Olive♥

Yup, it's a nice size, nice weight to it, etc. Husband cooked with it the other night & it was really good.

Also, the couscoussier (spell?) from table la sur came yesterday, so hopefully we'll be trying it out this weekend.

Thanks again for everyone's help and suggestions.

Anyone have quick tips for lovely, fluffy couscous?

Thanks

I usually place my couscous grain in a glass microwavable bowl and microwave it seperately from my actual meat/vegetables. I do use the same broth & spice mix tho. Fluffs and tastes the same (I find) whether in the couscouserie or microwaved

Do you think that kind of behavior is related to socio economic status, and/or associated with perception of some Moroccans that all Americans have money to burn?

I've not experienced what Jenn and Squeaky have described. In the past when my husband said not to bring gifts, because his parents were just happy that I was coming, he meant it. I would get the lecture that gifts weren't necessary when I brought gifts. And, his parents and other family members always gave me parting gifts to bring back to the US, not just for me but for my other family members as well.

I also disagree the rather ridiculous generalization and dig that all Moroccans want to be Americans.

Yeah my inlaws said that too and they gave me alot of things to bring back for many of my family members. They are very generous toward me and my family. Hey honestly I think everyone likes gifts. especially from a far away place. I think people kind of get the "Being american" thing confused with "having american freedoms" just a hunch.

We send and bring each time we travel there, Misc medicine like huge bottles of generic ibuprophen and acetomenophen, cold & flu stuff (tablets) occilococinum and homeopathic meds, believe it or not " heavy duty rubber gloves" for protecting hands while washing dishes etc... those awesome eyelash scarves that you can wear 8 different ways, and of course cushy slippers like UGGS. They are soooo comfortable on those marble floors.

In the new generations (in morocco) people do what they want more. Marry who they want even if it is not accepted by there family. The trend is becoming more modern in theyre thinking and less traditional. However if you are a guy in morocco, it would be normal for you to wait until you have a good income, maybe can buy a home, etc to support your own family, (before marrying) and thus it will take time and you will be a bit older by the time this happens for you. With a girl, her family might urge her to marry by the time she is 16-20 so that she will not date anyone (accept her fiance) so there is the answer to the older guy younger girl equasion. As for the older woman yonger man thing in morocco. Sometimes a girl (like here) just is not focused on having her own family and is not in a rush to leave her home. Or maybe her husband dies and she marries another guy who just happens to be younger (same as anywhere on earth) I know coming from the USA traditions it is hard for us to understand that ANYONE would not be as concious of the age differences as we or shall I say (american men) are. But they areant! truely they areent! I am 20 years older than my husband and he has never mentioned it or made me feel old. He thinks I am wonderful! And it was not a problem for our visa as well. For us the consulate seemed to just give us the usual hubub over little picky strange things that did not seem to make alot of sence to anyone but them. So we could not make sence of it. We just waited out our 2 mos or so in AP and got our visa 11 mos after I sent in our packet. On the CR1. It's been 2 years that my husband has been here now and it's great. I do not ever feel i was used for a visa and I never worry he wil leave me for any reason. I got my info about morocco from my husband so I have to believe he knows what he is talking about. As for american men LOL they can't help being the way they are conditioned to be. Life here seems to create some pretty selfish behavior (unfortunately) Thank god there are still countries where you can find a mate that is commitment minded still! Hurray for visa's!!!! Happy New Year Everyone!!!!! Olive

My husband has informed me that the cost of french school is somewhere between $2000-$3000 american dollars. He says it is a very good school just like one would attend in paris france and that if the child graduated from this type of education at 12th grade they can attend college in france without needing a visa. So thats kinda cool. I have some of my own opinions about the other subjects but will keep them to myself however I agree with a little of what everyone said on both sides hehe

I know I will get flak for this but..........I have used the couscousier (I have 2 types) and the microwave and niether my husband nor I can tell a difference and the micro is way more convinient (sp) IMO. Just soak the couscous in the mixture of chicken (or other) broth and salt and spices, same as you put on the vegetables etc.....and after it obsorbs the moisture, fluff the grains with a fork and microwave .. voila! er ah I mean besaha

Northern Cali

we will be filing in August. Husband came here On I-130/CR1.

Hi I think what you are going thru with the Moroccan consulate is typical even thou reading or hearing that while going through it is still not a comfort. Maybe read my timeline it might help a bit. I have been away from these boards for a while so I am a bit out of the loop. Also the consulate's change/vary their process occasionally so each experience will ary of course. And the consulate changes their contact numbers occasionally as well. It used to be accessible online by googling however. Olive

And how do I CC the consular chief? I don't have the email address. Thank so much msheesha...helps having others ive ideas...my brain is so scatered these days.

Monica

My Hubby and I are still together. We married in november 2007 in Morocco and he's been here in the states for 1 1/2 years. I know that it is probably his respectful, mild temperment that helps keep things smooth for us. I mean no matter what happens, misunderstandings, cultural differences blah blah blah ...nothing escalates into a huge fight because he never gets mean or angry. We are lucky I think. I still check in here (VJ) from time to time but I don't see anyone from out time line back in 07-08. Hope they are still happy Olive

If he's young he has the time to do it all again.

Ah yes I see. True.

LOT depends on his age.

Dakine, Can you explain further? He is 42.

A Moroccan friend of ours has finally recieved his visa to join his Moroccan wife in the USA. Wife aquired her visa several years prior via the visa lottery. They are childhood sweethearts and have been a couple for many many years in morocco (to validify their sincerity for any doubters LOL) Any ways the husband has been employed in morocco for a company for the last 12 years and his boss just told him that he can not get released from his work contract for another 3 years or he will lose his retirement benefits ($500 a month). Here is his question:

He would like to go back to morocco and stay for work to finish out the remaining 3 years of the contract, returning to spend time with his wife in the USA for a few weeks every 5-6 mos. How will this effect his visa? Will the NVC/USCIS understand this situation if he gets written documants/explainations from his boss in morocco etc. OR should he trash his 12 years of work for this company and just cut his losses???? Thanks Guys ahead of time

A Moroccan friend of ours has finally recieved his visa to join his Moroccan wife in the USA. Wife aquired her visa several years prior via the visa lottery. They are childhood sweethearts and have been a couple for many many years in morocco (to validify their sincerity for any doubters LOL) Any ways the husband has been employed in morocco for a company for the last 12 years and his boss just told him that he can not get released from his work contract for another 3 years or he will lose his retirement benefits ($500 a month). Here is his question:

He would like to go back to morocco and stay for work to finish out the remaining 3 years of the contract, returning to spend time with his wife in the USA for a few weeks every 5-6 mos. How will this effect his visa? Will the NVC/USCIS understand this situation if he gets written documants/explainations from his boss in morocco etc. OR should he trash his 12 years of work for this company and just cut his losses???? Thanks Guys ahead of time

Haven't been able to log on to their website in days.

http://www.hotmail.com/

I have not been able to access my mail on live.com for over 2 weeks at home and the office. It just plain will not open. hubby is constantly trying to find a solution, he says on all of the forums people are complaining about their hotmail etc.... interesting

this is off of the moroccan consulates web site

Phone: (212) 758-2625.

Fax: (212) 725-4198

thank you for the advice....i didn't know about not using the email...i already had my mother and husbands mother send emails of support to the consulate today...they also sent us copies to my email so we can print them out...both have names and addresses and valid phone numbers as well as the relationship to us....my husbands uncle and aunt and sister are each sending us actual written statements of approval, including how long they have known about our relationship and that they have met me and members of my family...i will try on monday to see if i can reach the consulate chief....if possible, could you pm me if you happen to know the name so that i can personally ask for him or leave a voicemail msg to him?

Also...would you happen to know the fax number to the consulate or how i can obtain it?

The consulate chief told me to send him (fax)whatever I thought would help my case and address it dirctly to him "consulate chief" guess thats his name or what he wanted to be known as. Also put your case # at the top of each page you or anyone else sends. Be sure to send the original with hand written signature in ink. They need authenticity. remember this: if soomeone is going to send fake documents, they will not be able to have real signatures & phone numbers etc.... so send real contacts. In our case no one was contacted BUT they have ways to find out if the number is connected to the person assigned to it. In morocco they can find out anything...in morocco. I called every morning early (calif time) which was 3-5 pm morocco time. that was the time the employee's at the consulate told me the consulate general or chief took calls. Most times I got the recording. I did not leave messages there. wait till you get a live person and tell them you want to talk to the chief untill you get the chief. And email the same (it all helps) my husband hand delivered his families/friends actual letters (along with my family & friends fax'd e mailed copies) to the consulate and dropped them off (to be sure they were delivered). I in turn mailed my actual copies and husbands fax'd e mailed copies to the consulate express mail. We Bombarded them from all sides. The consulate see's so many cases of actual fraud constantly! They do theyre best to intercept them and the thing is alot of fraud looks like a real relationship and vise versa. You have to put up a fight as proof sometimes. It sucks but it's necessary I guess. I don't know whay they don't try lie detector tests or lic. therapists.... I swear it seems like some of theyre hired help at the consulate are just jaded old ladies who hate men (kidding) ok I am not helping now am I

Sounds to me like what you said the consulate is suggesting is that they do not believe the validity of a (your) marriage. So before the petition is actually sent back to the usa (which could take mos btw) gather up letters from your family and your husbands family and any friends you both have, stating that they are in support of your marriage. This will help support that your marriage is part of alot of peoples lives and you are a part of and accepted in each others family's. This is better than pictures. Be sure everyone includes a real phone # and email addy, in case they need to verify the real identities. send all these letters to the consulate by fax and snail mail asap. Do not email them, they won't open them for security reasons. call the consulate and ask to speak to the consulate cheif (if they still allow such requests) and also email the consulate telling them you are sending these documents and to delay the return of your petition. If you are able to speak to the consulate chief, tell him the same thing (be very calm and polite under all curcumstances) and hopefully the consulate chief will take a special interesyt in your case. If he does, he may ask you to address all letters to him directly for review. If you are very effective & lucky your husband will get another interview with someone else, perhaps even the chief himself (my husband was that lucky the consulate chief is a very nice person. My husband and I got our denial turned around in 30 days by implimenting this method in 2008. Best wishes to you.

I think it is very kind and conciderate of you and your fiance to allow for a smooth and gradual adjustment on behalf of your kids especially your son. He sounds very sensitive (which I think is a good trait) and being a guy (I have a son as well) and with your past experience with your ex (been there too) It is possible that your son needs to trust this new guy with his mom. Kids are alot more effected by our relationships than we realise. What you as his mother do will effect his feelings in his future. God bless you for being sensitive to your childrens needs It makes for a stronger relationship in the long run. You have your whole life together... this is just a part of that journey

Not sure if this would be best to put in a k-1 forum or here- but I feel I know you all better here.. Sorry this is long, but I am pretty emotional right now and need to share with someone. Hopefully some of you have been here and can help.

I need some support in helping my 17 year old with the upcoming and eventual transition. He is not taking it well. He will not talk to me about it; but he did cry tonight when I told him the upcoming news. He has known about this for a long time, but has never really shared with me his feelings. I know this upsets him . I told him that I understand and that it is okay to have feelings- and that I would love for him to share.. but he has not shared how he is feeling. I was able to get something out of him about "afraid of change". I reassured him constantly tonight that I will always love him no matter what; I respect his feelings; and I know that this will be awkward for a while but that is okay. I did everything I thought I should do in terms of comforting him and validating his feelings.

My kids have known about this relationship since day 1- however, they have never met Ghassan in person. My daughter has formed an online relationship with him and is more comfortable. She knows the person he is. My son has not done this.

I do not know if my son is afraid to get close to another male in my life (my ex left us and never does anything with my son anymore -not his dad) or if he is afraid of the tension in the house again (my ex has some major issues which left the house feeling thick and tense a lot of the time)... I do not know what to do.. or if there is anything more I can do... except reassure him; validate his feelings; and know things will be bumpy for a while and pray they work on in the long run. We plan on having Ghassan sublease an apartment for a while so we can all make a smoother transition.

Anyone else go through this? My heart is breaking. This is all so bittersweet. I am exciting about starting my new life with my honey; but at the same time I am concerned and worried about my kids and how they are taking this. I want to do the best I can do. Is this the transition pain or should I be more concerned? In the end, we ended up talking about his FB page and he went to his dads- but not after we had a hug and shared "i love you's". My son is a great kid and I want to help him with this.

Thanks for any advice!

Baj

Yes I would file the K1 and take alot of pictures of you and his family etc while visiting for 2 weeks. Just enjoy the 2 weeks because if you did try to get married there chances are great that 2 weeks would not be enough (ours too all of 1 month) and you will be under enormous stress running around to all the various places for the marriage process. K1 definately. Olive

I would act as though they do read VJ and for that matter, I would act as though everyone in my/your husband/fiance's family is reading VJ as well. After all it is a PUBLIC forum and.....if you have a nice clear picture of the two of you..that will help with the identification of EXACTLY who/whom you are. Just a thought

I love this thread - I think it gives hope to anyone who has heard one too many "horror stories"!

Not sure if this is a good idea or not, but does anyone want to add their "red flags" or anything like that? For instance, it seemed NO ONE thought things would last for us. The reasons? 11 year age difference (I'm older), different religions, his poor English (and my lack of French and Arabic) when we first started talking, meeting on the internet, the fact that I was in the middle of a divorce when we met online, the fact that he never really was in a relationship before and I "came with" three children, the fact that we only knew each other a very short time before I visited him, short time before we started talking about marriage, short time before we actually got married (especially since it was only a few months after my divorce was finalized)... Turns out those "problems" really didn't matter much with our relationship. We match with all the other things - like how we feel about things, and what's really important to us.

We've been married almost three years now, and in that time, we've really learned how to get along. There were some adjustments, of course, but we've had a much better adjustment than I did with my first husband (he and I were only a year apart, same country, same state, same religion, both single when we met, same language, we met in person and knew each other 4 years before we got married... ) during our 15 years of marriage.

So, go figure!

venusfire

Venus fire this must be common because your situation is almost exactly the same as me & my husband accept there are no kids (accept now I may be guardian of my 9 mo old grandson). We have been married 2 1/4 years.

hi everyone and sorry for not been in here for a while ,, i'm now in California with my wife i arrived here sunday evening and my trip was so so so hard i will tell about that later just love to tell everyone that now i'm with my wife finally later i will tell about the whole process with my trip and all , wish with all my heart to everyone who is waiting to hear good news so soon and be with his love one and for all MENA family all the happiness always ,, thanks so much to everyone , have a great one all

welcome Mounir! Hope you enjoy your life here and that you and your wife share a beautiful future together.

Thanks ! I'll give it a try !

and do this too:: clkick on your start icon, go to the bar that reads :"search", type in the word "prefetch", delete everything that comes up.

Ahmed fax, mail, and emailed his request on Nov 4th for his police record from France and we are still waiting for this. On the France website it said it would take a month. Ok, where is it? Ahmed resent the request in again in early Dec, still yet nothing.

Is there anything else we can do besides wait? Is there someone we can call or email?

Hollykay

my husband says the police record it needed from wherever the immigrant was living the last 6 mos. So if that was france than maybe they are just backlogged for end of the year stuff. Maybe it will come any day now. the french...you know how they are