amy77 | ExpatWoman.com
 

amy77

amy77
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Latest post on 16 November 2011 - 13:00
Please can you feed back how it goes?
amy77
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Latest post on 16 November 2011 - 10:48
So nothing we don't have already in other malls :( BUT this is only about a third of the total capacity of the mall, according to the floor plan, so hopefully some more exciting shops will take up leases next year!
amy77
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Latest post on 16 November 2011 - 10:19
Ooh thanks Emma, I think we will do that. I am absolutely desperate - I had to defrost some stuff last night that I didn't really want to defrost as we had no space left. And we have 6 relatives arriving for Christmas in a few weeks....
amy77
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Latest post on 16 November 2011 - 10:15
It is true that QDC have permission to sell pork, and they have ordered a shipment which is due to arrive in December (to be sold at the main QDC, where displays ate currently being prepared). However, there is no guarantee that it will get through customs, even though they have the license!!! Apparently Spinney's obtained a license a while back, but their shipment sat on the tarmac at Doha airport waiting for customs to clear it and it went rotten. So don't get your hopes up! My source for this info is a well-connected Doha old-timer who claims to have discussed all this with the manager of QDC, but I am not 100% certain of the facts. So, a pork shipment is apparently on its way but don't hold your breath about actually being able to buy any... Oh and there was a completely unfounded article in the Bahrain press a couple of weeks ago claiming that it went on sale and sold out within a few hours last week - not true!
amy77
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Latest post on 16 November 2011 - 10:07
Thank you Baffled, that is really insightful and helpful. I hope your relative pulls through and that things get better for you soon. All the best with everything.
amy77
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Latest post on 14 November 2011 - 21:47
There are people on Twitter tonight reporting Blackberry problems (again!), don't know if that might have anything to do with it?
amy77
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Latest post on 14 November 2011 - 16:23
PS I've also checked out IKEA's UAE prices and compared them to the UK prices - they are almost exactly the same. Some things are cheaper, others are a bit more expensive. So all these people who go on about IKEA prices being 'marked up' or '20% more expensive' in the Middle East should be ignored!
amy77
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Latest post on 14 November 2011 - 16:21
If you want more info, check out http://www.qnhg.org/files/wpro_shared/docs/How%20to%20travel%20to%20UAE%20and%20Oman%20by%20road.pdf (old but still up to date) and http://wahyuinqatar.wordpress.com/2009/07/27/uae-oman-trip-preparation-immigration-documentation-car/ We've got the No Objection letter already and we're using Al Kanz to get the transit visa - takes about 3 days to arrange.
amy77
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Latest post on 14 November 2011 - 16:12
My friends took 8 hours to get to Dubai, but the husband is the world's slowest driver and they reckon they could have done it in 6. Most of that was waiting to get through at the borders. IKEA stuff is easy once you get into it - I was a bit useless as well, but when we moved here I had 20+ items to put together, and I just had to get on with it because my husband was at work, and it took me about 5 days to do all of them. As long as you have an electric screwdriver, it's very easy. <em>edited by amy77 on 14/11/2011</em>
amy77
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Latest post on 14 November 2011 - 15:31
Thanks. Am very excited now, just booked the Intercon Festival City.
amy77
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Latest post on 14 November 2011 - 14:30
Lol! Thanks Rachel, the thought was there :) Will Dubai IKEA be open on Friday 2nd December if it's National Day in Dubai?
amy77
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Latest post on 13 November 2011 - 21:44
Thank you. We decided earlier to go to Abu Dhabi, but I've changed my mind now someone on the Dubai board has reminded me of the rugby 7s that weekend, so think we will go there. I think hubby will be happy as long as there are MEATBALLS!
amy77
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Latest post on 13 November 2011 - 21:32
Thank you, I think we will go to Dubai - the rugby sevens thing has swung it, especially as it has reminded me that some other friends will be there the same weekend. Can't wait! I had my tongue slightly in cheek on the meatballs front - although it does help sweeten the pill for hubby to swallow! He's not IKEA's biggest fan....
amy77
487
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Latest post on 13 November 2011 - 15:53
Thanks guys, that's really helpful :) Hey GoodMorning, hope you're settling in well :)
amy77
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Latest post on 13 November 2011 - 14:50
Hello ladies, I've just popped over from the Qatar board &lt;waves nervously&gt; We're going to drive to IKEA the first weekend of December, and I was just wondering which was the best IKEA? And more importantly for my husband, do they do meatballs?! Is anything exciting happening in either Abu Dhabi or Dubai that weekend which we could check out while we're over there?
amy77
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Latest post on 13 November 2011 - 01:11
Did you have one of the classic IKEA car park arguments that me and DH always seem to have? Him being utterly pessimistic about getting everything into the car and threatening to take stuff back upstairs, and me saying 'There is a way, there MUST be a way' and rearranging the entire car's contents just to try and squeeze in that last extra lampshade. Usually involving the front seat being pushed right forward and then me having to act like that's perfectly fine and comfortable for the whole 30 mile journey home whilst DH and I are sat resolutely in silence recovering from our IKEA row(s). So, anyway, which IKEA is better out of Dubai and Abu Dhabi? And which serves the best meatballs?
amy77
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Latest post on 13 November 2011 - 01:06
Sorry Maple, but that is quite a funny story - hope you don't mind me having a giggle at your expense there! What are the chances of a lizard landing on your arm??!
amy77
487
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Latest post on 11 November 2011 - 19:42
I'm the same as your hubby and the only detergent I can use over here is the Marks and Spencer's Sensitive stuff in a blue bottle - I think it's QR20 a bottle and that does about 10 washes. They only sell it in Villagio, not Landmark M&S as I found out to my cost this morning!
amy77
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Latest post on 11 November 2011 - 15:12
First of all, this is good prep for life in Doha generally - dont come if you can't laugh off situations like this as this is normal life over here! £79 and a bit of hassle isn't too bad in the grand scheme of things. Something will always go wrong in the moving process, it's good for the character so they tell me :D Secondly, have you looked into an alternative service like Excess Baggage Company (who were brilliant with our stuff) for sending boxes? Maybe you could claim the cost off your employers? I would always ask for an allowance for any kind of company benefit, rather than having to use a fixed service - this applies to everything from baggage to accommodation.
amy77
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Latest post on 11 November 2011 - 14:20
Whirlpool machines are notoriously sh1te. Put it in the garage and get a decent second hand machine, that's what we did with the paltry offering that was our compound's standard fit washing machine.
amy77
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Latest post on 10 November 2011 - 18:38
Haha no, I can't wait! Don't forget that hubby and I met on a long distance banger rally, this is right up our street. We've got 2 sets of friends who've done it and had a great time too. To be honest the IKEA bit is really just an excuse to do it anyway....
amy77
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Latest post on 10 November 2011 - 16:54
It is so bad, you're right. It's no better than the stuff they sell in Argos in England I.e real budget stuff and I refuse to pay close to £1000 for it. I know it's "only" a spare bedroom, but when people are coming to stay for 2-3 weeks (and sacrificing other holidays so they can come and see us) I want them to be comfortable. I honestly don't even know how people sleep on the mattresses they sell over here, I've never felt anything like it! We have a £200 mattress from IKEA in the other spare room and that is SO much better than anything you can buy here. It is well made, supportive and comfortable. I refuse to pay £500+ for something of lesser quality. <em>edited by amy77 on 10/11/2011</em>
amy77
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Latest post on 10 November 2011 - 11:49
Thanks. I don't want to do any classes, I just want to use the gym, but I need a bit of hand-holding to get me in there as all the security and the sheer size of the place seem a bit intimidating to me!
amy77
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Latest post on 10 November 2011 - 08:56
Well, it is just partly an excuse to drive to Dubai as we've been wanting to do it for ages! Also I can get a whole bedroom set for a lot less than we would spend here. Plus I can top up with a few extra purchases for the rest of the house :) So all in all it's a no-brainer really - I just need to measure the inside of the car now and look up the packaging sizes online to work out what we can/can't fit in :)
amy77
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Latest post on 10 November 2011 - 08:52
I think there were a couple of members on here and I would really like to go with someone the first time I go, as I feel a bit intimidated by the whole place! I have a membership for November, but I haven't been yet as am only just starting to recover from a virus, so I am keen to go ASAP. I want to use the gym and do the swimming test as well so I can use the pool. Please, if you go there, can I tag along with you one day so you can show me the sign in procedure and point me in the direction of the gym? Other than that I won't bother you, promise :)
amy77
487
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Latest post on 09 November 2011 - 22:53
For all those following this riveting saga, I am sure you will be delighted to know that hubby 'only' bought a BBQ. Phew. He knows better than to make important home decorating decisions without me, clearly. So, we're going to make a run to IKEA. Anyone know if you can get a double mattress in a Nissan Pathfinder?!
amy77
487
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Latest post on 09 November 2011 - 19:10
Oh god, just had a text to say hubby has spent something in Homes R Us. I am worried. I pretended to agree with him about liking some vile bedroom set in Home Center this morning, just for the sake of avoiding any more arguments. However I threw him the challenge of finding a funny-sized mattress to fit it, as the Home Center ones were hideous. So he went off to Homes R Us ALONE aaargh to see if they sell 155cm mattresses to fit. I thought he would fail and then I would get my own way, but he's just spent QR2000 in there...... I suppose I am going to get another text in a minute saying he's spent QR6000 on the hideous bedroom set in Home Center. Aaaargh &lt;bangs head on desk&gt; Never ever let your husband out in a homewares shop without an accompanying responsible adult.
amy77
487
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Latest post on 07 November 2011 - 10:51
Still is here! Just took puppy out for a walk to experience her first ever rain! Water is ankle deep on the compound - driving could be challenging today....
amy77
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Latest post on 05 November 2011 - 19:38
I asked hubby about this and he thinks the problem might be with your new regulator. If the hose is getting hot, it seems the gas is at too high pressure (after much discussion of Boyle's Law with hubby over lunch!!). Yes that's how exciting our life is.....
amy77
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Latest post on 05 November 2011 - 19:37
Did you try different sizes? I wear a different sized M&S bra from my official Rigby and Peller measured size. Other than that I am not much help as I buy all my bras in M&S here but I am only an A cup (in M&S anyway).
amy77
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Latest post on 03 November 2011 - 22:10
It's not that far anyway - I take the dog to Wakra beach most days and that's only half an hour's drive (and Barwa is closer). I've lived further from the nearest supermarket before, in rural England!
amy77
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Latest post on 03 November 2011 - 12:03
Also to add, all of those charities (Dogs in Doha, Cats in Qatar, QAWS - and I forgot 2nd Chance Rescue) all operate almost exclusively through the means of Facebook. Most people who have a pet go missing post on these pages, although some people just rely on putting posters up in shops etc.
amy77
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Latest post on 03 November 2011 - 12:01
It's probably best off in this section anyway, being Qatar specific, as the pets section seems to be more Dubai-orientated. Anyway, roadkill seems to be something of a taboo here, so bodies are always removed very quickly - within 1 or 2 hours. The municipality rubbish collectors, unfortunately, are the ones who take them away. The best you can do is try and get a good description of them and either post on the Dogs in Doha/Cats in Qatar/QAWS Facebook pages or just read those same pages to see if anyone has reported a missing pet. Like you say though, the chances of it being a stray, as opposed to a loved pet, are very high. Unfortunately, in the interests of cleaning up quickly, no attempt at all is made to ID/microchip-scan the victims by the municipality. <em>edited by amy77 on 03/11/2011</em>
amy77
487
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Latest post on 03 November 2011 - 08:53
Thanks, 40" is what we're looking for actually. I am a little cynical about Carrefour's 'special offers' - they told me that the Sony we are looking at is on 'special offer' because it gets bundled with a load of 'extras' but the same TV in 51 East was exactly the same price with the same 'extras' included.....
amy77
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Latest post on 02 November 2011 - 19:04
Just wondering, as this will be my first ever Eid (I was away for the September one as well)- what is it like? Landmark was absolute chaos today - is this Eid-related? What happens with shop opening hours/busy times etc? When can/can't we buy booze? Are there any special events to look out for? Any bargains to be had? Does the country go very quiet, or even more hectic than normal? We would like to explore the coast a bit next week, but not if the beaches are going to be packed with litter-dropping jet-skiers! PS do the flies also take a vacation?!
amy77
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Latest post on 02 November 2011 - 15:06
I've been in July/August. It was fine - there were loads of people in bikinis. Lots of women in full burka as well, and everything in between. I personally wore board shorts and a rashy - I always seem to get cuts off those sorts of slides and I didn't want to get burnt either. It was surprisingly good, although I did sustain a minor head injury on the scary slide!!! Apparently it was my fault though, as I was helpfully told when I came off, for not sitting up straight!!
amy77
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Latest post on 02 November 2011 - 09:42
I don't know, I've got a friend who came out here 4 years ago and was the main sponsor for her family - she doesn't work for anyone special, just a consultancy. They switched to the husband's sponsorship eventually, as he got a better housing allowance, but I don't think it's as hard as people make it out to be. She made it a condition of her job offer that she wouldn't come out here unless they made her the main sponsor.
amy77
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Latest post on 01 November 2011 - 23:00
I've just been to the Golf Club and they've got some big outdoor event on, and all the chefs are out under tents catering for it. Are you sure they haven't just closed the kitchen because of that?
amy77
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Latest post on 31 October 2011 - 12:24
Here you go, a website with floor plans etc http://www.lagoonaqatar.com/ As usual for this country, it is heavy on unnecessary fancy graphics and sounds and low on usability!
amy77
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Latest post on 31 October 2011 - 12:22
I don't think so, sorry. There wasn't much open at all. And even if there was, I would expect it would be of a more international brand/flavour as opposed to local Arabic-type stuff. I think it's going to be quite a high-end mall. There was a posh kitchen shop, I think the same chain as the one in City Center, selling Dualit, Kitchen Aid etc.
amy77
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Latest post on 31 October 2011 - 10:26
There is only one cafe open at the moment in the lovely outdoor food court area - Caffe Ver-something (the Italian chain). There are more restaurants scheduled to open though. It was a really nice mall, it had a nice vibe to it - I like it. At the moment there aren't many shops although the ones which are coming look promising. There is a GORGEOUS German children's shop open - great for gifts and kitting out little ones' bedrooms, especially girls who are into horses or boys who are into pirates! 51 East was lovely too - didn't look at clothes, but the tech and music departments were fab!
amy77
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Latest post on 31 October 2011 - 09:20
Didn't look too hopeful when I went on Friday night, but then all shops which are still under construction are well hidden behind boards to keep everywhere looking tidy, so it's hard to tell. It's going to be a "Carrefour Market" if that helps. DH wanted to know why they don't call it Carrefour Marche!
amy77
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Latest post on 30 October 2011 - 21:42
If you live on Al Messilah compound, please join the Facebook group I have set up at http://www.facebook.com/groups/196047893806854/ It's so residents can discuss various issues with eachother. A kind of informal residents' association if you like! I saw that other compounds had done it when I was househunting, and there's nothing similar for Al Messilah at the moment, so I have taken it upon myself to set it up myself! I have kept the group private so we can whinge about issues (if we need to) without anyone from the management etc being able to see.
amy77
487
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Latest post on 30 October 2011 - 12:20
I with Dan Lou, and in the UK this particular newspaper is quite well known for sensationalising stories!
amy77
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Latest post on 29 October 2011 - 22:25
PS there do seem to be lots of empty seats in the arena but there is also quite a queue of about 20-30 people at the rush tickets office - I can't remember if the queue was moving though, sorry.
amy77
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Latest post on 29 October 2011 - 22:14
I've just been down there and the whole evening is running 90 minutes late. If you want to try and get into the Leona Lewis concert, it's not starting till 1030pm
amy77
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Latest post on 26 October 2011 - 02:02
Forgot to say, they only use hot wax for bikini - legs is warm wax with strips. <em>edited by amy77 on 26/10/2011</em>
amy77
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Latest post on 26 October 2011 - 01:55
Bliss uses hot wax. That's why I love them and that's why I'm scared to try anywhere else - I had a bikini wax with warm wax once and it made me bleed! Make sure you ask for Marianna though - the only other people currently using it there are still undergoing training - eek - but she is very good and VERY, ahem, thorough. Don't be alarmed by the surgical mask and gloves and when she tells you to lie on your side at the end, just lie back and think of England!!!!
amy77
487
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Latest post on 24 October 2011 - 14:00
It's 5 foot high - pretty special and irreplaceable!
amy77
487
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Latest post on 24 October 2011 - 13:01
PS do not fear for my dog, I'm OK with living things as long as they have eyes and/or legs.
 
 
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