arohadxb

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Latest post on 24 March 2011 - 23:13

11 pages? Gee whiz! I actually take offense to your comment, Snitch. I'm pro Dubai and don't consider myself lacking in anything. I guess I have learnt to appreciate life for what it is, not complain about what it isn't or could/should be. If that means I'm lacking in something then I wonder what a 'full' person is like... Totally agree with you Amy, what a condescending remark from Snitch who I presume lives here. Really, ceebs to read through the whole thread coz it will just get me cross. Stop whinging and get out if you don't like it and don't give me that 'economic downturn husband's job' excuse. Not everyone can just get out.. Why do people say leave if you don't like it? You don't know peoples situations, you don't where they are from and what there is to offer. You have no clue about anyone aside from what they tell you on here. You can not assume that everyone came here willingly. You can not assume that the HUSBANDS job isn't the reason they are staying here. Some are also trapped here because they bought property at that over inflated cost and they can't afford to sell it now because they would lose and enormous amount of money. Can't just walk away here and let the bank foreclose on your property. You can actually wind up in jail. Most people don't want to go to jail. We are ONLY leaving because of the economic downturn of Dubai. I was the ONLY one in my household that didn't find that love of Dubai. IT's not that I didn't try. I stayed almost 5 years trying to find the "best" of Dubai. I tried to see past the negative things that occured every single day around me. I don't judge or begrudge people their love and like of this country. I think it's great that so many love it. But for ME it just wasn't my cup of tea. For my husband, he loved it until the very end. Only now is he seeing what I saw long ago because he has had too much time on his hands. I'm sorry BC, but you just seem bitter, and thats not attractive on anyone. I've not answered this post for some time because i wanted to fully appreciate what you have said, and I just can't shake off the bitterness. You say the economic downturn is the only reason youre leaving? Thats not like saying I can't stand the place, we're going. Please tell me your last 5 years here have not been just day after day of awfulness? I do agree whole heartedly with your posts on the draconian laws, freedoms etc etal but i must say, you do seem to have a problem with people who do like it here. By all means, relish your escape, but I would hope that you take more than this nasty perspective with you when you go. This place has nurtured, fed and educated all of you for 5 years, by the sweat of you and your husbands brow, please don't belittle that achievement. You came, you learnt, you saw...you did more in that 5 years than many do in a lifetime. Surely that is something to be celebrated?

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Latest post on 24 March 2011 - 22:58

Forever21, Please think very carefully about yourself. I don't want to say too much here but I lost my little boy over 2 years ago and I was put in a situation where I had to revisit the hospital in London where he was diagnosed and afterwards passed away and there are no words to express how excruciatingly painful it was for us. Also make sure you are ready to face other parents and their pain and worries. I know that after my baby died I could't even look at another child of a similar age, hold a child (except his older brother) in my arms ... that lasted for over a year. We are all different but please make sure you are able to look after yourself and have found a way to learn to live (truly live) alongside your pain. All my heart goes out to you. Yes. Worst thing in the world. And people saying, oh, you've only got one child? Do you think I wouldn't have given everything I possess to have had at least one other child, if I could have? Not always a personal choice. you too simple? I swear I have perfected that look of unconcern, oh but our one child is lovely etc while physically restraining self from strangling people.

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Latest post on 24 March 2011 - 21:43

Goodnight Snitch! *waving* Don't forget to hum! :) little miss sunshine :D

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Latest post on 24 March 2011 - 21:39

Cheeky Monkey that is what I'm hoping for but I'm afraid of what will happen if thing go in the opposite direction. arohadxb I'm currently on the fence with this...one minute I'm up for it ...the next ...the coward in me takes over. You are NOT being a coward if you don't take this job...you are giving yourself time to heal (if thats what you need, I'm sorry I cannot presume to know...so hard). Look, i've lost babies and to this day I am in two minds about how I feel about them (in general). On the one hand I am genuinely thrilled for friends who have a new little one, I love to hold and snuggle with a new one, but there is a sense of loss and hurt, no matter what, even if it isnt at the fore front of my mind, or evident in my behaviour, you know? My midwife for lil miss was an RN who told me that she took up midwifery because it ment so much to her to help new life into the world, rather than ease it out...even with the losses. Can you do that? Cope with the others loss? Only you will know if you can gather the strength to feel the joy and the pain. tough situation sweetie, and you have all me heartfelt good wishes eta: all MY heartfelt wishes even.... <em>edited by arohadxb on 24/03/2011</em>

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Latest post on 24 March 2011 - 21:17

oh sweets, only you can answer that question. Big hugs, lots of love and strength.

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Latest post on 24 March 2011 - 20:05

poor flossy. and that, right there, is her next user name :D or Alan...

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Latest post on 24 March 2011 - 19:54

I will be busy moving to Paris:-))) lucky thing! My in-laws live there!! um, I take it back? lol! sorry! (I love my in laws and I love paris...how weird am I?) Think happy pink and blue thoughts viking...paris in the spring! You should;)

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Latest post on 24 March 2011 - 19:47

I will be busy moving to Paris:-))) lucky thing! My in-laws live there!! um, I take it back? lol!

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Latest post on 24 March 2011 - 19:26

she's on some pretty wicked drugs and singing sunshine songs when I saw her this pm. Probably in bed and sweet dreamimg by now, poor flossy.

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Latest post on 24 March 2011 - 19:00

Sending you the strength to get through this trying time and the smarts to know where to hide your DH's body. I'll bring the shovel! that man of mine has just called to say he's not left site yet, again.

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Latest post on 24 March 2011 - 18:30

Also how can someone say London is a miserable place to live, it's huge! [b'>It depends where you live, if you live in a lovely part of Kensington it would be amazing in comparison to somewhere like Tower Hamlets for example[/b'>. You really can't generalise about living in London! Interesting how the girl also said Dubai is not boing because there are lots of restaurants! Like everyone could afford to dine in a fancy restaurant here every night. I think where or how you live in Dubai has a huge impact on how you feel or look at the city. When we first came, was living in an apartment (company provided), one side of the apartment faced another building, the other side facing a busy road. The rooms were shaded for a good part of the day and it seemed to be always a bit dark inside. The balcony was permanently dusty (wasn't really useable) and it was just so depressing when I look back now. If anyone has lived in this situation in Dubai will probably understand how it feels. Not everyone has a sparkling sunny villa to enjoy. In the flat I yearned for a garden, to hear birds and "normality" like I had at home. Our living situation really pulled me down at the time. My husband changed his job which fantastically allowed for a villa, and it really changed our quality of life. May sound shallow to some, but it did! We enjoy our life here with together as a family, we make it the best we can behind our walls, but as a city in general, I don't like Dubai. I hear you about the move to a villa...after 2 years in our apartment, we are still in love with our ridiculously small shabby garden! moving into our 3rd year in it and the feeling still hasnt worn off. Sometimes I wonder if we would appreciate it quite so much if we hadnt had the 2 years in the apartment first?

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Latest post on 24 March 2011 - 18:03

Also how can someone say London is a miserable place to live, it's huge! It depends where you live, if you live in a lovely part of Kensington it would be amazing in comparison to somewhere like Tower Hamlets for example. You really can't generalise about living in London! Interesting how the girl also said Dubai is not boing because there are lots of restaurants! Like everyone could afford to dine in a fancy restaurant here every night. and sorry, anyone who thinks that because there is a load of resturants is reason not to be bored is a vacuous numpty.

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Latest post on 24 March 2011 - 17:52

This discussion about what constitutes boredom is boring me. you know what to do then flossy...don't click on it :D Flossy? What is that supposed to mean? a term of endearment. Sorry all, but I am rather enjoying a discussion for once. Beats maids and schools, thats for sure! Oh ok! :) Can't we all just accept that some people think this city is boring and others do not? But to be honest, I don't know how anyone with children could be bored. Don't kids keep you busy all day and all night? Not for everybody, thats for sure. Anyhoo, didnt think we were discussing dxb particularly, just a state of mind. Hmm. With singers sling on this....enjoying a discussion that obviously bores the pants of the bulk of people and thereby proving the point I wish to disprove. talk about short sighted. (and no, thats not aimed at you AD, just for absolute clarity) see ya sing sling, it's been fun while it lasted!

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Latest post on 24 March 2011 - 17:42

Is there still a phone number on the website? If so, just call them. I'm afraid it's been years since I last looked into this, and quite franklly, I thought it was horrendously expensive for what it was back then. Do what we do...camp down the road in the desert and then go for the day! (pants. turning into my stingey husband after all)

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Latest post on 24 March 2011 - 17:39

This discussion about what constitutes boredom is boring me. you know what to do then flossy...don't click on it :D Flossy? What is that supposed to mean? a term of endearment. Sorry all, but I am rather enjoying a discussion for once. Beats maids and schools, thats for sure!

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Latest post on 24 March 2011 - 17:38

Yes I agree with you that some people are simply just lazy. I saw that a lot amongst expatwomen in Dubai. I knew ladies who did zilch (no reading, no knitting tee hee, no nothing) and relied on others for being their entire source of entertainment. That also saps energy. I also think it is important that people go on proper holidays and travel if they can. Sadly that is not always possible or possible to the extend one would like to travel. I think the economy crippled many people. Agreed, to do nothing leads to more nothing...how destroying must that be? I have come to understand that travel isnt the cure all for everybody, where as I'm happy with a hulking great pack drinking chai on my heels in the dust of a backwater side road...others prefer 1st class, 5 star and all the comforts of 'home'. So while the economics of things has clipped many wings, and created a fenced-in defensive society for some, its not the be all.

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Latest post on 24 March 2011 - 17:29

This discussion about what constitutes boredom is boring me. you know what to do then flossy...don't click on it :D

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Latest post on 24 March 2011 - 17:22

Aroha - That's an interesting point you make :) I once attended a creative writing course and the presenter asked us to list our passions. The result was quite interesting. Two distinct type of personalities emerged. One group listed quite a few passions and mentioned that they have a "passion for life" in general. The other group were totally in love with life too but said they were simply not passionate people and felt not a single passion for anything in particular. Ever. What will happen when either one of the groups are not inspired? I am passionate and am almost always hi wired. When there is nothing to feel excited about, I feel listless. And then it does end in boredom where I just experience a complete void. Maybe you have been lucky thus far not to ever have reached such a point. As a South African who lived the majority of my life on edge I DO get bored in many other societies where life is a lot smoother. edited by Singapore Sling on 24/03/2011 Exactly...true boredom. And it can lead to lethargy, depression etc. Its important that you recognise it and act, however that suits for each individual. to be 'bored' otherwise is just laziness of the mind and spirit.. Also, as someone who is passionate about many things it might be important to also appreciate a lull for a recovery of energy, for ideas to sink in,to develope..it's a part of the process if you will. Have you ever woken up with a new idea complete to the last detail? Sleep is the same thing as recovery, no? for those of you who don't appreciate the discussion on the definetion of boredom, perhaps a wee gander back to the post where this rather interesting turn of events started. Would you rather listen to rants of that pretentious self congratulatory cods? Particularly when the author was saying you are all as dull and as dumb as dishwater ;)

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Latest post on 24 March 2011 - 17:03

oh, sorry...havent stayed in dibba only fujeirah, so ignore me. I think I mean the same thing, actually, Dibba seems to be in two places at once :) yeah, whenever I think Dibba I think the Oman enclave and the beach beside the Golden tulip. Fujeirah I am sure is about 60 k away from there? And isnt the dive center near snoopy island? have fingers crossed theres no crawlies where ever you end up!

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Latest post on 24 March 2011 - 17:00

but thats not boredom! SS and Jwal, it's a lack of passion, it's a lack of excitement...theres no way we can live hi wired every moment, for sure, but we can be engaged in our life and surroundings, if you like. We can find happiness in small tasks, or satisfaction. True boredom has none of that, it's a void, an uninspired unsatisfied void of nothing.

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Latest post on 24 March 2011 - 16:55

oh, sorry...havent stayed in dibba only fujeirah, so ignore me.

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Latest post on 24 March 2011 - 16:50

it's pretty uneventful there :) and thats just my experience. Not bothered going back. The Hilton was clean, very friendly and we did have a lovely room. Bit of a small rectangle pool that didnt offer much for the kids, but the playground was pretty cool. and a teeny beach.

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Latest post on 24 March 2011 - 16:46

I feel a sermon coming on. lol! sorry....

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Latest post on 24 March 2011 - 16:44

'Boredom is an emotional state experienced during periods lacking activity or when individuals are uninterested in their surroundings' I don't think it can be described as a disease of the mind and soul of the sufferer aroha, everyone experiences a certain kind of boredom at some point in their live's. Dubai doesn't stimulate everyone enough to alleviate their individual boredom. My grandfather always says, only the boring are bored :) and my point would be that as an individual they lack...not their environment. It is physically impossible to have nothing to do, nothing that stimulates or excites you, where ever you may be. The world became a very small place indeed with the introduction of the interwebby (as just 1 example)...there is nothing that is not available to either learn, read, write about, discuss. The WORLD is in everyones hands and it's what you choose to do with it. if you choose to be bored, then it lacks a spiritual and emotional development neccessary to an individual to continue growing. Boredom, to my mind is bandied about too commonly...yup, I find my housework 'boring' but really I mean repetitive, uninspiring and an irritaion to be dealt with rather than enjoyed....other than the satisfaction, weird as it may be for such a domestic task, of a job well done.

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Latest post on 24 March 2011 - 16:31

B3gger the grammatical errors, I'd be more concerned about the content of the letter! Which school allegedly has grade 8 students drinking alcohol at school!? which do you think? ;) Getting quite a REPutation isn't it. ;) On that note, time for a scotch... Way ahead of you chick....way ahead, lol!

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Latest post on 24 March 2011 - 16:24

B3gger the grammatical errors, I'd be more concerned about the content of the letter! Which school allegedly has grade 8 students drinking alcohol at school!? which do you think? ;)

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Latest post on 24 March 2011 - 16:13

the problem with relying on leafy greens (and apologies CT) is that to get the health benefits..including iron etc, you need to consume about 6 kilos of it (an exaggeration yes, possibly, but you know) whereas, you can get much more punch for your buck with a small serving of proper lamb or beef. And I was a vege for 20+ years too. AA, hubby is just going to have to put up with you having an early night once in a while. Tiredness, lack of sleep can be very detrimental to your health both physically and mentally, you NEED rest. It's not a negotiable thing. You can't function properly without it and it can lead to a spirallling of events that is detrimental to everyone in your household. I know it sounds easy for me to say it, but can you put the kids in a stroller and walk even for 15 or 20 minutes a day? Forget the washing up, leave it where it is and leave the house. Just walk in the fresh air. The dishes (or whatever) will be there when you get back and so long as there isnt anything actively medically wrong with your health, you'll be energised on your return and ready to tackle the day.

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Latest post on 24 March 2011 - 16:05

Dubai is devoid of intellectualism ! It's raison d'etre is to be an ego-massaging bourgeois paradise full of shopping and luxury. It's a machine designed almost exclusively for that single purpose by the state. It's a simulacra - an idealized, manufactured copy of something that never really existed - very Disneyesque. And workers don't even come into it really...they're considered capital and not human by the system, to be used and discarded as necessary. The only difference in how workers are treated is the level of transparency and care taken vis a vis the lifecycle of exploitability and expendability, which is of course dependent on class and race. IMO it's partially a product of the Conservative desire to maintain a stable, predictable, simplistic, patriarchial culture (the benign/benevolent monarchy in this case) as much as a total focus on economic interests...the desire for everything to run as smoothly as possible in much a way as to maximize profit without offending anyone. I'm always for dissection but you've got to know what you're dealing with and what you're getting into. For one the vast majority of people don't posess the intellectual skills to engage in high level sociopolitical/philosophical/political discourse - at best it would most likely be seen as threatening to the fragile bourgeois ego, which is intellectually unchallenged here. Pressed further, truly open intellectual discourse and self expression could well be seen as threatening to the dominant power structure here (government/culture) which is extremely sensitive to criticism. And in that case, action would likely be taken....if not by the authorities themselves then by the self censoring actors who depend on the system for survival. But anyone with intellectual portent coming here would most likely know all that up front. It's an interesting place to see interesting examples of various memes being played out in front of you however beyond that I wouldn't expect much in terms of actual culture, self expression, freedom of ideas, political discourse etc. This can be absolute purgatory for an educated individual, edited by our souls on 24/03/2011 This is to the last sentence my exact opinion of Dubai. I am also bored silly, it is a mental boredom which the bourgeousie don't understand ;) and last i heard, boredom was a disease in the mind and soul of the sufferer....

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Latest post on 24 March 2011 - 16:03

I will be busy moving to Paris:-))) lucky thing!

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Latest post on 24 March 2011 - 13:53

The weird bit about todays article is the giant leap the school/lawyers have made to make this sound like an attempt at blackmail. I mean, what the???

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Latest post on 24 March 2011 - 13:34

Dubai is devoid of intellectualism ! It's raison d'etre is to be an ego-massaging bourgeois paradise full of shopping and luxury. It's a machine designed almost exclusively for that single purpose by the state. It's a simulacra - an idealized, manufactured copy of something that never really existed - very Disneyesque. And workers don't even come into it really...they're considered capital and not human by the system, to be used and discarded as necessary. The only difference in how workers are treated is the level of transparency and care taken vis a vis the lifecycle of exploitability and expendability, which is of course dependent on class and race. IMO it's partially a product of the Conservative desire to maintain a stable, predictable, simplistic, patriarchial culture (the benign/benevolent monarchy in this case) as much as a total focus on economic interests...the desire for everything to run as smoothly as possible in much a way as to maximize profit without offending anyone. I'm always for dissection but you've got to know what you're dealing with and what you're getting into. For one the vast majority of people don't posess the intellectual skills to engage in high level sociopolitical/philosophical/political discourse - at best it would most likely be seen as threatening to the fragile bourgeois ego, which is intellectually unchallenged here. Pressed further, truly open intellectual discourse and self expression could well be seen as threatening to the dominant power structure here (government/culture) which is extremely sensitive to criticism. And in that case, action would likely be taken....if not by the authorities themselves then by the self censoring actors who depend on the system for survival. But anyone with intellectual portent coming here would most likely know all that up front. It's an interesting place to see interesting examples of various memes being played out in front of you however beyond that I wouldn't expect much in terms of actual culture, self expression, freedom of ideas, political discourse etc. This can be absolute purgatory for an educated individual, edited by our souls on 24/03/2011 here we go...my vote for quote of the year :D

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Latest post on 24 March 2011 - 12:47

I reckon it'll become somewhat of a tradition [well, it already is, isn't it?'> and the bratlings will graduate to something more ... adult. They'll still enjoy bashing things, but the treats may be less about sweets and more about ... hmm ... lippy? travel make-up? nail polish? baby bottles of booze? condoms?! LOL! :D perish the thought. lol! though, could you imagine himselfs face if we suggested condoms etc?!!! Just being practical, Arohadxb ;) I'm with you simple, but hubby? he'd have somekind of conniption at the mere thought of his baby girl going anywhere NEAR a condom. the devil in me is going to suggest it though, as WM has said, the look on his face will be worth good money! :D

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Latest post on 24 March 2011 - 11:45

LOL!! Just wait till the theme's 'Gossip Girl' or 'Twilight' or somesuch. :D gah! Surely the wee bratlings would have grown out of pinatas by the time they get old enough for that sort of malarky! Doubt it. ;) I reckon it'll become somewhat of a tradition [well, it already is, isn't it?'> and the bratlings will graduate to something more ... adult. They'll still enjoy bashing things, but the treats may be less about sweets and more about ... hmm ... lippy? travel make-up? nail polish? baby bottles of booze? condoms?! LOL! :D perish the thought. lol! though, could you imagine himselfs face if we suggested condoms etc?!!!

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Latest post on 24 March 2011 - 11:30

LOL!! Just wait till the theme's 'Gossip Girl' or 'Twilight' or somesuch. :D gah! Surely the wee bratlings would have grown out of pinatas by the time they get old enough for that sort of malarky!

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Latest post on 24 March 2011 - 11:12

Thanks for the info, sweetie. I didn't see the post this AM [must've been ... erm ... walking dogs or something!'> but good to know she's getting the right care. Me? Day out and then piping flowers tonight. :D noice :) I've got a flower pinata to finish.... edited by arohadxb on 24/03/2011 I wonder what 'item' will be the star for the next b'day extravaganza. First butterflies, then flowers, then ... ;) don't even want to think about it...i thought i had peaked with angelina ballerina!

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Latest post on 24 March 2011 - 11:08

Thanks for the info, sweetie. I didn't see the post this AM [must've been ... erm ... walking dogs or something!'> but good to know she's getting the right care. Me? Day out and then piping flowers tonight. :D noice :) I've got a flower pinata to finish.... <em>edited by arohadxb on 24/03/2011</em>

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Latest post on 24 March 2011 - 11:06

Is freckles unwell now??? Is freckles jnr on the ment???? big hugs xxxx he is, poor poppet. At least he's sort of eating now and is back to his usual self.

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Latest post on 24 March 2011 - 11:05

is alright WM, she posted on here this morning very early. Back spasm sciatica problem. Couldnt get her into chiro or Dr so she's headed to hospital. She needs to be mobile for the extravagana tomorrow.

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Latest post on 24 March 2011 - 11:03

she's at hospital, hopefully all sorted soon.

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Latest post on 24 March 2011 - 10:57

Sorry but the porblem is your husband, you can't ask a maid to look after your kids and raise them for you just because your DH doesn't appreciate the work and the effort you put in. At the end of the day, you are the mother of the children and you have the right to raise them no matter what he thinks... Kids need their mother and not a foreign maid even more if you do not need the money of a job. Live your dream. god burnsie, what ever you do don't listen to the above advice...no mum needs extra added guilt with sprinkles on top. Giving up work (way back when) was one of the most difficult things I did. So hard to get used to. We see our value through our work so often and when all of a sudden we're not in it, we fail to see the value ourselves of what we do and who we are. Add in the sudden one income, I havent earned it palaver, and the husband reverting to caveman mentality and you have a struggle on your hands. My husband still, 6 years on has to be pulled up short....this thankless (and it is thankless...our reward is sensible grown up children at some point apparently) job of ours is not a walk in the park...it is hard yakka and never finished. If you really feel that you would be a better mum if you worked outside of the home then you need to give yourself permission to so. Not all mums are cut out to be mumsy at home, I'm not and I know it. If something gives you fulfillment outside of the home of course it is going to enrich your life and add value to your childrens purely because they will have a fulfilled and happy mum. Good luck and best wishes for whatever you decide to do.

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Latest post on 24 March 2011 - 10:42

Well said, LT. PS. arohadxb, I think your point was missed [I could see the irony even though several posters 'ran with the' statement and made something out of it'>. :) It was an offense "example". to prove a point about gross generalizations? and I'm assuming you mean offensive. Which is kind of the point

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Latest post on 24 March 2011 - 10:36

But Americans are loud, no? If course it's a generalization but there's a hard core truth to it. Americans as a whole are a loud and gregarious group of people. Just like how most Americans seem to wear blindingly white sneakers whenever they travel. I'm fully aware that Americans are deserving of their reputation for being overweight even though I'm not nor are most of my friends. Generalizations aren't entirely unfair to make as long as you recognize that there are always exceptions. What? Me? Being judgemental? thats a laugh given some of the opinions being stated on this thread. It's not a judgement I am making, I just catorgorically state that the above generalization is just that: a gross generalization. Its like saying all americans are loud. [color=#000000'>Wow what a statement to make. Yet another person who feels the need to bash Americans.[/color'> edited by bornconfused on 24/03/2011 who?

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Latest post on 24 March 2011 - 10:35

Crystal- I was thinking the same thing. The well-wishers were such a minority in a thread that took a turn. Many posters just did not want to hear an opinion other than theirs hence the ones who claim to be the most happy had a sense of bitterness-ironic. Everyone has the right to an opinion. Differences of opinion can be discussed, but it's hard to do on a forum where some people think that there are only two opinions that count - their's and those who agree with them. I don't like milk chocolate, but love dark chocolate, [b'>I can't stand Galaxy chocolate[/b'>, some love it. It's a matter of taste. I wonder if those who disagree with the OP so passionately would be so "in the face" if it was a face-to-face discussion. I wish the OP all the best - and respect her opinion - whether I agree with it or not, in whole or in part. I was yours until that bit :( I wish I had never bought property here because it's the one thing keeping me here; I want to leave. There are things we want to do as a family that we just can't do here so we want to move to a place that fits us better. If I could sell my house I'd leave the region the following day. I have friends who just love it here and want to stay as long as they can. I don't quite get why they feel that way but they can't understand why we [i'>don't[/i'> love it. All said though, we each respect each others different feelings and don't ever let it become an obstacle in our friendship. One of the reasons we never bought property again after our villa was sold was because we knew it would be quite difficult to offload when we wanted to leave. I have a friend that finally sold their house after 2 years of trying. They got their wish and left a month ago. And couldn't be happier about the new life they have embarked on. Dubai is not for everyone. It will never be for evryone. It was never for me, but until recently my dh was in love with this place. I find it sad that at times this is almost like a brainwashing on this site. Everyone trying to force those who don't like Dubai into a forced love. The relentless attack on those of us who don't like it is amazing. see it's comments like this bornconfused that i totally disagree with. There is no brainwashing, I can't see attacks, I see no one (there possibly is, but I can't be bothered looking to prove self wrong or right) FORCING people to accept only their point of veiw. As grown ups we're all entitled to our opinions, this site is just one medium for discussion, sharing of opinions, hopefully leaning and accepting others points and life experience. We're all different, as has been proved over and over again. No ones life experinece, knowledge or veiwpoint came out of the same cookie cutter express machine. We all know people who (in this case in point) hate dxb, love it, are indifferent, are happy where ever they are or equally miserable. Personally I havent not been friends with someone because they hate the place or love to shop. Now for all the dubai lovers, why should they feel they have to shut up when it comes to talking about the dubai they know and love? Just as no one says that all the anti dubai people or the indifferent dubai people should just suck it up and be quiet about it? If we can't discuss or share veiwpoints about soemthing as simple (or as complicated!) as this city we live in, what kind of society would we have then?

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Latest post on 24 March 2011 - 10:25

But Americans are loud, no? If course it's a generalization but there's a hard core truth to it. Americans as a whole are a loud and gregarious group of people. Just like how most Americans seem to wear blindingly white sneakers whenever they travel. I'm fully aware that Americans are deserving of their reputation for being overweight even though I'm not nor are most of my friends. Generalizations aren't entirely unfair to make as long as you recognize that there are always exceptions. What? Me? Being judgemental? thats a laugh given some of the opinions being stated on this thread. It's not a judgement I am making, I just catorgorically state that the above generalization is just that: a gross generalization. Its like saying all americans are loud. but i still don't get how I was being judgemental?

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Latest post on 24 March 2011 - 10:05

Don't be so judgmental. Of course there's always going to be the outlier, the one exception to the rule. I have one American friend who "loves" Dubai, but that doesn't mean it's not fair for me to say that most Americans don't love Dubai. With this one exception my American friends are lukewarm about this place. They like their life but they don't love Dubai and will be quite happy to move on when the time comes. I think the reality is, that it depends upon where you come from, where you have possibly lived/worked abroad in the past and what matters to you in life. Depending upon how one answers those questions, Dubai could seem like a paradise...or it could seem like a nightmare....or somewhere in between. If you were born and raised in Kabul...worked previously as an expat in Harare, got posted to Dubai and love cars and cheap gas, then you likely LOVE Dubai. If you were born and raised in Canada...worked previously as an expat abroad in Tokyo/Singapore/Sydney and don't really subscribe to having brand names and doing a lot of shopping...I suspect you loathe Dubai. what a bl00dy ridiclous generalization! I come from NZ (you know, pure green beautiful NZ) worked Sydney, Dublin etc, wouldnt know a brand if it uped and hit me in the face, loath shopping, and have a true hate affair with malls, and funnily enough, despite all that, and some very real problems i have with certain things here, I LOVE living here. Hows that work in with your theory then? What? Me? Being judgemental? thats a laugh given some of the opinions being stated on this thread. It's not a judgement I am making, I just catorgorically state that the above generalization is just that: a gross generalization. Its like saying all americans are loud.

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Latest post on 24 March 2011 - 07:52

I find the story dodgey, thats for sure. I certainly wouldnt be sending my child back to a school where she had been abused, more so if the school was defending them. The whole thing is just wrong on alot of levels. Why did they wait so long to report it? (and that has been discussed on here to absolute death) and then the allegations that the alleged offenders had drugged the child... I just hope the wee kiddie is ok, her mum and dad don't exactly fill me with confidence

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Latest post on 24 March 2011 - 07:45

thats a bit of a reach isnt it? blackmail?

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Latest post on 24 March 2011 - 07:41

We will be staying for most of it....our first Dubai summer although we will be escaping for our first summer ramadan. I have 4 DD's and when we arrived last year I told them that we weren't going to be visiting Ski Dubai, Aquarium, Kidzania etc etc because I wanted to save them for the summer so we'd have things to do...........I think I am up for an expensive summer!! that made me laugh...it's my excuse for not going to those places too and saving it all up for summer treats :) Went away for the first time last summer for 6 weeks and HATED it, couldnt stand being away from himself, so we're back to the norm of hanging out here and then taking a 2 week break somewhere all together again.

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Latest post on 24 March 2011 - 07:34

I think the reality is, that it depends upon where you come from, where you have possibly lived/worked abroad in the past and what matters to you in life. Depending upon how one answers those questions, Dubai could seem like a paradise...or it could seem like a nightmare....or somewhere in between. If you were born and raised in Kabul...worked previously as an expat in Harare, got posted to Dubai and love cars and cheap gas, then you likely LOVE Dubai. If you were born and raised in Canada...worked previously as an expat abroad in Tokyo/Singapore/Sydney and don't really subscribe to having brand names and doing a lot of shopping...I suspect you loathe Dubai. what a bl00dy ridiclous generalization! I come from NZ (you know, pure green beautiful NZ) worked Sydney, Dublin etc, wouldnt know a brand if it uped and hit me in the face, loath shopping, and have a true hate affair with malls, and funnily enough, despite all that, and some very real problems i have with certain things here, I LOVE living here. Hows that work in with your theory then?

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Latest post on 24 March 2011 - 07:04

yup, did wonders for sciatica during pregnancy etc

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