cassandra238 | ExpatWoman.com
 

cassandra238

cassandra238
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Latest post on 21 April 2014 - 23:57
If you are on a tight budget, I'm selling my car, it's a 2004 Mitsubishi Outlander, old but reliable, and I'm leaving Qatar very soon.
cassandra238
54
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Latest post on 24 January 2014 - 11:26
There's been quite a lot of discussion about that school on an international school website called ISR, might be worth paying the subscription (about 30 something US dollars I think) to read what teachers have been saying.
cassandra238
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Latest post on 24 January 2014 - 11:17
Thanks millie
cassandra238
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Latest post on 13 November 2013 - 15:55
I would do something different - like maybe a day trip down to the Inland Sea, if you do the whole day you can swim and have a barbecue, see www.Qatar adventure.com. Or dinner at the Torch, the tower next to Villagio, I've heard the views are stunning.
cassandra238
54
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Latest post on 25 October 2013 - 11:06
Can anybody recommend a child psychologist in Qatar? My teenage son is suspected Aspergers and we would quite like an official diagnosis.
cassandra238
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Latest post on 20 October 2013 - 17:42
I really miss my cat back in UK but I've discovered some consolation - cat fostering for Cats in Qatar. I now have a lovely white young male called Comet curled up asleep on the sofa next to me. I wish I could adopt but I'm a teacher and I'm regularly out of the country for long breaks. But if anybody would like to adopt Comet, his picture will be appearing soon on the Cats in Qatar Facebook page.
cassandra238
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Latest post on 03 October 2013 - 22:32
Hi Julie I teach at QIS, we teach the UK curriculum (IGCSEs and A levels), and the results are good. Yes, most of the students are multilingual, but standards are high. I like teaching at QIS because of the mix of nationalities and because the students generally work much harder than my UK students. I don't like the attitude that a school isn't worth considering because most of the students speak more than one language.
cassandra238
54
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Latest post on 30 September 2013 - 00:07
I've been thinking of getting a Brita filter jug for rinsing my hair, the Brita filter will remove the chlorine and some of the dissolved minerals, has anybody seen these in Qatar?
cassandra238
54
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Latest post on 29 September 2013 - 23:44
I think you mean a Family Visa - my son got his a few weeks after I got my RP.
cassandra238
54
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Latest post on 27 September 2013 - 15:32
The Oriental Carpet Company in Al Saad behind the seafood company has some Indian furniture.
cassandra238
54
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Latest post on 24 September 2013 - 23:24
As a single woman happily working in Qatar, I don't agree. I know several career women working here with good packages.
cassandra238
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Latest post on 24 September 2013 - 15:37
The school will need you and your husband's RP and ID numbers for the school records, but since they have already offered you a place, I can't imagine they will send your child home while your RP is pending.
cassandra238
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Latest post on 24 September 2013 - 15:30
I'm an experienced teacher, single, living in Qatar with my son, and my salary is a fair bit less than what you're offered, although I get furnished accommodation and flights as part of my package,and I'm pretty happy here. I've bought a second-hand car for a good price and my monthly outgoings are quite low. It's an interesting place to work.
cassandra238
54
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Latest post on 06 September 2013 - 09:58
Yes, it was definitely an SEC decision, but I know many schools have been given permission to open early. I am teaching on Sunday.
cassandra238
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Latest post on 20 August 2013 - 13:59
I'm living in Qatar as a single working woman and loving it. Yes, you should dress conservatively when going out in public - but covering your knees and shoulders isn't too difficult. And yes, local workman do stare a little (Qatar is full of building sites) but you're safe. I regularly walk to my corner shop and go for a jog around the block. The heat is pretty fierce until about October but the winter is nice - lovely sunny days.
cassandra238
54
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Latest post on 20 August 2013 - 13:44
You're right, the destination isn't important, I bought the cheapest ticket I could find for my son, and when his family visa came through I just cashed it in.
cassandra238
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Latest post on 19 August 2013 - 16:12
This seems to vary, depending on the airline and airport. I flew from Heathrow last August on one-way tickets with my teenage son. I had no problem but I had to go and buy a return ticket for my son before they would give him a boarding pass.
cassandra238
54
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Latest post on 14 August 2013 - 12:45
Love your name whereintheworld! I haven't heard of any groups either but I did find a place advertising the Cambridge diet, very similar to lighter life. I have been thinking about doing this, I did Cambridge about 3 years ago and lost a lot of weight but sadly a year in Qatar has meant a larger me. But I would be interested in joining up with a group.
cassandra238
54
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Latest post on 12 August 2013 - 20:21
Yes, you could be right, Quinn10. If you have everything set then you won't need the RP. In the last few months I've only used my ID card to register my car and buy car insurance. At least you can have a bit of breathing space - you never know, your husband might not like the job in Dubai!
cassandra238
54
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Latest post on 10 August 2013 - 12:17
Purple violet, there are many international schools that offer IGCSEs, not so many offer the IB although that's not anything to worry about yet as they don't start IB until 16. I teach at QIS and I know there is no preference for any nationality or passport. Places at schools are very limited, though, you need to visit as many as you can and put your kids on the waiting list. Good luck with your move!
cassandra238
54
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Latest post on 10 August 2013 - 12:06
Wow, that's an interesting idea! I can understand you must be quite stressed at the thought of another move just when you had got the kids settled. But good advice from Mary Catherine about the RP. I had understood that there is very little you can do without it - have you thought of getting a job in Qatar and getting an RP yourself?
cassandra238
54
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Latest post on 10 August 2013 - 11:58
Yes, you definitely should go and get some advice from a lawyer, I don't know much about the divorce law in Qatar. I live in Qatar too with my 14-year-old son, and I too have a 17-year-old son but he goes to school in the UK. I did a bit of research into child custody because my husband wasn't happy about me leaving to work in Qatar with our son but thankfully it's been OK. We should meet up for coffee if you like, I will be back in Qatar in a couple of weeks.
cassandra238
54
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Latest post on 08 August 2013 - 17:27
How are things with your ex? Is this an amicable divorce? I'm asking this because if you are in dispute with your husband about child custody, the Qatari courts use Islamic Sharia law to make their decision - this is regardless of your religion, this is the law in Qatar. And you should be aware that Sharia law favours the father. If I were you, I would get on a plane and head straight back to the UK to sort out the divorce.
cassandra238
54
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 31 July 2013 - 19:47
To get a landline and home internet connection you need to pop into an Ooredoo (formerly Qtel) office and fill in an application - there's various packages available, I signed up for the basic one at 250 QR per month but I'm finding the 1Mb/s connection a bit slow so I plan to upgrade to 10Mb/s after the summer. You can't do this over the phone, you need to go in person and show your RP or ID card. If you're lucky, you will get a visit from one of their engineers in a couple of days to hook you up.
cassandra238
54
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 29 July 2013 - 20:08
Try the Oriental Carpet Company behind the Red Lobster restaurant off Suhaim Bin Named Street in All Sadd. Very friendly and helpful.
cassandra238
54
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Latest post on 28 July 2013 - 13:54
Change in management was well before my time RachelA. The current head is leaving and we have a new head coming over from the UK - but changeover seems very open and positive. All I can say is that my experience of QIS has been very good.
cassandra238
54
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 26 July 2013 - 14:34
I teach at QIS. We teach the UK curriculum, and most of the teachers like me are experienced British teachers. We get good results but most expat families won't send their kids here because we have very few European kids here - for most of my students English is their second language. But they work a lot harder than any class I have taught in the UK! The fees are low but places can be hard to get.
cassandra238
54
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Latest post on 10 July 2013 - 14:20
It's very different from the UK HobbitGirl. You don't sign up for GPs here - your OH's company should provide medical insurance, so if you need a doctor you just take your medical insurance card and pop into a clinic. Your OH will get given a list of clinics he can use.
cassandra238
54
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Latest post on 10 July 2013 - 14:13
That's a long working day! I've been driving to West Bay between 6-6.30am for the best part of the year and it's busy, usually takes me about 20 minutes but sometimes 30-35 minutes if there is bad congestion. I usually drive home early afternoons which are generally fine. I've popped out to the shops late afternoon or early evening and I think this is probably the busiest time. I think if you are set on living in West Bay then this is something your OH will have to live with - it's going to be busy, but this is something you have to live with in Doha.
cassandra238
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Latest post on 07 July 2013 - 17:00
Hi HobbitGirl I have been living in Al Sadd and commuting to West Bay. When there's no traffic it's an easy 15 minute drive, but if your OH is commuting at peak hours, it will take 30-45 minutes. The drive is very straightforward - I've been driving myself for a year now and prefer to have my own car, but if you are sitting in traffic your OH might prefer a driver. I use a limousine service to pick up my son when I'm busy - they are very reliable, and only slightly more expensive than the Karwa taxis.
cassandra238
54
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 23 June 2013 - 16:11
Ha! I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I saw this thread! The only camel rides I've seen are at Sealine - and they are decorated really nicely and the camels are obviously used to giving rides.
cassandra238
54
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 19 June 2013 - 20:46
Hi Sandy82 You say you "don't feel like you can go out on your own" but then you also say you're a very independent person. I'm a single mum (I have a teenage son with me) and I've been here since last September and loving it! You need to get out! I have been all sorts of places on my own or with a friend and it's very safe here. I've just bought a car this week and I love the independence - I know a lot of ladies on the forum here prefer to use their drivers, but really, driving is fine! Anyway, here's my list of things I would do if I wasn't working and had the time (and money!) 1. Spend Tuesdays and Wednesdays sipping cool drinks at Hotel InterCon's lovely pool (it's Ladies Day and only costs QR75 for the day). 2. Take some private sailing lessons from the nice young men at the Regatta Sailing Academy, they also do adult sailing courses. 3. Sign up with Qatar Divers and finally finish my PADI scuba course. It's not cheap, QR 2000, but I can join the Doha Sub-Aqua Club when I've got my certificate. 4. Sign up to the yoga classes at Garvey's - I've always wanted to do yoga. 5. Go and sit at the nice cafe at Dean and Deluca's at Villagio and take my time over their perfect cappuccino. 6. Learn Arabic. I've heard there are some good courses, it would be great to know more than 2 words. 7. Take a day trip to the Inland Sea - I've been once but forgot my camera and I really need to go back and get some pictures of the awesome views. 8. Jog along the Corniche. I've started running recently, and so far I have only done laps around the big open car park near my apartment in Al Sadd. 9. Take a photography course - VCU Qatar is a university that offers all sorts of community courses to the general public. 10. Go and see a movie at the IMAX cinema at Villagio - I've been to the cinema here by myself, and it was fine, the seats were loads more comfy than UK and the popcorn is the best. OK, so there is my top ten, I hope you take up at least one of my suggestions and start getting out and enjoying Doha.
cassandra238
54
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Latest post on 16 June 2013 - 22:19
I've not heard great things about the secondary school at Newton International, particularly the new one - high staff turnover and problems with resources.
cassandra238
54
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Latest post on 16 June 2013 - 22:08
I've been using Al Saad Rent-a-Car, they are on the C ring ring on the way to the airport. Tel no. 44449300. They've been great, particularly when I locked my keys in the car at Lulu supermarket one evening, sending a driver with a spare key and no charge. I rented their basic model sedan for 1800 riyals a month to give you an idea of cost.
cassandra238
54
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Latest post on 31 May 2013 - 19:21
gosh, an elite book club! Don't worry RachelA, we've all missed the chance to find out if we come from the right sort of place and have a decent enough education, the deadline was 15th June 2012.
cassandra238
54
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 31 May 2013 - 18:56
I got a temporary driving licence when I arrived in Doha last year - if you have a UK or Australian licence it's no hassle. You just need to go along to the traffic department with your licence and passport. You do need to do a quick eye-test, so don't forget your glasses. I think it was valid for 3 months - when I got my RP, I went back and got it swapped for a permanent licence. You have to be careful with the International Driving Licence - it's only valid if you are a visitor, and you can only drive rental cars. Once you've got your RP you have to get the Qatari licence.
cassandra238
54
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Latest post on 28 May 2013 - 22:18
Seriously, driving in Doha is not that bad - I've lived in London and found the traffic and driving a lot worse. I've only been here for a year and I wouldn't be without a car. You just need to avoid the really busy times and places - like the Landmark on a Friday evening - but hopping in my car and being in Ikea in under 15 minutes is bliss.
cassandra238
54
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 28 May 2013 - 22:09
My teenage son got a Kindle Paperwhite for Christmas, it stayed in its box for a few weeks before he started using it, but now he uses it everywhere - some days he even reads it while we're sitting in traffic. I have an old Kindle Keyboard with 3G - we went camping in Dukhan and even in the middle of nowhere I downloaded a new book to read!
cassandra238
54
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Latest post on 02 May 2013 - 21:31
Hi MunchkinMommy, can you please send it again to [email protected] (sorry, not com. Apologies!
cassandra238
54
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Latest post on 30 April 2013 - 23:07
good idea! email me [email protected]
cassandra238
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Latest post on 30 April 2013 - 22:47
that's very tactfully put Marycatherine
cassandra238
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Latest post on 28 April 2013 - 22:15
my school is looking for a physics teacher for next September
cassandra238
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Latest post on 27 April 2013 - 12:08
I teach science too MunchkinMommy, are you teaching at the moment?
cassandra238
54
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Latest post on 25 April 2013 - 17:00
Are you a teacher MunchkinMomm? What subject do you teach?
cassandra238
54
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Latest post on 24 April 2013 - 19:02
I've bought tubes of Kolesten hair colour from Lulu hypermarket.
cassandra238
54
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Latest post on 16 January 2013 - 20:25
Many thanks Fajer and CSH, I'm looking forward to covering up my roots very soon.
cassandra238
54
Posts
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Latest post on 12 January 2013 - 10:37
Hi Can anybody recommend a good hairdresser in Doha for highlights? I have been told Glow American Salon is good but very expensive, but I was hoping somebody could recommend somewhere a bit more suited to my teacher's budget.
cassandra238
54
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 29 October 2012 - 23:34
I think it depends on what you drive - I have a lease car and they wanted a Qatari license. I managed to get my temporary Qatari licence a couple of days after I arrived in September, and it's valid until the end of November. and hopefully I will have remembered to go down and get my permanent licence before it expires! I came to Qatar with my teenage son and I was warned that it could take up to six months to get his permit, but it actually only took a few weeks and one bank statement.
cassandra238
54
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Latest post on 12 July 2012 - 18:59
Hi I'm moving out to Qatar at the end of next month, and I'm bringing my teenage son with me. I am thinking of buying my son an iPad to sweeten the move for him, but I'm not sure if I will be better off buying one here in the UK or waiting until I get to Qatar. Any thoughts please?
cassandra238
54
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Latest post on 22 June 2012 - 23:15
I don't agree with BEDH. I'm a UK teacher, flying out to Qatar in August to start work in a school in Qatar (and it's not Doha College, Sherbourne or Park House). I will be teaching iGCSE and A level - and following the UK curriculum. The school I'm joining is staffed with UK teachers and the curriculum looks very good to me - better than some of the UK schools I've taught in. In fact the iGCSE is regarded to be one of the more challenging GCSE courses - and it's highly regarded in the UK. I have talked to other teachers and friends who have lived in Qatar - and the standard of education seems very good. There are a couple of dodgy schools to avoid - and it's quite easy to find out which ones these are, but there are several good schools in Qatar including Doha College. The biggest problem, I hear, is not choosing a school - it's finding a school with places available. The good schools have waiting lists to get on the waiting lists!
 
 
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