Bird | ExpatWoman.com
 

Bird

Bird
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Latest post on 21 July 2012 - 13:21
Slightly off topic but if you use the 2 4 1 vouchers is it on the basic bear or the completed bear? What's the price of the basic bear before add ons? Thanks.
Bird
437
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 14 July 2012 - 09:55
It seems that many of my daughter's friends are getting them. Do any of you ladies have children with them? Are you pleased with your decision to allow it or do you regret it? And advice welcome.
Bird
437
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Latest post on 07 July 2012 - 11:43
For all the reasons mentioned by other posters Pamya. I don't like the concept either. The biggest let down though was the service which started with the surly women at the door. We waited ages for the menus althought they gave us the wine list straight away. Waited ages for bread. We had saved ourselves and were really hungry. My food was good but not fantastic. They recommend that you order 2 starters? The portions are tiny, both starter and 'main'. Long wait between courses. We were never asked if everything was ok, not once. Even the bill that usually comes fast took forever. We won't be going back.
Bird
437
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 07 July 2012 - 10:35
School shoes are not in the sale in clarks. I know but as mentioned below,they wear shoes for many hours per day so its better to buy a good brand even if its more expensive. Dont know if they will have a sale anyways. Asti, was just posting to let people know in case they expected them to be in the sale :-)
Bird
437
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 07 July 2012 - 10:32
Love the Maldives for luxury but boring after a week. Australia has the best beaches, stunning! Also Indonesia for beaches and culture and just so scenic. Loved our South Africa holiday. Also love Tuscany! <em>edited by Bird on 07/07/2012</em>
Bird
437
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 07 July 2012 - 10:21
School shoes are not in the sale in clarks.
Bird
437
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 26 June 2012 - 19:55
Yes of course it's cheating. It sounds as though you have problems which lead you to do this. Happily married people don't behave like this. I'm shocked that so many think it's okay to carry on and be dishonest. What is the point in being married?
Bird
437
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 25 June 2012 - 21:02
Thanks ladies. We used them and they were great.
Bird
437
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 20 June 2012 - 13:33
Does anyone know of any coming up very soon? Ready to move in now! Thanks.
Bird
437
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Latest post on 13 June 2012 - 11:04
Any more news on this?
Bird
437
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 07 June 2012 - 14:16
Hi DB, Did you try it?
Bird
437
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 30 May 2012 - 16:24
Another vote for Eton mess. Very easy and you can buy all the ingredients and just assemble. Don't do it too early though. Have all the components ready and then assemble just before. Tiramisu is another one that looks great but takes some preparation. Also trifle.
Bird
437
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 30 May 2012 - 16:19
I've resorted to voltaren, it really floors me. Any other tips?
Bird
437
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 30 May 2012 - 16:14
We had the same issue 7 years ago. Not as much money but we never got it back. They easily got someone else for the place. It's just daylight robbery. There's no justification for keeping your money. Compounded my school choice!
Bird
437
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 30 May 2012 - 12:09
I have lived in dubai for 7 years, apart from a few nutters on the road, I don't have a problem with driving here, have only seen minor accidents, usually on al wasl, or beach road. Yes there are the occasional big accidents, but that happens in every country. It does have one of the highest numbers of accidents and fatalities in the world though. Chocs, where does your husband cycle? Speed might not cause an accident but will make the outcome worse.
Bird
437
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 30 May 2012 - 11:55
Yes! All the time. He does a lot of driving and long drives to other emirates. My biggest worry here.
Bird
437
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 30 May 2012 - 11:49
I use Activia which is also Laban I think. Makes the best and lightest scones!
Bird
437
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 28 May 2012 - 13:43
That's one of two things that's always in my suitcase when I come back - Kallo Organic chicken stock cubes and Taylors of Harrogate Hot Lava Java coffee - can't live without either! Pinks my Mum brings me both of those!
Bird
437
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 28 May 2012 - 13:28
Summer in Dubai=Chronic Headache season. I wake up with them and go to sleep with them. Even worse now that there is no stock of excedrin headache tablets in Dubai :( Ditto! Had my last two excedrin yesterday :-(
Bird
437
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 28 May 2012 - 13:17
Great!
Bird
437
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Latest post on 28 May 2012 - 13:15
Beautiful setting. Service slow. Food good, sides on top makes it pricey as we're the coffees at 22, one was 26.
Bird
437
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 28 May 2012 - 13:12
I have a friend who is a naturopath / nutritionist and easy SO healthy and she adds salt to each of her and her childrens meals, but is VERY strict about the quality of salt. She doesnt eat the hidden salts like that found in crackers but rather has a tub of organic sea salt on the table and sprinkles it onto things and into salads. Salt seems good but not that highly processed chemical salt. I also season with sea salt and avoid salty foods although the occasional bag of crisps or Vegemite sandwich doesn't harm! I can't stand table salt.
Bird
437
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 28 May 2012 - 13:02
sparkling water is also good as it has a higher sodium content and its lovely mixed with cordial or even use it with the Isostar powder Any particular brand? I find that sparkling water sometimes helps but didn't know why. Sometimes a good coffee can lift it for me too but if it's really bad nothing helps. Caffeine is supposed to help.
Bird
437
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 28 May 2012 - 12:50
She does but sometimes runs out.
Bird
437
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 28 May 2012 - 12:49
Thanks Frazzle.
Bird
437
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 27 May 2012 - 14:04
My Grandma made the biggest and best puddings, no recipe. Her kids fought over the tins when she died!
Bird
437
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 26 May 2012 - 19:19
Where can I get racing cars or checkered flags for birthday cakes. Thanks.
Bird
437
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 23 May 2012 - 12:42
Hi fb, We had a wall put in a 1E. You have to submit the plans. If they approve it they will take a 5k deposit. They will inspect on completion and you get your 5k back in up to 3 weeks! I don't know specifically about the changes you want to make. There are rules about distances from dividing walls. You could go in to Emaar and ask as that is where you have to submit the plans. I think they've moved to Downtown from the Greens.
Bird
437
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 17 May 2012 - 09:14
Green and Blacks cocoa powder, plain/milk chocolate and ice cream Method cleaning and laundry stuff, she whole range (they used to do it here a few years ago but then it disappeared). Better dog food brands such as Orijen, Acana etc. Fresh ready to cook meals (like Waitrose/Marks and Spencer etc.), the meals with raw meat/fish/veg but it is prepared to just cook in oven (not pre cooked stuff you heat up), so my DH doesn't live off takeaways when I'm away. Fresh cream, Spinney's have started doing this now, but it is imported from Waitrose, surely the dairies can make cream locally? Decent bagels, decent smoked salmon (you can see where this is heading). And salt beef (Brass Rail, Selfridges style) I think of this every day and wish I could just pop out and get a good salt beef sandwich. Umm salt beef... You can get G and B cocoa powder in Le Marche Arabian Ranches. They're part of Geant so maybe there too. It's so good! Spinney's sell beautiful smoked salmon.
Bird
437
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 16 May 2012 - 15:16
I use Activia Laban, perfect
Bird
437
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 16 May 2012 - 09:04
Many people use fondant because it is easier and less time consuming than to cover the cake with a beautiful smooth coat of buttercream icing. Getting that buttercream perfectly smooth and divot free takes a lot of time and is a real skill. You can make your own fondant but many stores and companies buy fondant which are cheap and taste bad. I have a catering business here in Paris (I am moving to Dubai in August) and import fondant because I want to make a quality product but I use it mostly for decorations, not to cover the cake. I make more fondant covered cakes for adult parties since they are more adept at removing the layer of fondant if they don't like it. If you are ever buying a cake it is important to ask where the fondant comes from. Wilton fondant is terrible but there are brands like Satin Ice which are delicious. Cakes with higher quality fondant or that use good quality fondant in their decorations will be priced accordingly. Many children do not like fondant as it can be chewy so it is better to make sure your cake, if you order one, is just covered with buttercream. Let's hear it for delicious cake!! Boy are you going to luuuuurve Dubai.... Paris: "Hmmm, should I buy the A Brand, B brand, C Brand, D Brand or maybe I should try one of these four new ones they have here that I havent used before...Hmmm..." Dubai: "Feck! Thats Lulu, Carrefour, Geant and Spinneys Ive tried and none of them have fondant. Not rolled, not packet, nada.And that stuff Tavola sells that is so sticky you can put pictures up with it, I wonder if they have any left... Maybe nobody would mind if I used marzipan... Hmmm... Oh no, wait, cant do that either cause they only have yellow marzipan.... I guess it will have to be buttercream. No wait, there is only the imported [3 times the price of the SIS one'> icing sugar available. And what would you know, theyve only got 4 boxes left. Best I get them all whilst theyre here!" I think youre also going to have a fun time getting used to working with fondant etc in 100% humidity etc. Take cake from house to car in mid summer - approximately 20 steps... "So you see this here red puddle? Well, it used to be a rose." :D I make cakes with both buttercream and fondant, and just wanted to say that whilst covering cakes is one thing, for those of us that work on 3D cakes, it isnt an option. So, if youre looking for 2D or "decorated cakes", buttercream is fine, but the sculpted cakes is pretty much fondant... Having said that, I always use a layer of buttercream between the fondant and the cake, so you really can have your cake and eat it!!! Dont want fondant? Pull it off and only eat the buttercream then! PS for the record, Im one of the non-fondant-eaters! But I do also recognise that each to their own and when I get a request for a fondant cake, I dont try to change peoples minds... :) Lol! Enjoyed your post.
Bird
437
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 16 May 2012 - 08:59
Thanks ladies. Was in Aswaaq yesterday and they had some from holland for 13 I think but not the USA ones which are twice the price but they are also twice the weight.
Bird
437
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 16 May 2012 - 08:54
Uaerocks, what do you think you got out of the assessment? We've had an OT for our son in the past mostly to help with his writing (he's left handed) and various suggestions that he has mild dyspraxia to being on the ADHD spectrum. We've been told he's very bright but finds it difficult to focus at times and getting a full diagnosis has been put out there. I think we manage him well he has a great diet and he also self manages now. I'm concerned that he might not reach his full potential but other than gaining extra time for exams I don't know what 5k on an assessment is going to give him other than a label. Confused! Thanks for any advice!
Bird
437
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 16 May 2012 - 08:41
Does anyone have any experience of this dentist? I'm looking for a good dentist for my kids that doesn't charge dhs300 for a check up. Where I used to take them has increased to this. Thanks
Bird
437
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 05 May 2012 - 11:18
why is it "unbelievable" that American's don't know the English words for things - why should they ? we only know American words from watching TV - not school, although since we've been here we've picked up more obviously.... That's why I said initially. When we thought about it, we grew up with American television which isnt dubbed over with English voices whereas American TV take Bob the Builder for example and voice over it. Everything is kept 'American' so it's quite closed off in that respect. They have particular phrases such as 'to go' and if you said 'take away' which is self explanatory they drew a blank and that's what I found unbelievable.
Bird
437
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 05 May 2012 - 10:38
Our American children are in UK curriculum. Here is the most recent example of difference, 6 year old DD is reading a book from the Oxford learning Series: ***Disclaimer for those who might need one: I don't have the book in front of me for reference Chip and Kipper are riding in a dinghy headed towards the weir. Kipper has a torch. Some of DD's questions: What is a Dinghy? What is a Weir? Is a torch a flashlight? "Chip and Kipper", huh... are those their REAL names? We are new to this UK curriculum and although I don't mind the introduction to a multitude of new vocabulary lessons, it does add a great deal of time to our reading homework regime. The challenge can be frustrating for her at times (and me too... ack, just hurry up already). But my 6 year old daughter would ak the same questions with the exception of the torch. This is te point of the books it gets your child to ask questions and you explain to them I'm not sure many 6 year olds would know hat a weir is. My little boy also asked if chip and kipper were real names and I got to then have a long chat w ith him about my cat that I had as a little girl because I called him kipper. This is what they want from these reading books. Out of interest because of this thread what made you choose the uk curriculum over the US? I agree with Claire. This can only be a good thing surely because after having lived in the US we found it very frustrating and unbelievable initially that most Americans didn't know English words for things and if you asked for a coffee to take away for example we would constantly be asked huh? To go? So your daughter will benefit as she will have both. As a tefal English teacher I would always give the English and American words for things like wrench and spanner. Btw nobody at Home Depot knows what a spanner is! Not their fault but it is a different language and most Americans don't travel out of the US. As for Chip and Kipper, probably picked as they are memorable? Chip is more of an American name isn't it?
Bird
437
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 03 May 2012 - 19:00
Crowded, smoky and claustrophobic. Wine ropy, cocktails ok. Platters of complimentary nibbles delicious!
Bird
437
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 03 May 2012 - 19:00
Rivington Grill.
Bird
437
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 03 May 2012 - 17:16
I'm very happy with the school my kids are in but I would prefer it if they did less Arabic and if they could drop it altogether in secondary by choice but it's compulsory in all schools.
Bird
437
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 27 April 2012 - 14:36
Dudette are you 100% taking the puppy? Luddite how old is he?
Bird
437
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 23 April 2012 - 16:48
I love Noosa!
Bird
437
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 13 April 2012 - 11:48
They were fantastic, so talented. Nightmare getting there and no traffic control for parking, dangerous. It really drove me mad the constant stream of people going back and forth throughout the concert with food and drinks. It's only two hours! I don't get it. I wonder why they go.
Bird
437
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 09 April 2012 - 17:25
Has anyone stayed? What did you think? Is it close to Rub al Khalil? Thanks.
Bird
437
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 08 April 2012 - 18:49
That's great ladies thanks. Fancied the Conrad but want to be close to the souvenir shopping and cheap food court eats!
Bird
437
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 23 March 2012 - 10:15
I usually buy a lovely one from the organic shop and it's reasonably priced but they haven't had it lately, Greek I think! I bought another one from there and it's quite bitter. Just looking at the different varieties it got me wondering if the price does always reflect the quality generally. It's true that you shouldn't use EVO for frying, you should use a light live oil or different oil altogether as the smoke point is low. I do use it to make my tomato sauce but I fry the onions and garlic over a low heat to soften. If you over heat it it doesn't smell good. Thats not it's intended use.
Bird
437
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 07 March 2012 - 14:19
Golf villas. Check out the emaar website. 8000sq ft. Bit OTT.
Bird
437
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 01 March 2012 - 11:41
Morning hours are hard to get, though, if you're only working part-time. They tend to give preference to full-timers and long-term teachers for morning hours. Most language schools will ask you to do the evening shift. It's worth a try, though. Nothing has changed there then. That's why I stopped. My kids finish school later now so I would really like to make use of that time.
Bird
437
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 26 February 2012 - 11:36
Lulus only had the fancy ones left for nearly 200dhs. Where is Meena bazaar? Union coop Safa park? Thanks ladies.
Bird
437
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 25 February 2012 - 15:54
Thinking of going tonight but heard its a nightmare to get in and out. Anyone have any experience of it? Thanks
Bird
437
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 16 January 2012 - 15:11
Thanks. So if we renew it before they won't start until the expiry date of the previous one. That's good. I have talked to her and she says she wants to come back to us.
 
 
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