amel123 | ExpatWoman.com
 

amel123

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Latest post on 11 December 2011 - 20:16
Yes.. I think that its down to your age, medical history etc... I just knew the name of the one I had at home before and then the pharmacist matched it as the brand name may not be the same.. OK thanks, will look into it. Good to know you can buy it so easily though!
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Latest post on 11 December 2011 - 20:12
Yes, you can get over the counter... depending on what sort you have, you may have to change as they only stock a select few. The one I have is 21 dirhams a pack. Hope that helps Gosh 21 dirhams is cheaper than I was expecting. It's been a long time since I was on the pill last...are there any thoughts on what's the best one available now? Or is it just a case of finding what's right for you?
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Latest post on 11 December 2011 - 20:04
For me it has to be obvious Petrol But second Meat its so much cheaper here than UK prices :) And electronics like this huge 50 inch TV we want to buy is just over 2000 AED no chance you would get that back home for the same :) I second electronics - our TV was such a bargain. It would have been at least £200 more back home! Not sure about meat though...where do you buy it and what do you find cheapest?
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Latest post on 09 December 2011 - 19:31
I just called Assia in Wok and they take vouchers, woohoo! Just thought I'd add this to the list in case anyone else ever needs to know.
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Latest post on 09 December 2011 - 18:54
Fish and chips room and Brick lane Tandoori can be used on delivery.;) Brilliant, thank you!!
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Latest post on 01 December 2011 - 11:45
The nearest Metro station is Al Ghubaibah (depending on where you are coming from, you will need to get on that line/change at Khalid Bin Waleed). :) Thank you!!
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Latest post on 01 December 2011 - 10:30
Oh and what's the best way to get there by metro? Which stop is nearest?
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Latest post on 01 December 2011 - 10:28
Fabulous thank you!! :)
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Latest post on 01 December 2011 - 10:22
Would like to go to the souks today or tomorrow...when's the best time to go considering it's a national holiday? This extra day off is such a Godsend!! :)
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Latest post on 30 November 2011 - 11:22
I don't know if this is near Motor City, as I'm still getting used to all the areas of Dubai, but I can highly recommend Dr Madhu in Mankhool Dental Clinic in Karama :)
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Latest post on 30 November 2011 - 10:05
Thanks ladies! Will get on it this weekend :) Hope they arrive by Christmas day!
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Latest post on 29 November 2011 - 21:32
I've just found this website that is selling Elemis stuff at slightly cheaper prices and they deliver anywhere in the world FOR FREE! Just ordered myself some face wash, yipee! http://www.feelunique.com/index.php?slang=EN
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Latest post on 29 November 2011 - 20:45
Yes! I love Elemis stuff! I use the Pro Radiance Cream Cleanser and it's great. Always feel like I've had a facial after I've used it. I had a facial in the Elemis Spa in London once a while ago and that was it, I was sold. I use the Pro Radiance face cream too, which is also lovely. Haven't even bothered to look at prices here as I knew they'd be a rip off!
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Latest post on 29 November 2011 - 20:12
I just googled Cabbage Soup Diet, because I've never actually looked into it...I thought it was literally cabbage and veg stock, but no, it's got much more to it! http://www.cabbage-soup-diet.com/recipe/ Has anyone done this and seen results in a week? Cos that's what this website is saying will happen!
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Latest post on 24 November 2011 - 17:35
It may depend on the type of hotel you prefer; the Rocco Forte is a very modern building whilst the Shangri La is built in a traditional Arabic style. Personally I really like the Shangri La, the rooms are really comfy and the bathrooms large and luxurious and the rooms have a nice large balcony with comfy furniture. Anytime I have stayed I always have a fab view of the beach and Sheizh Zayed Mosque- the fact that is also has a beach is a plus point. The best thing about it for me though is the peace and quiet - all you can hear is bird song when you sit on your balcony. Yeah we do prefer the luxurious Arabic look to modern...I had a look at the Rocco Forte but it's quite a bit more than we were hoping to spend. Think I've looked at literally every single hotel in Abu Dhabi and still nothing's grabbed me! :(
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Latest post on 24 November 2011 - 13:02
There has been no announcement as yet. Keep an eye on GN, it will probably be announced today :) Happy New Year to all. What's GN? A 3 day week would be sooo good!
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Latest post on 22 November 2011 - 08:35
I'm sure you will get advice from people far more qualified than me, but is your friend looking for a nanny (in the proper sense of the word) or a house maid who looks after the kids? A nanny who would come and look after the child all day whilst the parents are at work, not a live in nanny. I guess it doesn't need to be someone who is "qualified" in childcare as such, not like we'd call a nanny back home in England, but not really a maid either...I don't think they want someone to do all the cleaning and menial jobs at home. Just literally looking after the baby and teaching him skills here and there like starting to read and write, only when he's at that age, just before starting school.
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Latest post on 20 November 2011 - 21:38
Sorry for bumping own post, but any more ideas? :)
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Latest post on 20 November 2011 - 20:48
You want the shophaholic series. Shophaholic and Sister & Shophaholic Takes Manhattan will have you gasping for dear life. Start from the first one - Confessions of a Shophaholic and don't skip any along the way. :). ENJOY!!! Ooh.. Not heard of Shopaholic takes Manhattan?? Did that come after Shopaholic and Baby???... No it was before. This was when shophaholic got married. Here are the series according to reading order: Confessions of a Shophaholic Shophaholic Takes Manhattan Shophaholic Ties the Knot Shophaholic & Sister Shophaholic & Baby I think there's another one with shophaholic and after she had the baby. Have to look that up. I'm not a chick lit person but these series completely got me ROTFL :) The latest one in that series is Mini Shopaholic. The series is absolutely hilarious! I love Sophie Kinsella! I also love Marian Keyes - good to see so many women have the same taste in easy-reading chick lit! Loved the Bridget Jones books too.
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Latest post on 20 November 2011 - 20:36
Ohhhh my god...soooo many to mention! We love our food in this household, and we've been living off takeaway and eating out since we got here 3 months ago! Can't believe the array of cuisine available for home delivery, and all such great quality and taste! Our faves so far are: NKD or Round house for Pizza Lemongrass for Thai (Lemongrass Express is cheaper I think) Sumo Sushi (they do bento boxes like chicken teriyaki too) Do you have the Entertainer Family books? Because there's quite a few vouchers in there you can use for home delivery. Not loads, but there are some.
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Latest post on 19 November 2011 - 16:02
What's the latest on the gym? I've noticed work going on in there but it would be nice to have some idea of how much longer we'll be waiting for it to be ready to use! Also, I noticed one side has pink pillars inside, and the other side has blue pillars - could it be separate sections for men and women? I really hope it will be managed properly with gym staff, as it would be very annoying if children were able to walk in and out freely, misusing the gym equipment etc...this used to happen in my old gym back home and it used to drive me up the wall!! Great news about the Subway! Now Curry Box and Gloria Jeans just need to get a move on!!
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Latest post on 12 November 2011 - 15:43
HUGE friends fan here! My favorite episode is the one with the new years resolutions and Ross's is to do a new thing everyday so he wears leather pants on a date. He goes to the bathroom at the girl's house and couldn't get them back on HAHAAHHAHAHAHA! I die of laughter everytime! And also the episode where Ross learns to play the bagpipes for Chandler and Monica's wedding - priceless! You all have to watch the bloopers on youtube! Let me get you started.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljR-K5ZbdB8 Oh my goodness, I can't believe I've never seen these bloopers!! I'm such a big Friends fan, as is my husband thankfully, and after clicking on your youtube link that you posted on here, I spent another hour searching for more Friends bloopers and was laughing into the wee hours of the morning before forcing myself to go to bed!! Absolutely brilliant!! Any news on the chance of a Friends movie?
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Latest post on 11 November 2011 - 11:30
I used to have Nigella Lawson's Domestic Goddess cookbook back in England, and I would read that regularly for fun, drooling over all the pictures! So I'd probably attempt to bake anything in there. I am a huge fan of macaroons (the multicoloured type you get in French patisseries) so if I saw them at a Bakefest I'd be right there!! I'd say banana bread is always a popular one, also lemon drizzle cake and carrot cake. Oh and if it includes savoury items, why not some lovely olive bread if it's not too hard to make? Ahhhh you've made me miss my lovely scales and Mason Cash mixing bowl now!! I used to bake loads!!
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Latest post on 10 November 2011 - 16:30
Preparation for the Air Show Ahhhhh...makes sense! When/where is the air show? Phew, thought it might have something to do with Iran v. Saudi!
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Latest post on 10 November 2011 - 16:29
I'm sure Zara will have one, they're big on their pencil skirts!
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Latest post on 10 November 2011 - 15:52
Hi, I have no suggestions unfortunately but will be keeping an eye on this thread as I have grandparents in their 80's who are hoping to come and visit soon. As much as I'd love them to come out, they'll be pretty much apartment-bound during the day whilst we're at work (their visit can't be coincided with our work hols unfortunately) and then we'd only have evenings and weekends to take them out. Dubai isn't very OAP-friendly in my opinion, but I'd love to be proved wrong!
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Latest post on 10 November 2011 - 14:06
How do you book a Christmas dinner for delivery from a hotel? I've been on a few websites but there's nothing showing about it :(
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Latest post on 10 November 2011 - 11:52
Thank you for all those suggestions! I'll pass them all onto him. He'll be very grateful...hard making the move when you have to sort your own accommodation out...we were really lucky and had our apartment all sorted by our employer.
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Latest post on 10 November 2011 - 11:35
Budget? Approx 80,000AED per year.
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Latest post on 09 November 2011 - 23:20
I have really grown to love Christmas in Dubai. I am Canadian so very used to a snowy Christmas - and yes, it is gorgeous. Lived for 9 years in the UK before coming here and it never felt Christmassy to me there! Never once had snow on Christmas Day and was always grey and drizzly! So never thought I would get used to a warm, sunny Christmas either. But now I love it. The weather doesn't matter to me these days. We have a tree, decorate the house, spend time with friends, do all the fun things with our son - visit Santa at Wafi, go to the Madinat Christmas Market, enjoy the decorations in the shops etc. Usually order in a turkey from a hotel - Habtoor Grand does a nice one. Also all the Jumeirah hotels to them to take away too and they are great. This year we are going to a hotel for the first time with friends, which I am looking forward too. I will be hugely pregnant by then, so the thought of cooking does not interest me this time!! It's true - it rarely snows on Christmas day, but it's still home, so maybe that's why I'm so attached to it this particular time of year. Will definitely look at ordering a hotel turkey in :)
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Latest post on 09 November 2011 - 12:21
I'm from down-south so a sunny Christmas is very normal for me. We usually do the home Christmas-thing as that is what we are used to. Why don't you start a 'new' Dubai Christmas tradition? Instead of wishing you were home or trying to recreate home, do something completely different. Then when you look back at it in a few years time you have good memories and stories to tell the children. Try a desert or beach picnic. Make a tree with local decorations - camels etc. Also if you are religious the churches usually have mass/ Christmas services in the mornings or on Christmas Eve - they are really nice, even if you are not very religious. You can even volunteer somewhere and spread the Christmas spirit. Make new memories. You are right Anna-panna, it's a good opportunity to create new memories, but for me Christmas should always be wintery in front of a roaring fire and preferably snow outside! But I will take your suggestions on board :) My husband is an even bigger lover of wintery Christmasses, as he spent one Christmas with some family out in Australia once and didn't enjoy it at all! May be harder to convince him we should spend it on the beach, hehe :)
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Latest post on 09 November 2011 - 12:02
We should get together and immerse ourselves in Christmas activities! By the way, don't watch the new M&S Christmas Advert online - I watched it this morning and it made me want to wish myself home! Uh oh...now you've mentioned that, I can see myself googling for it in a minute!! :-/
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Latest post on 09 November 2011 - 11:58
We have done 3 Christmas's here and the best were always the ones where we did our own Christmas dinner and festivities at home. We have done one Christmas dinner at a hotel and it didnt feel like Christmas at all but just another brunch on a weekend. Whereas the years where we bought and cooked our own Christmas dinner, had Christmas music, Christmas films on the TV, crackers etc, it really really felt like Christmas! I would highly suggest doing it at home and making an effort to get in all things Christmas! Thanks Lil - we'll definitely consider that. We just thought as it's only the two of us, our oven is AWFUL, and there might be mad rampage for the turkeys in the supermarkets, that we'd be better off going out for Christmas dinner. But perhaps we'll put it back on our options list :) You certainly can't beat Christmas at home. We were away on our honeymoon last Christmas, and as amazing as it was, Christmas day was quite sad actually! You could get christmas dinner delivered from a hotel? I haven't tried it myself but have heard that Jumeirah Beach Hotel will do a great turkey with all the trimmings - would probably be cheaper than going out and nicer! Christmas dinner from a hotel sounds brilliant - I'll look into it now, thank you :)
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Latest post on 09 November 2011 - 11:57
HI amel123, You sound like you're in a really similar position to us. This is our first Christmas in Dubai too - after getting married in UK last December in the snow (the PERFECT Christmas!) My DH needs to work on Boxing Day - so we are staying put. I'm 18 weeks pregnant - so we want to make sure that we can head back for Christmas in 2012 with the baby - so feel like this is the right time (and last opportunity) to have a Christmas on our own - but can't help feeling sad about it! We think we might go out on Christmas Day (I love the idea of Christmas at home - but like you, it will just be the 2 of us and we are used to busy christmas days, so it might be a bit depressing). I've been looking up brunches in Time Out (there is a whole page dedicated to Christmas festivities every week). Where abouts do you live? We're in the Marina and there are quite a few places round here. One thing I know is that I'm going to go made with decorations in the flat! And we're flying home on the 28th December for New Year - and I have demanded a second Christmas with family! Yes, we had a snowy winter wedding too last December! It was amazing, we really love winter time back home, so it is going to be hard this Christmas. Even now I'm really missing the autumn/winter weather I know they're all getting back home, and I really missed bonfire night :( Congrats on your soon-to-be first addition to your little family :) How exciting! We live in Downtown near Dubai Mall - I'm sure there are lots of brunches we could go to, but like another poster mentioned earlier, it could just end up feeling like another brunch. If we can have it at home, with all the decorations, and even a tree (is that possible?!) then we'd rather do that. That's great you're going back for New Year, that would soften the blow for me a bit I think, but we have to wait til next April for our first visit back home :( Arrrgghh this is harder than I thought it would be!
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Latest post on 09 November 2011 - 11:47
This will also be our 3rd Christmas where we stay here. Last year it was lovely. We went out with friends for a few drinks Christmas Eve. Then on the day itself we cooked a roast dinner (most of which I prepared the day before), had a homemade dessert and then just watched Christmas films. We keep the curtains closed as well to keep the sun out and make it feel more wintry. I also tend to go a bit mad with the decorations! Hehe..."keep the curtains closed"...I don't blame you! I think we'd do the same to recreate the wintery feel we'd get back in the UK! Have to admit, with the last couple of days of overcast weather and rain here and there, it's felt more like home than ever and I've loved it! I must be mad wishing for British weather!
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Latest post on 09 November 2011 - 11:27
Pretty much most hypermarkets, Geant/HyperPanda etc sell them Oh really! great :) Didn't realise they'd be so easy to get hold of. Thanks :)
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Latest post on 09 November 2011 - 11:26
We have done 3 Christmas's here and the best were always the ones where we did our own Christmas dinner and festivities at home. We have done one Christmas dinner at a hotel and it didnt feel like Christmas at all but just another brunch on a weekend. Whereas the years where we bought and cooked our own Christmas dinner, had Christmas music, Christmas films on the TV, crackers etc, it really really felt like Christmas! I would highly suggest doing it at home and making an effort to get in all things Christmas! Thanks Lil - we'll definitely consider that. We just thought as it's only the two of us, our oven is AWFUL, and there might be mad rampage for the turkeys in the supermarkets, that we'd be better off going out for Christmas dinner. But perhaps we'll put it back on our options list :) You certainly can't beat Christmas at home. We were away on our honeymoon last Christmas, and as amazing as it was, Christmas day was quite sad actually!
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Latest post on 09 November 2011 - 11:24
'Her' by Narcisso Rodrigues The new Ellie Saab perfume - haven't got it yet but they were handing out silk strips with it sprayed all over in Mall of the Emirates a while ago and I'm hooked now! Why is perfume so expensive over here? :(
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Latest post on 09 November 2011 - 11:21
Where can I get one of those water dispensers that give both hot and cold water? - water hot enough for tea. I'm sure they exist, and I'd like one in the kitchen, just not sure where to go for it!
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Latest post on 05 November 2011 - 21:06
Bump :)
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Latest post on 05 November 2011 - 15:56
A friend of mine is hoping to make the big move to Dubai, but has no job yet. He's in management and consultancy...any recruitment companies that you can recommend? I'm not in that sector at all so not sure what advice to give him...
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Latest post on 05 November 2011 - 09:30
Thanks for all your suggestions and kind messages...I ended up not going to the doctor's as it was painful even walking to the bathroom, and my husband remembered we had a doctor friend out here so she's been my font of advice. Been in bed for the last two days, what bad timing, just as we have Eid break! Arrgghhh!! But I'll live, hopefully one more day of bed rest and I'll be up and about again tomorrow. At least now I know where to go for the doctors next time if I ever need to go...did so much research from all your suggestions I feel I know all of Dubai's medical centres and pharmacies! Thank you :)
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Latest post on 03 November 2011 - 20:15
Yes I've got health insurance from work - with MSH International, but never needed a doc or hospital before so not sure where to go. Funny how in England we take for granted we have a local GP and know for sure where it is etc. Suddenly in a new country I'm at a loss!
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Latest post on 03 November 2011 - 20:12
Bed linen! Can't believe how expensive it is here. That'll be the first thing I ask visitors to bring over for me, or pack into my suitcase on my next visit home!
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Latest post on 03 November 2011 - 20:07
Thank you I'll try Welcare. I'm in Business Bay.
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Latest post on 31 October 2011 - 10:53
Thank you for your responses...I'm going to go with Dubai cat's suggestion and forget the whole thing, and go for a pedicure instead :) Not worth the time. I didn't take photos at the time to prove where I was parked as it wasn't until we were driving down Sheikh Zayed Road that we noticed the flappy bit of paper stuck under the windscreen wiper!!!
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Latest post on 30 October 2011 - 15:28
Thank you! I've sent a text to Dnata to see if they can give me a credit card - sounds like a good deal!
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Latest post on 30 October 2011 - 11:19
Hello :) I've been in Dubai for 2 months now and would like to get a credit card where I can build up points to spend on Emirates flights. I sent an information request for one on the Emirates NBD website, but haven't heard anything back and that was 2 weeks ago now. Can anyone advise me on what the best way to get one of these credit cards is? And are they worth getting? I would happily pay for everything on the credit card to gain points, and then could pay it off instantly to avoid racking up interest. Thanks in advance :)
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Latest post on 19 October 2011 - 07:27
...does it cost much more if you leave your hot water turned on all the time? We've only been here a couple of months, and have been switching our hot water on 15 minutes before showers in the morning, and then turning it off again all day, to keep costs down. We had our first Dewa bill the other day, but because we've got nothing to compare it to, it's hard to know if it makes much difference cost wise to keep switching it on and off, or just leave it on all the time. Getting a bit annoyed at having luke warm showers in the mornings :-( Oh and who pays the AC bills? I didn't see any AC amount on the Dewa bill....