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CouchPotato

CouchPotato
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 13 September 2015 - 17:50
Was it sent by courier or post? If it was Post, you can definitely show the tracking number at Karama post office and they'll help.
CouchPotato
1010
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 13 September 2015 - 17:43
You haven't been 'told off' JEAHH but it sometimes is worrying the way passengers don't realise the risks of their actions - case in point this week's evacuation of BA in Las Vegas with half the passengers merrily scooting down the slides with their cabin baggage (which could burst the slides leaving passengers behind them trapped inside a burning aircraft). I have a relative who wanted to take a portable gas stove in their suitcase. No I am not joking. :-P
CouchPotato
1010
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 13 September 2015 - 17:32
it's not up to me what is banned on board, but Ecigarettes are, and the flight crew should be enforcing this not allowing it under a blanket. It is the heating element in these devices which are risky, they are banned for a reason. This is also why they are prohibited from being put in the hold, along with many other items for example camera batteries, laptop batteries etc. http://www.ctvnews.ca/health/un-agency-bans-e-cigarettes-from-checked-baggage-on-airline-flights-1.2423669
CouchPotato
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 13 September 2015 - 17:17
?? I think you've just put me off this airline with this sentence. ECigarettes are probhibited goods in the hold and are not allowed to be smoked or charged on board. What would you do if you set off a smoke alarm? Made In Sheffield, the Travellers' prayer is said pre take off on board Etihad and Air Arabia as well. Possibly also Qatar?
CouchPotato
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 13 September 2015 - 16:56
The only potential negative is the flight time outwards which is 2am ish, that may be a consideration if you have small children etc.
CouchPotato
1010
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 13 September 2015 - 16:15
Although it's mostly mums at school pick up/drop off time, there are a fair few Dads as well, so he won't be the only Dad around at school and it won't be long until he finds other Dads there during these times. Also Dads who are pilots or in other similar professions which don't have regular hours are often around school. :)
CouchPotato
1010
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 13 September 2015 - 16:07
What about a nice arabic hanging lamp or lantern? Outdoors or indoors?
CouchPotato
1010
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 13 September 2015 - 15:57
Wouldn't drinking more water help flush your system out?
CouchPotato
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 12 September 2015 - 19:09
This is very sad :(
CouchPotato
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 12 September 2015 - 19:07
Sounds like you've settled in just fine, SS. ;) Think of all the stories you'll have to share with your visitors!
CouchPotato
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 12 September 2015 - 19:05
How terrible, and she is being so very brave. I hope she has lots of support and friends around her to get her through the difficult times ahead. thinking of her. x
CouchPotato
1010
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 09 September 2015 - 18:21
You could try contacting Burjuman, as they normally are very involved in this.
CouchPotato
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 09 September 2015 - 16:51
Well done!!! :balloon:
CouchPotato
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 08 September 2015 - 17:01
Yes another vote for Lifestyle :)
CouchPotato
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 08 September 2015 - 15:57
In the case I have personal experience with, the person's 2nd UAE visa took 3 weeks only for the security clearance part.
CouchPotato
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 08 September 2015 - 05:11
Freaking, most free zones now operate all their company & employee business through a 'portal' - if you go along to the DAFZA office they'll be able to tell you more about it and how to sign up to it, you'll then do all of your employment contracts online. You enter the information and when approved, the portal generates the contract in english/arabic for the employee and employer to sign. You firstly need to get access to this portal and then go on one of the training courses to learn to navigate your way around it. The decision on the split between salary/transport etc really needs to be approved by your senior management as this will impact on the company's cost at every end of service payment, the higher the basic salary proportion, the higher the EOSG. DAFZA may be able to tell you what spit the average company does (70/20/10 etc) and you could then base your company on the average. Good luck!
CouchPotato
1010
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 07 September 2015 - 18:46
Dr John McEwan is very good.
CouchPotato
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 07 September 2015 - 18:29
The new visa is not necessarily quick and can depend on the person's nationality. It can take 3-4 weeks in some cases only for the security clearance part, some nationalities of course are cleared much quicker in only a few days. It can still take this long even if the person has been cleared before for a previous visa. It also very much depends on each company's PRO/HR side, and how quickly they move the parts of the process that they have some control over. Some companies will happily start the person before the process is complete. Other companies won't let the person over the threshold until the visa is in place. There's an article in today's Emirates 247 of a company who has been fined a substantial amount for employing someone before their previous visa was cancelled.
CouchPotato
1010
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 07 September 2015 - 06:26
Hi, I'd like to join too! Desperately need incentive to get moving again after hols! Height: 158cm Current weight :58.5kg Target 54kg I am so good in morning and for most of day but by 8pm the tea/coffee/vino/crisps/chocolate/biscuits all make an appearance! May try the 5:2 diet. Anyone finding it good? Yes, love 5:2 because it is only one day of misery then back to normal the next day, AND it really seems to work if you stick to it!
CouchPotato
1010
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 07 September 2015 - 06:24
Wow well done!!! :balloon::win:
CouchPotato
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 07 September 2015 - 04:43
Hi, any Kodak or similar photo shop will do your photos in the mall. For keys, in the Mall there may be a Minutes or similar, or you can go to the souk area which has hardware type shops and you will find some keycutting shops there. Sorry I don't know exact directions!
CouchPotato
1010
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 07 September 2015 - 04:40
Have you tried the Dubai Falcon Centre, next to Meydan?
CouchPotato
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 07 September 2015 - 04:38
Monday again!! How's everyone getting along? Weight at start: 70kg Weight today: 68.5kg Weightloss since start: 1.5kg Stil to go: 8.5kg Not great but better than last week! :P
CouchPotato
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 07 September 2015 - 04:34
While it's still hot, it always seems cooler when you are sat in a nice chilled pool and someone is bringing you a cold drink. It's also unpredictable at the moment, it can be very very humid or much better, day by day. So I'd say go for it. So many good deals around at the moment! Enjoy your time before baby comes along :)
CouchPotato
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 05 September 2015 - 08:20
Fox was the consensus during Part I based on paw print analysis.
CouchPotato
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 05 September 2015 - 07:55
With the skin on? (Mysterious Nightly Visitor Part II)
CouchPotato
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 05 September 2015 - 07:17
This sounds totally dodgy and be careful that they are not stolen goods.
CouchPotato
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 05 September 2015 - 06:59
What happened in the end, did it get out? (And wasn't there another one?)
CouchPotato
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 05 September 2015 - 06:58
It sounds like she is on statins to control her cholesterol in which case the price of AED 200 per month doesn't sound unreasonable Can you ask for the name of the medication or to see the prescription? Most insurance companies cover medication if it is prescribed, though some would still have an excess of AED 50. What does her insurance policy cover in terms of medication?
CouchPotato
1010
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 05 September 2015 - 06:48
It was such a quick summer, can't believe it is school time again. Winter is on the way and soon it will be back to dark, cold mornings!!!
CouchPotato
1010
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 03 September 2015 - 17:34
Let's just say: pancakes, lurpak, bagels, croissants and crisps have all featured. Oh dear! you?
CouchPotato
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 03 September 2015 - 17:30
a TNT is a Thursday Night Thread. In days of yore, a Thursday night usually had a TNT where there was a [strike'>cat-fight[/strike'> disagreement between EW'ers about something or the other, or somebody's maid had done something dreadful, etc etc. It was all very exciting and people used to stay in instead of going out just to watch the drama unfold. There are even tales of families going without dinner as EWers couldn't bear to leave their screens. However now it is quite dull. If you have any naughty maids or something we can all fight about please post it asap. The ideal time for a TNT posting is around 4pm to let the fireworks build up.
CouchPotato
1010
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 03 September 2015 - 17:23
<looking sheepish>
CouchPotato
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 03 September 2015 - 16:45
Hi OP, The UAE is very, very pro breast feeding so please don't worry about that. The government maternity hospitals in particular are very pro-natural birth and very much encourage ladies to BF so that may be one option for you to consider for No2. Being away from family is never easy and is something we all have to deal with as expats. Many spend their summers 'at home' to see as much family as possible and if nothing else, you'll have a great holiday destination and will soon find you have friends and family queuing up to visit! It's not easy but it is just part of life as an Expat. Moving here doesn't have to be the end of your career so don't view it like that. It can also be the start of different options for you, maybe doing something you hadn't thought about doing before. Or just having the opportunity to be at home with your children. Life in the UAE is very much what you make it, if you put the effort in you'll soon have friends from every corner of the world, and it really is a brilliant place for children to grow up. Nobody can pursuade you though, it has to be something you want to try, or you'll never settle or be happy here. Good luck with your decision :)
CouchPotato
1010
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 03 September 2015 - 16:36
Hi WW You will be able to open a bank account as soon as you have your residence visa, however if you don't have a salary going into it you may be asked for 3 months bank statements so bring them over with you. Driving License now requires your original Emirates ID Card so you will be looking at around a month after your DH's visa is processed (and subseqntly yours). www.propertyfinder.ae will give you a good indication of rental prices, some areas (Corniche etc) will be higher rent than other areas. Average grocery bill is difficult to determine as it depends where you shop and how much you eat (!) but you will be able to get an indication of grocery prices on www.geantonline.ae. EW has a SHJ school page http://www.expatwoman.com/dubai/monthly_faqs_sharjah_school_fees_8848.aspx
CouchPotato
1010
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 03 September 2015 - 16:21
If they don't drink, what about somewhere like Vapiano as then you'll get a nice fountain view as well. That should make up for the dusty day. :)
CouchPotato
1010
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 03 September 2015 - 16:06
We got great crabs from Karama fish market a week or two ago. :)
CouchPotato
1010
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 31 August 2015 - 19:26
Has it got to be in Dubai? Some lovely beachside hotels in RAK/Ajman/Fujeirah.
CouchPotato
1010
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 31 August 2015 - 19:24
We've also had more plants than usual die this year. It really is very difficult to keep anything alive. Watering during the day means instant evaporation and watering in the morning and evening is not enough. What to do? Don't be too hard on him, he probably wasn't having too pleasant a summer either!
CouchPotato
1010
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 31 August 2015 - 19:05
I am not asking for the thread to be reversed (as it used to be). I am asking for, when you open the thread, an option to take you to the last post on the thread.
CouchPotato
1010
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 31 August 2015 - 18:52
Welcome! Weight Target Amount lost every Monday etc (or not, as the case may be) Progress (or lack of) :biggrin:
CouchPotato
1010
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 31 August 2015 - 06:39
Oh dear (glaring at scales): Monday 31 August: Weight at start: 70kg Weight today: 69.5kg Weightloss since start: 0.5kg Stil to go: 9.5kg Quite annoying as I'd lost 2kg and have obviously put back on 1.5kg at the weekend. :cry: Oh well, onwards an upwards! 2 x "2" days coming up!
CouchPotato
1010
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 30 August 2015 - 18:30
Completely agree GE
CouchPotato
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 30 August 2015 - 17:12
You can have vino if I can go and eat crisps [strike'>before anyone gets home to catch me[/strike'>
CouchPotato
1010
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 30 August 2015 - 17:10
If you go to the one at the RTA/Al Barsha (near the Dubai Garden Centre), it's just outside to the right as you face the building.
CouchPotato
1010
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 30 August 2015 - 16:50
ahhhh you'll have to stay off the vino & tortilla chips tonight! :P I'm planning two "2" days in a row this week but it won't save the day by tomorrow. :sleepy:
CouchPotato
1010
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 30 August 2015 - 16:44
I am scared about weigh in day tomorrow.... :cry: Think I'll be back to square one as I have eaten a lot [strike'>like a plg[/strike'> eek!
CouchPotato
1010
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 30 August 2015 - 16:29
oh dear!!! at least you've all experienced all sorts of different services so you know who to call next time? <clutching at straws>
CouchPotato
1010
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 30 August 2015 - 16:23
It depends who you speak to you (insurance/Police/RTA) and this is a very grey area. Personally given blood money etc, I'd err on the side of caution and NOT drive until you have your UAE license in place unless it is a hire car, when you are on a visit visa using your home country license. Also: You can no longer transfer your license until you have original ID card (they no longer accept the paper with the bar code)
CouchPotato
1010
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 29 August 2015 - 08:01
there are lots of gluten free options here when out and about, lso in supermarkets, there is usually an aisle in spinneys/choithrams dedicated to special diet requirements.
 
 
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