mum2girls | ExpatWoman.com
 

mum2girls

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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 22 November 2015 - 09:25
if you want to avoid traffic black spots, than you would need to avoid Arabian Ranches.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 15 November 2015 - 09:23
Pantomime at Ductac or Madinat theatre, buy your tickets early though !
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 06 November 2015 - 12:16
I am using Assist.ae http://www.assist.ae/govt-services/, for the renewal. They have picked up the housekeeper and taken her for the medical and dropped her home, they are also doing her emirates ID, and it is done really quickly. The cost is AED1500, not sure if that is expensive or not, but I didn't have time to start looking around for different quotes. It's the first time I have used them and they are very efficient and responsive, I am very impressed with them.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 04 November 2015 - 13:33
I really like Brussels, it's a small city and easy to get around. The Grand Place is beautiful and walking around the little side streets off the Grand place is wonderful. There are lots of great restaurants. BlegaQueen and Rouge Tomato, being two memorable ones. Bruges and Gent are lovely for a day trip, Antwerp is nice, I used to spend quite a bit off time there with work, but I think it is a place that is wonderful when you know it, not so great as a 'sightseeing' place.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 01 November 2015 - 21:44
I think I just replied to your post on another thread, just in case you don't see it. I see Dr. Donatella Casiglia at American Hospital, she is Italian and worked in the UK NHS for years, I really like her and she is very competent and thorough. There is also an endocrinologist at Health Bay Polyclinic, I think she is Canadian or American, but I don't have any experience of her. Best of luck.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 01 November 2015 - 21:39
I would recommend Dr. Donnatella at the American Hospital, she is really good and a lovely lady. I didn't like Dr. Iyad Ksseiry at all, found him somewhat condescending, I can not comment on his competency though, as I never returned to him after my 3rd appointment.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 21 October 2015 - 09:09
Our school finishes 1 hour earlier on a Tuesday for teacher training. Complain to KHDA about it, they do listen to parents.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 19 October 2015 - 13:54
Would like to try something other than the Westin Bubbilicious, any ideas for something similar with kids area and great food. Anyone know about the Kempinski on the Palm?
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 14 October 2015 - 20:08
I go to Dr. Christina Engman, she is a Swedish dermatologist and my rosacea is much improved, overall my skin never looked better since being treated by her. She is now working at the Irish Medical Center in Al Wasl road, sorry don't have the number to hand.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 17 June 2015 - 23:57
Our housemaid already has been issued with a Shengen visa, as she is coming to France with us, and even that didn't help with the application, I mean, If she was going to abscond anywhere, it certainly wouldn't be Ireland. It;s such a knee jerk reaction.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 16 June 2015 - 10:06
I used Howdra for 1 month when my housemaid went on holiday. It cost 4000 for the month, they give you the ladies who they have not yet place in full-time work, so usually the new ones who arrive. It was okay for housekepping, but I would be vey reluctant to leave my kids with someone who I didn't know or know anything about. While getting someone else's maid is illegal, and I am not supporting it at all, a lot of people do it and it is not that unusual, However it is usually done word of mouth, someone you know leaving for the summer whose maid is free and can help out. I think it is okay if payment does not change hands, so maybe you could do something 'nice' as a gesture for the maid and employer helping you out.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 15 June 2015 - 14:31
Tried, but it's futile. No domestic workers have been given a visa either on first application or appeal, it's a blanket ban. Ridiculous situation and a knee jerk reaction.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 08 June 2015 - 12:45
Anyone have success appealing the decision to refuse the visa? BTW, reason for refusal was 'may abscond' and 'may not adhere to the visa conditions'. She has travelled to Ireland with us at least 10 times to visit and she would get a 90 day visa even though we would only apply for 3 or 4 weeks. Seems it must have something to do with the UAE ambassador case then.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 26 May 2015 - 16:29
Italy or France ! Euro is so weak now that the exchange rate against Stg, $ and AED is very favourable.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 20 May 2015 - 09:26
Don't waste your time going to Bio-Organic in Tecom, the staff don't have a clue where anything is, or WHAT anything is. Also there is not a great choice, i.e. the same items are stocked in several areas in the store making it looking like the shelves are full. Spinneys also has a good choice of gluten free products, but your best bet is Organic Foods and Cafe.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 16 May 2015 - 08:05
I just read up on this Dr. Apa, thanks Ilovechoos, I am sure there is a lot of hype, but I do like the fact he does a mock-up of what it will look like, his before and after photos look very good too. The dentist I am going to has not suggested doing a mock-up 3/d, so far. I have also asked to see before and after photos of patients he has worked on and I am still waiting to see that too. I may just make an appointment with this Dr. Apa. ETA, just searched for his Dubai office number and it seems he can only be contacted through his NY office, thats a bit strange, website and Facebook page don't have a Dubai number.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 16 May 2015 - 07:52
Thanks everyone, I take my daughter to Dr. Gilda at Dubai London clinic, but never thought to ask her who she would recommend. Thanks Preethi, I will check him out, glad you are happy. Ilovechoos, I will check him out, I generally don't like 'visiting' doctors though, but I do believe that US dentists know their stuff when it comes to cosmetic dentistry. I have already begun some of the work, replacing filings, at Drs, Nicholas & Asp and a few things, but I am getting a bit doubtful about the cosmetic side of it, Part of the work is a few crowns and then filing down some good teeth for veneers to match the crowns, but not actually feeling it with the guy I am going to, so I am a bit worried to do the cosmetic work now.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 04 May 2015 - 20:40
Nanniesdubai have a terrible reputation, you only have to google complaints/reviews about them. You are obviously working for them and spamming this forum.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 04 May 2015 - 20:38
Nanniesdubai have a terrible reputation, you only have to google complaints/reviews about them. You are obviously working for them and spamming this forum.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 04 May 2015 - 20:38
Nanniesdubai have a terrible reputation, you only have to google complaints/reviews about them. You are obviously working for them and spamming this forum.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 04 May 2015 - 20:36
Nanniesdubai have a terrible reputation, you only have to google complaints/reviews about them. You are obviously working for them and spamming this forum.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 30 April 2015 - 12:57
I can only agree with everything that has been said. Last week my dd asked me why her gymnastics class was now a dance class !! i.e. the warm up is now longer than the gymnastics. As someone said very little gymnastic activity going on. I think a lot of people transferred from the gymnastics facility near Safa Park as a result of all the roadworks, but I have heard a few people now saying they will be going back. Such a shame, because it is a great facility, but they need a great reputation to go with the great facility, otherwise it will not retain their members.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 29 April 2015 - 14:27
Anything, in any reasonable condition, in Meadows, Springs, Lakes or Arabian Ranches is not seeing any rent reductions unfortunately. I think AR and the Lakes are even seeing rent increases. We looked at Jumeriah Park as an alternative, but no real community feel to it, so not an option for us.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 26 April 2015 - 08:15
We looked around the Marina area recently. Emaar 6 is by far the best quality. Lobby's look like a high end hotel, corridors are really wide which gave a very spacious feel to the whole building. The apartments are spacious and in the right building you have amazing Marina views. Several pools. Everything about the Emaar 6 says upmarket. The location is ideal for getting in and out of the Marina and you have the Marina walk on your doorstep. Silverene, we found the apartment to be cramped and what they call a Marina view was a sideways view, lobby area was nice but small, maybe just the apartment we visited, grounds are very nice. Too far down the Marina, so dealing with traffic daily. Marina Keys, location is a nightmare, that alone put us off. It's on the wrong side of the Marina for access. Even though its an Emaar property, it doesn't have a very exclusive feel to it, corridors are really narrow and cramped, reminded me of a cheap motel. Apartments are duplex, which is nice and I liked the idea of bedrooms 'upstairs', but it also makes them seem smaller than the actual square footage. it has a nice pool area which I think is shared by all the buildings, so it might get busy. Right apartment would have great Marina views, Easy access to JBR walking, We didn't look at the Marina Quays high building, just the two jutting out into the water. Directly opposite the Yacht club and Pier 7, so don't know if you would have late night noise. No clue about rental prices, we are looking to buy.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 21 April 2015 - 11:24
Some people don't mind keeping their pregnant maid until maternity leave, but then the sponsor is responsible for all medical costs and if she doesn't have insurance that can be prohibitive (unless you can afford it), especially if there is any kind of emergency or problem during the pregnancy. If you can't cover her medical costs, you will need to see if you can transfer her sponsorship to her husband, but depending on his situation he may or may not be able to sponsor her. If that isn't possible, your only choice is to send her back home asap as there is no way anyone else will hire her pregnant and take on her sponsorship. She also may be further into her pregnancy, so you would need to move quickly to ensure she can travel without restrictions.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 13 April 2015 - 12:45
I know KC, it's so tough. I too would be very reluctant for a general anaesthetic, especially at her young age. Anyway, hopefully she may not need surgery at all, there are lots of scar reducing medications that may help. It is probably a good idea to deal with it now though, before she gets to the age when she becomes very self-consious about it or other kids begin commenting on it.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 13 April 2015 - 11:37
Yes, we considered it and unfortunately you cannot sponsor/invite her children here on a visit visa, only a parent or relative can. She could not invite her own children, as she was not earning over AED3,500 per month. We eventually worked out that her sister could invite them as she was earning AED5,000 per month. In the end our maid decided against it, it was going to be a big hassle for her to get passports for them, we even offered to pay her trip each way to pick them up and drop them home, but she said she would still end up spending her own money here, even though we were going to cover all costs. The kicker was that she felt that she would prefer the money we were going to pay for the flights, so we kind of shot ourselves in the foot on that one.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 13 April 2015 - 11:24
whatever you do, do not use the Dr. mentioned in the above post, it doesn't appear to be genuine. This poster keeps spamming with advertisements about him and it is very worrying that a supposedly reputable Doctor's clinic, has to use methods such as this to get business. I don't think anyone would go near Dr. Kamil Alrustrom with a 10ft barge pole now, as a result of the spamming of this person, who keeps being re-incarnated as different users after being banned for overt advertising. I can only hope this is not Dr. Kamil Alrustom himself using these tactics.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 13 April 2015 - 10:50
I would suggest taking her to a plastic surgeon immediately. There are lots of treatments which can be done to minimise/ reverse scars, and the fact she is still young probably means a very good outcome for her. But let a good plastic surgeon decide what the best treatment is, don't let anyone else advise you. My daughter had a very bad wound on her face. which was sutured very poorly, I took her to a plastic surgeon and her scar is barely noticeable now. In my DD's case, I took her within a week of the accident and having the sutures, so the plastic surgeon was able to react quickly and treat her pretty much immediately., I dread to think what her scar would have been like if I had not brought her. I now know never to let an emergency doctor do any kind of suturing on the face or any exposed area. Bring her to one of the reputable plastic surgeons, my daughter was treated by to Dr. Imran Tahir, he trained and worked in the UK and is a reconstruction surgeon, and I could recommend him. The other reputable ones I hear of are Dr. Shunner (female) and Dr. Jaffer Khan.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 20 March 2015 - 09:56
Dr.'s salary depends on a lot of things, nationality (unfortunately), where your degree is from, where you previously worked and at what level etc. The American Hospital will pay more than the likes of Saudi German or Al Zahra. General Practitioners in a practice with predominantly western doctors and a western clientele will be paid more than a practice that has predominantly non-western trained drs. Gratuity is a payment that is paid at end of service for every year that you have been employed, it is almost in lieu of a pension (as there are no employee pension schemes here).
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 17 March 2015 - 12:13
I always called our housemaid our helper, 'the lady who helps us'. I find 'maid' gives more of an impression of a servant, however now I find myself, more and more, using the term 'maid', which in the US would cause peoples eyes to pop out on stalks. In the UK and US, domestic workers are called either a cleaner, housekeeper, nanny or mother's helper.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 01 March 2015 - 10:06
Look for resorts that don't have any organised activities for kids, even if they welcome kids. We are looking at Maldives too (with kids) and I have excluded all the resorts that don't have kids club, I also don't want a seaplane ride. A lot of the very high end resorts that I looked at don't have organised kids activities, so I would imagine that would mean there won't be too many kids.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 01 March 2015 - 09:40
Try Creative Minds on Umm Suqeim, they have two huge shops beside each other, one for crafts (you might find embellishments there) and one for supplies (stickers etc). Be forewarned, your wallet will take a huge hit in that place.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 25 February 2015 - 13:19
Ruth Chris Steak restaurant is always good. I think the one in The address Marina has a terrace overlooking the marina, I have only eaten indoors there.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 25 February 2015 - 13:12
I would not use Dream Girls for a wedding dress, cross them off your list. While not for wedding dress, I have used several dressmakers here and so far Montexa has been the best, they do loads of wedding dresses and Anne has a wall of photographs from happy brides. <em>edited by mum2girls on 25/02/2015</em>
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 23 February 2015 - 22:48
Our school have been doing it for years, maybe all schools have to do it now. . We had just moved here and my DD was in Grade 1 when they did it, it was her first experience, she thought it was for real and was really scared, she talked about it for weeks.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 22 February 2015 - 22:29
As someone else recommended, http://www.leavesdubai.com, maybe you can get some advice from them. Good luck, I hope you can find a solution to get out of the marriage with your kids.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 21 February 2015 - 19:33
Daily Mail photos of the damage shows much more extensive damage than the 7 days images. Think the 7day is one side of the building and the Daily mail showing the side that was severely damaged.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 21 February 2015 - 18:51
If the photos on the DM are to be believed, it looks like much more than minor damage. Hope the authorities put in place regulations regarding fire safety, specifically about having working fire alarms. I guess these buildings will never be retro fitted with fire retardant materials.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 12 February 2015 - 10:35
haha, too funny ! someone is having a right laugh on Mumsnet, probably winning a bet, 1000 replies, lol.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 10 February 2015 - 22:10
I think it is just really bad lighting and a terrible make-up job rather than plastic surgery, no doubt there is some botox going on. It looks like she didn't have time to finish her eye make-up, she looks like she has no eyelashes, and the red lipstick makes her look like the Joker. Other than that I think she looks the same just older.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 04 February 2015 - 12:28
I just read that there is a 26 year old female aid worker, from the US, in their hands for the past 12 months, god love her, I can't even bear to think about it.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 04 February 2015 - 10:39
I was somehow hoping that the video was staged and they might have killed him quickly by bullet, but apparently. from the media reports, it seems that the video shows his final agonising moments. These people are savages. I do hope this is the turning point for annihilating those ******** off the face of the earth. RIP.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 31 January 2015 - 11:21
The Desert Classic at Emirates Golf club? Even if you are not into golf, you can spend a few hours there and it's not often you can see the famous golfers up that close on your doorstep.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 27 January 2015 - 12:11
Thanks.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 26 January 2015 - 05:04
Have you had MRI's done? Maybe see a Head & Neck specialist physician, rather than the going the chiropractor route. There is an excellent one at Dubai American Hospital, he would look at all scenarios and not only an orthopaedic one. Chronic pain is very debilitating and depressing, don't give up until you get some answers.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 25 January 2015 - 15:00
I looked for them too, but the supplements are out of stock on Souq.com. Amazon have them in stock, but worried they may not get past customs and they are expensive it they are not delivered. Thanks again for the recommendation Mrs. DB.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 22 January 2015 - 07:26
I checked it out, the reviews look amazing. Think I will place an order for it.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 22 January 2015 - 07:24
Have you tried a hospital pharmacy ? The medication I use can only be purchased from a hospital pharmacy, and apparently only from the big hospitals such as City, American and Saudi German. It was the same for my Dad's Warfarin medication, all the pharmacies were telling me out of stock, I must have went to at least 6 of them, until eventually one pharmacist explained that it wasn't out of stock at all, but a restricted medication that could only be found in the hospital pharmacy. Good luck.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 20 January 2015 - 21:40
That's true about it being a regulated medication, when my Dad forgot his, we went from pharmacy to pharmacy and they all told us it was 'out of stock', eventually one pharmacist explained that it was not 'out of stock' but could only be dispensed from a hospital pharmacy.