reddirtgrrrl | ExpatWoman.com
 

reddirtgrrrl

reddirtgrrrl
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Latest post on 07 October 2013 - 14:30
I've just phoned Disease prevention and screening centre who told me to phone preventive medicine and it would be easy...I phoned preventive medicine 02 6169521 and she said they do not have any typhoid sorry. She said to phone SEHA (said I was there yesterday and they recommended me to call Preventive Medicine). Then she said no, I need to try HAAD 02 4193298. No answer. No answer. No answer. You get the idea.
reddirtgrrrl
83
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Latest post on 06 October 2013 - 21:38
Thank you Busybee and HotRice! I tried today at a private clinic on island (Health Plus on 32nd) and they said they do not have it and to try a SEHA clinic. Tried a SEHA clinic and they referred me to Dept of Preventative Medicine. Will try to reach them tomorrow and hopefully this shortage is now over. Thanks again ladies.
reddirtgrrrl
83
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Latest post on 06 October 2013 - 21:31
Hi Ladies, We just had our flu jabs today at Health Plus, on 32nd between 13 and 15th. I suspect it is available everywhere.
reddirtgrrrl
83
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Latest post on 06 October 2013 - 13:10
Hi Busy Bee Can you please help guide me, we are desperate for this typhoid vaccine! Thank you so much.
reddirtgrrrl
83
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Latest post on 24 September 2013 - 12:49
I just checked again and no luck yet.
reddirtgrrrl
83
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 September 2013 - 23:22
Advil is not recommended for a child with tummy upset. Especially if the child is not taking food well. Try Tylenol (paracetemol) orally or suppositories (if vomitting) until you know it is not a tummy bug maybe? If you have paediatric electrolytes (such as pedialyte) you could try a bit of this made into an iced lolly/popsicle. Best of luck.
reddirtgrrrl
83
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Latest post on 04 September 2013 - 18:50
I sympathize, though I do not feel particularly 'high maintenance, I cannot, under any circumstances, stomach a bad egg. Try the organic Tregor eggs from France. They are small, well travelled, and expensive but are absolutely delicious. I have bought them at Spinney's, Lulu, and Waitrose.
reddirtgrrrl
83
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Latest post on 04 September 2013 - 18:43
I've phoned a few on island clinics and they all say they do not get it til the end of Sept (they all have the same story)...and all are very concerned about the Hajj pilgrims as, apparently it is a requirement to have this jab before attending Hajj. So stay tuned...I am trying to call again in mid September.
reddirtgrrrl
83
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Latest post on 04 September 2013 - 18:40
I just came back from Canada where my family attended the Travel Clinic. The following is my understanding regarding our appointment there ( in July 2013) There[b'> is [/b'>a worldwide shortage of Adult typhoid vaccine. I just had mine and had to get it as a combo with hepatitis A (which I already had the hep A jab but took a double dose to get the typhoid coverage). Perhaps you can ask if the combo is available here. There is [b'>not[/b'> a shortage of paediatric typhoid vaccine so you should be able to get this at your regular physicians. Best of luck!
reddirtgrrrl
83
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Latest post on 27 May 2013 - 03:38
Ok. What's your plan?
reddirtgrrrl
83
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 May 2013 - 07:55
Magrudy's in Al Wahda mall has a vast selection.
reddirtgrrrl
83
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 May 2013 - 07:39
Hi Spindy If you tell me some specifics I am happy to reach out for you. so far I have not heard a single question...but I am happy to help if I can.
reddirtgrrrl
83
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Latest post on 27 April 2013 - 23:28
OK, are you moving to Winnipeg? Do you just need to be introduced to someone who lives there for some local info? Sorry I do not check this site so often but I will try to do better...
reddirtgrrrl
83
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Latest post on 22 April 2013 - 12:38
Hi Spindy, I know a lot of people there. What do you need?
reddirtgrrrl
83
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 20 March 2013 - 22:55
Hi there Chicken pox vaccine is very important. It is highly likely she will still catch it [and thus have active immunity'> however it ill be very mild and will only last a few days, thus she can fully recover from it. Having experienced a full recovery in childhood will greatly decrease her chances of later in life developing shingles. Hep A and Hep B too. There is a lot of tetanus here so make sure it is kept up to date (if caught early tetanus can be cured but the cure is awful!). Also meningitis is not so common here but if you travel to the west you need to be immunized against this as it can be fatal. Lastly, regarding immunizations one should always check with ones paediatrician for the most up to date accurate, empirically proven information. Wishing you and all the children the best of health!
reddirtgrrrl
83
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Latest post on 20 March 2013 - 22:14
Hi Phil I'm not sure about black beans, perhaps in LuLu in the gourmet section?! Real vanilla extract contains alcohol and is not available here, but occasionally one can find imitation vanilla flavoured extract or a powdery vanilla substitute. Also vanilla pods can be had and there are recipes online for making your home made vanilla extract. Best of luck!
reddirtgrrrl
83
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 05 October 2012 - 23:38
Hi On the Move! An 8,5 year old would usually be in year 4 in the British system. As mentioned try The Pearl, Al Yasmina, Brighton and BSAK. Al Yasmina is on the mainland the rest are on the island. Just go to each website and give them all a try. People do leave mid year and spaces do become available. I recommend you first get a school place then find a place to live to make your life easier regarding school runs if you can. That said, many people regularly commute on and off island (or further) with no issues. Good luck to you.
reddirtgrrrl
83
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 27 August 2012 - 22:15
I believe the rule of thumb is 'one word when they are one' 'Two words when they are two' Then it starts to pour out after three words... I agree see your paed if you are not happy with one word.
reddirtgrrrl
83
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 27 August 2012 - 22:10
Hello Irish! I agree with all that's been said previously, recently a friend paid AED 1 k for electricity deposit. If you are speaking with your principal you should clarify your housing allowance situation. Frequently this will be here in cash for you on arrival, which would help get your through in a pinch. Good luck! You came to the right place for info!
reddirtgrrrl
83
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 21 August 2012 - 06:20
Hello! I am not sure about an orthoptist, but I have taken my daughter to SKMC to an opthalmologist. They have a large eye clinic there and there is a paediatric opthalmologist who may be able to make a referral. I think his name was "Dr. Ian". To get into SKMC you would perhaps need a written referral from a clinic (we did), it is on the SKMC website what to do. Best of luck.
reddirtgrrrl
83
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 13 August 2012 - 18:19
Hi, I've been offline for a while. As you have heard there are numerous ways to find a maid. The screening is the most important thing, and you have heard some very good advice here. I did not use an agency it was word of mouth and friend of a friend. Regarding legalities, costs and logistics, I heavily leaned on my PRO to help me through the process. It was expensive, with annual sponsorship something like AED 6000 plus AED 600 for her Daman card, but it is the only way I can work. I come home to a reasonably clean home, and it provides us with a reliable occasional babysitter. I still do all the organizing, and must perpetually deal with piles of papers etc that seem to spring up out of no where, but it all seems manageable with the maid's support. I would advise you not to get a maid at all if you are not patient or are a perfectionist...it just won't work. . .You need to expect to provide clear instructions and demonstrations and repeat this process regularly. At lest this has been my experience. If you are having problems looking after your child and your home then it is not reasonable to think that you can teach a maid how to do this properly.
reddirtgrrrl
83
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 August 2012 - 19:35
I have a live out maid and it is perfectly legal, as we sponsor her. She is not allowed to work for anyone else. She carries with her a letter in Arabic and in English saying that she is authorized to live out. She shares a room with her cousin. I am usually pretty flexible with her hours, when her adult daughter comes to town (from Al Ain) she can spend the day with her and come in later. Her husband also works here so she can see him on weekends and they go to church together. When I need her to babysit (usually once or twice a month), she is happy to do so. If we do come in late we give her taxi fare, as we feel obligated to provide for her safety. We pay extra for her to live out. She has one day off a week, sometimes two, and usually works maybe four or five hours on the days she works. That said, when we were away on holidays for 2 and a half weeks she came everyday to look after the cat, but I feel this is reasonable and she was fine with it. She keeps her own Emirates ID and Daman card. She chooses to keep her passport here at my home (where she has a drawer containing all of her documentation) but she is free to take it anytime if she wants it. We have sent her for Paediatric First Aid courses, etc. She looks after my child and is a grown woman so of course we trust her. I think she has a fairly easy job as far as maids go, and we are all happy with the arrangements. Best of luck!
reddirtgrrrl
83
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 01 July 2012 - 05:24
Hi Ladies I know this has been asked before but my search yielded nothing. Can someone please make a recommendation with contact details? Thank you.
reddirtgrrrl
83
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 20 June 2012 - 22:43
Hi Tracey I have a very good friend here in AD who is a single mum. She sponsors her child, and the only difference is the visa for her child has to be re-done every year, not every 4 years. It is just a paperwork annoyance, but is definitely do-able. BTW rents are dropping hard and fast in AD. Negotiation is the key. Hopefully you can get a reasonable housing allowance. Again, do negotiate.Look very closely at the location of your home, and the school. School runs can be a nightmare. Do try to get school fees subsidized if you can. The fees are less in the primary years but go up rapidly in the higher grades, so you need to consider this when looking at your salary over time. Having a maid/nanny is fantastic. When I get home from work the house is clean, it's a miracle! This leaves me time to enjoy my child, and enjoy my life, and is a good 'easy' job for our maid. So it's win win. Good luck, you will make the right decision.
reddirtgrrrl
83
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 June 2012 - 22:31
peppermint. if you can't lay fresh all over the place then put out peppermint tea bags. They will be gone.
reddirtgrrrl
83
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 31 March 2012 - 01:34
Rapeseed is now known as canola. You can buy canola oil in any grocery shop. I wonder if you put oil on a babes skin would it not make them prone to sunburn/tanning? Plain old vaseline on the bottom it a fab moisture seal, and not expensive.
reddirtgrrrl
83
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 12 March 2012 - 22:50
Yes the shops to which sewingb refers are on 11th between Muroor (4th) and Najda (6th) closer to Muroor, on the same side of 11th as the Lebanese Flower. Please let me know if they have what you need as I am thinking of a similar project. Good luck!
reddirtgrrrl
83
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 29 January 2012 - 22:31
The Canadian govt has offended the UAE government, so for over a year now, Canaidians require a visa to enter the UAE. The rules change frequently and quietly...but you need a visa. The current information should be readily available in TO... But you def need a visa and as recently as Xmas, no it is not automatic, though is sometimes 'fast tracked' if you travel Emirates of Etihad. Your visa will be a visit visa (one time 30 days with no renewal, like other western countires have) or a multiple entry visa, which costs a lot more. The only other one is a residence visa, to which you are not entitled, methinks. Check with your airline, if it is Emirates or Etihad they should know how to walk you through it, if it is another airline then go to TravelCanada and check. Then, more deeply, research the issues and VOTE for a change in the Harper govt.
reddirtgrrrl
83
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 18 October 2011 - 23:01
Make home made ice cream in a ziplok bag...there are loads of recipes online but all you need is double cream, sugar, ice and salt. And ziplok bags. It is also a bit of a science game if you start to talk about endothermic and exothermic reactions.
reddirtgrrrl
83
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 02 October 2011 - 21:55
Depends what the stain is. I've started using some powder called OxiMagic, a powder made by Clorox (but contains no bleach). I water it down then add it to the wash. Then I stop the washer after it is all saturated through for a soak (maybe 20 mins, maybe longer), then finish the wash. It worked last week on oil pastels....I mean the entire uniform was covered in oil pastels. So far this year it is working for me. Good luck.
reddirtgrrrl
83
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 26 September 2011 - 08:53
Before I begin I should state that I am in Abu Dhabi, not Dubai... I think allergies are an issue for many expats as we tend to live here during most of the year, then frequently go for an annual visit to the home country. So we tend to have established antibodies for both countries (and different allergens in both countries). The long flights slay me, and I suspect are a health risk in that we travel 27 to 32 hours each way annually. Can't be good.
reddirtgrrrl
83
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 22 September 2011 - 07:46
Hi Delvin My daughter wears her uniform to school then changes for PE at school. Structured art classes are important in order to acquire a visual art literacy early on. Ask the teacher, maybe it was just a bad day.
reddirtgrrrl
83
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 20 September 2011 - 11:40
Rome is a beautiful place, but like any big European city location is everything. I highly recommend you say near the Colosseum. We stayed there (about 2 blocks away, just by the metro station) and could walk almost everywhere (and we had a 4 year old with us), except we took the metro to the Vatican and to the Borghese museum. Pay extra for a room in a good location and you will have a great time (and save time/energy/taxi fare/isolated hotel restaurant prices). While walking around just stop in the mom and pop places for food, it is all delicious, homemade and does not need to be expensive. Refill your water bottles from the many public fountains. We saw all the major sights and loved loved loved them all. You will enjoy the vibe walking around. It is a romantic city and breathtakingly beautiful. On a friend's recommendation we went to the Borghese museum, though it is a bit off the beaten path. It was worth the effort as it was a stunner set in a gorgeous park. Have a great time! Ciao!
reddirtgrrrl
83
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 19 September 2011 - 13:11
WELL DONE! It is the worst addiction. Take a lot of deep breaths and be proud! Reward yourself, and get a little exercise. If you slip up, start again and never never stop trying. It will get easier any minute now!
reddirtgrrrl
83
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 11 September 2011 - 08:01
Ovulation [b'>can[/b'> occur anytime in your cycle, but is [b'>usually[/b'> about ten days prior to the start of your period. In the Middle East, anything is possible though!;)
reddirtgrrrl
83
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 10 September 2011 - 21:40
Agree, Hind Sabri and Yosra are lovely icons.
reddirtgrrrl
83
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 06 September 2011 - 23:32
Winnipeg has a very cool vibe and lots of culture, theatre, ballet and one of the largest Folk Festivals in the world. The people are very friendly, healthcare is excellent, two universities, it is affordable. As for the cold, well in 2011 you just go to the shop with your visa card and buy one of those jackets that keeps your body at exactly 37 C. No biggie. It is a great place for families. If you go let me know and I can put you in touch with some friendly Manitobans. Good luck. Oh and they have slurpees.
reddirtgrrrl
83
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Latest post on 28 August 2011 - 00:03
Poor wee girl! Can you discuss it and come up with a solution in the morning? Not at bedtime...really take the time to hear her out and come up with some strategies based on what she says is the problem/fear. ie a special teddy standing guard, or sleeping with her head at the foot of the bed and vice versa, some special scent sprayed to ward off whatever frightens her...you are a caring mum and I'm sure you will think of a million other ideas to reassure her. Good luck I hate hearing children cry.
reddirtgrrrl
83
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 27 August 2011 - 23:57
Bought the top of the line at Ikea a few months ago, it is a great sleep. Really good. Our previous mattress was from Shadows and had just died a slow death. Just a thought to consider the size of your sheets and bed linens, as our sheets cost a lot of money, and it would've been a huge expense to buy new ones...so the standardized sizing at Ikea lured me in, but it is a great mattress so far.
reddirtgrrrl
83
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 18 August 2011 - 21:21
Try a Doux brand frozen whole chicken from Carrefour. They are from France where they will not let anyone mess with their food. We had chickens on the farm back home and these chickens look, feel and taste like real chickens. Also, learn to be meticulous with cleaning up and sanitizing your kitchen after dealing with raw defrosted chickens. Just try one, you will be a convert. Bon appetit!
reddirtgrrrl
83
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Latest post on 14 August 2011 - 00:56
Dark, plus warm plus moist = mould. It has been my experience that one needs to inspect produce thoroughly then open any plastic bags/containers ASAP upon purchasing. With the humidity that is just the way it is. In summer especially. I would suspect that it is close to a miracle to receive berries all the way from Holland without some mould, which can develop within an hour. Raspberries in particular have their own inherently dark 'chamber'. If it doesn't rot, there is something wrong with it.
reddirtgrrrl
83
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Latest post on 07 July 2011 - 23:11
Sounds like **** to me. Don't do it.
reddirtgrrrl
83
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 July 2011 - 23:07
Home Centre has Egyptian cotton high thread count. Shockingly cheap. Sleep well for years. zzz
reddirtgrrrl
83
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 06 July 2011 - 14:24
This past fall I worked on a project with a large team of makeup artists. I loved most of them. I recommend Gul and Naz. They are twin sisters in Dubai, lovely girls, and they are at www.themakeovermansion.com Congratulations, all brides are beautiful.
reddirtgrrrl
83
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 06 July 2011 - 14:06
Last month I paid an electrician to install some light fixtures. Up front he asked me for AED 25 per fixture. Then I asked him to install some curtain rods (to hang carpets) and he charged the same. AED 25 per curtain rod installed. But he was able to walk over and so had no transportation costs. I did all the measuring and marking for the carpet hanging so perhaps it should cost more if you are asking him to do the measuring and marking, as it is tedious finicky work. So there's a ballpark...
reddirtgrrrl
83
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Latest post on 28 June 2011 - 17:20
My daughter has a Dutch name. I think it is simple to spell but realize some people do make mistakes despite reminders. Nevertheless, her [b'>name[/b'> has always been spelled correctly on her birthday cakes. However "[b'>[i'>Birthday[/i'>[/b'>" has been misspelled TWICE over a course of five years. All cakes are done by western well reputed bakeries, who must spell "birthday" on a regular basis...
reddirtgrrrl
83
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Latest post on 28 June 2011 - 17:07
it's a full time job just being me. What a fantastic response! I say I read the paper and eat bonbons all day. That's all they'll believe anyway...
reddirtgrrrl
83
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 28 June 2011 - 17:00
We just finished doing this last Thursday (23 June). Our maid was here on a tourist visa (as my husband changed employers) and we did the medical, got the daman (takes a week) and in just two hours my husband and maid together got her residency visa. These rules do change all the time but I think less than a week seems a pretty quick shift. We always depend on the advice of a PRO. If your PRO is advising you this is the case then all you can do is verify with your maid's embassy (our maid is Filipina). If you have to do send her home then you have to... GOOD LUCK, this is the difficult mile.
reddirtgrrrl
83
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Latest post on 15 June 2011 - 10:20
Just helped my dtr do a paper on these creatures. They are nocturnal. Hate the sun. They have hairy legs, are not dangerous to humans...Will only bite if attacked or feels in danger. Not poisonous but painful. They seek out shadows so will follow a human (shadow only). They eat bugs and scorpions. In short, they look awful but are mostly harmless. I read most are less than 6 inches. That said I would SCREAM if I saw one.
reddirtgrrrl
83
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 13 June 2011 - 07:54
Clamato is frequently spotted at LuLu and Spinneys. For seasoning you just need a salted rim, perhaps some celery salt (if you want to be fancy) worcestershire, tabasco and a sprig of celery to mix with...Enjoy.
 
 
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