Ahmed N Cheryl

Wow I just spent my last 10 mins reading this entire thread.....I would like my time back too.

However, most people here on VJ are very helpful kind people. I have made some excellent friends. Received excellent advice, outstanding support and very useful help from some members.

Maybe they have talked about me on this expactgroups.com you mention but I have never heard of it before today so if they have oh well.

I love my VJ family and friends....and you can find the help you need here easily.

I hope you have a quick sucessful journey.

Cheryl

Merry Christmas Egypt

Tasha Malek pics are great. Beautiful smile.

ZainsMom his pics are very handsome.

Cheryl

Hope Everyone had a wonderful Christmas.

All my family came on Christmas Eve....

My Mom

My sister, her husband and two children plus her daughter's boyfriend

My cousin

My daughter and her boyfriend

It was wonderful. We had Turkey, Dressing, Green Bean Casserole, Mac N Cheese, Rolls, Sweet Potato Casserole, Stuffed eggs, Cranberry sauce and Banana Pudding.

Ahmed and I spent Christmas day curled up watching movies all day....That was the best present.....having my husband, my true love and soulmate here with me. I can't believe he has been here 8 months yesterday.

I pray for each of you who are still waiitng to be reunited with your loved one.......that it happens soon.

Happy Friday everyone.

Tamara good to hear Adam got his License. I know how you feel about how nice it is to sleep in and not share the car. Tell him we said Congrats (Mabrouk).

Merry Christmas Everyone!!!!!

Atlanta definitely does not......that is where Ahmed came through and we were not able to get one.

Merry Christmas to everyone!!!!!

Happy New Year

Happy Saturday everyone.

I hope you all are enjoying the weekend.

My daughter is home for the Christmas Holidays from College.

We went last night to see Twlight (we missed it last weekend).....It was good but the book was much better. Unfortunately I had a nasty sinus headache that felt like a migraine. Made be nauseated and all. So as soon as we got home I took medicine and went to bed.

My sister showed up right before we left for the movies wanting to know if she could move in with us for a while.....she has three small children 9, 7, 5. We have tried it several times the lastest in October this year. She said she wanted away from her "boyfriend" but she only lasted a week and went back and would not give me by key back we ended up changing all the locks on our doors. We had changed the kids school and all. I love my neice and nephews sooooooooo much but and so tired of helping my sister when all she does is takes advantage and never changes. I do not want them living here again but my heart is sooo sad for the children.

A few years ago my other sister and I paid for her to go to a college course so she could get a job and got her set up in the low income apartments not far from here so we could help her with the kids...she graudated and I got her a job at the hospital I worked at......and she quit three months later.....let her now boyfriend move in the low income apartment (which is not allowed) and eventually about a month later she moved off to another place called Breman with him.

However, she says the low income apartments says she is ineligible to live there again. I do not mind them being close so we can help her but I do not think I can have her live here again. It is tearing at my heart...but I know what she will do. Nothing...and probably go back to him in a few weeks.

Anyway....Happy Saturday Everyone!!!!

I watch House very week......Great Show.

Try this link:

http://www.fox.com/music/

When you hett here select House in frist drop down menu and it has several lists of songs for house in the next drop down.

Hope this helps.

I have heard that a mosque here offers Arabic classes once a week. I'm not Muslim but thinking of checking it out. Does anyone have experience with this?

Ours had an Arabic class but there weren't enough attendees to keep it up. Now they offer Arabic for the Quran reading which is more advanced Arabic. I have had a hard time finding Arabic classes in my area. It seems like there aren't any anywhere, not even at the local colleges. I would like to know more of the language. I could see my son throwing a fit for something in Arabic and I have to call my husband to ask what he wants. He is already talking half and half

Tasha, I would see if you can get the Rosetta stone series. You might be able to put it on an ipod.

This reminds me of my friends - they're Argentine and Venezuelan, but the husband's mother is from China. She only speaks Mandarin with the little girl. The little girl would ask for things in Mandarin and her mother would look at her like... . But she's super smart as she now speaks Spanish (both Argentine and Castellano), Mandarin and English - it's hilarious.

I thought about investing in Rosetta Stone..its just so darn expensive!!! I really need to get serious because this kid is catching on quickly to both languages. It's so funny he was calling our cat by Arabic last night. I said what is he saying honey, he said arabic for cat!

How cute Tasha........I envy children they learn a second language soooo easy.....LOL. I tried Pimsleur Egyptian Arabic it was good but I only tried it for the trial period because it cost so much. THen I bought some flash cards that teach you common words...English one side Arabic the other. You can find them at a book store. Maybe you can keep up with Ayman that way at least until he is older. But I have heard Rosetta Stone is soooo expensive.

Maybe we should pool our money and share a copy....LOL We can add it to our IPODs and listen everyday to it.

Ana befham Arabie Swaya.....LOL

Tasha

Ahmed had his college transcript for his Law Education also. However, he did not complete the Law degree so maybe that is why he is having difficulty. He only had one year left or five tests left he said but he was afraid if he finished them they would make him stay and do two years of military befroe he could come to me.

Anyway, at least we are together during the set backs and not apart.

I am so happy to hear things are going good for you and your hubby. Hope you had a Happy EID.

I will try to call you later .....maybe this weekend.

Cheryl

Hi Lynn

AWWWWWW hope you feel better soon after your surgery.

I agree somewhere between 3 to 10 days.

I hope you and Ahmed had a very Happy EID.

Cheryl

Happy Saturday everyone!!!!

I am finishing chores around here (laundry, dishes, sweeping and mopping).

I got the christmas decorations up in the Den and tomorrow Ahmed can help with the outside decorations.

When he gets off today we have to go to town to find a GED sudy guide for him. Then maybe we will go see Twlight.

Anyway, hope everyone's Saurday is Terrific!!!

Cheryl

Great to hear from you Lynn!!

Wow I guess you are excited about going home for Christtmas. Do you mean you guys get to go to Egypt home?? If so I am jealous....LOL

Ahmed's brother just got married in November and we were not able to go. I changed jobs in July and have no time off until February.

Tell Ahmed Hi back from Ahmed.

Merry Christmas to you too!!!

Talk to you soon!

Wow guys I am sorry I kinda went offline for awhuile and never saw these replys.

Thanks Diana for the hints on wal-mart..unfortunately I never came back and checked the comments. I got so busy I never had time to get online and Ahmed would tell me if I got any pm messages I needed to answer but he didn't check here I guess.

Tasha I am glad to hear hubby is working. I miss chatting with you here. I need to do a better job at coming online. I am work to day and it is so slow. I hope everything is good for you. Give that handsome baby a kiss for me!!!!

Lynn I am sorry I have been AWOL and did not answer. Ahmed had to take his driving test twice before he passed and the officers were nto really nice he went three times before they would allow him to take the written just to get his permit. Everytime we went they said they need something different. It was very frustrating. But finally he got it.

I hope everyone is doing well. I will try to be more proficient in checking and replying to my posts.

I love my VJ Family. Just been busy trying to get my husband adjusted and settled in.

Take Care see you all soon.

Cheryl

Wow!! It has been a while since I have hung out here. I hope everyone is doing well. Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Ahmed really enjoyed his first Thanksgiving. Especially the banana pudding!! LOL.

I think last post I stated we were waiting for him to hear back about jobs. Neither Wal mart nor Sheraston hired him. So he went to the McDonald's in our town on October 1st and started on October 2nd. They really like him there and are wanting to make him a manager already.

We are still looking for better jobs....Last week we heard back from the University Police job he applied for...they said they could not verify his highschool education...so we faxed a copy of his High School Transcript and the Translation but they said it was not good enough they could not accept it.....he would have to go get a GED. So now I wonder if that is what made all the other jobs that sounded so promising not call him after teh interviews went so well? They just did not take the time to time us.

Anyway, he is scheduled to take the GED test on December 19th...so we are spending or free time preparing for it. Kepp us in your prayers he does well. Almost every good job here requires a GED or High School Diploma and since his High School Transcript is not good enough he really needs this GED.

Plus his plans are to go back to College next Fall and he will need a GED to get in College.

It will all work out I am sure.....Inshallah.

I am trying to get all the Christmas decorations up..ahmed is so excited about Christmas he wants every decoration I have up. I haven't decorated the outside in years.....LOL

My tree is prelit and I have had it 6 years and never had any problems but of course this year wehn I pull it out it has 4 to 5 branches that the lights are not working....so I have to test almost all the bulbs before I find the culprit and get the tree lit. However, I did suceed and do have the tree decorated. This weekend I will decorated the den and the outside...yay!! it is suppose to be soooooooo cold and Ahmed will be working so it will be me all by myself having to freeze to do it.. But I am sure in the long run to see him enjoy the decorations will make it all worth it.

I have such a wonderful husband I could never not decorate for him.

So how has everyone been? I see there are alot of newbies since I left. Welcome all newbies to VJ. It is a great place.

Well I am at work so I guess I better run....it has been very slow today for a Friday but I have a few things to do before time to go home. My Daughter will be home from college so we will get to relax for some mother daughter time since Ahmed will work until 8 tonight. (Maybe I can convince her to help with the Christmas Decorating.....LOL yeah right!!!)

Best wishes to all.

Cheryl

Happy Friday everyone!!!!

Aymansgirl I hope everything gets really better for you soon. Ayman is just getting so handsome!!!!

I can't believe Christmas is just 20 days away.....Happy Holidays everyone!!!

Cheryl

Hi Everyone....Just wanted to check in to see how everyone was doing and how things were going for everyone.

As you know Ahmed got his Green Card in September and got a job so everything is going fine for us.

I heard from Melinda and Tarek she said to tell everyone hello. Everything is going good for them too.

God Bless you all and Best Wishes Always.

Cheryl and Ahmed

Hi Tasha sorry to hear about the RFE.....I wish I could answer your question but I can't. I just wanted to say I am thinking of you and praying for you guys everyday. Give that sweet baby a hug and kiss for me. Oh you can try the COunty health department for his shots. they are cheaper there.

Cheryl

Hi everyone....Good Day and Best Wishes to all of you.

Ahmed got his real License last week after two tries....the first time he was speeding just a little (35 in 30) but the speed limit sign was on a telephone pole and he did not see it. I have to side with him it was kinda high and not easily noticed. But he has it now and that is what matters.

The job for shampooing carpets did not work out. They kept changing the terms every time he went to a meeting. First it was salary. Then it was Salary as long as you did three appointments a day which someone else scheduled for you. Then it became his responsibility to schedule the appointments etc. etc. SO after that I said forget it just keep looking.

So he applied several places. He has interviewed with Wal Mart and the Sheraton (2x with the Sheraton).

We are waiting for a reply from both still. Wal Mart has been a while so we kinda figured they hired someone else. Sheraton has interviewed him twice now and said they should make a decision this week. So keep your fingers crossed and say some prayers for us.

I hope to see alot more visa and green cards in hand soon. Best Wishes to you all.

Cheryl

congratulation!!!!!!!! And please update your timeline;)

Thank you for the congrats.

Why do you say update timeline......it is updated.....We put the date greencard is in hand and we never ever got an EAD or an interview. When I look at our timeline it shows everything as being entered. Is there somehting not showing up when you look at it? I am only asking cuz u are not the first to say update timeline when we have it updated. Just wondering so I can try to fix it if there is a problem with it not showing you what it shows me or maybe I am overlooking something.

Thanks.

Cheryl

Adjustment of Status

Event Date

CIS Office : Atlanta GA

Date Filed : 2008-06-03

NOA Date : 2008-06-13

RFE(s) :

Bio. Appt. : 2008-06-28

AOS Transfer** : 2007-07-11

Interview Date :

Approval / Denial Date : 2008-08-04

Approved : Yes

Got I551 Stamp : No

Greencard Received: 2008-09-02

Comments : Wow no interview...no EAD...no travel permission....just green card in just three months after filing AOS!!! Way to go USCIS.

Thanks everyone....we appreciate your support. Best wishes to everyone.

Cheryl

TimeLine:

===============================================

Became couple after few months of friendship in January 2007

First trip to Egypt June 21 2007 He is so wonderful!!!!

Engaged June 21 2007

Filed I-129F July 21st 2007

USCIS receives packet July 25th 2007

receive NOA1 August 14th 2007

Leaving for Egypt again to see my love 10-20-2007

Back from Egypt 11-10-2007

I-129F Approved December 2nd 2007

NOA2 received in Mail December 7th 2007

Waiting working on our Packet 3 stuff

NVC Received Papers 12-06-2007

NVC Mailed Papers To Embassy 12-07-2007

Got Hard copy from NVC today 12-13-2007

Embassy received Papers 12-17-07

Packet 3 mailed by Embassy 12-17-2007

Packet 3 received 12-22-2007

Checked Fed Ex site again my package to Ahmed is on delivery truck on way to his home!!!!!!

Ahmed received the packet 3 I sent 12-22-2007

Birth Certificate, Police History and Military Certificate completed 12-23-2007

Medical Exam 12-24-2007

Today we got results of Medical exam and all translations back from translator

Packet 3 mailed to Embassy via DHL 12-26-2007

Embassy receives Packet 3 12-27-2007

waiting Packet 4

Called NVC Interview is Feb 11th 2008 at 0730 Packet 4 mailed by embassy today 1-22-2008

02/09/08 Just 1 day left before Interview......so nervous (Feb 11th at 0730 is Feb 10th 1130 pm central time in USA)

Interview a success............approved!!! Feb 11th 2008

Still waiitng for security checks to be completed March 19 2008

Email from embassy...Security checks completed visa under fianl review for issuance March 25th 2008

Finally The Visa is in Hand!!!! April 19 2008

US Entry April 25 2008 Atlanta Georgia Airport

April 28 2008 Marriage at Courthouse (Ceremonial Wedding is scheduled for June 28 2008)

AOS Papers Filed June 3 2008

NOA June 13 2008 Papers Received Check Cashed

Biometric Appointment Letter Received June 16 2008 Biometrics is June 28th 2008 11am (same day as Wedding Ceremony)

June 28th 2008.....Biometrics done in 30 mins and we had plenty of time to make the wedding ceremony.

August 4th 2008 AOS Approved. (Without an Interview!!)

August 25th Green Card Production Ordered

August 29th Green Card Mailed

September 2nd 2008Green Card in hand

September 3rd 2008 Got Learner’s License and a Job today!!!!!

well hang in there....it took us a while to get ours and others were getting theirs quickly. So I know how you feel. Also, after our interview it took a while to get our visa. When others got theirs in two weeks it took us two months. But we got it and things have went quickly since he arrived here. While it was happneing I thought we would never survive it now I never even think of it. Hang in there....."This to shall pass". Good Luck. I have included my timeline so you can see for yourself our time waiitng.

Cheryl

K-1 Visa

Event Date

Service Center : Vermont Service Center

Consulate : Egypt

I-129F Sent : 2007-07-20

I-129F NOA1 : 2007-08-14

I-129F NOA2 : 2007-12-02

NVC Received : 2007-12-06

NVC Left : 2007-12-07

Consulate Received : 2007-12-17

Packet 3 Received : 2007-12-22

Packet 3 Sent : 2007-12-26

Packet 4 Received : 2008-01-24

Interview Date : 2008-02-11

Visa Received : 2008-04-19

US Entry : 2008-04-25

Marriage : 2008-04-28

Comments : Interview a success....visa approved!! Was told should receive in 2-3 weeks. CO was sooooo nice. Well it has been 2 months since Interview and we are still waiting for that visa. Longest 2 - 3 weeks I have ever seen...LOL

Event

Port of Entry : Atlanta

POE Date : 2008-04-25

Got EAD Stamp : No

Biometrics Taken : No

Harassment Level : 0

Comments : Did not receive EAD at POE was told they are no longer issuing them at POE in Atlanta

Adjustment of Status

Event Date

CIS Office : Atlanta GA

Date Filed : 2008-06-03

NOA Date : 2008-06-13

Bio. Appt. : 2008-06-28

AOS Transfer** : 2007-07-11

Interview Date : NO INTERVIEW!!!!!!

Approval / Denial Date : 2008-08-04

Approved : Yes

Got I551 Stamp : No

Greencard Received: 2008-09-02

Comments : Wow no interview...no EAD...no travel permission....just green card in just three months after filing AOS!!! Way to go USCIS.

Employment Authorization Document

Event Date

CIS Office : Chicago National Office

Filing Method : Mail

Filing Instance : First

Date Filed : 2008-06-03

NOA Date : 2008-06-13

Bio. Appt. : 2008-06-28

Approved Date :

Date Card Received :

Comments : Never approved...green card came first.

Processing

Estimates/Stats : Based on timeline data, your EAD may be adjudicated between August 29, 2008 and September 9, 2008*.