Apricot | ExpatWoman.com
 

Apricot

Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 21 November 2011 - 02:29
My neighbor ordered 2 complete children's bedrooms from PB in MCC last year, and she had problems with the furniture arriving in mis-matched wood stains, the delivery people damaging the goods on her front porch 3 times even under her supervision. She spoke to every manager between Dubai and Kuwait, where the parent company Al Shaya is located. No refunds, no satisfactory solutions other than "Well madam, you could always pay for ANOTHER new table!" They may bring in the best brands, but expect cr*p service from people who are only trained to help the importer's profit margin. DH still bought a coffee table and rug from them and I swear, I inspected the table and rug to an inch before I signed off the delivery receipt.
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 21 November 2011 - 02:03
Dr Wael Summar from the German clinic performed the surgery at Emirates hospital on Beach Rd, assisted by Dr Amal Shunnar. 6 months later a random gyno at Belhoul European was very impressed with the way the cysts had been removed. I believe it was a series of small dermoid cysts. I would go to Emirates hospital again for a day surgery, the pre surgery prep and the post surgery care were fantastic, the nurses very kind. <em>edited by Apricot on 21/11/2011</em>
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 21 November 2011 - 01:34
Bosch is also really good. 8 yrs and still going strong...
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 21 November 2011 - 01:16
Will I not get the same results if instead of using stock i just throw the vegetables /ingredients of the veg stock and water directly into the dish I am cooking? I suppose it should be the same thing,or not??? No, because your "stock water" already has those flavors infused in it. So the stock adds more flavor profile to the food. Potatoes cooked in stock are more flavorful than potatoes, carrots and celery all diced up and boiled in water. The potato will absorb all that subtle carroty, celery, bay leaf flavor from the stock more effectively.
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 21 November 2011 - 00:48
I saved about $300 by buying my Marc by Marc Jacobs purse thru a US dept store website, at normal retail price plus 8.5% sales tax, instead of at their boutique in Dubai Mall. If you buy a purse over $150 you really should buy it because you love the design, not because you want others to admire the brand name. The more obvious the logo, the more vulgar.
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 21 November 2011 - 00:30
My DH goes to Feet First in Town Centre on Beach Rd, and he's quite nervous about "dodgy men", so it must be fine. I've also sent him to Gentlemen's Spa on Beach Rd for a facial, after reading good reviews of it on EW. He liked it.
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 21 November 2011 - 00:21
This lady, http://bakedindubai.blogspot.com/, seems to be offering what you have in mind. Good luck with your endeavors!
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 21 November 2011 - 00:13
I *think* this is what norak served her family last Thanksgiving in Dubai....hopefully she'll see this thread!
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 21 November 2011 - 00:09
You can also add 1/4 tsp corn syrup/golden syrup per egg yolk, mix it all up and freeze in a ziplock bag marked "8 egg yolks" then measure out 1/4 cup of the mix for each yolk in a recipe. I would make something savory, like a quiche or frittata or Spanish omelet (tortilla de papas).
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 21 November 2011 - 00:05
DH just bought a bag of little wrapped squares from Candylicious in Dubai Mall. I need to check if they also stock the Ghiradelli chocolate chips, which are supposed to be amazing in cookies!
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 20 November 2011 - 23:13
Saw them in Wallis during the summer.
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 19 November 2011 - 04:30
Something to consider is the student body, and how you want your daughter to identify herself in the future. Do you want her to identify strongly with her Arab/Islamic heritage or her British heritage? Do you plan to encourage her to wear hijab? Do you intend to encourage her to date, or to wait for an arranged marriage? Do you want her to raise her kids as practicing Muslims? These questions may sound funny, but it's better you sort it out now before deciding to change tactics when she turns 14. I am saying this because school really defines a child's social circle, who they feel comfortable with and aspire to be like. I grew up Muslim in the States, attended the local public schools in a White community, and while my parents moved heaven and earth to ensure that I grew up with the Islamic values they wanted for me, I honestly believed that abortion was okay in Islam until I moved here and talked to American Muslim converts who had lived here for a while. I am not Arab but I respect my DH and understand the great value the Arabic language holds in the Islamic religion. <em>edited by Apricot on 19/11/2011</em>
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 19 November 2011 - 03:39
Dubai Infants School near Rashid Hospital. That's where DH went :)
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 19 November 2011 - 03:33
The Childrens Garden in Jumeira just started an Arabic-English section. Arabic home room for the 3 yr olds, English homeroom for the 4 yr olds, and the children switch between the adjacent rooms a few times a week. My DS1 is in the Arabic homeroom. His teacher is a young Syrian lady. There is also an Arab TA. I try to observe the teachers unawares, and am quite happy with how they manage the class, teach the lessons. For the other age groups, and the young ones placed in the French-English sections, they come to the Arabic room (with a separate, dedicated Arabic teacher) 3 or 4 times a week. My son went to the Arabic room while he was in Pre-Nursery (taught only in English) and the Arabic teacher did fun crafts with them while teaching the lesson and singing related songs.
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 19 November 2011 - 03:00
any suggestions for a good scrub?Angels on Bare Skin from Lush. Lush has stores in Dubai Mall, Deira City Center and Mercato.
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 19 November 2011 - 02:53
They sell plenty of margarine in Carrefour near the yoghurt. Margarine is often "buy 1 get 1 free" in Safestway. You need an oven thermometer. Is there a dial for adjusting the gas flame in the oven? Maybe adjust the flame to a lower setting. I learned to bake using a gas oven, what an adventure!
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 19 November 2011 - 02:44
...and it works both ways....Yep, nothing appealing about watching DH fall asleep on sofa right after we've turned off the football match and sat down to "watch dvd together once the kids are asleep" every night...
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 19 November 2011 - 02:39
We are currently changing our garden from well water to municipality water. The ahem well water is too salty and is causing patches of horrid black and green fungus, both factors killing most of the plants in our garden. A costly lesson learned.
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 19 November 2011 - 02:36
My grandmother (like any self-respecting housewife from the Memon community) makes khow suey at home. And chaaza (this amazing mung-bean thread noodle with chick-pea lentils, meat cooked in coconut milk, heaps of fresh chopped coriander and spring onion, caramelized onions, and a twist of lime juice). My dad's Burmese friend would come over to our home when he missed his mom's cooking (she couldn't leave Burma due to the strict regime). My grandmother streamlines the preparation by freezing the slow-braised meat in coconut milk in small portions. Khow suey has a similar flavor profile to Malaysian laksa curry. Erum, see if you know any Pakistani/ Indian Memons. Their mums or grandmums would know how to make the dish if their families have histories of trade in Rangoon.
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 19 November 2011 - 02:20
Where do they serve great waffles? Like American style for breakfast, not British style as an ice cream sundae. I've had to buy a waffle iron (not easy to find in Dubai!) and learn to make my own, but I would like to go to a place and order a plate of crisp, buttermilk waffles with the option of warm, home-made applesauce as a topping. The few places that serve them here tend to make them flabby, soggy things with little flavor. Then cover them with bananas and honey. Ick.
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 19 November 2011 - 02:14
Y'know, if you want to buy a smaller quantity, I've seen and bought 200g bags of whole star anise from Choithrams. A friend bought them in bulk to use in her wedding favors. Homemade potpouri?
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 19 November 2011 - 02:09
is the something like pregnancy zumba???Do you mean Zumba classes [b'>during[/b'> pregnancy or [b'>after [/b'> pregnancy? I personally wouldn't during pregnancy as your heart rate can get really high (awfully hard to pace yourself during such an energetic work-out!) and you can lose a lot of water through sweating. I would contact one of the fitness companies that specializes in pregnancy exercise classes instead.
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 19 November 2011 - 01:36
I do this for DH and he put me on his pay-roll!
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 19 November 2011 - 01:34
I asked a friend whose husband is a gynecologist and fertility specialist to get his professional opinion on the Diva Cup. He voiced concerns over the collected menstrual tissue and blood sitting inside a woman's body for prolonged amounts of time, potentially causing infections inside the cervix.
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 19 November 2011 - 01:18
Thanks for this post. We are currently changing our garden from [i'>well water[/i'> to municipality water. The ahem [i'>well water[/i'> is too salty and is causing patches of horrid black and green fungus, both factors killing most of the plants in our garden. A costly lesson learned.
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 19 November 2011 - 01:09
I would emphasize the reading with your child over flash cards, memorization of days of week, colours, etc. My step mum is brilliant but she believed in Rousseau's philosophy of un-schooling, ie no formal education before the child enters a classroom. She would only sit with my sisters to play physical games or to help them in role play with dolls or do crafts. I had to witness my extrovert youngest sister having a terrible melt-down the evening of her first day of kindergarten. Why? Because the teacher had placed 4 books (identical) on each student's desk and every single one of her classmates bar herself, opened up the books and flipped through the pages. My sister demanded to know what was happening and the girl next to her said, "I am reading." Cue to my sister standing on top of the coffee table during dinner time and crying out, "I can't go to school tomorrow. Everyone but me knows how to READ!" My step mum looked at her, bewildered for a moment, then said, "Darling, we will go to the library tomorrow after school and we will learn to read together!" <em>edited by Apricot on 19/11/2011</em>
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 19 November 2011 - 00:50
It took me 3 yrs in total, during which time I had another pregnancy (gained some then as well!). What helped me tremendously were: traveling with the two kids and my husband and the absence of a full time maid for 5 weeks upon our return to Dubai. The lack of that "extra help" we get in Dubai to complete mundane tasks like laundry, cooking and washing up, cleaning bathrooms, cleaning our LOs bodily-function messes, plus the desire to shop and sight-see (ie walking and public transport with the LOs in tow) , helped me burn enough calories.
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 19 November 2011 - 00:38
Yes. The minute I saw DS1's jaw drop at the sight of the dolphins at Dubai Dolphinarium, my mind stopped its cynical criticism of the venue, show script, possibility of animal abuse and joined my son's simple amazement at what he was seeing for the first time.
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 19 November 2011 - 00:17
I would get advice from a dermatologist, rather than a beautician. Too often the beauticians push a certain brand (because they get paid by the cosmetics company) without really understanding what YOUR individual skin needs are. Also, the old advice of using products only from one brand (eg. your cleanser, toner, moisturizer, sun block must all be from one brand) in order for them to work effectively on your skin is rubbish. Ideally your dermatologist should be from the same ethnic group you are from as they would have a personal interest in the most common skin problems for that ethnicity. Find out from your dermatologist what skin type you have, then do some homework by comparing product reviews at www.beautypedia.com and www.cosmeticscop.com Both of these websites are run by Paula Begoun, an American lady who has been challenging the cosmetics industry for the past 30 yrs.
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 19 November 2011 - 00:06
Have heard that those clothes drop boxes just get sold and don't actually go to the need The LA Times ran a story several years ago about where the clothes in drop boxes go to, and the story supported what I witnessed at the warehouse of my distant cousin's clothing re-export business. Yes, donated clothes can be sold, first to a "rags trader" like my distant relative, who upon receipt of the clothes, oversees that the clothes are sorted by type and quality, laundered, ironed, folded, then packed up into crates heading to various South American, African, and increasingly, Asian countries. The clothing is sold at local markets at prices which are affordable for the local population. Just witnessing the scale of work involved in sorting donated clothes by type and quality makes me more understanding of why local charities (dependent on volunteers) would transfer this task to a private company.
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 18 November 2011 - 23:47
I've seen it in DS1's nursery.
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 18 November 2011 - 23:46
thnx a lot. i think I'm should ditch Johnson's now. As the nurses helped me change those first nappies of DS1 at Al Wasl, they said "Don't use Johnson's products!"
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 18 November 2011 - 23:41
On the advice of my visiting stepmum (UK trained pediatrician) we switched from a routine of QV unfragranced wash in the shower and Lush Dream Cream afterwards to a routine of Pigeon hair & body wash for the hair (just enough fragrance to keep things interesting but not irritate skin), Dove unfragranced soap (from the States) for the body and Bioderma Atoderm lotion afterwards. We apply Oilatum cream to eczema patches after the Bioderma Atoderm. DS1 is 3 and he goes through cycles of eczema patching. DS2 is 1 1/2 and his eczema is not as severe as DS1. We have tried Mustela and Cetaphil on DS1 but not effective. Actually the Mustela products for eczema-prone skin are heavily scented!
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 18 November 2011 - 23:22
You can put it into a beef broth in order to make the Vietnamese soup called pho. You can infuse its flavor in milk/ cream, then use that cream to make ganache or ice cream or any kind of custard dessert.
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 18 November 2011 - 23:17
I was really fortunate to be able to breastfeed my first child until he was 1 1/2 yrs and am currently feeding my second child at 1 1/2 yrs. What really made this possible was the great support I received from the ladies at Breastfeeding Q&A as well as the support I received from my husband, who made it a priority during each child's first year of life that I breastfeed first, and attend to other matters later. My husband read this great book called "Becoming a Father" by Dr Sears shortly before I delivered our first child, and he really took to heart all the advice Dr Sears gives fathers on how to best support their partners in their breastfeeding role. His first response to any of his mates who announce they're going to have a child: "Did you know how amazing breastmilk is??"
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 18 November 2011 - 23:00
Yikes Tiki, thanks for the valuable heads-up RIGHT after I've told my mum on s k y p e that we're planning a family trip!
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 18 November 2011 - 22:58
My feet went back to normal size about 3 months after both deliveries. I finally got back to my pre-preg pants size 3 1/2 yrs later, but I'm loving the larger bosom (have always been flat-chested)...
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 18 November 2011 - 22:53
What I found with the Graco design is that my kids (boys aged 8 months and 2 1/2 yrs at the time of use) would turn around and poke the back passenger, or the back passenger would reach forward and annoy the front passenger. Luckily, with the Phil&Ted design the boys can't see each other, so are more interested in their surroundings. The little guy in the back isn't as interested in poking his brother seated in front!
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 18 November 2011 - 00:12
Dubai Ladies Club offers them with the option of paying per class. They have an Aqua Zumba class that sounds interesting. The instructor is really good.
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 17 November 2011 - 23:50
Whaddya mean "oh no I need to go to Satwa" - you don't enjoy it??! My fave "Satwa detour" is the used book shop opp Al Maya Lal's, they're much cheaper than House of Prose, and tend to group the "how to be a Yummy Mummy" books in Teen Fiction. Many back issues of Oprah magazine for sale. They also were very helpful in assisting my purchase of The Twilight Box Set, BRand New, for cheaper than Magrudy's and when Magrudys was sold out!!! I have also discovered some free parking spots...
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 17 November 2011 - 23:38
Yazy22, Dubai Health Authority encourages expat women to register later because once an expat woman has paid up her registration/delivery package fees, DHA will not reimburse you in the event of a miscarriage. [i'>I witnessed a really ugly shouting match between a New Zealander woman and the staff last time I was at Al Badaa Clinic (for the kids' vaccinations). The woman was in obvious distress over recent miscarriage, her partner was fuming over the "stolen" delivery package fees and how this would never happen back in NZ, the staff were firm yet clearly embarrassed by the volume and foul language being used by this couple. [/i'>
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 17 November 2011 - 01:37
The Childrens Garden Jumeirah, followed by Jumeira Baccalaureate School. I like the mix these schools offer of strong, enjoyable Arabic curriculum and the IB system from Primary Years upwards. While I would like my children to attend either Ivy League universities in the States or reputable universities in Canada/ UK, my main reason for moving to the UAE was so that my future kids would speak Arabic. My older child is already displaying increased comfort in communicating in Arabic after two months in the Arabic home-room at Childrens Garden. My younger child has been pre-registered and guaranteed a place in KG1 at JBS.
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 16 November 2011 - 23:31
Also at Lulu's.
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 16 November 2011 - 23:29
Carrefour. They sell tablets of "dessert chocolat" (about 65% cocoa) and plain choc/ white choc tablets in their own brand packaging (No. 1, Carrefour).
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 16 November 2011 - 23:21
How did your cookies turn out? Did the white frosting set well over the creamy, oily nutella?
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 16 November 2011 - 23:20
Al Marai Labneh. It's the least tangy of all the brands, yet creamy.
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 16 November 2011 - 23:18
It should work fine in a yeasted bread recipe, where you expect the finished product to be slightly chewy.
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 16 November 2011 - 23:16
If you're substituting for self-raising flour, you would add baking powder to the flour. The brand of eggs used also makes a difference to the "eggy-ness" of finished product. Eggs from Saudi like Al Watania and Taj have pale, yellow yolks.
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 05 October 2011 - 16:27
DC - don't be in a rush. I would not recommend lifting the P & T in/out of car after a C-section. It is very heavy but great for off roading / outdoors. Heavy? My P & T (v basic E3) is easily half the weight of the single Bebe Confort Loola stroller, which weighs 13 kg, and the tandem Mothercare Phoenix. It's so much easier to fold up, lift in and out of car boot, lift over pavement steps.
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 04 October 2011 - 23:51
ooh, which channel is showing the Gok Wan show??
 
 
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