famn-oz | ExpatWoman.com
 

famn-oz

famn-oz
30
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Latest post on 16 April 2015 - 06:17
My Son is Sept 2004 and is in Y5 in the NSW system. As a December baby I am not sure you could put them in Y4 as they would be just too old. The cut off in NSW is July 31st for entry into the year. They give leeway for kids born in the months prior to July but not in the previous year.
famn-oz
30
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 11 December 2013 - 23:06
There is a shop in OZ that ships OS.. http://www.popcultcha.com.au/shipping-and-returns
famn-oz
30
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 14 September 2012 - 14:52
The hardest thing to find on a water dispenser in the UAE are the "Safety" taps that go on the Boiling hot water tap to stop children burning themselves... I think they are mandatory on ones with boilers in OZ... or at least all the brands in OZ seem to have them... Just something to think of if you have meddling little ones like I do!
famn-oz
30
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 28 August 2012 - 15:02
You can get prepaid sims like anywhere else with phone/data packages. Major Providers are; Telstra, Optus, Vodafone... And there are heaps of other smaller ones. Telstra has probably the better coverage, but I think value may be better with Vodafone. Put a .com.au on the end of the company to search the prepaid deals! Good luck for your daughter in oz!
famn-oz
30
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 13 August 2012 - 12:03
All the below + hat - most schools have no hat, no play policy... Common sense in this climate!
famn-oz
30
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 13 August 2012 - 11:00
We started with Failsafe... Which is tough! But are now only eliminating the "nasty E's".. Www.fedup.com.au has a mine of resources and you can order little magnifying glass wallet cards with all the ones to avoid. I can tell with my boys(particularly the older one) when there has been a lapse! First step is to clear the house out of all the E's then go shopping with the list of numbers to avoid... You will be surprised how many of your Favourite things have them in.. Good luck!
famn-oz
30
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 01 July 2012 - 15:46
I would research the tv thing carefully as most models won't be compatible with the oz freeview... If you just need a big monitor and are planning on getting pay tv then maybe... If you are paying yourselves for shipping though I wouldn't bother bringing much. Good 2nd hand market in most cities..
famn-oz
30
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 19 June 2012 - 01:15
We visited these exact 3 cities a few years back at Easter time... Weather was positively delightful with Budapest in low 20's and blue sunny skies!! Check out wunderground.com for what you can expect this time of year. We always pack our lightweight raincoats for Europe ans warm jackets for night. We can usually survive with long pants no matter what the weather, but have a few of the zip off timberland trousers just incase.. Enjoy these 3 fab cities... Budapest was my favourite!
famn-oz
30
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 19 June 2012 - 01:09
Both my DS started their cinema life at 3-ish... Trick for us was first session of the day, no sugar snacks or drinks, big box of popcorn (plain) and definitely not 3 D or it just became a pain with the glasses and I don't think they would get much more out of it.. Oh... And making sure the movie was likely something they would sit 60+ mins for... bUT also.. Bear in mind, every kid is different and it might not be the right age for all.. Be prepared to leave if necessary...
famn-oz
30
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 June 2012 - 11:37
I have seen the PDA/phone (little bags/pouches)... but not looked for messengers so haven't noticed... They at least have the brand in Dubai!
famn-oz
30
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 June 2012 - 11:36
We very soon gave up on adapters.... We did a bunnings trip and bought a whole heap of plugs to replace the UK style ones from the ones we bought in Dubai.. Quite simple to do with a screw driver as the instructions for the colour wires are in the packet.... we have kept the UK plugs in the shed.... just incase we need them for another move!! One thing that has proved very useful that we bought in Dubai are the multi plug power boards - you can fit 4 or so plugs in them from just about anywhere!! (voltage compatible of course..)... we just changed the plug that goes into the wall and Voila! <em>edited by famn-oz on 16/06/2012</em>
famn-oz
30
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 14 June 2012 - 10:28
Not sure which part of OZ you are in where living in a Shed/Caravan is considered 'normal?? Lived in OZ most of my life and never heard of people doing it! I think most of the councils I have lived in wouldn't have appreciated this either... but then I am a suburban girl.. Loads to consider.. if you are homeschooling then you need an appropriate area to do this. A Caravan will not cut it for this, so a major strike before you even think about comfort and amenity aspects. I work best with lists.. 2 columns.. pros and cons... Then categorise the cons into 1) minor discomfort/issue, 2)major discomfort/issue, 3)work-around possible, 4)Deal-breaker.. This will give you a better picture of what situation you may be in and at least if you decide to do it you have assessed the 'worst case scenario'..
famn-oz
30
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 12 June 2012 - 15:39
We had Christmas in the snowpark with my 2 DS... They love the place! When we go we take; Waterproof gloves + inserts for warmth Warm wooly hats - the kids suits have hoods, but they get chilly Warm socks Scarves/pashmina A fleece jumper (and long sleeve tshirt/singlet) to wear under provided gear. The outfits don't have pockets - other than a credit card size one on the sleeve - so a small belt pack for camera, cash for hot chocolate and tissues (always seem to have runny noses in the cold!) My boys love it! Hope you have fun too!!
famn-oz
30
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 29 April 2012 - 09:39
Sydney is WAY more expensive for housing! We live in a similar suburb in Sydney to our home in Perth and our rent is double! The housing market is fairly flat so depending on how long you are here buying may be economical. Food is slightly cheaper in Sydney than Perth, but way more expensive than in Dubai. Eating out is just plain expensive anywhere in the country.. Fuel is between $1.30 and $1.60 per litre.
famn-oz
30
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 29 April 2012 - 09:30
Generally you won't be paid for housing, education or health in Australia. Free education is available and private education is considered optional. Private education would be around $4k per term at a top notch school (4 terms). Medical depends on your status. Resident.citizens have the Medicare available to them. We pay $250 per month for family cover for hospital and ancillary cover. WA - you can rent in a good area a 4brm house for $500 per week. Obviously variable depending on area, views, facilities nearby etc. There is 9% superannuation (mandatory) in Australia. This would be part of an all-in package normally so you would have to factor this in to get to your cash component. Tax of course, but also if you get car, medical or education paid then their will be a 'fringe benefit' tax that will also be deducted from the package. Lifestyle, education and quality of life are good in WA... Where are you thinking of heading? I'm not there now, but it is 'home'..
famn-oz
30
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 27 April 2012 - 13:31
Mandairne, I find it particulary offensive that you start a thread about 'annoying beggars' anywhere in Dubai but especially in Marina/IBM!!!! If you come from a culture or country that you have never encountered 'beggars' then you need to toughen up and experience the real world and not just the sterile bubble you live in - I don't want to start a bun fight, only giving a reality slap See... now Hiccups... I come from a different culture and I find beggars annoying and in most cases avoided or ignored... but I also find service people hovering for un-earned tips just as annoying and just as much in need of being ignored!
famn-oz
30
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 22 April 2012 - 05:54
A more technical question: How can you book a flight for an unborn baby? What I have always done is book for myself and anyone else in advance as usual, and then ring the airline as soon as the baby is born and has a name and birthdate. Baby's don't need their own seat so you don't have to worry about availability, and once the airline sees your booking they just add it to the booking and take payment over the phone. Babies tickets are cheap because it's 10% of the ticket price, so even if the ticket becomes ridiculously expensive it still wont be that bad if you're only paying 10%. This was the advice that was given to me by the airlines when I called to ask the same question. Many years ago now, as advised by EK call centre, we booked our tickets to lock them in... Then when baby was born, rang and booked him via credit card. They then move you to bassinet seats if available, so if they don't prompt seating request, remind them!
famn-oz
30
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 22 April 2012 - 05:47
SkyKitty, I want to book flights back to the UK for the summer. I will be flying with my 1 year old. I understand I am not required to book a seat for her but I feel she is too big for the Sky cots and older baby seats available on various airlines. When I book online it asks for my DDs age then automatically doesn't book a seat for her. So long story short.... Do I lie about her age when booking online and make her over 2 and therefore will have a seat booked? Will this cause me problems when at the airport? Also milk... I know there is a limited supply onboard but if I take my own cows milk will it still be fresh enough for DD or will the airline refrigerate it for me? Thanks Just be aware that you may not get milk through the airport screening. We have found the best option for both freshness and no hassles is to take powder milk or formula depending on the age of the child. Test a few out before you travel to make sure they don't hate it. The crew have always been happy to help with water -hot or cold Or somewhere in between. We make it a treat and take a milo sachet if we use powder milk. When they were little, formula (toddler milk) was called "holiday milk"!!! Even now we take the Avent no spill cups on the plane as there is nothing worse than a lap full of apple juice on take-off.. I also keep a few straws in the bottom of my bag as they come in handy too.... And YES sky kitty!! We always take crackers, fruit and some snacks... If we don't eat them we either ditch them on arrival - particularly fruit on entry to oz - or keep them in the backpack for travel snacks. I have 1 fussy eater who if the child meal isn't pasta, just won't even try it! <em>edited by famn-oz on 22/04/2012</em>
famn-oz
30
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 21 April 2012 - 14:21
Had a great experience with Crown from DXB to SYD recently... In Dubai the contact we had was Kitty... they will sharpen their pricing a bit if you push.
famn-oz
30
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 21 April 2012 - 14:18
Fridge, washer, dryer OK..... TV I would buy in OZ... otherwise the freeview channels won't work. TV is digital here and not on the same system as the Dubai or even UK ones. If you have a TV from Dubai, you can bring it, however you will have to get a digital decoder or run it via a locally (OZ) bought DVR or TiVO. Computers should be OK.. however prices at the moment seem much the same, so prob better for warranty to buy at your destiation. For prices of electricals look at : http://www.jbhifi.com.au/ or http://www.thegoodguys.com.au/ for an indicator of prices. you can also generally bargain down prices a bit particularly if you are buying more than 1 thing. Hope this helps!
famn-oz
30
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 04 April 2012 - 14:39
We brough back our fridge, washer and dryer. No problems at all. You will just need to make sure that you clean them thoroughly and drain any water. We disconnected ours a week before the packers came (we were luck to be able to borrow a few things) and still the packer found a bit of water in the resevoir at the back of the fridge we hadn't noticed! Yes... 200 Length for single beds in Dubai, 190 in OZ. you can however get a mattress made here - but believe it or not they are cheaper there! We are settling down, kids sorted and just about to go to our first 'Sydney Easter Show'! Holidays start tomorrow... Good luck!
famn-oz
30
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 04 April 2012 - 12:12
We just returned to oz in January and OMG... In the last 5 years prices have skyrocketed!! Just about everything is more expensive here... Even IKEA! Sorry to bear the bad news...
famn-oz
30
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 18 March 2012 - 23:40
You can never win as a mother... I got yelled at for " child abuse" after my husband carried a wriggling, screaming 4 yo out of a restaurant to calm him down! I don't put up with rubbish behavior at any dinner table... The irony is that I am sure in the 60 seconds preceding the forced ejection of my DS that I heard a Tut-tut from another table!!
famn-oz
30
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 10 March 2012 - 16:05
Chanel no.5... All time classic....
famn-oz
30
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 29 February 2012 - 09:08
ACE had it...
famn-oz
30
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 29 February 2012 - 08:58
I got wood floor cleaner (mopping) at Safestway... But the other option us to put a capful of methylated spirits into a litre of water and use that. DO NOT USE ANYTHING WITH A BLEACH IN IT! At a push, some of the "spray & wipes" are suitable for wood. I so love wood instead of tiles..
famn-oz
30
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 24 February 2012 - 12:14
We are in lower north shore... Love being back in OZ, but suprisingly a bit culture shocked after 6 years in Dubai!! Missing our friends in Dubai.... Otherwise settling and unpacking boxes... Ho hum...
famn-oz
30
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 24 February 2012 - 09:50
Just moved from Dubai to sydney with Crown.. Great service... And all I can say is when you get the quote from them it will be high, but we bargained and got it for the same price as Allied. Heard too many recent horror stories with Allied so didn't seriously consider it.
famn-oz
30
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 13 January 2012 - 01:16
We went to Istanbul just before Easter last year... It was very chilly (12/13deg max temps), but we just rugged up and enjoyed it. We stayed in an apartment - Emirhann inn - which is at the bottom of the hill from the blue mosque. My boys are a bit older so we didn't have a pram... But the place is really hilly so a flimsy pram would be pointless as it is very cobbly also. The apartments were old, but done up and comfy... A local shop on the corner and supermarkets walking distance. With our kids we walked everywhere - blue mosque, aya Sofia, Topkapi Palace, Grand Bazaar,etc.. Or walked to the tram stop and caught tram to places like Dolmabache Palace, Galata tower and taksin(?) square.. Lots of dine out choices, but nice to have a hot plate to make scrambled eggs for boys when they didn't want anything else for dinner.. There are lots of similar apartments, and traveling with kids I love having even a tiny kitchen.. Have a super holiday!
famn-oz
30
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 12 January 2012 - 02:09
For 5+ years in Dubai we have never owned a water cooler. We filtered our water with a Britta jug. No ill effects. We lived in Springs and had a clean tank though...
 
 
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