The women that marry mena men?

[mybackpages 0]

Maybe you have travelled on planes and travelled a great deal. Not all the people on the forums have. And many are in the painful throes of immigration, a stressful and difficult time for all petitioners.

Why do people talk as if they have just made some huge discovery? Immigration is a difficult and complex process. We are the the first to go through this process nor will be the last.

Because for some of us this is our first encounter with such a huge bureuacracy. For some of us each day apart is hell. I am flying to see my husband in 2 days and I count down every day to each visit. To some of us ,the wait is hell. You maybe dont remember but mine has already been an 8 month ordeal and I have at least 8 more months to go. Its hell when you love someone

Maybe I don't remember???? I'll tell you what I remember. I remember those here on VJ who have waited years just to get the USCIS approval so that the petition can finally make its way to the consulate. I remember couples going through consulates like the domincan Republic who wait 18 months or more just for an interview to be scheduled. I remember the couples here separated by legal red tape becuse families do not merit much value in the eyes of USCIS. I remember all the children who are growing up apart from their parents. I remember the couples who will never be able to overcome the obstacle of immigration and have to make choices they would not be forced to otherwise.

Let's have some respect for real suffering.

[allousa 1]

I have for the most part really enjoyed this site because there is no one else in my situation in regards to my family and friends. While I have some support, it's not the same as talking to people who are actually going through the process. I'm also a single mom and don't have alot of opportunity to socialize through the weeknights.

Please don't discount those of us who are coming here for the first time and really enjoying the company.

[PalestineMyHeart 1,897]

Maybe I don't remember???? I'll tell you what I remember. I remember those here on VJ who have waited years just to get the USCIS approval so that the petition can finally make its way to the consulate. I remember couples going through consulates like the domincan Republic who wait 18 months or more just for an interview to be scheduled. I remember the couples here separated by legal red tape becuse families do not merit much value in the eyes of USCIS. I remember all the children who are growing up apart from their parents. I remember the couples who will never be able to overcome the obstacle of immigration and have to make choices they would not be forced to otherwise.

Let's have some respect for real suffering.

:thumbs:

[a1angied 0]

I am one of the one's that everyone told me I was crazy, how could i fall in love with someone I don't even know, You met him on the internet nad have never touched him and you are engaged. You are going to fly half way around the world to marry him. You have only flown once in your life 20 years ago and that was a 2 hour filght and now you are going to be in transit for 22 hours. Have you seen the movie, on and on and on...................................................

YES YES YES that was me. I went met my husband and 4 days later was married and we are now together and it is great. We celebrated our 1 year ann last month and I love me husband so much. Is the adjustment easy HECK NO but I can only pray that God will continue to help us and bless our marriage.

[deadbird 2]

I remember the couples here separated by legal red tape becuse families do not merit much value in the eyes of USCIS.

And that's all of us.

Ever notice how many of our topics turn into dramafests? Guess we're all pretty gutsy

[♥JP♥ 5]

MBP, that was a great post.

I waited 17 months for his fiance visa, and evertime I felt the need to complain I would think about other members on VJ, like Shon, Yasi, Dipsticks and say to myself "How can I complain? Things could be worse.". Just because I am reunited now doesn't mean I don't remember how hard it was, I do remember but I thank God everyday that we are done. For those of you waiting, its hard, no matter what.

[tnh9479 1]

1.) I would be curious to hear from people actually in the immigration process about their journeys and experiences.

2.) For some people , marrying outside of their culture and travelling outside of the country is a gutsy move.

3.) Maybe you have travelled on planes and travelled a great deal. Not all the people on the forums have. And many are in the painful throes of immigration, a stressful and difficult time for all petitioners.

I have to respond because I find some of this so outrageous.

1.) I am sorry to break it to people, but there is a lot more to immigration than just getting the visa. There is adjustment of status for some, lifting of conditions, and naturalization (if so chosen). Some get lucky and this happens in about four years from arrival. But this is not the case for all. To write off people because they are not wringing their hands waiting for visa approval is VERY short-sighted.

2.) This is a HUGE assumption to make. It might not be gutsy for some to marry outside their culture as they have always been attracted to different people and experiencing different things. For them to marry someone nearly like themself would be the gutsy thing to do. It also might not be gutsy for others to travel outside the country as they don't drink too much of administration's "terrorism kool-aid" (in other words...they can think, read, and interpret for themselves).

3.) Refer to number 1: this is an arduous journey for everyone who steps into it.

[sara535 15]

well, I totally agree. I was WAY out of the norm in my family and friends to do something whacked out like go overseas to meet an online love in person and then marry him

and I was utterly blindsided by the huge government bureacracy that is immigration. I guess in my 30+ years prior to that I had not only never had any reason to deal with it but honestly had never even given it a thought. Yes, I had travelled a great deal prior to this but not to North Africa and certainly not to hook up with a future husband. I guess most of my friends considered it kinda 'gutsy' but then, they always thought I was crazy anyway.....

ETA: not sure why this needs to turn in to a drama or judgement fest instead of just an exchange of thoughts and opinions.. oh wait, its because its the MENA forum, thats right.

Edited August 9, 2007 by sara535

[~Jackie~ 30]

[doodlebug 3]

I remember right before I left to see my husband the first time my best friend signed me up to win a contest on the radio titled "she did WHAT???"

And guess what? I didn't win!!! I lost out to this woman who, during PMS, drove into another car on purpose 'cause she was ticked off that they stole her parking space in a grocery store parking lot.

[Ban Hammer 13,486]

Please don't discount those of us who are coming here for the first time and really enjoying the company.

i got buttered kettle corn

[PalestineMyHeart 1,897]

1.) I would be curious to hear from people actually in the immigration process about their journeys and experiences.

2.) For some people , marrying outside of their culture and travelling outside of the country is a gutsy move.

3.) Maybe you have travelled on planes and travelled a great deal. Not all the people on the forums have. And many are in the painful throes of immigration, a stressful and difficult time for all petitioners.

I have to respond because I find some of this so outrageous.

1.) I am sorry to break it to people, but there is a lot more to immigration than just getting the visa. There is adjustment of status for some, lifting of conditions, and naturalization (if so chosen). Some get lucky and this happens in about four years from arrival. But this is not the case for all. To write off people because they are not wringing their hands waiting for visa approval is VERY short-sighted.

2.) This is a HUGE assumption to make. It might not be gutsy for some to marry outside their culture as they have always been attracted to different people and experiencing different things. For them to marry someone nearly like themself would be the gutsy thing to do. It also might not be gutsy for others to travel outside the country as they don't drink too much of administration's "terrorism kool-aid" (in other words...they can think, read, and interpret for themselves).

3.) Refer to number 1: this is an arduous journey for everyone who steps into it.

Mmmmmmm Koolaid

Excellent points tnh -- there is a whole LOT of assumin' goin' on today.

Have you noticed that this board is a little more animated and full of action than the other forums? Why is that? I think it takes a little bit of guts to go to MENA countries for the average american and to embrace a new and exciting culture. I think the women that marry mena men and meet them in their countries are a little more gutsy than some of their friends. To go on a plane half a world away, especially one engulfed in controversy ( world politics and opinion) perhaps takes a little bit of a spitfire. How have your friends and families reacted to all the phoning, planes, traveling and changes in you as a mena marrying woman? I often wonder about this.

Most of this is not at all specific to "ME/NA women," nor is it any kind of evidence that they're necessarily any "gutsier" than anyone else on VJ. I mean come on, the vast majority of people on this site had to travel long distances by plane to visit a different country, often a place with a different language and "exciting new culture," and also had to suffer the "painful throes" of stress and separation.

If you want to talk about visiting "controversial areas" or "trouble spots, ok... but MENA doesn't even have that on exclusive lockdown. I guess what I'm saying is: please stop trying to exalt and romanticize women who go to ME/NA countries as somehow more generically "exciting" than any other woman on this site. Some ME/NA gals are actually quite borrrrrrring. And some of those gals in the Canada forum are WILD I tell you.... just WILD!

[mybackpages 0]

Some ME/NA gals are actually quite borrrrrrring.

Hey! you talkin' 'bout me?

[mybackpages 0]

"terrorism kool-aid"

[PalestineMyHeart 1,897]

Some ME/NA gals are actually quite borrrrrrring.

Hey! you talkin' 'bout me?

A vibrant gutsy sassy spitfire like you ????? No way !!