100% Al Ahly Fan

Glad to hear our relationship is a fairly "typical" marriage.

Like everyone here we've had ups and downs with marriage. Most difficulties have been because of my husband having trouble with finding steady work. He's had quite a few jobs in the couple years that he's been here. When he hasnt worked he's stayed with our boys (one we have together and the other is from my previous marriage). He loves and adores both of them and he calls both boys his sons. He helps around the house (cleaning, yardwork, laundry..whatever is needed) although he's not much of a cook but he can make a mean Egyptian salad or eggs sunny-side-up in a flash.

Thankfully we are both Arabs and Muslim so that had never been an issue.

I can't say he had culture shock since he had lived in California for almost five years before I even met him. I think the shock for him was more the economy and how bad it was when he got here. He couldn't believe how much this country had changed from 2005 to 2010. I guess I, too, was surprised that work didn't come that easy for him initially since we live in a fairly large city with many many Muslims and immigrants from all over.

We got pregnant fairly soon after him getting here. We weren't really trying but we weren't not trying either. We left it in God's hands.

I am so blessed that God brought this man in my life. He's my best friend even though still get on each others nerves every once in a while

Hey Everyone :-)

My hubby starts training for his job tomorrow and so he didn't want to have to take time off already for his biometric appt next week, so...we went today and they allowed him to do it.

We were worried he would be turned away. They told us they don't usually do that but since they weren't very busy (There was two other people in there) they said they would take him. About 10 minutes after getting there a bum-rush of people showed up. By then he was already getting bio done.

So anyhow...now we wait for the next few months. Oh what fun!

Anxiously awaiting the results of your interview. God willing, approved on the spot!

Thank you so much, my friends! I am feeling much calmer. I just hope they have our file there. No touches or notice of transfer to local office. I have heard of interviews scheduled and then the IO not having the file and needing to reschedule. Anyways, everyone should log in to VJ around 10:00 Thursday morning to see the status Approved after our 9:15 interview!

Happy March MENA Folks!

Hope everyone is well. Been a while so thought I'd stop by and say hello to all

I don't remember when I posted last in MENA but lots has happened for us and thought I'd share. 2011 was a good year, thank God.

The best was our son was born in 2011. Actually last month he turned one years old. The other great news is that we bought a house together. We go back and forth on whether we should stay in Minnesota or move to a warmer city but for now Minnesota is where we call home. We've had ups and down with work for my husband but thank God he is working again and is starting school this month as well.

We filed for the ROC in January. Biometrics is in a couple of weeks. Probably won't hear anything about it until the middle of summer.

So anyhow, I'll be popping in, usually over in the ROC section ,so I'll try and stop by over here as well to say hi.

I wish everyone well on this journey we call life. Take care all!

Hey Fellow January Filers,

Hope all is well.

A quick update. So hubby and I went to the Info-pass appointment yesterday. They informed us that they DO have the correct address on file. So the question in my head, which I questioned outloud, was what happened to the NOA1? The officer told us that she saw our case in the system and not to worry about the NOA1, but that it was probably sitting on someones desk Wha!!! But uh....hmm....I guess I assumed they had some machine issuing out hundreds of those forms a day, not someone literally sitting there folding them and sticking them in an envelope to be mailed out. IDK??

Anywho....the officer was very nice. We brought our baby with us and so she was just tickled by him and his waving hi and bye bye to her. She offered to stamp Hubby's passport with the I-551 good until Feb 2013. She also told my husband she was going to keep his greencard. I should have taken a picture of his face It was priceless, especially when she took sissors to it. Anyhow, she told him the stamp in his passport was just as good as his greencard that was due to expire in a couple weeks anyways.

I asked about the biometrics which she said had been issued just that day. So she printed that off for us. I hope we get the original in the mail by the end of this week, if we don't at least we have the one she copied for us. Hubby's biometrics is scheduled for March 12, 2011.

The USCIS website says about 6 months for this wait, Oh joy!

Did you receive a letter "Notice of Requirement to file ROC" from DHS/USCIS before filing I-751?

We got the letter a week before filing I-751 with our old address on it. Apparently our mail got bounced back to DHS. DHS request USPS our new address then resend the mail with ROC notice and AR-11 reminder in it.

We moved to another state long ago but knew nothing about filing AR-11 and I-865(Sponsor's Change of Address).

Anyway, I filed AR-11 online, and my husband mailed in I-865 Sponsor's Notice of Change of Address. He got NOA for I-865 within a week.

There should be a confirmation page for AR-11 after you click the submit button.

This is very helpful information. Thank you so much

We did get the "Notice of Requirement to File" with our old address. Huh....I never even thought to look at that before now.

It's weird since we physically sent the AR-11 AND did it online ( although I don't remember getting a confirmation for either).

I just called the USCIS which said they couldn't give us any personal information like address info. They said we need to get an Info-Pass appointment to verify the address they have on file for my husband since they can access information that the Call Center can't and also at that same time he could get the stamp in his passport for the year extention.

They also mentioned that after filing the AR-11 via U.S. mail, we should have received a confirmation in the mail showing the new address. I thought was strange since, so far, most folks here on VJ who filed with the physical AR-11 form never received a confirmation that I'm aware of unless done online.

I'll let everyone know how the appt goes. I think we'll schedule one for next week if there is openings.

Anyhow, again thank you so much for this. It helped set my mind at ease.....for now

Afternoon all,

Are we having fun yet, waiting?

So, I mailed out on the 19th and check cashed on the 24th. No NOA1, no case number, no biometrics letter. They won't give us any information until 30days from when we filed. Sigh...

After viewing the timeline for CSC, looks like folks who filed after us have already received the NOA1 and the biometrics.

We moved in November and we mailed AND did the AR-11 online but got no confirmation. Could this be the cause of the delay of not receiving the NOA/Biolmetrics letters. Could this be a cause of delay if they never received this information/updated our address?

Is there a cause to worry if we miss the biometrics appointment because we never received the letter?

I am so completely and utterly frustrated. I feel like we should have gotten something. Having to wait until the week of Feb 20th for any info is so frustrating!

Argh! I really hate this process.

Hey All!

Anyone know if I could find my case number off the check that was cashed electronically?

Thanks!

Hello Everyone Hope everyone is well.

Been a while since I"ve been on the site. So many things have changed since my husband's arrival.

A baby (birthday is tomorrow as a matter of fact) and a new home. Things are great. We are truly blessed

Anywho...just wanted to add our name to the Jan 2012 I-751 filers AND ask a few questions as well.

We sent our I-751 package to CSC on Jan 19 and it arrived on the 20th (with confirmation) and the check for it was cashed on Jan 24th. I thought we would have received the NOA1 by now but alas, nothing.

So now I have questions:

When will we get the NOA1? (I'm thinking we aren't getting it - probably never sent/lost in mail)

Is the NOA1 just the notice that the I-751 was received or is it the actual extention of the greencard?

When can we anticipate getting the biometrics letter? Is the biometrics letter the extention letter?

If you go to a walk-in biometrics vs. the date given for biometrics, does that delay or speed up the process (yes, I know it's going to be quite a few months but I just wondered if it helps)?

What's the phone number to contact USCIS - California Service Center? Any short cuts through the phone tree would be appreciated.

I think that's it for now. Wishing everyone well on this journey. Thanks much!

My hubby and I are very far from being is this Final Review Club. Wishing we were here already. Friday will be our 10th month since we recieved NOA1. Inshallah, we will get some news (NOA2) after December. Thanks god, that I will be going to Egypt next month. Miss my honey sooooo much.

Congrats to all for being this far in your journeys.

Hi Wendy,

I haven't read all the recent posts here, so perhaps you've already done this, but have you contacted your senator? 10 months is way out of the regular processing times for an I-130 (sorry, I don't know if that is even what you filed for). I would get on the ball with that ASAP. If you have contacted them, what explanation have they give you to why it's taken so long? Anyhow, glad to hear you'll be seeing your husband soon.

Sharifah

Good Morning/Sabah el Khair MENA! Hey Jeanne, Terrie, Sunny, Andrea, Vanessa, Rosie, Donna and Mandy (and everyone else not listed on this page).

It's another chilly day here in Minnesnowta! It's 11 degree, but feels like -2 Hubby is so hating this. I don't blame him, I hate it too! We got one of the worst bizzards in years last weekend and of course it would have to be during my DH first winter here. Poor guy, no convincing him that it's not usually this bad at least not this bad in December anyways. Oh well...this is life in the Arctic

Congrats on the new job, Jax!

And congrats on Mohamed's interview, Mandy! That's a great day, my son birthday! I was thinking though, that's strange....since he didn't turn in the packet 3 yet? Or is it some other documents needed? Either way, at least he has an interview. Are you going to be with him there?

Life for us is good (other then the weather), alhamdulilah! I can't believe I'm going to have this baby in just 8 weeks! Anyhow, I know it's been a while but wanted to stop by and say hello to everyone and wish everyone well on there journey where ever you may be.

Have a great rest of the week everyone.

Winter in Minnesota according to my hubby "It is suck!" Agreed, baby!

Regarding the comment about why American women "chase" MENA guys. Well get online and no matter where you are or what kind of chat room or social network you're involved in there are MENA guys all over it. It seems they chase Americans not the other way around. The women get caught up in the romance of it all because let's face it - MENA guys lay it on pretty thick.

You said it sista! Not just in romance...hell my little boy proves that to me on a daily basis. We are of MENA heritage but we were both born and raised here. Must be in the bloodlines

Batta, I think I understand what your saying and feel that if a women (or man) can find a person locally it would certain be easier for all parties involved. But, I also feel a person should be able to chose whoever they like so if ya like 'em MENA, Asian, European or American go for it. Just find a good one.

MM, I'm glad to here you've gotten out of this relationship. No one deserves this sort of treatment. I hope he's learned something from this and hasn't moved on to his next victim but he may soon see his pockets are completely empty and crying back to you. Remember "MENA guys lay it on pretty think" so be prepared to hear how he's a changed man, he loved you, can't live without you and will do whatever it takes to make it work. Best of luck to you.

Hey MENA peeps! Been a while, thought I'd check in with a Hump Day hello Glad to see that the Blog finally switched...seriously that one would have gone on for years

Hubby finally got his corrected green card after almost 6 months and the help of the Senator's Office. Woo hoo...done 'til December 2011 for ROC!!!

Mandy sorry to hear you can't visit your honey in KSA. That's a hard visa to get. Usually you have to have a ma7ram, family, or job to get into the kingdom. I know people think whatever they think of KSA, but being half Saudi my experience is that it's not as bad as what I've read or heard. I've always enjoyed my time with my family there and I think it's a beautiful country. Actually, I just had a single friend who made umrah with her family in in May of this year and loved it. Remember it's a dream to visit the KSA for most Muslims at some point in there lives if they can. Hmmm...not sure why I was on the "Defend KSA bandwagon", since no one really said anything bad about it and even more so I'm usually one of the first to talk smack about it, LOLOL! Anywho.....

Olivia, sorry to hear about SIL. I'll say some prayers for you and your family.

Jeanne glad to hear cooler weather is headed your way and enjoy Outback, blooming onion, YUM!

Andrea sorry to hear about the procedure and the many potty trips ahead of you today

Jax enjoy your time with Lexi! They grow TOOOOOOOOO fast!

Jenell sorry to hear your going through some things, prayers to you as well, just do whacha gotta do. MENA will still be here when ya come back

PTG, best of luck with the home loan.

Until we meet again MENA! Have a great rest of the week everyone. Laterz!

It's FRIDAY! YAY!! Hey everyone! I love Friday's. Makes me want to and and

We went to Ahmed's I-90 biometrics appt on Wednesday. We had to wait 5 months to get this appt, just for them to tell us that it may take up to 6 months or possibly more to get his green card. Oh the joy! All this because of a spelling error on their part! We are a definitely NOT satisfied USCIS customer, that’s for sure! Hubby at least got his I-551 stamp in the passport that's good October of 2011.

It's supposed to be lovely this weekend and we are childless. Tariq is going to Tita's house! Oh what to do...what to do? I'm partly out of commission because I've fractured a bone in my foot. So for the last three weeks, I've been wearing this very attractive and quite sexy "dura-stepper" a.k.a orthotic boot We've got dinner and a movie planned for tonight, but I'm hoping for something different tomorrow. Does anyone have any suggestions that doesn't involve a lot of walking?

Anywho...hope everyone has a great weekend! Enjoy it...they go to quickly as far as I'm concerned

This same old thread? Really? Sorry, but I think this is lame. This is going to get to long to go back and refer to old posts. I like Olivia's idea of a longer daily thread, but more like a monthy thread or some other way would be better, IMHO. Why can't it be monthy blogs posts anyways? The other VJ forums do monthy blogs for CR-1/IR-1, K3, K1. Whatever...guess I'll just follow the crowd

Only Tuesday BLAH! I'm in a funky mood. Can ya tell? I slept horribly last night. I made loubia yesterday and well let's just say I am seriously suffering the consequences. Tummy is like Also get to work today for them to tell me that they don't want any of us to stream music through the internet anymore. Whatever! I'm still jammin' as always.

On a lighter note, a big cograts to you Kelly for the pregnancy. Looks like we are about about a week apart. I, too, am pregnant. Part of the reason I think I have the funky pants on this morning.

Hope everyone has a better day then Mrs. Funky Drawers. Yep, I'll admit it...that's me today!

Good Morning MENA! Lovely day here in Minneapolis

I thought that was an interesting saying, Jeanne. I never heard it before, guess ya learn something new every day

BBA, $150 dollars for water? That's insane? Why it is so pricey? Come to Minneapolis...aren't you just a hop, skip and a jump away anyways?

FAT (wait that's not cool), I'll try again FaithfulandTrue a.k.a Wonderful (guess I gotta get used to the new name)...Can I call you Jenell? I guess I didn't read all the post to see what happened in your world, but God willing all strifes will end soon for you. God never gives us more then we can handle (I swear God gives me alot more credit then I give myself sometimes). We have a saying in Islam from the Quran that goes as follows "Inna ma3al 3usri yusraa" which means that with every hardship comes ease. It's actually said twice in the Quran because God was playin' around when he said this Like Jeanne said we are all human and it's okay to be wrong.

Anyhow I have news coming today that I am super excited about. Hope everyone has an excited day as well

Sharifah

When I read the title of this thread I thought it was MENA nicknames....like names that we were given by family not necessarily by our SO. Perhaps it's not done as much in western cultures, idk, but in the many MENA countries just about everyone has a nickname. Growing up the following is what I and my families nicknames where.

I am Sho Sho (said more like Shu-Shu)

My son's is Taruk

My Hubby's is Toty

Did anyone's MENA family give them a nickname?

As for what my SO and I call each other. He's Baby, Gozee (my husband), or ya Agooz (means old, lol!) or Baba. He calls me Baby, Mrati (my wife) or if I am not really paying attention ya Magnoona (crazy) <--Somehow that always get's my attention.

Afternoon MENA! Hope everyone is doing well on this last Monday of September.

No more daily threads, huh? Looks like October 2010 daily chats will start soon....

I can't get over that it's going to be October. It's definitely fall here in Minneapolis. The leaves have started changing color. I love this pic and yes, it's right here in Minneapolis. As lovely as this site is....the white stuff and the nasty cold is coming soon. Bleh!

Hope everyone has a great rest of their day

Nagi, feel better soon. Prayers are coming your way

Sharifah,

In fact, Tarek did have to repeat his biometrics too even though the mistake was TOTALLY made by USCIS. Hate to tell you that sister.

After all the HELL they put you two through they made him do a biometrics again? That's F'd up Bets! At least it's all taken care of now:yes:

Anyhow, I heard back from the senators office today and they said that we do indeed have to do a biometrics. Guess you were right Olivia, the USCIS wants something more recent from Ahmed (new pics and fingerprints, I guess).

So besides the pics and finger prints...what else do they do at at this appt? What will we need to bring? I'm assuming the letter has specifics as to what they will want. I think what we will end up bringing is Ahmed's translated birth paper, passport, and other supporting evidence showing the error was their fault. Anything else?

Afternoon MENA peep!

T.G.I.F and a 3 day weekend A big hello to the Friday posters Andrea, Sachinky, Jeanne and Wonderful!

Ya know Jeanne, I can't get over how hot it is near you. I think I'd melt if it was that hot around. It's around 60 degrees right now (a little cool actually) and last week it was close to 100. I must admit we have some serious bi-polar weather in Minnesota.

I have an hour before I get to leave work and I can't wait. I work in a pediatric clinic and I usually do a pretty good job of zoning out all the tears, but today is all cries, screams and some straight up bad kids!!! Can this hour go any faster?

Anyhow...have a great rest of your day and an even better weekend everyone!

Hey MENA Peeps!!

I have a concern and I am hoping one of the MENA (or anyone in Visajourney) can help.

We had to return my husband's greencard due to a USCIS Error (They spelled his last name wrong). So we send all the prove with the I-90 showing it was their error. They mailed us a notice that there would be no fee. We have been waiting the past 3 and half months and have heard nothing. I finally contacted the senator to do an inquiry. I heard back from them today telling me that the adjudicating officer informed them that we need to do a biometrics appt and that we will receive a notice in the mail shortly for the time and date. This didn't sound right, so I asked the person from the senators office to follow up because I didn't think that was necessary when it was an error on THEIR part. Am I wrong?

Also, if we end up having to go to this biometrics appt, what do we need to bring? Will it be in the appt letter all the information needed?

Thanks in advance!

Sharifah

Good Morning MENA!

It's been a while since someone started a thread this early. We used to have people posting many times even earlier then this. Sometimes miss the old MENA although thanks to all of you who keep this place going! You are appreciated!

Why I am starting this thread so early anyways? Well, I should be at work this morning. I was planning on working half a day but I'm not going and no one can make me, muhahaha Actually I have a lot of last minute things to take care of for our mini-vacation to Milwaukee this weekend. Arab World Fest.....here we come!!!

Hope everyone has a great Thursday and an even better Friday. Take care!

Minneapolis, MinneSNOWta! InshaAllah will move within a couple of year...hate the cold of this state. Poor poor hubby...he has NO idea what he is in for.