callam | ExpatWoman.com
 

callam

callam
32
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 19 June 2013 - 09:43
We were supposed to be flying to MLE second week in July and only got the below email last night. Now both our dates are not available....how is that!? I'm so furious....
callam
32
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 19 June 2013 - 09:41
What happened exactly? You booked and paid for flights 3 months ago, now the flight has been cancelled? How soon is your trip? Which route? Please give more details. Because of changes to the flydubai schedule, some flights have been cancelled. Our records show that your booking is affected by these cancellations. PLEASE CONTACT OUR CALL CENTRE ON +971 4 231 1000 TO DISCUSS THE OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO YOU. These are outlined below. DON'T FORGET: If you have booked to connect to or from a cancelled flight to or from another flydubai flight, the call centre may need to re-book or cancel this booking for you. Option 1: You can re-book on another flydubai flight (subject to availability) to the same destination without penalty and transfer any optional extras you pre-purchased with the original booking to the new booking. Option 2: You can cancel your booking and flydubai will issue a voucher (by e-mail) for its full value. This voucher (valid for 12 months) can be used for future travel with flydubai and can be redeemed online at flydubai.com, through the call centre or via one of flydubai's travel partners. Please note that you may also receive an SMS and/or a phone call from us about these flight cancellations if you gave us a telephone number when you booked. Please ignore this email if you have already contacted us to change your booking.
callam
32
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 19 June 2013 - 09:26
I'm so upset they cancelled out tickets that were booked & paid for 3 months ago! Now we gonna end up loosing or paying more money for our holiday ;( I'm going to send my complaint to them in writing, if that's gonna help....so so upset!! Should've just booked with Emirates even thou it was expensive at the time! Anybody here that experienced this before?
callam
32
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 06 June 2013 - 13:30
Need to find one in Mirdif? Anybody?
callam
32
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 23 April 2013 - 17:06
We stayed @ the suites for a month, it was great! They have a lovely park where all the kids & maids meet afterschool :) and u got Almaya supermarket in the complex plus a walking distance to Dubai mall. I must mention that it noisy on Friday morning they always have a live band or dj playing @doubledecker.
callam
32
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 21 April 2013 - 15:57
I applied for my son last month. The wait is 4 months for a new one. If you want to go on holiday this July then I suggest you apply for a temporary passport in addition to renewing the passport for your child. A temporary passport is valid for one year. That is what I did as we needed a passport for our easter holidays. It only takes one week to process. Thanks, I will do that :)
callam
32
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 21 April 2013 - 15:48
Lol hamar you're as bad as me! Government Officials will not come to your home. This was stated last year following a sotuation where there were "officials" collecting charity money. The government knows how many people live in your house, their nationality, their job, their ages - EmiratesID. Never tell someone your husband is out or that you are alone - even if you are single (especially if you are single!) and are alone. If they want to bust you for housing too many role you will have a police officer at your door with permission to enter in writing. DO NOT answer the door for anyone after Mahgrib. If you have ordered, get them to missed call on arrival, call the number that's missed called you, DO NOT say 'pizza hut?' (Eg lol) say 'yes?' And let them introduce themself. If you are alone, put the money out for them in an envelope and tell them to put the delivery down and get it when they leave if you have a bad feeling. Call Al Ameen about this as if it is a scam someone needs to be aware to stop it. LOL, at some of the replies :) Thanks, Amy I will remember this in future! Yes I lied about my dh not being there, coz I didn't know whatelse to say and coming from SA I'm very suspicious a lot of people were robbed during the last census!
callam
32
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 21 April 2013 - 14:03
You can renew it at the SA Consulate. It takes about 3-4 months to get it. At least, that was what they told me in 2011. I went home and applied there and had it sent to Dubai. The turn-around for passports in SA is quite fast if you do it there. We have a problem then, coz we are not going home for the summer holidays and we planned a vacation in July. Her passport is expiring in Jun! I will give them a call..
callam
32
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 21 April 2013 - 13:46
What was it regarding? My BIL owns 3 villas there and all of them were broken into and robbed over the weekend. OMW! That is so scary! He said its for Stats purposes. I refused to open, I told him my dh wasn't there and he still said its ok co's I have my ID. I was like nope; u can ask whatever questions or come during the day. He only asked dh's name, nationality, how many people living there & phone number. Come to think of it, I gave him my cell number...now I'm worried!
callam
32
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 21 April 2013 - 12:14
DiamondLease
callam
32
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 21 April 2013 - 12:13
Did anyone also get a visit from a government official last night?
callam
32
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 21 April 2013 - 12:05
My dd's passport is expiring soon, how do I go about renewing it?
callam
32
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 06 April 2013 - 09:45
I would also love to bring one from home. Let me know if you come right.
callam
32
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 30 March 2013 - 14:14
So what do parents do if all the school are full? My daughter is already 3. She turns 4 in September- since everywhere is full what are my options? We are due to move in the next 3months. Starting to get worried about the school situation...! What you need to do is start with online applications at different schools, that's what we did and when we arrived in Dubai she went for assessment and got in at Gems RDS no hassles. We were also lucky that we found a lovely villa in a small compound in Mirdif for 110K. Good luck..!
callam
32
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 21 March 2013 - 18:29
I did a programme last year and lost 10 kg. Really liked it and a few weeks ago, I had the new treatment for fat loss around the tummy and it was amazing. I definitely recommend them! I had a fantastic nutricionist(unfortunately she left) and the therapists were great. how are u doing now? did u gain the lost weight back? or is it for ever gone weight? I would also like to know! I'm really tempted to try them, but it would be interesting to hear from someone who did the programme before I throw money down the drain lol
callam
32
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 11 March 2013 - 12:56
Which school is your little one going to?
callam
32
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 11 March 2013 - 12:00
Hi, my DH works in DIFC and we live in Mirdif. Really love it here, been here 6 months. He gets dropped be me at Rashidya in the morning and takes the metro to Emirates tower in the mornings. Takes me 7 mins from house to station! Planes not a problem Emirates British Nursery/ small Spinneys side of Mirdif ie streets off 71 street. We live in a large compound that has 84 villas and our kids just love life here. Really pleased we chose Mirdif. Hi Elmpark, sounds like you stay in a really nice compound that's got a park & gym? I wish I had looked into something like that. Although our villa is lovely, my kids are bored ;(
callam
32
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 10 March 2013 - 16:03
Thanks louisedvs! Are there any specific areas in Mirdiff that are not on the flight path? Also are there any department stores for groceries within Mirdiff? Are there community swimming pools & play areas? And if you dont mind me asking - why did you move? We live in Mirdif, not exactly on the flight path but every now and then you hear them..in the beginning it used to be a problem especially when all the windows are opened and my little one is taking a nap But now we are so used them that we go for days without the noise. We are also closer the Uptown, there is Spinneys there and couple of other shops. You can also go to Mirdif city centre and Arabian centre there is Lulus for your groceries and things. We have a shared pool with other villas, I must say for me it can be very lonely here. I haven't met any new people in the area or neighbours. So I just do my own things with my little one while my other child is at school. I'm not driving yet, and I'm very scared to drive in Dubai..it's totally different from where I come from. Good Luck!
callam
32
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 10 March 2013 - 15:41
Pardon me here but the Golden Rule of Roundabouts is NOT to switch lanes in a round about. According to the RTA that is. Same way I was taught in SA. Switching lanes is what causes the accidents. So Callam, you should have been in the correct lane before entering the circle (second from right) and then made sure you indicated left until before you intended to exit and then indicated right. That's what he did. Anyway, I guess some people are just RUDE! Even if it was his mistake, he didn't deserve to be insulted & threaten by a random woman. And that's not a good example to her son who was watching as ths woman was screaming at my husband.. I was almost tempted to get out & God knows what would've happened.. glad I didn't do that, because we still wana live here atleast for the next 2 yrs.
callam
32
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 10 March 2013 - 12:51
Yesterday my husband & I were at the roundabout in Mirdif, so he kept the right lane then this woman is in the left lane and wants to turn right just before the exit we were gona take. OMW she managed to brake and she was so arrogant, followed us so we stopped but remained in the car. She got out, started screaming and threatening to call the police etc..but nothing happened to both cars. My question is..were we in the wrong? Maybe we don't understand the rules here? And if it was an accident obviously we would've stopped right there! For the 1st time since we got here, I felt very sad and missed home ;( is this how some people here are going to treat us just because we don't look/dress like them? Do we even have rights? It was sad to watch my husband being disrespected by some random woman & he just remained calm the whole time!
callam
32
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 06 March 2013 - 14:31
Callum you will be fine. We lived in Northern Europe before here and I was worried that I wouldn't be able to stand the heat, but when we came I decided that I will have the following daily mantra and that is "this weather will not keep us in" and it never has. My LO was one when we came and I don't have a car, but we still get out and about in the summer months, in fact we go all over. We do the same things as we would in the Xmas hols but later in the day. The more I read comments here and think about this whole situation I'm like maybe we should stay! I didn't wana go home so soon, we've only been here for few months. I really need to make a decision....
callam
32
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 06 March 2013 - 11:53
It's going to be my first one and wondering what to do. I'll be going back to the UK so see my family and will stay some time with them but I think I'll need my own space at some point. With my house rented out and no car, what and where will I be?! It's really tricky and interested to know what you all do? I'm also new and to be honest I don't want to go back home because we don't have a house/car back in SA! I'm definetely going to miss my own space, but everyone is telling me that its no ideal to stay especially with small kids. So I'm not looking forward to summer!!!!
callam
32
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 22 February 2013 - 11:28
There is a company at the Uptown Mirdif centre, don't know the name but you can go and check it out.
callam
32
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 18 December 2012 - 13:22
I found DESS jaded and tired (physically) and didn't like the admin's "well IF you get in" approach. I personally believe that people rave about DESS because it's a self perpetuating " it's the oldest and the best" kind of urban myth. I agree with you and we also got that same attitude from the admin lady! That's why i'm going with RDS.
callam
32
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 13 December 2012 - 10:55
I have just ordered mine as well. You can call 800 2220. It will be delivered on Sunday. Yeah. Fab deal again. What is this Entertainer that everyone is talking about?
callam
32
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 13 December 2012 - 10:51
Our house is generally not under the flight path, but very occasionally like 3 or 4 nights max since September they have changed the runways/direction of flight making us under the runway, but we keep a fan on in our rooms at night so it never is an issue, and the mosque noise is not an issue either with fans on...and I am a very light sleeper so would not imagine it being an issue for anyone else. The villas are terraced, the only issue may be that there is no real garden only a small enclosed rear terrace only really big enough for a BBQ, table and chairs...and ours has no direct sunlight. The trade off is though a MASSIVE equipped gym, free communal party room, two reasonable sized pool and two VERY happy kids as there are so many friends to play with! The maids rooms are internal, but I don't have a maid so no issue. We have the 4 bed villa which is 120k, think the 3 beds which have no maids room are 105k. Hope that helps a bit....I love Mirdif it really has everything I want and I can still access all the rest easily by car, taxi or even metro by parking for free at Rashidya (literally an 8 min drive away!) Awesome. Thanks for info Emlpark. I'm busy checking the villas on Dubizzle and I think that's a way to go.
callam
32
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 12 December 2012 - 17:24
It really is a lovely school, that in my opinion retains the community feel of a smaller scale school. We were lucky enough to have a relocation agent paid for by the company, however although she arranged a number of viewings none were totally what I wanted so I went in Dibizzle myself (when panic had set in!) and arranged a couple of viewings myself over the phone with a few agents. Bought myself a sat nav and the kids and I went round them. We live in quite a big compound in Mirdif...apparently you can rent there without an agent by simply asking the security on the gate if there are any villas available which would avoid agents fees...but we did use a great agent Tasim Abraham from Sandcastle agency and he was fabulous and I felt that he actually earnt his commission! We also had a relocation agent, she took us to view some villas in the Arabian Ranches & most of them were out of our range. I will do my own search on the net. And when we visit the school again I will come past the village and enquire.
callam
32
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 12 December 2012 - 12:12
yes i do take off the battery at least once a day to try to solve the problem.....actually we will ALL in the family move soon to iphone, what a pain!! DH has always been such an apple fanatic and I've never really cared for it till he got me a macbook and iphone. Honestly my life has changed lol I'm considering getting an iphone here, but is it not expensive? Like in my country i had a Blackberry and only paid 59 monthly for BIS. So my queston is with the iphones do i have to buy data bundles? How much do they cost?
callam
32
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 12 December 2012 - 10:47
Hi to both of you! We moved from the Uk this summer, we managed to get both our kids into Gems Royal Dubai, maybe a bit far if you plan to stay in the greens or springs, but we have a villa in Mirdif and love it. In ten mins we are at the school. While it is a British curriculum I love the multinational feel to the school, my children have friends from so many different countries. I certainly would consider our school as an option, and as it is still slightly newer than some more established school you may have more chance of placing both kids there. That's one of the schools that were understanding & very helpful. She got an appointment to do the assessment there. We are busy trying to find a villa there, it would be awesome if we could find 1. How did you get yours? Did you have to use an agent? Doddsy & Bongo74, good luck to you too. Its good to know that I'm not the only newbie :) I will keep you posted -re schools. Doddsy- have you tried any of the GEMS schools? Have a look at their websites.
callam
32
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 11 December 2012 - 18:10
They put toys around the classroom and let the child play. They will ask the child 'what is your name' How old are you?' Basic questions like that to determine if the child can speak english. Mostly just two or three questions for the child. Some schools also ask the child to draw a straight line on a piece of paper. Thats about it. Nothing big about it. Sometimes the teacher will ask the parents a few questions too like 'did your child attend a nursery?''what is his/her favourite play activity?' My son refused to talk during his assessment for some reason however he got into a great school regardless. He did play with the toys and draw the line etc. Just refused to talk! Lol! LOL, sounds like something my child would do. Ok I'll try not to stress & see how it goes.
callam
32
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 11 December 2012 - 18:07
Thanks for the warm welcome :) I'm here with my husband & 2 kids. We are looking at the British schools, most of them are full & were told that it's too late to apply now. The staff at some of the GEMS schools were very understanding, so we will have to do an assessment and take it from there. Accomodation is also complicated, because I wanted it to be closer to schools. And which areas can we look at? Can 1 stay at the Greens with small kids? And how about Springs?
callam
32
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 11 December 2012 - 17:22
Can anyone shed any light on what these assessments entail exactly? What are they looking for. DS will be nearly 3 when assessed. I'm really curious, as one school told me they assess the first 300 applications they received.... But how does the 'process of elimination' work as they can only offer about 60 places excluding siblings. Am finding the whole process so stressful and it hasn't even started yet! Has anyone not been offered a place after being assessed, does the School ever explain why? I would also like to know, because my child needs to do 1 and I don't know how to prepare her for that.
 
 
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