singdub | ExpatWoman.com
 

singdub

singdub
38
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 13 June 2015 - 17:53
Hi, was trying to enter details of our Saheel 3 bed villa for rent and realize that the Classifieds section does not have any For rent category. Is that by design or am I missing the correct link? Thanks
singdub
38
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 15 May 2015 - 17:42
My company is paying for the move and was planning to get quotes and do a shortlist. I told them my list has 4-5 agencies and that I will approve only one of them. They have come back today with one in the list - that I have used in the past. So far so good.
singdub
38
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 06 May 2015 - 14:11
Hi Thaiger, when are you looking to move? We should compare some notes :) Any other recommendations?
singdub
38
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 04 February 2015 - 21:00
Hello, we are likely to transfer our maid to another sponsor when we will likely have renewed the visa and have another 8-9 months on it. Does this get adjusted against the dues of the new sponsor or is there any potential for a refund or is this balance 8-9 months worth wasted?
singdub
38
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 19 January 2015 - 17:10
When we lived in Hong Kong, we had a word that literally translated to "food for monks". That would ensure the food didn't have any fish sauce or non-veg ingredients. I am sure there is a similar word to use when in Thailand - maybe check with a few locals as soon as you are there and that should help...
singdub
38
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 19 January 2015 - 09:51
We are veggies and love thai. We typically eat the red and green curries (you can specify vegetarian and they will make it with veggies). Pad thai with or without eggs. Some thai joints also have mapu tofu which is technically not thai I guess but I eat what I get :)
singdub
38
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 20 November 2014 - 17:29
We recently flew Thai two weeks back to Bangkok and back. It was okay - oldish aircraft and the legroom on many seats was cramped by some silly box under the front seat. Also, remember that is 2/4/2 in the economy section - just in case you are travelling with a child. The entertainment was actually decent and had new movies too... If they are the same price, Singapore airlines would be a better bet. Of course, you are adding a few hours of journey time as well.
singdub
38
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 03 November 2014 - 13:22
We had a terribly designed pool that came with the property. After 5 years of suffering it, we decided to replace it end of last year. We went with fiberglass after seeing the neighbour spend roughly 12 months building and rebuilding it to fix leaks etc. So far, very happy with the choice as it was quicker and as a user, you don't see a difference. Tiles these days are fairly good and seem to stick to the pool. We went with Pools by Design and they were quite good. They dug up the old pool, and then dug further to put in the new larger pool. During this time, the fiberglass pool was being built and tiles being fixed. New pool was lowered by crane (quite cool) and then the garden was dug up everywhere to install the pipes for the filtration system, heater, drainage system etc. It took a 1-1.5 months till the pool was lowered and a further 1-1.5 months before everything was dug up and filled back. The chiller (which chills and warms and works like a fridge using a condenser) was AED 18k and so, we installed just a heater for 3k. Unlike the chiller, the heater drinks electricity and the bill is quite steep and so we use it very sparingly in winter. We dont care about the warmth of the water in summer, so that's fine. Plan for 2-3 months for the end to end process - it will not take less.
singdub
38
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 02 September 2014 - 13:34
Ah, didn't realize they meant CCTV cameras at compound level and not at individual villa level. We live in Ranches and guess Emaar will install them at the gates.
singdub
38
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 18 June 2014 - 10:47
Got it, thanks
singdub
38
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 18 June 2014 - 09:11
Thanks Thunderbird. Went through the site and found a Tinker Bell candle. I will still look for a toy as she can keep it - unlike the candle I supposed. But thanks for the link, seems to be an interesting place to check for such stuff :)
singdub
38
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 26 May 2014 - 20:44
At the bottom of the page, you will see google.com. Clicking on it will take you to the US google.com in English....
singdub
38
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 03 April 2014 - 17:48
Hello, my friend is filling an immigration form. He has to declare that his statements are not false and this declaration has to be witnessed by a 'Commissioner of Oaths' - as per that form's instruction. Who can one approach in UAE to get such a form attested?
singdub
38
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 27 March 2014 - 16:10
Was hoping to see if anyone else had similar issues and what they did.
singdub
38
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 27 March 2014 - 16:00
Was planning to write to Gulf News in their section where they try to resolve customer grievances. Not sure if that is slandering. I have emails with the company including confirmation of the order, account number, amount to be transferred etc. As to whether the police will get involved - dont know. The shop promised a service, did not deliver, promised to give a refund (that too only partial 'net' of their cost) and then fails to do even that. I would think the police should take it up......
singdub
38
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 27 March 2014 - 15:46
I have the online transfer from my account. No receipt as I have never been / seen their shop. Was through a reference and worked ok the last time 1 year back. I am going to start by calling the DED, next step debating between going to the police vs writing to Gulf News.
singdub
38
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 24 December 2013 - 19:40
Bought a Casio PX750 recently and very happy with it. Weighted keys with the feel of ivory. Read some online reviews of this model...
singdub
38
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 26 September 2013 - 21:31
To the OP : 220k is a good housing allowance. It may be a stretch getting a 4 bed independent villa in Ranches or Meadows but you should get a good 3 bed in those areas. There are other areas -which are not communities where you should be able to get a 4 bed villa. Amazing how this forum adds some comments without any context. Is 220k a good allowance - yes. But do we know what level the OP has come in to Dubai. Could be a Regional CEO of a Fortune 500. Even during the recession, people in senior positions in Dubai got 400/500k AED per annum for housing. And people actually posted about how Dubai was going back to its reckless ways of overpaying people.....context may be important.... <em>edited by singdub on 26/09/2013</em>
singdub
38
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 11 July 2013 - 18:35
Hi, looking to close my etisalat mobile and switch to Du (office package with Du is better. I had paid AED 2000 as deposit many years back to enable roaming. Cant find the flimsy paper that was given when I made the deposit. Has anyone gotten back this deposit without this slip? How?
singdub
38
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 May 2013 - 20:56
How many scenes are there in the movie that are not in English? Had the same issue with Argo.....
singdub
38
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 06 May 2013 - 12:45
Thanks Dubainewcomer. Will call Tina and see how it goes. Frazzled, the last time I checked with Emaar - extensions of the rooms to cover the verandah / corridor space outside the ground floor should be ok. They were not looking at any approvals for extensions beyond this - for example, the standalone rooms that many have erected to house their drivers / domestic support.
singdub
38
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 05 May 2013 - 13:01
Option 1 Head towards Choitrams. Go straight down the road at the signal. Take right on Hessa street Go straight and join MBZ road towards Sharjah Next exit is Ranches Option 2 Head towards Choitrams Turn right and this road merges with Al Khail Al Khail ends by joining MBZ road - look for the Sharjah side merge Proceed on MBZ road, AR is the 2nd exit after the Hessa street exit
singdub
38
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 30 April 2013 - 16:41
We are flying to Chicago. Decided to fly a EK/AA combo with a stopover in Heathrow. I did not want a connection in the US as we find it difficult estimating the time required to clear immigration, customs etc in a US airport. And for flying EK for half the distance, the fares came out reasonable at around 1250$ each.
singdub
38
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 26 April 2013 - 14:36
What kind of prices are you getting? I tried every EK option and it all ends up being more than 6500AED per ticket!!
singdub
38
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 14 April 2013 - 16:57
Pikachu, what is your new route?
singdub
38
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 21 March 2013 - 22:06
Thanks Yorky. We also have hectic work lives and your point makes absolute sense. Any specific package that you took at the Ranches?
singdub
38
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 January 2013 - 11:18
Hi Coriander, just a quick check - are you calculating your principal outstanding based on applying a equal amount to principal and interest from your EMI? If that's the case, that's not correct. Even though the EMI is the same, the interest component is higher in the initial installments as the outstanding principal is higher in the initial months. At the same time, towards the end, most of the EMI will get applied as principal repayment. I did a quick check and after 7 months, the principal repayment on a 32k loan for 24m should be only 8900. So, the 8th installment principal repayment is not yet applied - banks may do that adjustment only at monthend - which you will see reflected end Jan. When at happens, principal repayment will move from 8900 to 10300. Hope that helps. Do pull out your repayment schedule that you should have been given when you took the loan - it should have this working.
singdub
38
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 08 January 2013 - 19:17
When was your last installment - sometimes, that may not have been applied even though it has been debited to your account. Ask for the repayment schedule as of today and compare it to the repayment schedule you should have received when you signed for the loan. As long as they have not changed their interest rate, chances are that this is a communication error. And the loan department will be the only people who can explain things - I dont expect the branch people to have detailed knowledge of a loan - they are just repeating what they are seeing on their computer screen!!
singdub
38
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 04 January 2013 - 11:53
Very few good attractions and poor management. Ride management, queue management - everything needs to improve and drastically!! And food is a ripoff too....
singdub
38
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 03 January 2013 - 18:32
You will need to go to DNRD and apply for a duplicate. Costs about 200 AED if I remember right.....
singdub
38
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 31 December 2012 - 20:17
We are considering selling our Prado. Has done 180k kms and it was bought in 2007 July. Its Toyota serviced and is a workhorse!! Looking to sell it for around 80k.
singdub
38
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 17 December 2012 - 13:49
WG, we have built it up saying the fish is asking a big tank and needs his friends. She wants us to get the tank and get his friends over:) She even suggested he could live in our pool :) We are going to try and take her to Ace - but not sure till now if a 4 year old will understand the tradeoffs involved and be willing to give away the fish. Lets see....
singdub
38
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 17 December 2012 - 13:21
Ladybee, its a male. Do agree that its not a great gift to be handing out :) I spent upwards of 2 hours reading about the fish and that's when I decided to post offering it to anyone with fish handling experience on EW. Don't think we can manage this fish and it is a beautiful fish!! We will take it to Ace and give it away - and need to figure out what to tell our DD why her fish is missing :(
singdub
38
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 13 December 2012 - 15:55
I hadn't really thought of it that way....but that is a very valid point :)
singdub
38
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 13 December 2012 - 10:54
Sorry to pile on to an existing thread - but I had posted as a standalone thread a few weeks back. DH had ordered two garage remotes - and got the wrong ones. The company has sent us the right ones, but the wrong ones need to be dropped inside the US in any USPS box - its a postage paid envelope they have sent. Its really really small - just has two garage remotes. Can anyone going to the US drop them off for us pls.
singdub
38
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 11 November 2012 - 16:26
Good point - if their accidental cleaning was this good, surely they can do a good job :)
singdub
38
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 11 November 2012 - 13:56
@ Pennycake : Think this is just dirt that settles down over time. We really didn't realize - when we got a company to come clean our sofas, the machine they used has cleaned some patches on the floor and we can see the difference. We could go the steam mopping way - but just thinking it may be a good 'one time' solution to get professionals to do steam clean and buff the floor.
singdub
38
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 11 November 2012 - 13:46
The ceramic tiles in our house have become covered with this layer of dirt that just won't go. Anyone got the tiles scrubbed or polished at their home? Were they good and would you recommend them? How long does it take and what is the approximate cost?
 
 
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