Lifestyle Changes

[jordanianprincess 0]

Thanks ladies, these are all so very helpful.

[Henia 11]

Hey Everyone,

I was just wondering about what kind of lifestyle changes you have made since you SO has moved to the US? Since my interview is around the corner and he has decided to come this year if he does get the visa, I'm starting to mentally prepare myself for this. I have started thinking about some of things I need to change in my lifestyle but wanted to know what others have experianced.

Thanks,

JP

Well Ahmed has not come to the USA, but while being here I have had to accomadate so many things..

the toliet

no running water

little tools to cook with

the whole langugage thing ( but they say I am doing good hehe)

the whole not knowing the culture...

the heat

having not brought the right clothing

haggling and shopping

washing the clothes, that is the worst

things like that

[jordanianprincess 0]

Hey Everyone,

I was just wondering about what kind of lifestyle changes you have made since you SO has moved to the US? Since my interview is around the corner and he has decided to come this year if he does get the visa, I'm starting to mentally prepare myself for this. I have started thinking about some of things I need to change in my lifestyle but wanted to know what others have experianced.

Thanks,

JP

Well Ahmed has not come to the USA, but while being here I have had to accomadate so many things..

the toliet

no running water

little tools to cook with

the whole langugage thing ( but they say I am doing good hehe)

the whole not knowing the culture...

the heat

having not brought the right clothing

haggling and shopping

washing the clothes, that is the worst

things like that

I know how you feel, I used to shower with a bucket in Jordan and we had to warm up the water on the stove first.

[Henia 11]

Hey Everyone,

I was just wondering about what kind of lifestyle changes you have made since you SO has moved to the US? Since my interview is around the corner and he has decided to come this year if he does get the visa, I'm starting to mentally prepare myself for this. I have started thinking about some of things I need to change in my lifestyle but wanted to know what others have experianced.

Thanks,

JP

Well Ahmed has not come to the USA, but while being here I have had to accomadate so many things..

the toliet

no running water

little tools to cook with

the whole langugage thing ( but they say I am doing good hehe)

the whole not knowing the culture...

the heat

having not brought the right clothing

haggling and shopping

washing the clothes, that is the worst

things like that

I know how you feel, I used to shower with a bucket in Jordan and we had to warm up the water on the stove first.

Ye I donnot even mind not having running water, even thou I am used to taking 3 or more showers daily in the US, but the whole boiling water to wash the clothes gets me... cos i need several buckets full per load... washing one load takes ALL day!!!!

[StupidJourney 0]

Ah, the joys of bucket baths. I remember my weekly winter Moroccan bath fondly. I soon learned another reason why women wear headscarves!

Luckily between 2003, when I first came to Morocco, and this year when I returned for my second trip, washing machines had become a little more common. I was NOT looking forward to using that washboard again! My clothes always looked horrendous afterwards! (although it was a good opportunity to sit on the roof, soak up the sun, and listen to my American music without having worry about being culturally appropriate or sounding like an idiot with my 3 year old Arabic vocabulary!)

[Henia 11]

Ah, the joys of bucket baths. I remember my weekly winter Moroccan bath fondly. I soon learned another reason why women wear headscarves!

Luckily between 2003, when I first came to Morocco, and this year when I returned for my second trip, washing machines had become a little more common. I was NOT looking forward to using that washboard again! My clothes always looked horrendous afterwards! (although it was a good opportunity to sit on the roof, soak up the sun, and listen to my American music without having worry about being culturally appropriate or sounding like an idiot with my 3 year old Arabic vocabulary!)

Ye I hear you Sonicliz! I hate washing the clothes and they do look terrible afterwards... I guess the only good thing about it, that with the soap I use my hands have never been softer But still I HATE WASHING THE CLOTHES !!!

[AshkiA 0]

I'm still waiting for my husband to come to the states. I've only been back myself for a week lol. But, I was in a previous (he was eygptian) relationship, although we met in the states he had only been in the states for a year. There wasn't much change other than any other relationship. We shared chores equally, he worked more than me so I did a little more around the house. The only difference that I can think of was going to cafe's for some tea or nescafe' and sheesha lol. Oh and making sure that our other friends had tea or coffee when over for a visit

[amal 4]

hmm interesting topic... We have had to adjust to so so so many things (and still are adjusting)....

I don't keep the house as tidy as he prefers, nor do I notice the mess quickly enough,

I don't prepare the food the way he is used to (ie. washing the chicken in lemon, or soaking the rice the full 15 minutes before cooking).

Spending a TON more money on food since we lived on microwaved burritos and sandwiches before he got here.

I have always been more of a homebody and now I have to think of things to do coz he gets bored sitting at home...

Adjusting to not using my pc at home since, if he's awake, he's on it.

The language barrier

There are so many more things ......but the #1 thing to remember is.....HAVE PATIENCE...AND LOTS OF IT!!!

I have said that so many times before and ppl used to wonder what I meant... I was serious was I not? Now I think some of you know what I meant?? It's not easy to adjust and there are times when the patience wears reallllly thin but it is worth it!! I wouldn't trade him for the world!

(there are far more good things than bad...but a person doesn't have to "adjust" to the good things..they just have to accept them.....its the things that are more negative that ppl have to adjust to) (that's just the way I see it)

If you want some good things....

adjusting to hearing someone singing or whistling all the time when they're happy

getting hugs when I'm sad

getting hugs when I'm happy

he does a lot of cooking

keeps the house much neater than I do

we laugh a lot more

we pray together

my daily conversations are not only on a childs level anymore...I actually have an adult to talk to

he's teaching me to write in arabic

I could go on and on

[Henia 11]

hmm interesting topic... We have had to adjust to so so so many things (and still are adjusting)....

I don't keep the house as tidy as he prefers, nor do I notice the mess quickly enough,

I don't prepare the food the way he is used to (ie. washing the chicken in lemon, or soaking the rice the full 15 minutes before cooking).

Spending a TON more money on food since we lived on microwaved burritos and sandwiches before he got here.

I have always been more of a homebody and now I have to think of things to do coz he gets bored sitting at home...

Adjusting to not using my pc at home since, if he's awake, he's on it.

The language barrier

There are so many more things ......but the #1 thing to remember is.....HAVE PATIENCE...AND LOTS OF IT!!!

I have said that so many times before and ppl used to wonder what I meant... I was serious was I not? Now I think some of you know what I meant?? It's not easy to adjust and there are times when the patience wears reallllly thin but it is worth it!! I wouldn't trade him for the world!

(there are far more good things than bad...but a person doesn't have to "adjust" to the good things..they just have to accept them.....its the things that are more negative that ppl have to adjust to) (that's just the way I see it)

If you want some good things....

adjusting to hearing someone singing or whistling all the time when they're happy

getting hugs when I'm sad

getting hugs when I'm happy

he does a lot of cooking

keeps the house much neater than I do

we laugh a lot more

we pray together

my daily conversations are not only on a childs level anymore...I actually have an adult to talk to

he's teaching me to write in arabic

I could go on and on

Mash'Allah Amal... I am happy for you that youre relation with your man is like that.. And I myself, even though I have been a snappy mood this week ...loving my husband more and more daily (even with all his annoying habits) and would not trade him for the world.

[AngelK96 0]

Hmmm..

Gave up closet space and dresser drawers now seems like I don't have enough space for my things

Co-signed a loan for another car because one vehicle wasn't cutting it. Plus it's establishing credit for him.

Since my husband is muslim reading labels on every food product that looks iffy.

Installed a hand held bidet in the bathroom.

Gave up some control..hahaha I no longer can just do something important without getting his input.

Bought another computer so he doesn't mess with mine.

Learning arabic so I can actually have a long conversation with his mother instead of few short sentences.

Patience is important sometimes I get impatient waiting for him to do something.

Learn to cook Jordanian food

Bought him his own cell phone so he can call his family anytime he wanted.

Download lots and lots of arab music and burned them to cds so he will have his music to listen to.

[Henia 11]

Hmmm..

Gave up closet space and dresser drawers now seems like I don't have enough space for my things

Co-signed a loan for another car because one vehicle wasn't cutting it. Plus it's establishing credit for him.

Since my husband is muslim reading labels on every food product that looks iffy.

Installed a hand held bidet in the bathroom.

Gave up some control..hahaha I no longer can just do something important without getting his input.

Bought another computer so he doesn't mess with mine.

Learning arabic so I can actually have a long conversation with his mother instead of few short sentences.

Patience is important sometimes I get impatient waiting for him to do something.

Learn to cook Jordanian food

Bought him his own cell phone so he can call his family anytime he wanted.

Download lots and lots of arab music and burned them to cds so he will have his music to listen to.

Awwwwwwwww nice Angel !!!

[doodlebug 3]

bump

[amal 4]

If you want some good things....

adjusting to hearing someone singing or whistling all the time when they're happy

getting hugs when I'm sad

getting hugs when I'm happy

he does a lot of cooking

keeps the house much neater than I do

we laugh a lot more

we pray together

my daily conversations are not only on a childs level anymore...I actually have an adult to talk to

he's teaching me to write in arabic

I could go on and on

wow d2daoodle..good post to bump!

I haven't posted here since September..so let's see how things have changed since then...

I do cook a LOT more and WAY more healthy

I've gained weight since I'm cooking more even though its healthier

If we have friends over I know that one of us is going to be making tea or coffee....ALWAYS

If almonds are on sale, we will buy them even if we already have a good supply at home (there are never enough almonds and the same goes for snoober)

I have learned that he doesn't like it if I sit on the couch all day long without cleaning or doing SOMETHING

I don't watch nearly the amount of movies that I used to

We haven't had pasta in our home since December 2005 coz both my boys hate it (in any form) and its too much of a hassle to cook it for just 1

There is always american coffee brewing at any given time of any given day

We NEED a 2nd car but just can't afford it

I miss being messy when I want to be messy

[doodlebug 3]

I have learned that he doesn't like it if I sit on the couch all day long without cleaning or doing SOMETHING

[Visa4habibi! 0]

Man, I wish I could add something here! OK, 10+5=15

Now I don't feel so bad!