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Events

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EWmums

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ewmoda

I miss Dubai...

138

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 08 November 2011 - 20:50

So here is the story: Our family relocated to the UK for my DH's work at the beginning of Sept after spending the last 4 years in Dubai.

Kids have adjusted at their new school and DH is busy at work and travels a lot...

I really miss Dubai and the good friends I have made there. I find it very difficult to adjust to this new life and hate every minutes of it to be honest! We are in an area where there are no expat. I have nothing in common with people here. I have been an expat for the past 15 years. Has anyone gone through something similar? I found Dubai was quite easy since it is full of expat and people are in general quite friendly. Don't even tell me to go to a coffee morning at the kids school, the mums haven't been welcoming at all...I guess they have no idea what it's like...We are here for a very short time (1 or 2 years) but I'm not sure I can take it...

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244

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 18 November 2011 - 19:29

Got it, you can delete it now :)

138

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 12 November 2011 - 11:40

Kermi, sorry i didn't get your email address the other day...here is mine, frenchy 2048 at hot mail dot com

244

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 09 November 2011 - 14:48

Frenchy, do you have my email ID? Removing it now.

2958

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EW EXPERT

Latest post on 09 November 2011 - 11:04

Frenchy I just saw your other thread about handbags and if you are going to Bicester village as tally ho suggests that would be a really good meeting up pace fr s - so let me know I was asking about t with a friend of mine yesterday funnily enough and she has just been and bought the most amazing handbag at a fraction of the usual selling price!

2958

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 09 November 2011 - 10:56

On the plus side, at least you can watch Doc Martin, Downton Abbey, Young Apprentice and loads of other stuff without having to wait for the progs to be shown on OSN or produced in a box-set. Download them simplest and watch them the following day we didn't miss anything when we were there just watched it a day later. We also have a slingbx so could watch everything live anyway but the time difference got in the way of that.

2340

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EW EXPERT

Latest post on 09 November 2011 - 10:17

I miss Dubai too :( Long-distance hug CT. xxx

1579

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EW EXPERT

Latest post on 09 November 2011 - 06:33

I miss Dubai too :(

2340

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 09 November 2011 - 02:04

Maybe time for an Ex/Expatwoman section on EW!!! I met one of the loveliest ladies from Dubai here in Cyprus.....also an EW er ...........how about it Admin? YES!!!!!! PLEASE mods!!! Frenchy...time zones and all mean I'm about to do the school run here in Aus. I've been back 12 months and still, almost daily, miss my friends and my life in Dubai. (hence all of my time on EW. lol) I'll try to come back later today. I finally have a couple of wonderful friends here, but it took time! Sometimes it helps to know you're not the only one struggling. xxx

138

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 09 November 2011 - 00:21

Very true, the last episode of Downton Abbey season 2 was last sunday and it was sooooo good:)

5400

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 09 November 2011 - 00:13

On the plus side, at least you can watch Doc Martin, Downton Abbey, Young Apprentice and loads of other stuff without having to wait for the progs to be shown on OSN or produced in a box-set.

138

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 09 November 2011 - 00:04

Sorry Kermi, oh no we would have so much to talk about...I'll send you an email and maybe we can whinge a bit?!

244

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 08 November 2011 - 23:55

Not really, Frenchy. I can relate very well to your post.

138

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 08 November 2011 - 23:42

Off course Clairehdp, I don't mind older friends!!!

2958

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 08 November 2011 - 23:34

Thanks ladies, I have joined the gym and take classes at least 3 times a week. I love it but I don't think I'll be making friends there since the ladies are at least 20 years older than me!!! They are in very good shape:) Yes everyone says it will take time but since I only have a year or two I'll probably meet someone the day we leave the uk! Anyway thanks for your kind words ladies, you are all very nice. Hey - a really good friend of mine is almost 20 years older than me - we met on my first ever day of working and it was her first day at the same company but she had been working for years - we clicked on the first day and keep in touch and see each other when we can - she's now in South Africa and I am in the UK but we skype and e mail. I saw more of her when I was in Dubai because she'd do stopovers there and stay with us. sometimes it's the people you think you are less likely to be friends with who turn out to be the best mates..... It's not been very long - perhaps the school will have some social events in the lead up to christmas and you will meet some lovely mums who you can have as friends. If you are coming down south please get in touch and we can meet up. claire dot damamme @ ntlworld dot com

138

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 08 November 2011 - 23:34

Shame that's 100km away from me! Are you enjoying the UK?

2958

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 08 November 2011 - 23:25

Maybe time for an Ex/Expatwoman section on EW!!! I met one of the loveliest ladies from Dubai here in Cyprus.....also an EW er ...........how about it Admin? there used to be a section for the UK but it disappeared - it was run by 2 ladies who lived close to me but I have no idea where they are now - shame because they seemed really helpful to those moving over and experiencing problems in settling in.

138

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 08 November 2011 - 23:19

Where abouts are you Kermi?

244

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 08 November 2011 - 22:45

I'm in Sutton Coldfield near Birmingham. I'm a bit north of you, but if you like, drop me an email <em>edited by Kermi on 09/11/2011</em>

138

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 08 November 2011 - 22:22

Thanks ladies, I have joined the gym and take classes at least 3 times a week. I love it but I don't think I'll be making friends there since the ladies are at least 20 years older than me!!! They are in very good shape:) Yes everyone says it will take time but since I only have a year or two I'll probably meet someone the day we leave the uk! Anyway thanks for your kind words ladies, you are all very nice.

648

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 08 November 2011 - 22:16

Aww sorry to hear you’re having a bad time. When I moved back it took me a while to make friends with the Mums at school, it took a while but now I have some really, really lovely friends..... It just takes time. Being in the UK is totally different to Dubai, everyone is soo busy, I literally have to book arrangements in a month in advance Have you tried joining a gym, getting the kids into after school activities, hosting a coffee morning/or some sort of party. There are so many things to do and so many places to see, you could try going to a different town or driving into the countryside. Do you have family nearby that could come to visit you?

619

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 08 November 2011 - 22:03

Thanks Claire! You can e-mail me. :)

138

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 08 November 2011 - 22:00

That's a great idea! did there use to be one? I vaguely remember a similar forum???

2392

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 08 November 2011 - 21:59

Wise idea LT, better than the other 56 thousand sub-sections we have. Hugs to you frenchy, hope things will get better soon x

1340

Posts

EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 08 November 2011 - 21:57

Maybe time for an Ex/Expatwoman section on EW!!! I met one of the loveliest ladies from Dubai here in Cyprus.....also an EW er ...........how about it Admin?

138

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 08 November 2011 - 21:50

I'm in Sutton Coldfield near Birmingham.

Sugarbeach23383

1566

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 08 November 2011 - 21:48

Very little help or advice to offer, but perhaps sympathy if it helps at all, as I totally understand how some of these mums can be, especially in a private school setting. That's a good idea Simples perhaps start a new thread on EW to find the ex-EW's localish to your area?! <em>edited by Sugarbeach on 08/11/2011</em>

2958

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 08 November 2011 - 21:46

Frenchy - I am now back in the UK having lived in Dubai for over 5 years. I'm loving spending more time with my old friends and my family and we moved to a new house too so we've got new neighbours who are lovely so nice new friends too. I'm just recovering from knee surgery so have not been out and about for the last 5 weeks which has driven me mad but I'm almost back to normal and can drive. Whereabouts are you - I'd be very happy to meet up with you. I am in Surrey. Are there no classes you can sign up for - zumba, yoga, pilates - that way you'll meet people. I've not been able to meet too many people at our new school because I've not been able to do the school run but I've volunteered to help with the stage preparations for the christmas production and the mums have organised a night out and a coffee morning so the new mums can get to meet everyone. How about inviting some of the mums in your class back to yours for coffee after school drop off? sometimes we have to be big and bold and make the first move! Natalie - if I can help you settle into life over here - let me know!......

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Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 08 November 2011 - 21:42

No real help for you, Frenchy, unless you're in the St Alban's area, but I know Mrs Laughan, formerly of this parish, is finding the same as you since she moved from Dubai in September. No, the UK is not know for its "Western" expatriate communities.

1097

Posts

EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 08 November 2011 - 21:34

Yes, I have gone through something similar in the UK, it too was my toughest expat post. I went to every kiddie activity in the hope of meeting some other Moms, but it never happened. I joined a few groups, the gym, but I did not make any friends. I finally made friends with a lovely Aussie lady 4 months before we were moved, she was in the same boat as me finding it pretty much impossible to meet others. I found most Moms with young kids had bonded through the NCT groups and were long time friends, and a bit cliquey to outsiders. Maybe if we had been there on a long term basis, seeing the same people for years I might have eventually found a group of friends, but the UK was definitely not an easy posting. The UK is likely in our future again, sooner rather than later, and I know I will be dreading it when the time comes. Sorry Frenchy, I am no help really, but I do know exactly where you are coming from ((hugs)) <em>edited by mum2girls on 08/11/2011</em>

341

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 08 November 2011 - 21:32

Whereabouts are you Frenchy ?

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