amy77 | ExpatWoman.com
 

amy77

amy77
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Latest post on 24 October 2011 - 12:59
YES! I have a peace lily which is literally on its last legs! It was my pride and joy - it's MASSIVE and was a special pressie from my Mum when she came out in April (I think we got it from the nursery you mentioned). She is coming back in December and I have to revive it by then. It is on the same death bed as another fig type thing which I think is beyond redemption. Speaking of which, if anyone can provide a foster home for my 2 plants and nurse them back to health before my family arrive for Christmas, I will be forever grateful! My Mum will be sooooo disappointed when she sees what a state they are in. It doesn't help that we can't keep them downstairs any more because the dog attacks them. I am serious - if you can foster my two plants for me, anyone, I will be forever grateful. They WILL die if they stay here because I accidentally make eye contact with them every time I hang washing out. As for Benjamin Ficus, I might give that a go - we had one in the UK which we lovingly named 'Albert'. Thankfully, Albert is now in the care of my mother-in-law, otherwise I fear his time on earth may have ended prematurely if we still had custody of him. <em>edited by amy77 on 24/10/2011</em>
amy77
487
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Latest post on 24 October 2011 - 10:56
PS are you bringing the dogs along to Woofstock on Friday?
amy77
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Latest post on 24 October 2011 - 10:55
We joined the rugby club online and we usually go down on Thursday nights to meet up with people we know (it's surprising how many people are members!) and have a few beers. It's the nearest you can get to going down a proper British boozer (although obviously there are people of all nationalities there). You're welcome to come with us one day - we can sign you in and it's QR50 per person to get in if not a member. Beer is among the cheapest in Doha (but still not cheap!). As for the dogs, you're also welcome to come with me to Wakra beach one day and give them a good run - mine loves company as she's still in the enthusiastic puppy stage!
amy77
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Latest post on 24 October 2011 - 10:00
Thanks essexgirl (my hubby's from Essex by the way). I'll be frank with you, I really hate gardening! I dont mind watering and weeding, and thank you for the very kind offer, but I don't really want to learn from books. I know that sounds a bit rude, I don't mean it to be, i really appreciate the offer - and most projects in life I tackle by reading and reading and reading first. But not gardening - i'ts just not for me. I went down that route in the uk, bought loads of books, confused myself completely and ended up resenting the poor garden for just being there! My poor grandad is probably turning in his grave at me saying this! But I just can't summon up any enthusiasm for plants or gardening. I just want the lazy person's way out by paying someone to come and say "You need these plants and this one and that will look great in the corner" etc etc. I will pay the equivalent of 2 months' gardener's wages for this as it will save us money in the longer term. I'd keep him on, but the only thing he really does is watering (which I could easily do myself) - the plants look awful and there are weeds everywhere and he winds our dog up into a frenzy.
amy77
487
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Latest post on 24 October 2011 - 09:13
Yeah, sorry Nole, I think you have :( Some friends drove to IKEA in July and had a lot of fun, you can make a weekend of it in Dubai or Abu Dhabi.
amy77
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Latest post on 23 October 2011 - 18:55
I just tried to book a table at the new revolving restaurant because I was bored and fancied a challenge - they told me it was closed for maintenance. Dining Out Doha had mentioned in an email that it had already had its soft opening, so either that didn't go very well and they are having to make changes, or somebody somewhere has their wires crossed and it hasn't even soft-opened yet.
amy77
487
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Latest post on 23 October 2011 - 18:55
I just tried to book a table at the new revolving restaurant because I was bored and fancied a challenge - they told me it was closed for maintenance. Dining Out Doha had mentioned in an email that it had already had its soft opening, so either that didn't go very well and they are having to make changes, or somebody somewhere has their wires crossed and it hasn't even soft-opened yet.
amy77
487
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Latest post on 23 October 2011 - 18:53
Tamie, you disappoint me, I thought you would recommend the cork hat method ;) So does anything which traditionally works on mozzies and gnats etc also work on 'normal' flies? If so, then I should be OK as I do actually have a bottle of Avon Skin So Soft somewhere, along with various DEET-laden nasty things for emergencies. I am so tempted to get this thing called the "fly-o-cutor" which was advertised in the paper a few months ago, it sounds so....awesome! We have an outdoor socket, so if it really works it could be the answer. Plus there is something quite hypnotic about watching flies get electrocuted. If only we had more lizards. Unfortunately, our dog eats them as a hobby.
amy77
487
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Latest post on 23 October 2011 - 17:24
Do you mean through Aramex? If so, Amazon usually tell you the weight in the item info section and then you can type that into the Aramex website to calculate the charges.
amy77
487
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Latest post on 23 October 2011 - 17:21
OK this is sounding a bit complicated now! Please can I have an idiot's guide to burning incense? Where to buy all the kit, what to look for, how to burn the charcoal, what the stones are and how to keep it burning? Many thanks :)
amy77
487
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Latest post on 23 October 2011 - 16:13
What is Oud (apart from an extra-terrestrial race from Dr Who)?
amy77
487
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Latest post on 23 October 2011 - 16:12
Also, is there anything I can put on my skin when I'm walking the dog which works on normal flies? I usually get followed by a cloud of them! Probably doesn't help that I usually have a bag of dog poo in my hand, admittedly.....
amy77
487
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Latest post on 23 October 2011 - 15:44
I've made most of my friends out here through owning a dog (sorry, but it really is amazing how many friends I've made through her!) and through this forum. Usually when I post some inane question about nothing in particular, I get some lovely emails off people and I've met quite a few people that way. I was lucky because we had 2 good friends out here before we came, but to be honest, I hardly see them because they have kids and I don't. I've also got involved with stuff - photography course, writing group, DTFF volunteering, dog walking for QAWS etc etc. I've not been without a little 'project' to get my teeth stuck into since I arrived. It reminds me a lot of joining all the clubs during Fresher's Week at Uni! Next on my list is kite surfing, SCUBA diving and sailing. There is so much out there to get involved with, and I LOVE LOVE LOVE living here. Oh and we joined the rugby club as well, that's always good for a night out. Even though neither I or my husband have ever touched a rugby ball in our lives.
amy77
487
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Latest post on 19 October 2011 - 23:28
Eversheds have a branch inside the Qatar Financial Centre (big British law firm, very well known and respected in England at least) but I don't know how much of a presence they have or if they take on interns. Presumably this office deals with financial law, given its location, but I don't know that for sure.
amy77
487
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Latest post on 19 October 2011 - 15:59
I was going to suggest Boots No. 7 as well. They actually have their own laboratories and do their own research, and spend a lot more on it than they do marketing (unlike some of the big-name brands). Their Protect and Perfect serum was the only one which stood up to scientific scrutiny in a BBC Horizon investigation a few years back. I haven't got any wrinkles yet, but weirdly, I have been using the serum for the past 4 weeks because I got a free sample back in England while I was on holiday, and three people in that time have all said they thought I was 10 years younger than I actually am! Very strange.
amy77
487
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Latest post on 18 October 2011 - 20:37
I went there a few weeks ago and wasn't at all dressed up, and there were people there even more casually dressed than me. I think like all the posh hotels, they don't really care as long as you can pay the bill :)
amy77
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Latest post on 18 October 2011 - 10:22
Thanks CC. I need a pool or access to a beach really, but it's good to have an idea of prices. I am thinking of joining Ezdan as their pool is AMEZZIN :)
amy77
487
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Latest post on 17 October 2011 - 11:22
HEF sorry to add to the confusion, but it's not true that you cant get fully comp for cars over 5 years - both my cars have been over 5 years old and both were insured fully comp by Axa. The only difference is that for cars over 5 years old, you have to pay the cost of any new manufacturers' parts which are needed to repair your car in the event of an accident. I had a bad accident in my first car (it would have been a write-off in Britain) but even then this cost didn't come to more than about QR400. Most of the costs of repairs were labour, or sourcing non-manufacturer specific parts, which were all covered by the insurance company. This isn't specific to Axa - it's actually a Qatari law which states this. <em>edited by amy77 on 17/10/2011</em>
amy77
487
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Latest post on 16 October 2011 - 14:58
How much did they want for it Steelers, just out of interest?
amy77
487
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 16 October 2011 - 11:51
I'm desperate to find a new gardener. My husband recently changed ours (for no good reason) and the new one is terrified of our dog. I had previously conditioned her to accept the gardener but he has undone all my good work (by trying to stare her out one day through the window) and now she is terrified of him. So they are locked in this awful negative feedback loop which I need to sort out ASAP before we end up not being able to have any gardener at all. PLEASE if you have a gardener and dogs, can you let me know who you use? I am scared the damage has already been done and I need to sort this out soon. (there's no point trying to train the new gardener, he won't speak to me anyway and he is just terrified of the dog so it's not fair on him at all).
amy77
487
Posts
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Latest post on 16 October 2011 - 11:41
Haha a husband-proof cupboard lock! Oh the possibilities!!
amy77
487
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Latest post on 16 October 2011 - 10:25
We used to crate her, but she started getting upset about 'bed time' and she's been much happier since we started leaving the door open - she sometimes sleeps in it, but on hot nights we find her sprawled out on the floor, so I prefer to give her the choice now for her own comfort. I would still need to solve the bin problem anyway as she is very well behaved so has free run of the house while we're at home (she doesn't chew furniture or anything). But I know she would probably root through a bin given half a chance, even though I've never given her the chance to prove me right!
amy77
487
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Latest post on 15 October 2011 - 23:09
Oh wow, thank you GrayGirl! I will try and figure it out with your v helpful directions but might come back and ask for some more help if I fail, if that's ok :)
amy77
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Latest post on 15 October 2011 - 23:07
Our dog sleeps in the kitchen at night, so we can't have a rubbish bin in there, and it's really starting to get on my nerves! I decided to get one of those ones which fit into a kitchen cupboard with a lid that closes when the cupboard door closes and I CONVINCED myself that I would find one in Lakeland. But no :( Does anyone know where I can get one, or any other type of bin which a 25kg food-obsessed mutt couldn't knock over and find a way in to?
amy77
487
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Latest post on 14 October 2011 - 12:45
Thanks GrayGirl - that is amazing! When I first arrived in Qatar, I spent ages driving round Aspire trying (and failing) to work out where these mysterious pools were. Then I was told by more than one person that they are not open for 'turn up and pay' swims, so I had completely given up on the idea months ago. Do you swim there? If so, please could I tag along with you one day so I can work out where to go and how to pay etc?
amy77
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Latest post on 14 October 2011 - 12:43
Being British, and therefore slightly obsessed with health and safety :) ......I would be a bit concerned about any dhow owner who claimed he could carry 200 people safely....they don't seem to be big enough to me. There was an accident back in 2006 where a number of tourists were killed on an overcrowded dhow. http://news.sky.com/home/article/13516813 If you want to find a boat big enough, you could try calling Ronautica at the Pearl (ask to speak to John, who is English) - if they don't have a big enough boat, they might know someone who does.
amy77
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Latest post on 11 October 2011 - 09:51
The old style models, around 3-4 years old, go for about 50k. I don't know for sure, but I *think* they might be better off-road than the new ones as they are a bit more 'industrial'. The old ones certainly do well in the desert - I've been down to the Inland Sea in one.
amy77
487
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Latest post on 10 October 2011 - 20:57
KIA Sorrentos are cracking cars, good choice :) Have seen them coping well in the dunes as well.
amy77
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Latest post on 10 October 2011 - 09:28
Actually, do you know what, it's going to be QR550 a month including swimming. She wouldn't let me add on the swimming yesterday as I have to do a stupid swim test first. Maybe I can afford to join the Ritz after all!!
amy77
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Latest post on 10 October 2011 - 00:30
I signed up today! They are closed for October, but not for november, so membership starts then :) QR400 a month though! Ouch. So annoying as they make you sign up for classes first (which I don't want) and then gym and swimming (which I do want) are extra on top. Grrrrr.
amy77
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Latest post on 10 October 2011 - 00:27
I quite like Dr. Sonia at Al Emadi, no appointments, just rock up at 8am and you will be first in the queue to see her when she starts surgery at 9am.
amy77
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Latest post on 09 October 2011 - 10:35
I'm going to go along today and sign up too :)
amy77
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Latest post on 09 October 2011 - 09:15
PPS the ones on Qatarliving which regularly appear for WAY less than the typical market value should be ignored - there are always a few ads of this nature regularly posted with similar phone numbers and I presume there is some sort of scam going on.
amy77
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Latest post on 09 October 2011 - 09:13
PS we just bought a 4 yr old Nissan Pathfinder for 50k if that's any help with thinking what you could get in your budget. It was admittedly a very good deal though (friend of a friend).
amy77
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Latest post on 09 October 2011 - 09:10
I did. There are loads more cars on Qatarliving than there are on Dubizzle as it's not been operating in Qatar for very long. Look for ads which are written in good English - personally I think it's easier to buy off a Westerner so you can get a more accurate picture of the car's history (no language issues) and since Doha is such a small town I would think you less likely to get ripped off this way, as paths may well cross in the future! If you see any that look promising I am more than happy to volunteer my husband! I'm sure a few ales from QDC would help to oil his wheels ;)
amy77
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Latest post on 08 October 2011 - 18:59
I really love Bliss at the W. Not cheap, but if someone is going to inflict pain on me I want it done in nice surroundings! Very thorough and they use the right sort of wax on my nether regions!
amy77
487
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Latest post on 08 October 2011 - 18:57
I cannot believe how rude some people must be not to RSVP, surely it is just basic good manners? When I was little my mum drilled it in to me that I should always respond quickly. Or am I just getting old?
amy77
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Latest post on 07 October 2011 - 08:44
Hey mpb, welcome to Qatar :) regarding the car, I would go for the bigger the better. I started off with a KIA Sportage as we'd had one in England and were happy with it. They are great cars and I loved how nippy it was (acceleration is really important here, as you have to be able to pull out onto roundabouts quickly and get yourself out of trouble by accelerating sometimes). I had a bad crash in it in August but I came away without a scratch - they have good accident protection. However we decided to sell it and get something bigger (for more road presence) and better off road - the KIA was ok, but I am quite outdoorsy and like to go camping etc and there'd been a couple of cases where it wasn't quite up to the job. I narrowed the new car list down to the mid-sized SUVs by Toyota and Nissan, as they have the most ability to cope with desert life, and we now have a Nissan Pathfinder which is great off road, speedy and well built. Hubby has an LR2 (Landrover Freelander if you are British!) and he loves it, and it coped pretty well in the dunes. We bought the KIA through Qatarliving ads, the Freelander off a dealer, and the Nissan from a friend of and friend. All were positive experiences BUT hubby is an amateur car mechanic and he rejected a few before finding ones we were happy with. You are welcome to borrow him - he loves helping people to buy cars!! Whatever car you look at, take it to a place called German Auto Specialist Center for a check-over as part of your test drive. There are lots of similar places on the Salwa Road but this is by far the best. They will give it the most thorough inspection you can imagine and pick up on everything that needs doing or may need doing to it in the future. They will also check for accident or desert damage.
amy77
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Latest post on 28 September 2011 - 23:48
There's a postbox just outside our compound (Al Messilah). It's yellow and in a really odd place on the exit road, but I can confirm that it 'works' as my Mum successfully sent Aunty Betty's postcard from it!!
amy77
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Latest post on 25 September 2011 - 17:04
Count me in! I made all these grand plans to come over here with hubby and 'become a writer' and I made the mistake of telling everyone this back home in England.....I even got given loads of writing-related gifts as a leaving present from my last job. Oh the guilt! I haven't done anything since I came out here in March and I really need some stimulation to get started. I joined a Doha writers' group on LinkedIn, but it hasn't really led to much, so I would love to get something else going.
amy77
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Latest post on 22 September 2011 - 11:59
Cheers Dot! It sounds great - I'm checking out BEDH's offer later, but will get back to you. I've saved your email address if you want to delete it. Amy
amy77
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Latest post on 21 September 2011 - 13:02
You could always see if it's on the Debenhams UK website in the sale and ship it out using Aramex.
amy77
487
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Latest post on 21 September 2011 - 13:01
We haven't used a duvet since we came out in March, we just drape a loose sheet across instead. But I think we will put a summer duvet on soon, now things are cooling down a bit. Given that I always buy a duvet at least a size bigger than the bed, you could just buy a summer duvet and covers for it in England and bring them out with you - if you get Super King or Emperor sizes they would suit all beds. We treated ourselves to an Emperor sized silk summer duvet from the White Company before we came out. As for sheets, they're easy enough to get out here so you could wait to buy those until you know what size bed you're going to have. And they're cheap to ship using Aramex as well.
amy77
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Latest post on 20 September 2011 - 20:33
Ooh thanks BEDH that does sound promising! Can we meet up to discuss sometime, as there are lots of things to consider like what to do with the dogs if we all go out for the day etc. My email is amybambridge at hotmail dot co dot uk
amy77
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Latest post on 20 September 2011 - 20:29
If it's any help, my husband informs me that there is a branch in Al Rayyan 'village' itself, close to Papa John's pizza :)
amy77
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Latest post on 19 September 2011 - 19:08
Ummmmm Safiya Dafiya do you know me? Because you just described my accident exactly..... ANYWAY I was going to suggest, a few weeks back, that anyone who is/was a member of the UK Institute of Advanced Motorists could maybe get together and start something on a similar vein over here, either officially affiliated to the UK IAM or not. The group could be used to coach people in defensive driving to increase their confidence. However, since then I had a pretty bad accident which was 90% my fault (as described perfectly by Safiya!), so I don't feel in a position to do this any more! As to the original OP, no, I don't think you can petition or lobby - that sort of tactic doesn't seem to work over here and can, in fact, be counter productive. All you can really do, realistically, is maintain a positive attitude to driving and don't let the barstewards get you down. And to be vigilant at all times. I was terrified of having an accident, but I can at least say now that even though my car was side-swiped by someone travelling at very high speed, and was all but written off, I came away without a scratch. Which kind of helps my fear a little bit.....
amy77
487
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Latest post on 18 September 2011 - 18:56
Added you now, feel free to delete your email address :) please can you delete the reference to my Facebook name as well, thanks. <em>edited by amy77 on 18/09/2011</em>
amy77
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Latest post on 18 September 2011 - 14:52
Picklz feel free to add me on Facebook and then you can see some pics I have put up of our Al Messilah house. I'm listed as <em>edited by amy77 on 18/09/2011</em>
amy77
487
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Latest post on 17 September 2011 - 17:34
You can get beautiful quality pillows in The White Company, not sure if the Doha store has any though and how much they will be!
amy77
487
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Latest post on 16 September 2011 - 12:25
We brought two Brita filter jugs out with us and we don't use them - you're welcome to take one or both of them off our hands if you like. I think we still have some cartridges too.
 
 
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