MENA CR1/K3/K1 visas PART2

[Beth/ Paris Heart 2]

Sounds like they are all over it and its good you have easy communication with them.

Jackie

Jackie, yes finally after sending 2 faxes and 2 emails, I received 3 emails from them this am.

So we will continue to try to extend his card by a month, but if he can interview that 1st week of November we should be okay, Im debating of reserving him a seat, to show at interview that he is leaving France upon receipt of visa , to show good intent.

[Y's_habibitk 2]

Beth! It sounds liek they are totally willign to help you get a quick interview!

Im very happy for ya and now you can take a breath of relief.

Maybe your husband can ask about the extention on the residency card and find out what he needs to show good intent, hopefully you wont have to buy a ticket until he's ready to finally come home...

how's everyone else doing? I've had a nasty cold for going on a week now and Im gonna try to last the day at work, but Im fading fast....

[Beth/ Paris Heart 2]

Beth! It sounds liek they are totally willign to help you get a quick interview!

Im very happy for ya and now you can take a breath of relief.

Maybe your husband can ask about the extention on the residency card and find out what he needs to show good intent, hopefully you wont have to buy a ticket until he's ready to finally come home...

how's everyone else doing? I've had a nasty cold for going on a week now and Im gonna try to last the day at work, but Im fading fast....

Hey Lisa, yes is is doing all he can to extend, even taking interview letter to French immigration to show them he has business at U.S. Embassy, not sure , but its worth a try.

Do you think I should have him now do his medical? Is it too early even if we interview Nov. 17th as scheduled?

Hope you feel better, Day Quil works wonders, and Advil cold and sinus, they make you feel human when your so sick.

[~ameriptian~ 54]

Beth,

Have you checked the scheduling times for k visas at the Paris consul? Most consulates schedule them within 30 days... i think you're gonna be ok as long as they have the physical packet in their offices within a week. Has it shown up on DHL yet?

Congrats on the interview for the CR1, maybe France will extend his current visa

jackie:

Aya,

Im glad you got it...whew!! I dont know about Cairo and Amman doesnt do packet 3 & 4 only one, so I cant advise on that, but good luck!

Sandrilla,

thanks for always stopping in and sending well wishes to the waiting crowd you're a doll

I guess we wont hear from Kenza for a while.. but its a good reason to be absent

Amanda,

How is your job search going?

Aya, what was in Packet 3? Didn't it contain all the papers needed for preparing for interview and your interview date letter?

We were on a K-1 so maybe its different. H recieved all the documents (doctor listing for medical, financial support docs and interview date leter (even though we already knew the date) all in that packet). There was never a packet 4....only if you consider the visa coming back to him after interview as Packet 4.

Annie, it contained DS-156, DS-156K, DS-157 and info about the medical exam. I just knew I had to do the medical exam with packet 3 I haven't booked an appointment yet... Do you know what I exactly should do about the medical exam and how I'm going to receive the results? Do I only have to go the clinics/hospitals listed in packet 3?

We are on K1 too lol.. John just sent out the packet of his financial info and the cosponsor papers just yesterday, I should get it in less than 5 days... Do you know what is the maximum time to return packet 3 back to the embassy? I'm seriously worried we are going to exceed the period to return the papers back. *sighs* John has printed out some proof of our relationship and I'm going to print out the rest... Do we include any in packet 3, or we give them all to the CO at the interview?

How are you doing otherwise? Did you get your police certificate?

I got my police certificate and my birth certificate translated and notarized and got passport style pics taken. Other than that I am not doing good... There was some issue that has been heavy on my heart since the end of Ramadan and it is seriously getting to me I need to let it out... ... I'm the oldest of two brothers 19 and 17.. Anyways my 19 old brother used to play that online game 2 years ago and he made friends from all over the world.. One of his friends is from Australia, he's an older guy almost our belated dad's age, and they have been in touch even though my brother stopped playing that game... A couple of months ago the Australian friend told my brother that his daughter is going to have a trip around Africa and he likes that my brother takes care of her when she comes to Egypt. My brother promised him he would... The girl arrived in Egypt in the first half of September.. My brother informed our mother about the matter and she advised him against seeing her and helping her (my mother is VERY VERY traditional).. Anyways I stood by my brother's side.. I told her the girl doesn't know anyone in this country and you know he can take care of her, wouldn't you want that someone takes care of me if I was in the same situation?! I told my brother to go and meet the girl and to tell her that I'd love meeting her to... My brother went out the next morning (with my mother's knowledge although not her full acceptance) to meet his friend's daughter... That day he came back overwhelmed almost like he fell in love at first sight.. He told me he likes her a lot and he's looking forward to spending some more time with her here in Egypt, but he's not going to bring anything up about him liking her until it's the right time.. I told him that's good thinking! That night he told my mom he invited her over for iftar the next day... She was like: WHY? WHAT?... And again after convincing her (me and him) she agreed to making food and welcoming her... I was still at work the day she visited at the house, it was a little bit after maghrib and I saw my mother talking and laughing with the girl who just arrived 15 minutes before, and my mom does not speak English and the girl does not speak Arabic!!! I was like wow good start...! We had a lot of talking and chatting over iftar... The girl was SO nice.. We all loved her! A little bit later she gave the family gifts she brought from Australia, my mom kissed her on the cheek and told her she loved the gift she got her... Instantly, my mom got in her room and gave her a lace doily I know that she always loved...She told her to keep it... I gave her a gift too... We had a great time... Then that night John texted me so I went online on my cellphone and talked to him.. My mother told get off your phone! And she went on joking about how much she hates Americans just to piss me off... She kept telling the girl in broken English and some sign language that Egyptian girls marry Egyptian guys and that since I'm done with college she's going to find me a nice Egyptian husband soon ALTHOUGH I AM ENGAGED!!!!!! The thing continued in Arabic quietly with things like "don't get your hopes up" "you'll only marry who I want", and so on...

Later my mother told my brother's 'friend' to not go back to the hotel it was late... She asked her to stay over with us... So the girl and I slept in my brothers' room since it had separate beds... We talked before we slept she asked if I'm with someone and I told her yes I'm engaged and told her about the rest of the situation..to which she said "wow! I almost can't believe that... Your mom is adorable how could she do that..." I was like "ya, she's adorable" sigh...

Although we were fasting the next day my mother woke up to make the girl breakfast since she isn't Muslim... She told her to come back soon again and gave her more souvenirs and cookies she baked herself... Since that day my mom has been extra aggressive to me knowing what I'm thinking and what I'm planning... I try to be ok but the more I think about it the more I keep thinking WHAT DID I DO WRONG???? Aren't the two situations similar...?! I met John 15 months ago and my brother met his 'friend' about 15 days ago... John asked for my family's permission to come visit and asked them for my hand and wasn't even allowed for a visit, and the girl came here in Egypt and spent a day and a night in our house...! John has been called names for attempting to be with me, and the girl has been welcomed and my mom actually told my brother she's ok with that if he wants to go to Australia and visit her family but he has to finish college first... I look at all the non-replied letters and emails John wrote to my family, all the gifts my family never cared to receive, all the times he has been hung up on or I've been told to never talk to him again or that my phone has been taken to split me and him up, and I WONDER WHAT DID I DO WRONG???? I'm not jealous god forbid... I'm truly happy my brother found such a girl... She is beautiful, smart, polite, and I certainly would be happy if one day she became my brother's girl/wife... But I just feel bad, it's a pain I cannot express Does being a girl mean that I am less of a human??? I have feelings, I'm hurt I'm not receiving equal treatment... I do not keep anything away from John so he basically knows about every minute of my day and he knew about the whole situation... I felt so embarrassed not being able to explain to him why he isn't treated the same either... I do not have to say that we have had many days after that both of us were quiet and sad on, we had nothing to say about it....

I was hoping my brother would support me after he's experienced himself it's not so strange to fall for a 'foreigner', but I was mistaken... He kept telling that a boy is not like a girl and it's safer for me to marry an Egyptian...!!!

Right now my brother is out with his friend... My mom knows everything about it... I just got a call from both of them on my phone... They seemed so happy and I told my brother to take care of her.... My mother asked me who I was talking to since I was talking in English.. I told her guess who? And she told me if it was him quietly give me your phone.... I hardly get angry, but I am VERY VERY angry my heart is broken.... Now that I broke down and said how I felt after OVER FIFTEEN DAYS of taking it inside me I have opened hell's doors on myself...

Since I posted that topic about our situation a few months ago I was hoping things get better... Things actually have gotten worse... Now we are getting closer to getting our visa hopefully... And this situation along with many other things is driving me insane.... I don't know if this will ever go right..... *sigh*

Sorry if that was long... I just needed to let this out.....

Edited September 30, 2009 by Aya&John

[sandinista! 1,816]

oh aya, i am so, so sorry. i truly feel terrible that this is happening to you.

[morocco4ever 63]

Aya, this must be so hard for you. I am sorry for what you are going through. I understand that in the MENA it is important that your family accepts you choice when it comes to marriage, so this just adds extra strain on you. Things are different here. We hope that our parents accept our choice for a life partner, but we go ahead with our plans despite any disapproval. I realize this isn't the normal there, so I give you credit for the courage you must have in making this decision.

I hope some day that your mother will accept John. Perhaps if you are here she will realize just how much she is missing having you out of her life, and reaches out to you with love and acceptance.

[Amoon 0]

Aya I am really sorry to hear about what is going on with you and your family. All I know is what I have heard from an Arabic friend (girl) of mine. She said that Arabic moms are very protective over their eldest son, sons period. They get pretty much what they want. I know it really isn't fair at all that your brother is basically doing the same as you, but you need to marry an Egyptian and he doesn't. I'm sure they consider what you are doing as "wrong" because they think that marrying an Egyptian man would be safer, they know where he is from, they know his family, they "know" how Egyptian men treat their wives. But that doesn't mean that John isn't deserving and can take care of you just as well, if not better, than an Egyptian man. I pray that God brings you through this soon and your family sees that being with John makes you truly happy and that is what matters.

My parents didn't accept my husband when I first told them I was talking to him and we were getting rather serious about our relationship...especially because of all the differences between our culture, religion...etc. But once they decided to talk to him, they could tell he was a good guy and began to warm up to him. It didn't happen overnight, but they did come around. Honestly, my consistent prayer was this simple line "Lord I pray for open and accepting hearts and minds from my family and friends." And I can say God definitely blessed us with the miracle of just that, open and accepting hearts and minds. Don't loose faith habibti...keep your hopes up even though the road seems rough. As Christians we say that God doesn't put us through anything that we can't handle. So keep your eyes on God and keep praying. I'm praying for you!!

Amanda

[~*Dorothy*~ 2]

Aya, I'm so sorry to read your story. It must be so hard to deal with all that has been happening with your family. You are definitely an amazing and brave young woman and I hope that you'll family will realize how much they are hurting you with their attitude and double standard. I admire your determination and hope that you'll journey will take a smoother course in the near future...((((HUGS)))

[raina4gy 0]

I really hope everything works out for you Aya..

[~Jackie~ 30]

(((( Aya))))

Jackie

[Y's_habibitk 2]

(((((((Aya))))))

Beth,

It's not too early to get it done now. Have him call the panel pysician and see what he needs to have an appointment, some will allow it with the NOA2 only, others require the letter from the consulate.

[~ameriptian~ 54]

chemaatah, morroco4ever, Amanda, Dorothy, raina4gy, Jackie, and Lisa thank you all for your support.

P.S: Amanda, that prayer was very comforting. Thank you very much!

[100% Al Ahly Fan 53]

As Christians we say that God doesn't put us through anything that we can't handle. So keep your eyes on God and keep praying.

Actually we believe this as Muslims as well. It actually says this exact thing in the Qu'ran. I believe it 100%. It amazes me what God thinks we can handle sometimes, but Allahu A'lam (God knows all).

And no Aya this is not fair and you did absolutely nothing wrong. Please remember that. Ya know even growing up here in the US my brother ALWAYS got treated better/differently by my mother (she's Egyptian too). Anyhow, this is all in Allah (swt) hands and of course I will be saying many du3a for you. Many hugs coming your way.

[~Jackie~ 30]

...pulling up a chair We have 2 months 4 weeks and 2 days to wait! That is only 92 days away !

Jackie

[Y's_habibitk 2]

Wow Jackie, that doesnt seem too long when you put it that way...