your life and your relationship. You are a very strong person for keeping faith. It would seem that the name checks would be checked all at once; not one at a time. Doesn't make any sense at all. But what does with this process? I would be in tears myself right now if I were in your shoes. Please don't take this the wrong way. I am not trying to minimize your situation at all. But I am a firm believer that whatever we focus on we get more of. Focusing on all the bad=we get more bad. Focusing on the good=we get more good. I know that it is easier said than done. I'm sure you're aware of that too. I will pray for you for more comfort and strength and for this to be over very soon. Hang in there girl!

On second thought, it really did look like my fiance...I'll have to call and see what he's up to.

I felt the baby kick really hard for the first time yesterday

We think that she will play soccer becaue we have no idea subhanallah how a fetus under one pound can kick so hard ! Last week I was feeling her kicks but they were really soft ... now she's getting aggressive My favorite time of the day is in the evening laying on the couch or bed with Ali and our hands on my belly just feeling her. She likes putting on a show when she knows both of our hands are on there. She will will roll around, move, and kick. I LOVE MY BABY

Anyways thanksgiving is coming up ! I cannot wait cuz it will be Ali's first thanksgiving I have been craving turkey, pumpkin pie, stuffing, vegetables, yams .... mmmmmmmmm I cannot wait until next Thursday !!

Oh and just to make you all jealous ... I have all of next week off cuz I'm a teacher

As far as the coffee goes ... I can't have coffee cuz I'm pregnant. So moody I want some hot chocolate please

Ahhhhhhhhh this brings back sweet memories! Enjoy every minute of this magical time. She will be here before you know it and you will look back and wonder where the time went.

I was hoping my fiance would be here for Thanksgiving and it doesn't look like he will be here in time. I think I made some headway with our case though. After calling the DOS and Casa, it appears that our file was just sitting on someone's desk for the past week. Casa said that they are now sending it to D.C. and he will be called for his visa in the middle or toward the end of next week. I'm guessing they are closed for Thanksgiving, no? I'll have to check their website.

P.S. No coffee for me! (it's against my religion!)

I'm hoping that this may help others in similar situations when told to wait for their call (I apologize ahead of time for the detailed/wordy post):

As some of you already know, my fiance had his interview Nov. 2nd. The CO asked him to bring more pictures. He went back the next day (Friday) to give more pictures. The man at the window said that he couldn't take them and told him to come back on Monday. He took the pictures again on Monday. Then he got a call a couple of hours later and was told that he also needed to bring emails, chats and phone records. My fiance told him that he already gave those at the interview; 300 pages in fact and the CO only asked him to bring more pictures. The man wanted to argue with him so he told the man that he would print them all again and bring them the next day. When he turned them in, he asked the man if that was everything that he needed to bring and he said yes and that he will get a call in a week for the visa.

After waiting 8 days, I kept wondering if the man at the window put it in the right folder, or if he knew what he was doing, etc. So I sent 3 emails from different addresses to Casa. No response at all. I called Casa (011-212-224-30578) and the lady transferred me immediately to a recording that said I needed to send an email. I called the DOS (202-663-1225-be sure to have your case #) to ask if his security checks have been cleared. They said that the only information they had was that the case was still pending and they asked if he showed up for his interview.

I called the DOS the next day in which they told me Casa is waiting for more proof of the relationship! Another call to Casa and when the lady answered the phone and she wanted to transfer me again to the recording I told her (quite firmly) please, I need to talk to someone! After finally telling her it had been 2 weeks since I sent my last email (ok-so it was only 2 days) and I got no response, she said to please hold. Another lady got on the phone, I explained everything, after being put on hold again, she said ok, yes we do have everything and we don't need any more proof. Everything is ok. We need to do some more AP and we will call him the middle of next week for the visa. I asked is this for the security checks? She said yes and we should have those shortly and he will get a call from them to come for the visa-it may be toward the end of next week.

I believe that his file was just sitting on someone's desk and who knows how long it would have sat there if I hadn't called.

I wish for all of you a short, speedy and successful end with this consulate.

So what is the news?

Results

Can I just add to the day's discussion that I've been touched today for the second day in a row

Looks like you may be hearing good news soon!

In a video clip on the network's Web site, an off-screen interviewer says to Simpson, "You wrote 'I have never seen so much blood in my life.'"

"I don't think any two people could be murdered without everybody being covered in blood," Simpson responds.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061115/ap_on_...mpson_interview

With the money he will make he can afford to fill that crack!!!!!!!!

I'll take a shot in the dark and guess that BC union means Butt Crack union.

aren't they a couple? Hicham's love & Hicham 913? Excuse me if I'm mistaken, but I think they are 2 halves of the whole! In any case, good luck to you both!

Noura

Yes you are right noura! After I posted it I wondered if anyone would think that they are 2 separate interviews. I will improve my forum etiquette over time; I hope.

The Double Header I was talking about are hicham's love & hicham913 (one interview) and maggienomar (the other interview). I hope that clears up some of the confusion?

I have been thinking about you and wondering if you received your visa or not. I'm glad you posted this topic. I'm interested as well! I am baffled by the quickness of visas issued and the time others have to wait for their visas. It's frustrating. We were told 1-2 weeks. I'm not very patient and I waited a week to call DOS to see if the security checks were cleared. They have no record of any being requested. Have you tried calling DOS to ask about the security checks? At least that is one way to see if your case is moving along. This waiting is a real test of patience. I'm sure that you will here something soon.

Liz, Here is information about Worker's Rights from the Dept. of Labor/OSHA website that gives different avenues that are available for him. I'm sure he is afraid of losing his job if he makes a complaint but there is discrimination protection with OSHA as well.

Abdel got hurt at work yesterday. They were cleaning a silo and the lead man forgot to turn off the fan before he stuck the cleaning rod up in it. The fan shot the rod back out and it smacked Abdel in the arm. If it had hit him straight on it would have impaled him. He had x-rays at the emergency room and got some good pain killers, and was back at work today. His arm is swollen pretty big and there was a small spot where it broke the skin on impact, but no broken bones thank goodness. He said his whole body was pretty shaken up though because when the rod hit him it threw him. What was really terrible - they made him pee for a drug test before they even moved him from the spot, and he wasn't even the one that did something wrong, he was just an innocent bystander. He said he felt like they would have told him "wait, you can't die yet, we have to do the drug test first!" He also said that while he was laying there in the pile of sugar in terrible pain all he could think of was watching our cat die Monday night and thinking that now it was his turn. Needless to say last night was lots of holding and I love yous. There's something about a close call with death that makes you really thankful for the one you love.

What a shocking story. I am so glad he is okay.

I am so happy that he is ok. Working in/around silos is one of the most dangerous hazards. I can't tell you how many times I've heard or read about people losing their lives around them. My dad had his shirt sleeve get caught in an auger that was filling a silo and thankfully, he was able to contortion himself to reach the off switch. Otherwise, it would have ripped his arm off in no time at all.

I'm with MK. I'm thinking that OSHA would have a lot to say about this incident. This company may have to change their attitudes toward Federal Regs once OSHA has been notified IMO. The fact that he had to lay there before and wait for a freaking drug test before he could get medical attention has got to be one of the most outrageous things I've ever heard. There are some pretty HEFTY fines that can be implemented to companies that disregard Federal Regs.

I've worked with OSHA Regulations for a loooooooong time and even did some training at NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health). This isn't something to take lightly IMO.