clare1976 | ExpatWoman.com
 

clare1976

clare1976
339
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Latest post on 27 March 2011 - 13:11
Dr Bland is very good with small kids - he's seen my 4yr old a few times and he is very good (and a great box of stickers for rewards!)
clare1976
339
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 24 March 2011 - 14:30
I think Ramadan is 1st Aug, or very close - it's pretty much all of August this year, with Eid holidays on 31st for 3 days, or that's what I read somewhere...
clare1976
339
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 24 March 2011 - 11:55
thanks ladies, consensus seems to be that attestation of the marriage certificate is needed for obtaining the residence visa in Dubai, despite the DNRD not specifying that's the case... Can anyone recommend an agency for getting this done quickly (originals will come from UK, to be done in SA then returned to Dubai), and how long does it take if you do it yourself? Thanks again...
clare1976
339
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 24 March 2011 - 11:52
will be staying for the summer - my first desert summer - am I mad...? Have a 4 year old, will have to get creative... Just a question, but the people who do go home for the summer, or go elsewhere, where do they stay? Do they still have homes in their home country? We never owned ours in the UK so we have nowhere to stay, and friends and family are scattered all over the place and have no room to put up a family of 3 for any length of time. How do people manage to stay away for so long without going bankrupt? Or am I doing something wrong...?!
clare1976
339
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 23 March 2011 - 17:03
Hello there Can anyone offer me any current advice? My friends are South African, living in UK, who are shortly (like next week) moving over to Dubai. They are going to apply for residence visas via the husband's employer etc etc. However, can anyone advise whether their marriage certificate needs to be attested in SA? When we had ours done we had to get our UK mariage certificate attested by the British home office in Milton Keynes, and the UAE consulate in London, but we thought this might be because ours were for Sharjah visas. His company haven't mentioned the need for the attestation, but on the DNRD website it doesn't list this as a requirement, but advice is to have it done anyway. Any experiences, ladies? Thanks!
clare1976
339
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 22 March 2011 - 19:00
Hi there good luck with your move! My son started in January at Star Int, Mirdif, in FS1 and I have been generally impressed with the school and teachers, and my son is happy - which after such a big move I was not expecting, so it has all been very smooth. Also live in Festival City area, but spend so much time in and around Mirdif that I count it as being part of where I live. I think you get used to the planes (noise seems to depend on exactly where in mirdif you live, flight path and wind direction etc).
clare1976
339
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 22 March 2011 - 18:51
we are flying Emirates to London Heathrow and then switching to aer lingus to Cork (an hour and a half connection time at LHR). Booked with emirates, and they do these as connecting flights as they are linked partners.
clare1976
339
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 22 March 2011 - 18:48
Hi there, we just got all ours renewed, and there is a very helpful website which is www.ukinuae.fco.gov.uk and tells you everything you need to know about sending off your passports to Dusseldorf. If you use DHL (kiosks in several malls across Dubai) you get a special rate of 100 dhs, but everything is on the website about the procedure and costs, and time scale. We got ours back in 3 weeks, all very smooth.
clare1976
339
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 17 March 2011 - 18:51
Having recently left the UK where I was born and lived for the last 34 years, I can safely say the UK is in a dire state in terms of jobs, and everything is so hideously expensive. It doesn't end with rent (we had a small 3-bed ex council house in Surrey and it was almost £1000 a month) as there is council tax, gas and electric, phone, water rates, tv licence, and don't get me started on petrol... We struggled on a £43k household salary, so I started work again part time, which just about paid for my son's nursery while I was at work, so the maths just did not add up. We were not extravagant, ran one old banger of a car, bought second hand clothes, but we did have holidays and breaks as this was our weakness. To have a good standard of living in the UK you need two good salaries, savings, own your own home, and have kids who are not at nursery (which costs a fortune, £1000 a month for full time). Any questions, do ask!
clare1976
339
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 17 March 2011 - 18:45
Hiya! Spotted your message! Huge sympathy re hotmail - I'd go into shock if mine went on the blink... Hope all well with you? My mobile number is 0558936019 for texting etc - would be cool to meet up again soon, maye next week? Meanwhile, have a great weekend and hope hotmail behaves itself soon!
clare1976
339
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 13 March 2011 - 16:59
nothing like a good rant! I got fed up and DH phoned them back, only to find they had taken my phone number down incorrectly (grrrrrrrr) and then during the rest of the conversation, they hung up on him... As if I needed any further incentive to ring them back, I called again, got the same person, and through sheer force managed to get a confirmed technician coming tomrrow morning :-) well, we will see!
clare1976
339
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 13 March 2011 - 11:45
Thanks, I will call them anyway, can't hurt. I thought I was safe choosing a big brand name like Daewoo, and it certainly wasn't cheap. Just goes to show.
clare1976
339
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 14 February 2011 - 15:35
Much as I love my mum to bits, I suspect it's an age and generation thing, especially if - like my mum - she hasn't travelled much or lived abroad during her life, and new things come a bit harder to her as a result. She's visiting next week (booked her flights without checking dates, and was then sad to hear my son would be at school, as half term for him is this week!) and I am ITCHING to see her, and have planned lots of nice thing to do, but she's set in her ways and will want to do her own thing. Trouble with this is that she won't know how to go about it, and will get frustrated that the things I do with my borderline autistic four-year old are not what she'd like to do. She'd like to do fabulous cultural things (heritage village, souks, trekking in mountains etc) when I am mostly embroiled in the school run, shopping, going to the park, playing at home and making meals etc. The most annoying thing is when I am really stretched, running around like a mad person, getting meals done and tidying and organising her activities, she sits on the sofa and does Sudoku puzzles. She goes to bed late and wakes up late, half the day is gone and then she wants to be up and out of the house with 5 minutes notice. Four year olds still require a few minutes to gather a bag of essentials and explain where we are going! Having not seen her only grandson for ages, I suggest she reads him a bed time story but she says this is too much for her, and is not up to it :-( I could go on, but I won't - it'll sound too awful! How to keep calm and manage everything with your own routine, while keeping a free spirit visiting mother happy????! My DH loves her to bits as well, she is a sweetie and lots of fun, but she can be scatty and frequently gets lost, which irritates him!
clare1976
339
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 10 February 2011 - 13:04
my email if this is easier for contacting me is clare lawrence (all one word) AT live dot co dot uk
clare1976
339
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 10 February 2011 - 13:03
could well be interested - are the tickets for the general admission standing tickets?
clare1976
339
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 09 February 2011 - 10:26
we are successfully using Oasis, very pleased so far. call 600 522261
clare1976
339
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 09 February 2011 - 10:24
For a tailor made itinerary and accommodation bookings at prices well below major tour operators or travel agents, contact www.sasafari.com as my friend Yvette organises tours/transfers/hotels etc and can arrange everything to suit your needs and itinerary and knows most of the lodges an hotels personally. She's based in UK but you can email her on yvette AT sa safari dot com
clare1976
339
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 03 February 2011 - 19:38
Some favourites from my experience, my son is now 4 but these are stories he has reallyenjoyed and still loves them! 1. The Duck in The Truck (great rhymes and a very funny story about a duck drivng a truck that gets stuck in the muck) 2. Father Christmas Needs a Wee - fabulous rhyming story which helps with counting. Was given this at Christmas but he wants this read to him every night now 3. Any Paddington Bear story 4. The Mr Men and Little Miss series are brilliant for reading. They are quite 'wordy' but the charachters really capture little ones' imaginations, and very expressive vocabulary, adjectives, and learning about personality traits, colours, sizes, etc. 5. Russell the Sheep - lovely book comes with CD to accompany the story, with sound effects, makes it come alive 6. We're Going on a Bear Hunt - again you can get gift versions with accompanying CD which you can also use as a game in daytime 7. Owl Babies - lovely story about 3 baby owls missing their mum (who comes back with food) Hope that helps a bit!
clare1976
339
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 31 January 2011 - 17:00
also try rainbowplay dot uae dot com as they have a 20% sale on until Feb... they advertise on dubai kidz website.
clare1976
339
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 31 January 2011 - 14:36
Hi I happened to be in BuildMart today in Festival Centre (mezzanine level underneath Hyperpanda) and they had a notice up in their entrance which said they sell kids play and activity centres and had big pics of the kid of thing you're looking for. I didn't see prices I'm afraid, as I was looking for shower door sealant!!!
clare1976
339
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 18 January 2011 - 17:29
I think I read somewhere on their map/floor plan guide that there are feeder buses from Al Rashidiya metro, to the mall...
clare1976
339
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 18 January 2011 - 17:26
my son is 4 and goes to star international school in Mirdif, which he started in foundation stage this month. So far he is doing very well and I would recommend it for this age group, and I think they are a growing school so places are likely to be a bit easier to find there.
clare1976
339
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 18 January 2011 - 17:13
Hi there We're just looking for something similar and have settled on Sandy Beach which looks nice and we know someone who has been there and enjoyed it. It's not a high-end chain but there are some nice aspects to it that I liked the sound of, and accommodation is chalet-style. I've also found that by emailing reservations (wherever you think you'd like to stay) and explain that you're a UAE resident, and aski for special offers, a discount is usually forthcoming! Hilton and Intercon Hotel Group are all doing weekend sale rates too, which might help!
clare1976
339
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 11 January 2011 - 09:54
they say there will be another one at the end of January, date to be announced. they have their own website which is dubai frock exchange dot net
clare1976
339
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 11 January 2011 - 09:51
Re: it being darker...yes, that's absolutely true (we saw one place at Al Badia Residences before moved here). It's because here, we have floor-to-ceiling windows in every room (except bathroom of course). So lots of natural light...and that's great...but in the summer, it's quite overwhelming and we close our curtains almost all day! Kind of defeats the purpose of natural light if it's overwhelming! Sorry to send this thread on such a tangent...there are so few people that are FC residents (at least outwardly), so I get all excited and bond with anyone willing to discuss life here! sounds very nice, with the floor to ceiling light. We have in the lounge 2 x quite large patio/french doors, to the loggia. Also 3 windows of normal size. Fairly decent amount of natural light but I think we don't face into the sun as much as some of the other corner flats. Kitchen is very very small :-( and has one window. We overlook the playing field of UAS which is better than the building site over the other way, but all in all we are very happy here. Just the right amount of space for 3 of us, though this will be put to the test when we have my sister in law, her husband and their 3 children visiting in April!!!!!!!!!!!!!
clare1976
339
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 10 January 2011 - 18:47
have you tried rent a crib web site? they lend out, for a fairly reasonable fee, all manner of baby strollers, cots, bedding, toys and car seats etc.
clare1976
339
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 10 January 2011 - 18:46
Good for you guys! :) I like Marsa, but would like to be closer to the school and Al Areesh (and to those quiet back roads so DS can ride a bike!). I envy the Al Badia side of Festival City. We are thinking of moving in April...we just can't sit still for too long! :) Maybe a good deal will come up when you're ready to move, you never know! We do get airport noise here, just to warn you, as you're protected just a little bit up in Marsa. I've heard Marsa is very nice, it certainly looks smart and I met someone in the shuttle taxi recently wo lives there and she said the al badia apartments were darker inside than Marsa, but I can't say I find that a problem here. We get a nice view of DFC fireworks over the creek from our balcony which is nice :-)
clare1976
339
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 10 January 2011 - 17:48
we moved into a 2 bed corner apartment in the Hillside Village at Al Badia, which has a third (maid's room) which is tiny but useful for visiting family and our computer! The rent they asked initially was 136,000 I think, but we negotiated it down quite considerably (I don't like to say how much, incase I offend other residents). The apartments are very nicely done, I must say, and we're happy, but the premium rent is mostly for the fab facilities at Al Areesh, which residents become free members of. We use it almost daily. I don't drive, so it means I don't have to travel anywhere to get to civilisation. Also my husband works in Sharjah so it's handy for the commute.
clare1976
339
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 10 January 2011 - 15:14
Just stopped by the Al Areesh club and found the name of the classes, both of which are organised by Active UAE (google their web site). Kiddly Winks is a music and movement class for children of all ages, it says on their flyer. Call 050 5597055 for info. They also do Water Babies. Both are bookable in advance, and are held here at Al Badia in the Al Areesh club. Also do you get time out dubai kids magazine? Monthly mag, costs 5dhs and has extensive listings of all kinds, thoroughly invaluable!
clare1976
339
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 10 January 2011 - 13:55
Hi there My son is 4 yrs old and so he is just a wee bit old for some of the classes, so I can't tell you about them from personal experience (plus we are pretty new to Dubai!) but I see advertised at the club house here at Al Areesh club in Al Badia (near Festival City mall) they do Kindermusic and Boogie Babies, and swimming classes for tiny ones. There is also the mirdif mums playgroup who meet weekly, on wednesdays - they have their own web site if interested. Expat Woman organise a meet up at Mirdif City Centre every Tuesday morning at Play Nation (inside the mall) from 10am. Again they have own web site. Mirdif Mums also on FB. Have a check on Dubai kidz Biz (do a google) as there are events and activities advertised on there all the time. Hope that helps a bit x
clare1976
339
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 10 January 2011 - 08:37
The kindergarten day begins at 8am but the doors open for supervised play at 7.40am, though I'm not sure how the older year groups are organised in the morning. We have only been doing this a few days so it has been trial and error. Today's traffic was awful due to fog, and yesterday we left too late, but we are aiming to leave home at 7.25 and get there for 7.40am. I then take my son in and make sure he is ok playing, then my husband drives me home (I don't drive) and he carries on over to Sharjah where he works. So we have to do the run a bit earlier to give him time to get to work at a reasonable time! I then get a taxi to pick him up, and th etaxi waits and brings us home. A palaver but it works, and I sometimes combine the taxi trip with doing some shopping in Mirdif City Centre or Spinneys in Uptown Mirdif, both of which are a short drive from the school. My husband visited the school this morning for the first time and he was very impressed with the calm atmosphere and professional, smiley staff. Let me know if you're taking the plunge, maybe we can meet for a coffee after drop off one morning once you're all settled!
clare1976
339
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 10 January 2011 - 08:30
It was at the Premier Inn, near Invesment Bank.
clare1976
339
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 09 January 2011 - 19:53
Magrudy's sell a pack of ir-on labels that comes with an indelible marker for 8 dhs!
clare1976
339
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 09 January 2011 - 19:50
Hi there Don't know if I'm too late to be able to help but I also live in Al Badia Hillside, near Festival City, and my son has just started at Star International school in Mirdiff. It's a logistical challenge (!) but so far we are managing it, and we feel it's well worth it because our son, who has had lots of adjustmanets to make having just moved here from UK, has settled in beautifully and very quickly, with the help of lovely staff. So far I have only nice things to say about the school, in all their dealings with us as well as with the kids. It has a less overwhelming feel to it than DIS and UAS which are great and neighbouring families seem to like them, but they are larger schools. All depends on what you think will be best for you and your family. Fees at SIS are lower too :-)
clare1976
339
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 09 January 2011 - 19:36
whereabouts are you located? There are several groups and classes that might be of interest to you in the Mirdiff and Festival City areas but this might be the opposite end of town from where you are. Are you keen on a music group, or swimming/water baby type class, or a playgroup/mums and babies meet-ups? Never too early to introduce these nice things to your baby, and good for you to have some social contact with other mums, too :-)
clare1976
339
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 09 January 2011 - 19:33
I didn't go on Saturday but would be keen to go if they have another one.
clare1976
339
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 09 January 2011 - 13:53
Incase it's of any interest, I once stayed at a very good Eurocamp site on the Adriatic coast of Italy, near Venice on the Lido di Jessolo (Marina de Venezia, I think it was called) which was one of the best holidays we ever had as a family (our son was 3 then). It has a fabulous water park on site as well as activities, kids clubs, a massive beach, cafes and restaurants, train rides, play parks and entertainment such as kids discos and parties.
clare1976
339
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 09 January 2011 - 09:44
thank you, that's really helpful, much appreciated :-)
clare1976
339
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 09 January 2011 - 09:29
there is one alongside the usual recycling bins at Festival City mall, just on your way in to the Hyperpanda parking.
 
 
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