Olive♥

We are feeling very good about the interview. We have been very organized and prepared throughout this whole process. There is just one thing that is making me so worried. When ouadia bought me my engagement ring, he bought the wedding band to go with it, which I figure is normal. But, we took a picture at his aunt's house, with me with both rings on, and he already wears a band since he likes to wear one because he isn't single. So there is a picture of us showing our rings on. I feel this is going to cause a huge problem. We can only explain the truth, which is what he is gonna do of course, but will this hurt our chances no matter what? Just wanted some advice. Thank you in advance.

I don't think it will matter. If asked just say they are rings...just rings

28 years 9 months & 28 days the first time. 5 years on 2/15/2010 this time, insha'allah.

WOW what was the moroccoa consulate like back in the 70's????? I am picturing a guy with a rubber stamp and a big wallet.

I am sorry that your friend has apparently made that choice. Good friends are such a treasure for sure. Personally I was sad that some of my own friends reacted the way they did (I lost there friendship also)

when I became serious about my husband (morocco). However it has served as a sort of mixed blessing. I really only lost my most critical, judgemental, narowminded so called friends. The ones that hung in there with me, are quite facinated by my husband LOL, they love discussing his traditions and asking questions about his culture. He's good clean fun for them. My family try to impress him by trying to cook him his traditional meals and offering him mint tea which cracks me up because my mom will make him a tea bag version of "moroccan mint" tea and he always tells her how good it tastes. There all good sports. I hope it works out for you. Best wishes

thanks guys!

Met in usa and got married in usa but lived togther in germany for past 5 years. Now live back here in USA (wife is the usc) usband traveled to us with wife but on a tourist (6mos) visa. Question is how do the get husband his greencard? do they start from the beginning with a cr1?

We are coming from Rocklin but you can search just the general Sacramento area-that's also where the airport is. I looked at the driving route and it looks mostly desert and I think my hubby can pass up the desert park that's on the way.

Kenza my family live in Rocklin. It's beautiful and i love the shopping

would love to go but not due for a vegas trip again until march or april ;0 gotta pace myself

Thanks to everyone who responded.. It's not only a frustrating situation for me because my fiance and I are choosing to do things the "right" way, but also because this guy is a friend of mine, and I would hate to see him mess up his chances to be with his loved one..

I guess all I can do is relay the things I have been informed of here, and hope that he makes the best decision..

Thanks again,

Sarah

Well it sounds very romantic to me but....ask him how his new wife will be able to get over her airplane o' phobia and meet her many new inlaws maybe she can take a cruise ship to morocco and with his abundance of funds maybe he can buy her the ticket as a love gift........Olive

I am so sorry to hear of your SO's conditions. It does sound so stressful. My prayers are with you both . Olive

My SO happens to be one of those Iraqis in Syria unwilling to go back to a country at war. His status is a temporary citizen and he has to get his papers signed by the government every month now- at a very high cost. We are scared right now that they will not renew it and he will be deported to Iraq.

Interesting that she met with the president of Syria. Syria does not provide much support for these refugees- They are unable to work and have no means to support themselves. What real change comes from her visit? Nice to do so- but action is needed to help these people. -as with any displaced people. What a hellish way to live.

Iraqis are unable to get visas to other countries. We are currently in 6 months of AP hell with the worry of not knowing where he may be week to week...and knowing we can't do anything about it but wait.

My SO is extremely depressed right now as this seems never ending and he is scared. It is getting harder every week.

Sorry for the downer, but that is my life right now. I am extremely worried about him and his situation.

"Olivia" my little chihuahua is in my avatar wearing her holloween costume....she is a Chi-hippo

2 times. once to marry him...once after to visit. olive

hi. I did not read thru all the responses here but has your husband thought of working for a temp agency? I did this after high school (had limited experience) and it was a great way to get a foot in the door...and...aquire alot of things skills etc...to add to my resume. He might even get a full time position. If nothing else it is fun. I loved it and met alot of people. Olive

You can get halal gelatin. I bought a bunch of it online. My husband wont eat pork but will eat gelatin products. Jello etc..... what is wrong with gelatin?

I was just reading another thread, which mentions the MENA man being disgusted by pork, and when posting, I thought it might be a good idea to start a new thread about food.

My husband didn't ask me to make any changes about what I bought or eat, but I decided I was more comfortable not keeping things in the house that he can't eat. For one thing, I would feel strange having them here. For another, it's just easier than having to check his food for him before he eats! He can read labels now, but it was very difficult for him when he first got here. I had to get used to reading labels at the store, to avoid buying things he can't eat. I was surprised how many things (like gum and chip dip) sometimes contain gelatin, and there are SO many things that have little bits of pork or alcohol in them.

Of course, the biggest/most obvious thing is pork. Luckily, there are so many pork substitutes. I actually tended to buy turkey hotdogs, turkey ham, soy sausage, etc anyway (for health reasons) long before I met my husband, so there was very little adjusting once he got here. (he didn't insist that I stop buying pork, I did). The only thing I can't really find a substitute for is pork chops (if I really crave them, I could always eat them outside of the house), but I can live without them. My 6 year old LOVES ribs, but she's just as happy with beef ribs. BE CAREFUL, though - I've seen some pork in things like turkey bacon, apparently to give it a more authentic flavor. A kosher symbol on the package will let you know there's no pork, but it's still a good idea to check for alcohol in certain things. Also, check with your man - some will only eat halal meat, some will eat kosher meat, some will eat anything that's not from a pig.

I also found Goya ham flavored concentrate (like powdered bouillon) and J & D's bacon salt (vegetarian, but has milk) which contain no pork - made out of plants and chemicals, I guess. I don't know if your SO would be comfortable eating any of that (my husband will eat kosher beef hot dogs, but doesn't like many of the other things, and of course won't eat any pork), but at least it will give you options if there are certain things you don't want to completely give up.

I wanted to let my husband try marshmallows, but since there's no way to know where the gelatin came from, he couldn't. But around Passover (in the Spring), you can find kosher marshmallows, which are made with fish gelatin! Manischewitz makes really good ones. Be careful - some actually have a fish taste to them (YUCK!), so only buy one package if you find another brand, to taste it. But if he likes them, go back right away and stock up - they're only available a few weeks of the year. Just a note - some of them change color after a while, but they taste the same. Other times of year, you can use marshmallow fluff - but be careful, some brands have vanillin, which contains traces of alcohol. Check things with marshmallow - my favorite ice cream, Turkey Hill chocolate marshmallow, does NOT contain gelatin - they use egg albumin instead.

Oh, and be prepared for people who seriously or half jokingly suggest that you try to sneak something forbidden (haram) into their food or drinks. I don't know why, but sometimes otherwise intelligent people think it would be ok or even a good idea. I even have a relative who keeps swearing he'll get my husband drunk one day. Sigh.

Does anyone else have any tips? I would love to know about places to find acceptable (at least for some people) substitutes for those of us who want to keep pork and alcohol out of our homes, but are still new to it. I didn't realize how much it was ingrained into our culture!

venusfire

I am trying hard to make a seperation in my mind to justify the whole wife is not mother thing but other than marital relations ( with your wife) I can not find any difference Rats!!!!!

Study the teachings of prophet Muhhamed. Wife is not MOMMY anhd wife is not slave. Follow the quran dude take it like a man!!

Oh! Oh! I wanna go on the cruise!!! How can I get dumped!

Ok now I'm sorta confused. I thought they could apply a few months shy of having their GC for 3 yrs...correct?

You are correct. m4e was stating its just shy of 3 years "after they have been in the US". It's not. It's based on the date one is approved for LPR. Has nothing to do with being in the US and everything to do with when LPR status started.

can apply for the naturalization after they have been in the US a few months short of 3 years.

My bad?

My husband has his 10 yr GC, so I wasn't thinking about the ones that get married here.

As for the party.....why not make it a cruise?

My husband and I filed a k-3/I-130 petition and he was interviewed on Jan. 2009. He was denied and the k-3 was sent back for further review. the denial letter states: section 212(a)(5)(A) and 9 FAM 41.81, N6.5. Since then the k-3 has expired but they have our I-130 still at uscis for further review and the uscis officer i spoke with told me it could sit there for as long as 2 years.

I have been in Syria now for 3 months and was wondering what would happen if we decided to withdraw the petition and refile by DCF?

Does anyone know if it would hurt my husband or can we front-load our DCF case and answer this I-130? OR can we just leave it and re-file an I-130 DCF?

THANKS FOR VISA JOURNEY MEMBERS BEING HERE TO HELP!

ROCK ON!!

Just to be safe I would contact/consult with a congress person or state rep or the uscis. The rules change time to time and I would want to be sure that I did the right thing in this case. It couldn't hurt. Best wishes to you. Olive

Like Sara said, the consulate does not usually let anyone other than the person interviewed in the room. However I have heard of spouses or fiance's being allowed in before, it just is not the norm. If you can afford the plane ticket, it is worth a shot. Just prepare not to be let down if they ask you to wait outside. Olive

I don't know if this is in the right spot or not, but I am sure you all have had the same feelings as I am having now. I am just starting this visa journey and already I feel at a loss... waiting, and waiting. I know that the case won't be touched right away but I find myself click on the login in button and checking to see, just in case. I am almost overly consumed with this, but he is my life.

Bijad, my love, is in no hurry to come to America. He is scared of being a burden, or not being able to find a job; that I will not see him as a man. While trying to collect information for his biographical information he kept telling me to slow down; everything has a time and place. He is always reminding me that, “God is in control.” I don’t want to slow down, I want this to be done and over with, and I want him HERE!

He would love for me to move to Morocco, but honestly he is without a job at the moment and living wonderfully with his parents. I am in my senior year, although 27. I will graduate in May with my Elementary Education Degree with endorsements in Special Education and Reading. My passion is special education. My ability to work in Morocco is little to nothing, especially with special education kiddos.

You would think I didn’t have any extra time on my hands, with college classes at three different universities (trying to get in all the classes I need before student teaching) plus my internship at an elementary school. I am also employed at two different school districts to sub, but as you may or may not know subbing is not a guarantee of work… just waiting for someone to call.

But with all this being said, I find myself spending my entire free time sitting and waiting for Bijad to come online. He lives in a small village and his connection to the internet is not reliable. Sometimes he can call to tell me he can’t get on and sometimes he can’t. I try to call and sometimes I can get through and other times it just rings and rings. It’s like I can’t make myself move from here, just in case he pops on. He tells me I need to continue to live my life, but I can’t. I need him and I miss him so much.

I returned from Morocco about one month ago and had a wonderful time and I will be going back in December.

What did you do to keep yourself busy? I have tried to pick up my beading and making jewelry, but then I find myself coming back to the computer to check. Ugh!

I really need common sense advice to get my life back in order. I have no one else who understands what I am going through with the visa process. Please don’t be rude with your comments. I am really struggling with my life right now and have more than enough going on.

Thanks,

Hi Theresa-

I can relate to where you are right now because I was there myself a year ago. I found I buried myself in my work and VJ to help pass the time. Feel right at home andf completely normal. Olive

Tany1157,

Oh my, Houcine says the same thing when he looked at my pics. It was instant for him, me it took a couple of weeks, but when LOVE hit, OMG!! I was 19 at the time we actually started talking then turned 20 and he is a bit older than I by about 16 years. But that hasnt made any difference at all.

Where is your SO from in Morocco?

What a sweet story. My family and friends will finally meet my husbands in Sept 2010 when we have our "big fat moroccan wedding" cerimony LOL I can't wait!!!!

Charles......great idea

You guys are soo sweet . Yes I had to drop the "Martini" since it is no longer my drink of choice. However "moroccan mint tea Olive" is just too long..

I have limited experience on forums but in my experience, it takes really THICK skin. I am usually glad that it's all on a computer cuz if it were face to face....we would need to pay captain ewok alot more "frog skin" ....hey who is captain ewok???????

I have been looking for olive oil with the same strong taste as moroccan oil too for 8 mos. even the stuff from middle eastern stores is not as strong. the closest we have come is when we make the moroccan black oil cured olives I cover them with gallons of costco's olive oil and the tast of the olives makes the oil become real strong! but thank god my husbands family make the oil from theyre farm and I sneek a few bottles back in my luggage each year. i really think it tastes the way it does because of the moroccan olives they use. I am in northern cali and seems like all the wineries here are on the olive oil producing wagon. we taste the oils they make (even the $$$$$$ ones) and none tastes like the moroccan oil. however we are now addicted to blood orenge oil Olive

the only true sentence is that infidel = non believer. In my opinion the letter was fabricated or the imam was an infidel hhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

I got this email from someone I thought was my friend.

is this what most americans think about muslims?

I didnt know if I should be pissed or laugh.

This is a true story and the author, Rick Mathes, is a well-known leader

in prison ministry. The man who walks with God always gets to his

destination. . If you have a pulse you have a purpose.

The Muslim religion is the fastest growing religion per capita in the

United States , especially in the minority races!!!

Last mon th I attended my annual training session that's required

for maintaining my state prison security clearance. During the training

session there was a presentation by three speakers representing the Roman

Catholic, Protestant and Muslim faiths, who explained each of their

beliefs.

I was particularly interested in what the Islamic Imam had to say. The

Imam gave a great presentation of the basics of Islam, complete with a

video.

After the presentations, time was provided for questions and answers.

When it was my turn, I directed my question to the Imam and asked:

'Please, correct me if I'm wrong, but I understand that most Imams and

clerics of Islam have declared a holy jihad [Holy war] against the

infidels of the world and, that by killing an infidel, (which is a command

to all Muslims) they are assured of a plac e in heaven. If that's the

case, can you give me the definition of an infidel?'

There was no disagreement with my statements and, without hesitation, he

replied, 'Non-believers! '

I responded, 'So, let me make sure I have this straight. All followers of

Allah have been commanded to kill everyone who is not of your faith so

they can have a place in heaven. Is that correct?'

The expression on his face changed from one of authority and command to that of a little boy who had just been caught with his hand in the cookie

jar.' He sheepishly replied, 'Yes.'

I then stated, 'Well, sir, I have a real problem trying to imagine Pope

John Paul commanding all Catholics to kill those of your faith or Dr.

Stanley ordering all Protestants to do the same in order to guarantee them

a place in heaven!'

The Imam was speechless!

I continued, 'I also have a problem with being your friend when you and

your brother clerics are telling your followers to kill me!

Let me ask you a question: Would you rather have your Allah, who tells

you to kill me in order for you to go to heaven, or my Jesus who tells me

to love you because I am going to heaven and He wants you to be there with

me?'

You could have heard a pin drop as the Imam hung his head in shame..

Needless to say, the organizers20and/ or promoters of the Diversification

training seminar were not happy with my way of dealing with the Islamic

Imam, and exposing the truth about the Muslims' beliefs.

In twenty years there will be enough Muslim voters in the U.S. to elect

the President!

I think everyone in the U.S.. should be required to read this, but with

ACLU, there is no way this will be widely publicized, unless each of us

send it on! This is your chance to make a difference.. .

FOR GODS' SAKE! PLEASE SEND THIS ON!

And in doing so Amal you are a great teacher

Every time I get an email like that, I respond to every person it was sent to when it was sent to me and I correct every wrong part of it! I do so in a very polite and easy going way and give them gentle reminders that it is not ok to spread these things not knowing if they are true or not and that they need to have research to back up the lies that they are sending. It ruffles my feathers in a major way!!!

yippie! congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Is over!

Yesterday, Amed went to take the citizenship test. I went to USCIS with him. When he finished, he came out with a piece of paper which said that he passed the test, and to come back in 30 minutes (!!) for the oath ceremony. He is now an American citizen!

We were floored. We thought we would have to wait weeks, if not months, for the ceremony.

Overall, we were very, very lucky, and I am counting our blessings. He applied for the visa in November 2005, and in August of 2009, he is a citizen.

I want to thank everyone for all of the encouragement and advice over the years. Ir would have been a lot more difficult to go through this process without this website!