ARALB

I made the opera cake and finished it off with some gold leaf

I also bought a cake from the store but it's only for an inside joke...didn't want to ruin the beautiful opera cake with the joke

chocolate makes everything better

I was thinking something chocolate/espresso. White chocolate buttermilk with brown sugar creme fraiche and strawberries. Decisions

Opera Cake maybe

Ok, now I officially hate you.

I'll make you opera cake for your birthday too you just have to wait like 7 months for it

I'm not familiar with the opera cake??? Sorry- I hope it turned out fantastic! And your apology was accepted nicely! Take care!

Soooo what did you decide on???? We're all wating with baited breath.... was it chocolate, carrot, money, kittly litter or pooh cake????

Things are kinda slow around here tonight! Whats UP MENA?????? Maybe you are all boycotting me ???

Amal...the cook book is fabulous if I didn't tell you before! Can't wait for hubby to get here to start fixing more for him!!! Don't know tho, kinda scared about the whole halal and hamal(is that right?!) bit... I am not Muslim, but don't eat pork as I have done some research about it, and the thought absolutely gags me! ALSO I am from a small town in WYOMING-- not very much of an Islamic atmosphere here... We'll be seeing if he can take it! Less than 25 days till the interview.... I am so stoked!

I never saw fireproof... is it really any good? My mew(hiccup!- maybe we do have a cat amongst us! lol!) movies recently include little colorful cartoon characters! I am soooo ready for hubby to get here so we can actually watch some chick flicks and be "lovey dovey!" Man! C'mon February! Toodles!--Amy

Oh I hate it when kids are sick. I always feel so helpless! Hope he gets better soon Tasha!

Going for a mammogram at 2, then to the library. Whoo hoo. lol. I found this AWESOME site to get book ideas from. www.librarything.com . It has tons of reviews from real people about the books and you get recommendations based on the books you place in your virtual library. I liken it to netflix where the more movies you rate, the better the recommendations are for the next round of movies you want to rent. Anyhoo I am getting A Fine Balance by Rohington Mistry and A History of the Arab Peoples by Albert Hourani. I can't wait! I sooooo need a good book to read. I also want to get The Lions of Lucerne by Brad Thor. He's similar to Brian Haig I guess though I've never read anything by him. I have a bag that I've gathered together for when I go to the doctor's office or the hospital. I seem to be going weekly lately with different health issues that I have so I like to bring along this bag with different books, snacks, drinks, tissues, catalogs. I think Brad Thor will replace Brian Haig in my doctor's office bag.

There is a similar group called goodreads. com. That's where I am.

my sisiter just sent me an email talking about that one! Haven't had a chance to go check it out... too busy helping hubby cram for his interview! LOL! He finally got his last pkg I am sending to him in Jordan! It ACTUALLY only took 3 days! I can't believe it! Kids.... its coming and soon!!! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE keep us in your prayers... we are both so nervous. I thought actually going to Jordan was nerve wracking, NOW its "OMG... is the time EVER gonna come?!"

Have a FAB. Sat Night all, and terriffic Sunday if I don't find time to get on... hope the babes is better! Its the worst to have them be sick! Talk to you all later!--Amy

Hi everyone, I'm new to this site.

I was just wondering if anyone can share with me the whole wait time. I mailed my petition on Nov 21, 2008. It was sent to CSC. Recieved NOA Dec. 1, 2008. All this is so confusing for me.

Thanks, Fatimah

*husband is from Egypt*

HI FATIMAH! Ahlahn! We welcome all those looking for answers to questions pertaining to our MENA region! There have been several people here who's SOs are from Egypt- Mine is from Jordan... We started our Journey (I mailed I-130 pkt in On June 30- it was recd at CSC on July 3, you can check out my time line-- It seems to be pretty similar so far for everyone from Egypt as well.) I can tell you from start to finish looks like between 7-10 months, depending unfortunately mostly on YOU! I had two "RFE's" from the NVC- that were really STUIPD mistakes! If it asks for "orginal certificates" SEND ORIGINALS!!! And don't forget to sign date and if there is a co-sponsor have them also sign and date EVERYTHING and don't forget to put it in the envelope! LOL-- those are my dumb mistakes with this whole process! But we have been at it since July '08 and hubby has his interview FINALLY INSHA'ALLAH on Feb 18.. we're almost there!!!! Good luck on your journey, and drop a line any time! TTFN!--Amy

Nawal-- I'm trying.. I'm stating the obvious, cuz I had to cheat and go to your profile... I thought I spent enough time here with my MENA sisters, but I have failed horribly!

---Nawal-is honest with her feelings about just about everything! She is a very family oriented girlie, and blonde to boot! LOL

Sorry- guess I'm not very good at this game! --- I'll try harder gals!

we're not that picky lol. We do our absolute best to check the packaging that it doesn't show any known pork products. We don't go around making excuses to eat pork, I promise!!! but it's just that we know that god knows we do our best to check and that is as good as we can do. We don't have the time to call on every product we consume.

I know that u have to be careful with marshmallows. Be careful with the hot dogs and sausages coz they're oftentimes cased in pork intestines but it's not written on the label.

My husband is not picky about going out to eat as long as we don't physically order pork. I do know others though whose husbands refuse to eat take-out just because there's a chance that pork may have been cooked on or near the place the beef and/or chicken was cooked or prepared..OR the worry that they could use the same utensils to prepare them. It's all really up to the non-pork eater and their preferences. Definitely talk to him about how he feels. Explain the ways restaurants prepare things and there are codes and what not and just see how he feels. Good Luck!

OH, and anything that has gelatin...is not ok. Gelatin (at least from what I've read) is made from pork.

Not all Gelatin is made from pork. Starbursts candies for instance--AND I HAVE CALLED M&M&Mars,-- are made from beef gelatin, and many things can have chicken gelatin in them, but STAY AWAY FROM STARBURSTS JELLY BEANS! So if you're worried about it, then call about the type of gelatin. It would be nice if the different manufacturers would clairify, and WHY if the whole line of products is already made with beef gelatin, did they decide it necessary to make something with PORK?! UGH!

Yaaaaaaahooooooo!!!! Soon all of we MENA kids will be with our SOs! Life is fantastic! have a GREAT reunion wiht yours! AND.... Don't forget those of us still waiting thru the process! Mabruuk!

there is a recipie online for kitty litter cake! Perhaps it is exactly what you need! Have a great party and GOOD LUCK!

well I will find out in 8 days

his family is getting stressed now

I will keep them in my prayers as well Rajaa! Gosh 8 DAYS?!?!?! That is almost like tomorrow in the grand scheme-- I dare anyone to tell me something like that when I only have 8 days to wait! LOL!!! I'm so happy for ya tho girlie! I'm busy getting emails copied, and IM's and phone records from the past ummm.... six months! LOL! Its coming!--Good night MENA!

Thanks Amy drive safely... you know my friend lives in Colorado from VJ her husband just got here from Morocco too... Hubby and I are planning to go down there in Spring to visit.

So question....to anyone that might know ... hubby has a connecting flight in JFK and thanks to CHD now know it will be considered his POE... will 3 hours be enough time between flights?

Also, once he is here do I go right into the SS office and do we submit an application?

Rajaa- I came home thru JFK my last time to Jordan,... IT STUNK! AND I AM A CITIZEN!!! Actually I think I had about three hours, but they only had two lines open for citizens, and like 6 for immigrants! -- I barely made my check in, but I switched airlines too??? MAYBE that made a difference?Since they do it so often, it should be smooth, but the airport itsself is REALLY messed up! Make sure he is ok with ASKING for HELP finding his way around! I had to go down an elevator after I found my bags, and then recheck them at another counter! Don't even get me started! In any case, I am sure his experience will be just fine, if he could get more time @ the airport tho it might be good.. a longer layover, you know! In any case- I don't know about the soc. sec thing either, that was one question I had too, I believe he should get a welcome letter from the POE or something like that... maybe from the uscis??? In any case, I have the same question??? I hope it goes smoothly for you and he gets here with out a hitch! Good luck!?!

Amy no worries hubby told me we have to stay on VJ cause there are too many people we can help out there mashallah my hubby is so sweet

Well good! You two are definately good people to know!!! And quite frankly we'd miss you too much! I'm so glad to hear I can still jabber with you once he is here.. How is your anxiety level holding up? Its not long now Rajaa! YAY!!! Even I am beginning to see that light again at the end of the tunnel-- not sure which is worse??? not knowing ANYTHING, or having a date so I can get good and stressed out?! LOL I'm still trying to get the last packet ready to send to him, this will be my last dhl to him while he is in Jordan, RIGHT ON!!! I have to drive to Loveland Colorado to send it now tho?! UGH-- DHL moved its international pick up out of my state completely!? Road trip Saturday for Amy Have a great Tuesday!

---Amy

I'm still here Rajaa... so he finally bought that ticket!?! Good- especially if it will keep you away from the fighting. I am so anxious to get hubby thru his interview and HOME-here where he belongs---far away from bombs and rockets and shooting- for now anyways..

Rest up now girlie, I'm sure now you will disappear for a time too I'm jealous! lol!!! When you do come up for a breath of air, drop us a line! till then we'll keep yackin at ya!

To the rest of the VJers, I'm still here ready to gab with all of you as well! Talk to ya soon!-Amy

Hi MENA!!! Beautiful Sunday to you all-- well I guess in some instances Monday! --- OK question??? Does anyone know what I can do about this situation?? Our case is complete at NVC- we sent originals of EVERYTHING they asked for-- along with copies so that originals could be returned at the time of interview-- Think we may need those forms at some point down the road and they are MUCH MUCH easier to get here than they are in Jordan... OK so here is my dilema, in the letter we recieved from NVC our interview letter(pkt #4) it states that they have all the needed paperwork to conduct the interview EXCEPT the Marriage Certificate... we had an RFE on the marriage certificate, and I had hubby send me the one copy in Arabic we had... Do you suppose we should get another one??? It is CRAZY because I have copies of the one we sent to them!?! I am a lil worried. Told hubby to go see if he could get another, but am not sure how willing they will be to give it? UGH!?! Why does NVC do this to people?! I will be calling them Monday, but I really am concerned about the fact that we may have a marriage certificate floating around out there somewhere?! That is pretty PII!!! In anycase- any advise or suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated...-Amy

hey they are totally scheduling

I know two pple that got one scheduled today... ME INCLUDED!

YAY!!! ME TOO ME TOO!!! He'll go in Feb 18th! Life is moving right along!--Congrats!!!

Hello fellow VJs with February interviews. Have you received your appointment letter yet? I haven't... just wondering.

Got ours Saturday... They said that the sent it Jan 2nd... so it took a whole week to get here!

hello everybody

my interview will be Feb 5th at 1:30 pm, i m just wondering, coz in the letter they write request for initial interview, there is another interview after?

also i don t receive an approved for my I130?

What is your embassy--- it is different through out the world- or it can be as I have read here... I think they know during your first interview if you are getting the visa or no... if they have extra questions tho, they can request you to return.. I'm sure it will be fine!-- Good luch- that's right around the corner!

Good morning. I just got back from my son's bball game and the kids did a really good job for their first game of the year. I am in a bad funk these days with my husband leaving guys. I can't explain it really except that I think I am getting depressed over it. He'll be home 3/11 but I have so many things running through my mind these days. Just pray that I don't lose it. Have a nice day all!

awwww sweety i am sorry I can't imagine being away from my husband once i got him here. I think even when i have to go pee i'll want him with me

take care and you know i am always here for you..pm me any time

Same here girlie! We are here for ya... just chime in and pms are welcome... I know I have been kind of a dabbler, but I really have grown to love all y'all! Take care and let us know if we can help! Talk to you soon!--- I totally agree Rajaa! I don't care where I go once he is here-- I want him with me forever! -- I would be in the same place sweety!

soooooo had some pains in my chest yesterday... the doc asked me if I was under stress these days i didn't realize how much until she asked me so while i am telling her what's stressing me out (needed way more than a 20 min appointment) she finally raised her hands and gave me a prescription....... went home to find out what it was i was supposed to take for 4 days 4 times a day... muscle relaxers??? strange isnt' it???

WELLLLLLL, your brain is a muscle right... lol! Maybe your heart needs a lil relaxing too! Get that man here! UGH-- Take care of yourself Rajaa! We're all pullin' for a full recovery from the stress and anxiety involved in getting your SO here in a timely manner! -- NOW if only HE would put some hussle in his bussle! LOL! Have a great weekend!

-Amy

Happy Caturday (not sure what this is about) Anyone wanna explain to the newbie????? HEHE

Brittany

Ha ha! its cuz so far from what I have seen, everyone here seems to like---No, LOVE cats... Not sure what it exactly goes back to... but I for one love doggies a lil more! I think its great to have pets of any kind... hubby isn't too sure about our dog-he's rather afraid of the idea, since there they are for protection... funny thing is... she's a pomeranian mix, and soooo... is about 6" tall and probably 12"long- she's my substitute cat! LOL!!! Hope that helps! LOL~

Hello,

Maddy and I are trying to determine the space of time between the NVC approval and the interview date. I have her DS-230 ready to send off, all fees paid, just need to take the envelope to the Post Office.

But, because she is in school until sometime in mid-march, we really don't want her interview before that. Hopefully the end of March or first of April at the earliest. She has worked hard to get really good grades in her classes, and I would hate to see her lose it all because she had to be out for days for her medical and interview. And, I plan to be there with her for her interview, and would like to have some time with her.

OK, it was a long post for a short question, just wanted to explain why we prefer a later date.

Thanks all,

Maddy & Rick

I am not a professional at answering people's questions, but it seems to me that if you send in the final info, it will still take NVC between 1 and 2 weeks to check and make sure it's all there and put you at case complete... Then you will PROBABLY have to wait till February to find out if you get a March interview--that is how it works for Jordan... If you don't get a March Interview-which is highly likely, you would then call back in March to see if you get one in April... it all has to do with where you sit on the list, and how many visas they can give for that month.. Tricky question- If I were you and wanted to be sure it was not till April, I would wait myself until Late Jan or early Feb to send it, because since you want it April sometime, you will be scheduled for march-- you know laws of odds and stuff! LOL--Good luck

does anyone know if we can call the us embassy to set the interview for cr1 or do we need to wait for NVC to set the date? tnx for any info...!

If your case is "complete" @ NVC, they should be scheduling your interview date within the next couple of months... you can keep calling them and reminding them nicely that you are there waiting, and I think it is 8 weeks after case complete date, you can call and discuss the delay in your interview... I have found the nicer I am to the operators on the other end, the more willing they are to give me info! Take care and Good Luck!

The truth of the matter is that we favor Israel, for a few reasons...

- Jews are seen as children of God by many christians & if you oppose Israel then by default you oppose God.

- Israel is our only true ally in the region... it is in our national interests to defend them.

The truth is the blame goes both ways with Israel & its muslim neighbors. Those of you that think that Israel is purely innocent while their enemies are totally guilty are fooling yourselves (and that is the nicest way I can say it). Moreover to imply that anyone who says anything negative about Israel is anti-Israeli is absurd. This isn't Star Wars with the evil Republic vs. the good guys, this is real life. Welcome to reality!

Are you KIDDING?! We defend Isreal BECAUSE and ONLY BECAUSE- we are TERRIFIED of them! I just wish all the LITTLE BOYS WITH BIG GUNS, that have the money and the "power" would GROW up and quit all this nonesense!!! The killing of innocents, and in reality of ANYONE... is an opposition of God in the first place! So that excuse is not a good one...OH! I guess that knocks them both out of the water now, doesn't it?!--GOOD NIGHT! UGH!!!!!

Peace to the Middle East and the world is not going to be won with any kind of war--- but those little boys just keep shooting don't they?!

Yahooo! Now the journey continues!!! Good luck with the rest of the process!!! our prayers are with you as they are with EVERYONE here at VJ!-Amy

Hey!!!!!!!!!!

I GOT A DATE!!!!!!

February 19th!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

US TOO!!! US TOO!!!! Found out on a whim phone call to NVC on Monday, but got our official letter today!!! Feb 18, 2009 @8:am!!!! Good luck! Don't know how Jamaca is... Jordan can be difficult or so I hear... Three deep breaths and lets PLUNGE IN!!! -- talk to ya later---Amy

Happy Friday!

i feel like going back to bed and pulling the covers over me, my eyes feel like they weigh about 100 lbs each-ugh!!!!! i don't know how i will make it through today.

Hang in there kiddo! We're all feelin' your pain! Weekends'a comin'! Alhumda'allah! Eat an apple-- it always help me!

Yeah I am new been around for a few weeks probally but more of a lurker then anything... Havent started anything just yet so dont wanna be a pain yet.

NONE of our friends at JV are pains... but take your time, have fun lookin' around and feel free to join in the convos any time!!! --- THATS WHAT I DO! ----No one has said-- AMY BUZZ OFF! They are usually VERY helpful, and if I'm having a hard day, somehow being here with the other gals/guys going thru the same crappola and same good times HELPS IMMENSILY!

Happy Friday Everyone!