neurotic Iraqi wife

First off, I would like to congratulate the Iraqi Football team on winning Korea. We have now reached the Finals of the Asian Games (final will be with Qatar). You do not understand how such news is received amid the chaos, havoc and killings thats going around here. It gives the Iraqis a glimpse of what happiness is like. It lifts their spirits up and believe it or not, for that minute of triumph it actually united them. (it took a football game to unite the Iraqis, while ppl ouside are analysing how to reconcile differences, hmm, maybe have a year round tournament, what do you think???)For the name of Iraq, all Iraqis with its Sunnis and Shias, with its Christians and Kurds, with its Chaldeans and Sabi'as, all of them were delighted at the news. You can hear the celebratory shots being fired and the cars beeping all along. Even here in the Green zone, all the cars were out beeping and people were celebrating. On our way to the BS, we saw Iraqi men holding the Flag and chanting with the top of their voices. Mabrook, alif mabrook.

And no Im not gonna comment on the massacre that took place today morning. Im not gonna comment because there's no point, theres no use. We were under lockdown when the first bombing took place. HUBBY called me immediately, and the only words that came out of my lips were "Allah Il Satir" (not sure how to translate it literally). Then I read the news on yahoo, and my heart sank...

I just wanna continue with what I was writing about in my previous post. So basically the General refused to sign the papers. After some deliberation, and 2 days later, the General decided that there is no harm especially after reviewing the references that all my Iraqi colleagues supplied with their applications. And the smile and laughter returned yet again. The applications were sent via our mail, 4 days before the 17th. When I asked what would they do if they get the Green Card, Z, who btw is still munching on bread, said I might come back, but I will come back as a DOD. Thats what they call us expats here. Both I and the others laughed at that...

The first step is to have your application approved, then after a few months the department will contact you and set out an interview date, mostly takes place in the embassy in Amman. You have to have medical tests taken, then pass the interview. Once you pass the interview, your visa is issued within one week, and you are elligible to travel to the States then I guess after one year you get the green card. Im not sure about the financing, not sure about the housing if these are taken care of by the US gov. My colleagues arent sure as well, but they dont care, they just want a one way ticket outta here.

Three people who applied back in July, had their applications approved. Their interviews were set in Amman. Two guys, travelled together, one was granted entry to Jordan, the other was refused entry. And Im not gonna explain WHY the Jordanian Officer granted one and not the other. I think many Iraqis would know the real reason, especially those who travel to Amman. The guy who was granted entry, passed the interview and is now getting ready to travel to California together with his wife and kid.

The person I really wanted this to work out for is ofcourse my friend, the only one I can call so, here, and that is S. She got her interview date and travelled to Amman She was so worried that she will be refused entry just like A. I remember telling her not to worry and that everything will be fine. Her email to me a day before the interview:

Hope you're doing great...I just want to let you know that I made it safely to Amman...tomorrow is the big day....I'm so worried....please keep me in your prayers and wish me luck.

Her email after the interview which made me cry:
Neurotica Habibti,
First I would like to wish you a Happy Birthday...inshalla meet sana..
Second I have some good news and bad news ...the good news is....Halhili (means ululate)....I made it and I'm supposed to receive the visa within a week...the bad news is that my sister didn't make it this time they delayed her application for another two months.
I will need to stay in Amman for at least another week or so until I receive the visa...after that I will decide what to do.

I cannot describe to you my happiness. I cannot describe to you the weird shivers I got after reading her words. For when I was blowing my candle, I prayed, I prayed for S. I prayed for her. S got her way out of here. S got the freedom she always wanted. S will be able to wear her cross wherever, and whenever she wants. S can walk with her head held up, not fearing the unknown. S is gonna live the life that all Iraqis dream of. Most importantly, S is gonna be SAFE!!! I am just hoping that now, all my Iraqi colleagues will get their chance and will have their wishes granted.

The US gov acted as a catalyst in nourishing the sectarian violence. The US and ofcourse the outsiders that came in from Iran, Syria, Afghanistan and all the other countries. But atleast, I can say, that this immigration program, may be a tiny part of a reconciliation. In my opinion, immigration should be granted to all the Iraqis. "lend us part of Texas, set us up, let us live our lives. And leave those who kill and kidnap behind. Let them live in Iraq. UNtil they all die, then all the good people can come back again. "Actually these arent my words, these are words coming out from an Iraqi I speak to regularly. He said thats the best solution, and let them (the US) bomb Iraq and the militias and gangs with nuclear weapons, just like Hiroshima, eradicate them all, then we can all come back and start rebuilding our country from scratch. If they really wanna help us, let them do that. I must agree here...Let all those who fight in the name if Jihad, and Islam, in the name of Shia'sm and Sunnism kill each other without the innocent Iraqis who want to live in peace.

Now to a very funny story(if you are below the age of 18 pls do not read further) , L a colleague of mine, actually an ex colleague (she got another job with another company but still in the same compound) came to me yesterday and said, I need to ask you something , but its kinda embarrasing, and you are the only one I can talk to, so lets go out and have a smoke. I followed her out and pulled my cig then said What is it L? Do you need anything? L said, no, then she lowered her voice and said is a vibrator what I think it is??? OMG. I was just startled. I almost choked on my cig. L, I asked shocked, how do you know about vibrators??? L who by now was blushing big time, said well, the American ladies I work with keep whispering to each other about using vibrators. I overheard them the other day, and because I didnt wanna embarrass myself, I googled it. (yup, the joy of the internet). I tried to act as normal as can be and asked, aha, and what did you find out???

L looked at me then came closer, she said, it looks like you know. Like what??? You know, like you know what IM talking about. Hmm, this time I laughed from the bottom of my heart and said Oh L, yessss, it is what you think it is. She said, but why is it fun??? I said, hmm, hard question, why dont you ask the women you overheard??? She gave me a shocking look, you must be crazy she said. No way, I cant do that. Then I said, well, I dunno L. I cant answer you there. Then L flashed a smile and said, you know, these women keep getting me sweets and chocolates, christmas is coming, do you think maybe I should order something on the net for them??? And here was what I was dreading. Using HUBBYs credit card to purchase VIBRATORS, and umm to have them shipped here. Wont that be just lovely. I patted L's shoulder and said, L dont even THINK about it. Get them ANYTHING, ANYTHING but those.

There is sadness everywhere, but when they come here, they lose themselves in what they see as their freedom. My prison is their freedom, yet the laughter albeit scarce, is there. Can anyone imagine that vibrators will be a subject talked about in this part of the world, and in these circumstances??? No, nor did I until L brought it up. Imagine that. Vibrators. Vibrators in Iraq...