Yallah Middle East 2.0

[iceyspots 0]

yay me and yacine get a new room mate tomorrow

[Meriem_DZ 37]

yay me and yacine get a new room mate tomorrow

And who might that be????

How is the new Kitty?

Meriem

[iceyspots 0]

the new kitty is good, he'll be sleeping with hachemi tomorrow

[Meriem_DZ 37]

the new kitty is good, he'll be sleeping with hachemi tomorrow

Oh, Hachemi will not mind. He loves Kitties!!!

Hachemi has his medical tomorrow. He is so nervous. He has called me twice in the last hour. He can't sleep.

Meriem

[iceyspots 0]

it's good that he is our guinea pig, if his doctor is cool, then we'll take him/her..

do you know if he got the male doctor or the female one?

[Meriem_DZ 37]

it's good that he is our guinea pig, if his doctor is cool, then we'll take him/her..

do you know if he got the male doctor or the female one?

Not sure. I guess we will find out tomorrow.

Meriem

[amal 4]

thanks

I came in to vj today with all sorts of things to say but now that i'm in here...can't think of a single thing.... well.... I'll just say i'm wishing luck to everyone in waiting

amal

[LebaneseMama 1]

Ali is homesick ... not too bad but he is. What I have been doing and it really seems to be working is to never change the subject. I listen to him, I'll call his family and give him the phone, and if we can't afford to call I'll have him send them an e-mail. Anyway just for him to get his feelings out. When all else fails I am the shoulder that he cries on. I think a major part of it is that our wedding is in 2 days and his family will not be there

We have also been been getting our home ready for the wedding on Saturday (Sat. night is when we offically move in) the first thing we put up was a pick of his parents. I think I have shown him that I really do care and will support him 100%.

As far as the culutural aspect, he is surrounded by it since we are Lebanese. It's just his family that he misses. We have been sooo busy that we need to remember everyday to sit down and talk about his family, this way he still feels connected.

We have also sent pics back and forth by e-mail.

Any other ideas, tips, suggestions ?

[MrsAmera 41]

This is a tough one that will constantly be a struggle - I believe. I think you are doing a good job supporting him but I've found that the more I talked to Youssef about it (maybe I'm mean...but babied him (not saying you are!!!) the worse it was. Supporting is good, calling is good, e-mails all of that is great but make sure he still is living life here and not just living for the next time he can call home. I think it will lessen with time. He has an advantage being surrounded by a familiar culture but sometimes that makes it worse too. Youssef's brother lives in NYC, in an Arabic neighborhood, he has all Moroccan friends, eats only Moroccan food, works with Moroccans, watches only Arabic TV, and speaks only Arabic at home. He's been here 10 years, my husband speaks better English (he's been here 4 months) and is MUCH more comfortable here and in different surroundings than his brother is. So I really believe that there is a balance that must be accomplished especially if you guys plan to live here. So maybe the best way to help with his homesickness is to get him out, and to help him think less about how much he misses his family and home? Maybe I'm mean but it really seemed to help us get through some tough times.

[lostinlove228 0]

Ali is homesick ... not too bad but he is. What I have been doing and it really seems to be working is to never change the subject. I listen to him, I'll call his family and give him the phone, and if we can't afford to call I'll have him send them an e-mail. Anyway just for him to get his feelings out. When all else fails I am the shoulder that he cries on. I think a major part of it is that our wedding is in 2 days and his family will not be there

We have also been been getting our home ready for the wedding on Saturday (Sat. night is when we offically move in) the first thing we put up was a pick of his parents. I think I have shown him that I really do care and will support him 100%.

As far as the culutural aspect, he is surrounded by it since we are Lebanese. It's just his family that he misses. We have been sooo busy that we need to remember everyday to sit down and talk about his family, this way he still feels connected.

We have also sent pics back and forth by e-mail.

Any other ideas, tips, suggestions ?

It's totally noramal for him to feel that way. I am sure it is very hard for him to not have his familly at his wedding. Last summer when I got engaged ( Islamic ceremony) The most difficult part for me was that my mom was not there. That is the day you dream that your friends and family are there. Hang in there, things will get easier. Enjoy your big day. I am sure you will look like a princess.

[a1angied 0]

Happy birthday Amal

And this is totally out of left field but I know I have read many times about people looking for Arabica coffee. I buy this one at Costco, it is the beans and you can grind them as you use them. It is San Fancisco Bay French Roast 100% Prime Arabica Beans. Not sure if it is the same but I just read the apckage today when I was openig it and thought i might post and see if it is what many have been looking for, if not I am sorry for getting your hopes up.

[amal 4]

I think the coffee depends on how fine it can be ground...The kind my husband likes has to be fine (like powder) and I have a hard time finding that in my town.... we have asked his friends to send us some good coffee so hopefully we'll get some soon

amal

[iceyspots 0]

aww... i'm heart broken, hachemi stood us up.. we gave all his dinner meat to the kitten

[Meriem_DZ 37]

aww... i'm heart broken, hachemi stood us up.. we gave all his dinner meat to the kitten

You should have wrapped it up and put in the fridge and fed it to him on Monday.

Meriem

[iceyspots 0]

ugh... but they were little lamb sausages... i dont think they'd still be good on monday!

i wanna say they were called marzool or marzouj

i think its something similiar to lebanese soujouk