amrssnowangel

I do not remember us having show and tell in school. Maybe I am just too old to remember. lol

LOL.... I remember it in i think kindergarten? I took my guinea pig once....hmmm...and i remember someone bringing in their barbie collection.. ..remember barbie...ken and that cool car barbie drove??? Ohhh anyone remember 8 track tapes and...ewwwwwww...those old bulky CAR phones we thought were sooo cool in the very early 80's???

OMG yessssss!!!!!

I had the car and the Barbie dream house. Remember that one with the elevator? I remember listening to the Beach Boys on 8 track.

OHHH yesssssssssssssss....I once made the comment about Donnie Osmond and the Bay City Rollers and my daughter said "Who????" Oh...and has anyone else noticed??? OUr favorite, COOL hits from when WE were teens???? Are NOW played as OLDIES BUT GOODIES?? or CLASSIC ROCK??? Huhhhh?? when did THAT happen????????????

Anyone remember the GAS CRISIS of the 70's?? When .50 cent a gallon gas went to $1.50 and we thought that was jsut HORRIBLE??? (had to ration to )...I remember .33 cent loaves of bread..

And yes..I remember the barbie house with the elevator...my best friend had it at the time...I was sooo jealous..but hey...I had every Bay City Roller album... Now My kids see a vinyl record and have to ask "what is THAT???" LOL

I do not remember us having show and tell in school. Maybe I am just too old to remember. lol

LOL.... I remember it in i think kindergarten? I took my guinea pig once....hmmm...and i remember someone bringing in their barbie collection.. ..remember barbie...ken and that cool car barbie drove??? Ohhh anyone remember 8 track tapes and...ewwwwwww...those old bulky CAR phones we thought were sooo cool in the very early 80's???

My oldest daughter is studying Egyptian history this year in middle school. I told her if Usama gets here soon enough you can bring him in for show and tell! He liked that idea and was all pumped up about it. lol.

Now THATS show and tell at its finest..just bring in the real thing............

I do not remember us having show and tell in school. Maybe I am just too old to remember. lol

LOL.... I remember it in i think kindergarten? I took my guinea pig once....hmmm...and i remember someone bringing in their barbie collection.. ..remember barbie...ken and that cool car barbie drove??? Ohhh anyone remember 8 track tapes and...ewwwwwww...those old bulky CAR phones we thought were sooo cool in the very early 80's???

Congrats!

Don't worry too much about the interview, you've been preparing for it for a long time... just enjoy the time with your SO and try not to stress

Not to stressed...we want to add new pics of us together and organize..but thats about it....yes...its been a long time now...we will enjoy our time so much and spend that morning in prayer and in the word of God. Any outcome will be for God's glory and we hope and pray that He will bless us in our future..no matter where He chooses to put us. Here or Cairo....After all..they can't tell us we can't marry...as someone once said...they can only tell us where we will have to live...they can't determine our timing either....so we have a laid back attitude...we can't lose....there's always "plan B"

woooooooooooooow congratulation faith I'm so happy for you and for your fiance amr i think this is his name

no advice cause i think you guys are ready for that step since 4 years ago

GOD bless you both and inshaallah he will pass the interview and you will get short ap inshaalah

and remember they will not allow you to go with him to the interview window

Im not sure of that...someone else had an interview in january in Cairo...and she went to window with him..both were interviewed...i have email confirming i'll be allowed...maybe its changed...

Faith

Congratulations on getting an interview date !!!

I think the case you are talking about was a DCF -- on those, they interview both petitioner and beneficiary.

Unfortunately, they won't even let you into the building to attend the interview with your fiance, or to sit with him while he waits. But it doesn't hurt for him to let them know you are in the country and waiting outside.

Best of luck !

-MK

Congratulations Faith for interview , and i'm sure you will be allowed into the embassy and at window too , we had our interview for k1 visa too not DCF and my fiancee was allowed into the embassy ...and when they called my name for the interview we walked to the window together and i think because the CO was very nice and gentelman he couldn't tell my fiancee to go back and set in the waiting area , he even asked her more questions than me . go faith and good luck for you both .

will be easy interview inshallah for your fiance

He needs me to go to the window...will take us BOTH to carry all our evidence. I figure they may never LOOK at it..but they will KNOW its there..and LOTS of it...I have a smaller "sample" pack put together...for showing WITH questions...such as when we met, when, have you met her parents...we can show his letters and calls to my mom and mine to his. And so on...sort of like court...once u give them the answer they WANT...they shut u up...so i figure rip out that evidence and have it in hand like in show and tell..remember that in school???

What was the weirdest thing you ever took to show and tell?? Anyone still remember that???

Congrats on the interview date. When will you be leaving? I pray that everything will go smoothly for you and your love.

Im leaving March 3, (Monday) and returning March 12. yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhh

woooooooooooooow congratulation faith I'm so happy for you and for your fiance amr i think this is his name

no advice cause i think you guys are ready for that step since 4 years ago

GOD bless you both and inshaallah he will pass the interview and you will get short ap inshaalah

and remember they will not allow you to go with him to the interview window

Im not sure of that...someone else had an interview in january in Cairo...and she went to window with him..both were interviewed...i have email confirming i'll be allowed...maybe its changed...

Faith

Thank you. We are so nervous and seriously hoping to be one of the lucky ones with short AP time, in shaa Allah. We did have a name hit at NVC and it was cleared up and our petition sent out in a months time, Alhamdolellah. So additional checks would be up to the embassy at this point. We've waited 4 years for this... Good luck to everyone still waiting and those getting ready to go through the interview process....

We have our interview date of March 6, 2008!!! His packet 4 was sent today and I was able to surprise him with the news for Valentines Day!!! We are so nervous and excited all at once. I will be going for the interview, in shaa Allah. Any last minute advice is always appreciated.

Bridget, you aren't the only one who has a long AP. They are not torturing you. You are not on a black list.

This is part of the process. You saw people go through it before you and there will be people to go through it after you.

I'm sorry if this sounds harsh but this waiting isn't just about *you*. It's a process. There have been people waiting close to a year and longer. There are some people who barely have 2 weeks wait.

You will get your visa when you get it and not any sooner *and* not any later.

I know that waiting sucks and I know that waiting is hard. I have had a longer wait than you and I haven't even filed yet!

Trust me, I know about waiting.

Allah has things planned and if you don't think He's the best of planners then maybe you have some serious thinking to do.

Whatever the reason for this wait is, Allah knows best, not me, not you, not anyone else.

I wish you the best with this process and your continued waiting, however long it is, but may it be short for both your sakes.

As with many others here with experience and time served in MENA waiting...you have good points...maybe find a softer way to bring them across..would make your message easier to hear and take to heart....no matter what Allah has planned in our lives..we are still human with human emotions...and sometimes those fears...anger and emotions...need to just be expressed. This was Bridgets way of handling her own process..her own way...to come to us for support. You are right...Allah is the best of planners...its easier to catch flies with a bit of honey then with vinegar....a little sugar coating goes a long way to get the underlying message out...God bless...everyone here waiting is in my prayers....Alhamdolellah...God is Good...He is merciful and He is all Wise...the most perfect of planners...

Bridget, you aren't the only one who has a long AP. They are not torturing you. You are not on a black list.

This is part of the process. You saw people go through it before you and there will be people to go through it after you.

I'm sorry if this sounds harsh but this waiting isn't just about *you*. It's a process. There have been people waiting close to a year and longer. There are some people who barely have 2 weeks wait.

You will get your visa when you get it and not any sooner *and* not any later.

I know that waiting sucks and I know that waiting is hard. I have had a longer wait than you and I haven't even filed yet!

Trust me, I know about waiting.

Allah has things planned and if you don't think He's the best of planners then maybe you have some serious thinking to do.

Whatever the reason for this wait is, Allah knows best, not me, not you, not anyone else.

I wish you the best with this process and your continued waiting, however long it is, but may it be short for both your sakes.

listen lady i didn't ask to be lectured. Perhaps if you don't have anything nice to say you shouldn't say anything at all. Yes you've waited longer but that was your choice. I don't choose to sit and wait around for things to happen I make them happen. I didn't CHOOSE to be put in AP this long. Yes people waited before me but it's worse now than it has been in the past.

I"m sick of you judging my relationship with Allah. I didn't ask for an islamic lecture. I posted this to get it off my shoulder. It's a visa message board where people go to for SUPPORT.

and btw you can take your flower and stuff it where the sun don't shine.

Bridget,

You are in my prayers...with Valentines day around the corner...its hard...We've been together 4 years..first waited to finish uni..then waited for finals..then waited for military to see if they'd take him..then waited because we had a hard time and had to fix a few things...then waited while i was in hospital..then waited for USCIS...then stuck in AP at NVC..once again waited...and now we wait for interview date. I understand... There are times that we ALL have a hard time with this...and its at this time we should be here to offer our support...sure others have waited longer...but this process is VERY personal. Everyone feels it different..and those that have waited longer, should understand this. With that said...try to stay busy...its hard...no one said...God would give us all perfect times...but He does promise to be there for us and help us through it. No words can make you feel better...or make you understand why this is happening...but just know...Im praying for you..and if you need to talk..PM me,....

I got an email today that said :"The case is currently being finally reviewed for issuance."

One more put-off until they issue the darn thing !!!!

Good luck everybody. It seems like people are just flying through Cairo recently !!! Spectacular !

I hope your email is truely good news. Looking at the VJ timelines and the numbers...seems the home visits take place roughly 4-5 months after an interview...then about 2-4 months after a home visit the visa is issued..you are right in that time frame.....yes some wait longer..but on the whole..you are due....the averages are in your favor...good luck...its been a long time coming for you....

May I have your attention ......................

You are all invited to the next ........drumroll please......MENA SLUMBER PARTY!!! Mark your calendars for this Sunday night, BYOB (bring your own Bebsi) and low-carb Cheezy Poofs. Cheryl has agreed to be the guest of honor.

This time we will be keeping our Cheryl company while she waits for that call from her man. Let's fill up the chat room Sunday night and have some fun! We usually meet up about 7 or 8pm. Bring a friend and some jokes. Amal is in charge of the argillla.

See you all there!

jJ

oh,,,one small glitch. We have til Sunday to get VJ chat working for Cheryl or we will be partying without her. So if someone computer savvy can jump in and help..let's get her up and running for Sunday.

Isn't there a second interview for Monday Feb 11th as well? Ahmed and Lynn??? Lets not forget them tooo....yeahhhhhhhhhhhh...GO CAIRO GO CAIRO GO CAIRO GOOOOOOOOOOOO....good luck to the new interviews. We are two weeks into waiting on our interview date to be scheduled..I dont forsee getting a packet 4 for another week or two at least...we'll see...

Im watching it online in virginia while he watches on tv in egypt..so cool... GOOOOOOOO EGYPT!!! Do ALL these men turn to...well...lol..its my first time watching with him...what a new experience....guess you really dont knwo your man till u watch football together...LOL

CONGRATULATIONS!!! Lets hope Cairo keeps up the pace. There are several of us since the start of the year...would be soooooooooo nice to see Cairo push us ALL through without a hitch.....Good luck in your new lives together...

Thanks for all your replys. My SO lives in Damanhour Egypt. He had connection one day at his home all day while I was at work and lost it again as soon as I got off.

He has tried so hard to go to net cafes so we can talk but we have not had much luck there either. Once or twice we were able to talk for a couple of hours.

But the Interview is Monday and he needs to print our Skype Log for phone calls, Our emails, and our msn conversations from December until now for the Interview. Lucky we had printed all up to December 29th because we sent it with our Packet 4.

They returned it to us and told us bring to Interview....so we still have it. But we have nothing from December 29th until now. So I am getting nervous about it. Think they may tell him he does not have enough proof of relationship....and may deny him or put us into AP.

Maybe I am worrying over nothing.....But sometimes Cairo is quick and sometimes it seems as if they search for anything to hold you in AP.

Just pray he will get connection or find internet cafe with connection and printer so he can print our records before Monday.

Thanks for all your support.

Cheryl

Hey Cheryl,

Good luck with the interview to you both. Try not to worry. He knows you..he loves you.... THAT is what will come out in the interview. So dont worry. I did some number crunching and took the K1's from over the last 2 years from VJ. And this is what I found......

Almost 70% of the k1 interviews have their visas. Out of 24 interviews only 8 still wait. The longest wait I found was 15 months, but there are reasons for that. 2-3 have waited 10 months...the rest have waited only 5 months for visa. The AVERAGE time to visa in hand for those that did get I found to be 3 months. The longest wait to GET a visa for those that have was 7 months. In a nut shell...The odds favor a visa to be issued in a timely manner for a K1 visa. Yes there are those few that have waited...but on the whole for K1 the numbers speak for themselves. Bearing in mind this is coming from the VJ REPORTED timelines. So dont worry...relax....

For the internet connections...my SO has his own line and we have had no issues over the last 2-3 days now. If your guy shares a line...that will weaken his connection right up front. My SO ssays that they finished repairing the actual lines...however through today they are rerouting the services back through the newly repaired lines..and that may cause issues still for some. Hang in there...I'd say in the next day he should have better luck with net.

As far as recent call activity...i wouldn't worry...they rarely ask or WANT to see any documentation from what i've been reading...he just needs to show what he can..as he answers questions...relax...its in Gods hands now. Your relationship is real...they will see that. Calm...breath...do something for yourself in the next day or so...get out a bit...the work is done...now its time to reap the benefits...

Good luck...may God guide your SO"s words...give you comfort, peace and strength... Rise like the Eagle and soar. You are in my prayers....

on the other hand, societies this "invasive" tend to be more close knit and in tune with each other-a rather helpful thing when individuals have a problem or are in need, because it's seen as affecting society as a whole, not just that individual. there can be definite benefits and advantages to that kind of society, and most of the time people see this kind of meddling as a given-and people act accordingly. it goes well beyond entertainment purposes though, or just gossip, even if that happens a lot. but maybe it's just easier to categorize the way other people live as just a "freaking waste of time".

Close knit yes, families that is. However you aren't look at the flip side of this. Its not so much the family "meddling" that creates the problem, its the fact that nothing is kept secret. So if they tell a friend or neighbor and that person tells someone else, it keeps going and going. And similar to an old fashioned game of telephone the facts get distorted and often hurt the person involved. Maybe you don't think its a waste of time but maybe you haven't lived through it. I have seen girls that often get passed by for marriage because of a rumor that some guy started that all of sudden becomes fact. Things can get very crazy very fast.

For example.....currently my husband is getting flack because some in his neighborhood are stating that I only came there that one time (we were in alex the second time) for sex and that we're not indeed married. (this is due to the fact that he hasn't got the visa yet so they think he's making the whole visa thing up). Mind you the lady in the housecoat sets them straight when she hears this talk but it's not easy to squash something like this once it gets out. Thankfully the consulate officer did not come across these people.

Then there's the "evil eye". People there are jealous of him that he is going to the United States. No doubt about it that some evil eyes have been set and cast because of the talk.

I lived in an appt complex once for two years. I never EVER talked to even one person living there. Comparing that to his situation and it's like apples and oranges. The street I live on now is different and my next door neighbor pretty much knows what's going on but still it's not even 1/100th of what it's like in my husband's neck of the woods.

My fiance and his family are VERY private people. They dont even talk about EACH OTHERS things. He never has liked to discuss what he said/what she said things, or other peoples business as he was raised gossip is wrong. I also believe this is one of the reasons, in addition to others, why I do not go to his home ever to visit. The talk both good and bad. so not all egyptian families behave this way. But many do. We mostly want to avoid the bad talk. It is true that many (not all mind u) there will look at an older foreign woman with a younger man (husband or not) as someone looking for sex..and he is naturally only interested in a visa. We have tried our best to avoid any of this in his parents neighborhood. Since they are more traditional, this type of talk would just be humiliating to their family. We know better and thats all that matters...but will not subject his parents to this.

I knew someone that went to visit her now husband there and after her stay the neighbors thought she had given the family thousands of dollars and one suitcase turned into 10 suitcases..and that they were living together in sin...and she had to be there to give hiim visa.

Just curious....not all but a LOT of the emails that I get from the consulate in Cairo say at the end

"We will contact you once that has been completed to notify you of the next step. "

Has anyone else ever had this response?

My last email said they'd email me with our interview date...when it was scheduled...im not unhappy with Cairo...YET...but i highly doubt this will happen...lol... I do think what you are getting is a standard reply.

I think the home visits are for multiple reasons.

1. to find out if the marriage/engagement is hidden

2. to verify where the SO lives, that he DOES live there, and he is who he says he is

3. to verify if there are other wives or fiancees

4. to verify if the family is supportive or if anyone has a slip of tongue

5. to verify who the neighbors are...to see..investigate if there are associations that are less than honorable (terrorism wise)

I know for us...his parents know of us. We have chosen NOT to have a formal engagement in Egypt as its not acceptable in our case (for reasons I'll not disclose) and i know his neighbors will not know of me...but his entire family does. If parents dont know of the relationship or an age gap thats a flag im sure. If he was married in Egypt and neighbors dont know...flag...marriage in Egypt is a huge deal. Im sure there are many reasons...but none of which I can say are worth that long of a wait as some of you have gone through. Just my opinion.

O.K.......Mirla.....we know it will go really good for you tomorrow......I will be waiting for new tomorrow

I got touched again.....3rd time since the approval........hmmm......I waited months for one now I have many

So what should I do now???????....do they contact me from NVC or must I contact them????

I think procedure is call nvc 1-603-334-0700 press 1, then 5 open til midnight, but don't use automated system it doesn't have k1 info. or call state dept 1-202-663-1225 press one then zero. open til 430 or so

Call DOS or NVC...they can give you your NEW case number...and tell you what date your package was sent to the Embassy. Then they are able to also provide follow up. Such as when the embassy recieves it. Once the embassy recieves it..NVC has not been able to give more information....now DOS does...so once the embassy gets it...call DOS. They can then tell you when the embassy has cleared your file (after getting packet 3) and that its waiting for interview date. Once an interview date is scheduled either can tell you that date....I still get bad information. Like many here have said that they called NVC to find out the interview date..but I was told they cant give that information...but DOS does...who knows...im still in that black void of bad information..doesn't seem to EVER clear up at ANY stage...just stay proactive..and good luck.

Got another touch....2/1/08.....Could be from the phone call yesterday......Nothing to do but deliver another baby

That is promising! I NEVER got a touch from a phone call....

You have your medical today, Steph? Good luck

Thanks. Yes, Darren had his medical this past Friday and after filling out 5 forms asking for the same information all went well.

I still haven't gotten a interview date!!! I can't believe being this close and they still find a way to drag it out. I am starting to stress about it. Why so long?? They processed and approved the packet 3 so all should be ok.

Maybe give them a call, to see what's going on? It can't hurt, maybe?

I call NVC every day for an update. They keep telling me the embassy hasn't scheduled the interview date yet. You can't call the embassy directly.

We are in the same boat...we are waiting for an interview...Have been since Jan 24th. I don't look for us to have one till March. Then the dreaded AP wait...and seems those with age differences having met on internet going through Cairo get held up the longest in AP. 8-12 months is the average now AFTER the interview. There has to be a better way to do this. But........

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF YOU APPROVED WITH NOA2'S.......

MIRLA...GOOD LUCK

LORA.......ABOUT TIME GIRL.............

Waiting to see the rest of you get yours to. I read...but haven't been posting as much...Just all of you take care...you are all in my prayers...hang in there...the end is in sight....

Faith

I've had good luck with them so far answering my emails promply. Usually within 24-48 hours..except this one.

I know my SO has net sporadically...12 midnight our times seems to be the best...we can get in a good 2-3 hours...he has his own dsl line..so maybe that helps...and we had a decent morning to...it wasn't till late morning/early afternoon it was to weak for him to log in. I also had horrible time ringing him today from both my cell and my vonage phone...says all international lines into Egypt are busy...so I tried Skype (.15 cents a minute) and THAT worked well...Alhamdolellah...

My husband hasn't had any internet for a week so i bought some skype credit too and it worked well we got to talk for about 2 hours. I hope it comes soon though.

Im glad you got to talk..its soo hard being apart let alone when communications fail to..... my SO has had net off and on now..we had it from 12 midnight my time till about 11:15am this morning. Alhamdolellah. Skype is awesome...and u know..its even CHEAPER for him to call you...only .02 Cents a minute if he has connections. My SO calls me 3-5 times a day for short calls and we can skype chat...we prefer skype for our voice and cam chats. Yahoo freezes so much for us..and skype has been much smoother. A ship has arrived today to start repairs on the cut lines...they estimate 10 days and that net will improve over time. I guess because my SO has his own dsl line (not shared with others) he is able to get net a bit more...we are thankful and know we are blessed by this. Good luck to all...

Hi,

I just got a reply today to my email sent a few days ago on Tuesday. Yes they are able to email now...not sure about phones.

Happy Caturday!

Good news, Monnik ! Maybe it will only take 2 weeks or even less! You never know....

Maureen, scary stuff. I know you were in panic mode big time. Thank God nothing was lost.

Melinda, have fun today and stay bundled.

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone !

Nagishkaw,

Have you had your interview yet??? I just noticed your timeline..when did you have it??? Im confused as usual...

have a great day everyone

I know my SO has net sporadically...12 midnight our times seems to be the best...we can get in a good 2-3 hours...he has his own dsl line..so maybe that helps...and we had a decent morning to...it wasn't till late morning/early afternoon it was to weak for him to log in. I also had horrible time ringing him today from both my cell and my vonage phone...says all international lines into Egypt are busy...so I tried Skype (.15 cents a minute) and THAT worked well...Alhamdolellah...