CurlyOB | ExpatWoman.com
 

CurlyOB

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Latest post on 22 July 2014 - 21:24
So very sorry star southern, what a horrible thing to go through, you poor thing! Sending you and your family my best wishes xxxx
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Latest post on 22 July 2014 - 21:20
Hi ladies, Hope everyone is doing well, whether still waiting or already delivered. I delivered a healthy baby boy on June 30th, one week early. Waters went in spinneys .... Delivered in City the next day. It was a wonderful experience and all went great. A boy too was a big surprise after having two girls already. Had him on the Monday, home on Tuesday and all going great (aside from lack of sleep and keeping my two girls from smothering him .. In a nice way) Curly
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Latest post on 14 March 2014 - 22:27
Curly OB, scan went very well thank you, do you mean if I found out the gender? Not sure how you can wait to find out the gender, I certainly couldn't! If you are referring to my previous thread, the curiosity was about the 4D scan and yes I have them! They are a bit spooky but I like them :) Mine is a baby girl (but I have been knowing it for some time) and she has started kicking too, which is brilliant! :) Hi there, Yes I was referring to the gender. I must have missed the question regarding the 4d pics. Anyway that's great you know it's a little girl. Having two girls already myself I am definitely more tempted to find out the gender this time, purely for practicalities .... Do I keep all the pink or not? I do like having that surprise at the delivery after all these months of hard work so hopefully I can hold out or that my doc won't let it slip ... 16 weeks to go ....
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Latest post on 11 March 2014 - 12:23
I would definitely go with nursery for another year.
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Latest post on 11 March 2014 - 12:20
Congrats Dipz20, great news Dr Elsa told me she goes on hols on July 18th. Leila, how did your big scan go? Did you find out? I had my big scan and although tempted I still didn't find out ... Hoping I can hold out for another 17 weeks Curly
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Latest post on 05 March 2014 - 14:29
Hi all, just checking in to see everyone's progress. I am 22 weeks now and had my BIG scan last week. All looks normal thankfully. I do not want to know the gender even though I have two girls already. I have to keep reminding the doctors etc not to tell me when scanning me. Feeling good except I had a really nasty fall on Saturday. Fell flat on my face while at a friends baby shower. I don't know what happened, whether I caught my heel or lost my balance or slipped. All happened too quick I couldn't even use my hands to save myself so my mouth/teeth got the full impact. I suppose its better than my belly getting the brunt. Have had an extra check up to make sure all ok with baba and thankfully everything looks good. But Oh God, what I fright I got. Still have to go to dentist to have my teeth checked and dreading that as I've definitely done damage there. ExpayMy, hope the lump turns out to be nothing. Hard not to worry I'm sure so do what you need to do for peace of mind. Hope all ok x Take care everyone Curly
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Latest post on 05 March 2014 - 14:22
Its all so very sad and such a waste of a beautiful young woman. I believe he is guilty and he is hoping his fame and life accomplishments will stand to him and get him off the murder charge as no one really wants to believe he did it intentionally. I find it strange that Reeva felt the need to lock the door of the bathroom in the first place .... his story just does not add up
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Latest post on 26 January 2014 - 19:38
Hello all, Congratulations. I also have a July due date, first week. This will be my third, having two DDs already, aged 4 and 2. I am going with Dr Elsa at City this time, having had my first DD in Medcare and second in Al Wasl (now Latifa). I very much like Dr Elsa, she has a lovely manner and is very thorough even though she is so busy. Have a rotten tummy bug at the moment so feeling really sorry for myself :( Good luck all, hope everyone is feeling good. Curly
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Latest post on 27 November 2013 - 16:57
Well I've been looking for a new place for a few weeks now and rents seem to be going up by the day. In saying that a few of the villas I viewed a couple of werks ago are still not let. I even got a call from an agent 2 nights ago telling me LL had reduced the rent by 15k and would I be interested ... 2 nights before the expo announcement???? The way I look at it, our budget is what it is and expo or no expo will change that. We can't rent what we can't afford and I assume most normal people are the same so increasing the rents straight after dubai winning (if) the expo isnt going to rent the villas any quicker. Curly
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Latest post on 27 November 2013 - 16:31
Thanks for the responses. Really want this all to be ok but dont want emotions to cloud my judgement. My DH is very reluctant to hand over cheques in advance and thinks once the agent has his commission chq he won't be as inclined to make our move a priority. Surely you pay after the service. We've been assured we will receive copies of title deeds, passport etc of owner, without which we would not proceed. sarahlou, if this all goes belly up I might need your friends name ... lol Curly
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Latest post on 20 November 2013 - 09:30
Hi Curly, Would you mind telling me what kind of price you've found they are now (one in good condition and location rather than roadside, overlooked or looking like it hasn't been maintained)? Hi ChilliChai, They are being advertised for anything from 180k - 200k but any that are 180k, when you go see it and speak to the agent they have gone up to 200k. Just ridiculous rental prices. We have seen some awful ones, really grubby and in bad shape but have also seen a couple of nice ones but just didn't tick all the boxes for us to part with that kind of money. I would really like to try and keep costs down as much as possible by going direct with landlord .... If that's even possible. Curly
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Latest post on 19 November 2013 - 22:16
Hi Looking of move to a 2E and trying to keep costs down by going direct to landlord. Rent prices seem to be going up by the hour. Thanks, Curly
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Latest post on 19 November 2013 - 21:58
Thank you Bubi for taking the time to reply. I am delighted to hear that you are happy and satisfied with JAPS. A few years ago when looking at schools if I met anyone who was given a place at JAPS, they would jump at it, one of the best schools in Dubai etc etc. Recently some of my friends children were lucky to get places in japs and in one or two other schools and they chose one of the alternative schools over JAPS for various reasons. I know choosing a school is a personal decision relating to your own child and situation but I just wondered if standards had started to slip in JAPS. Glad to hear this is not your experience Bubi. Thanks again, Curly
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Latest post on 18 November 2013 - 17:51
Bump
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Latest post on 16 November 2013 - 22:05
I'm afraid there was a fatality. A poor man tried to get down by climbing down a cable at the side of the building but he fell and my poor husband witnessed it in his way home from work. He's not right after it, just awful. Curly
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Latest post on 14 November 2013 - 11:48
Arenco and Wasl villsa have waiting lists the length of Dubai! There is a great villa in knowledge village/media city behind the Gloria Hotel. Location not the best as it backs onto a school kind of but it is compound, 4 bed and large. Was 165k but dont know the agent, might be worth driving over there It's all about timing with waiting lists. If the first 50 people on a list are in the middle of leases and face penalties if breaking ... If you're no 51 on the list and ready to go when one comes available, happy days. This has happened a couple of my friends. Just luck! Would be very interested in that villa in knowledge village/media city ... I did see one on dubizzle for same location for 215k ... Prob same one with inflated price .....
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Latest post on 14 November 2013 - 11:44
thanks mumofmoo... i'm trying and have put my name on waiting list at lots of places... the challenge is that most agents are trying to push two properties at us (one the refurbished villas just behind al ghazal mall and the other is the refurbished arenco type villas just next to mosque between Spinneys umm al sheif and beach road) i'm looking for a compound type villa, 3 bedroom, preferrably single storey that has at least a reasonably sized private garden...and all this for 160K... i don't mind if it's old and shabby looking (personally i prefer those to the fancy new ones as i feel it gives the home a lot of character)... if u do see of any on your travels around the area, please do ping in on here... thanks... HorizonMum, It sounds like we are looking for the exact same thing and are equally having the same difficulty. I called Arenco and was told they don't have anything at the moment but houses come up all the time. Not much good to us when we want to move ASAP. It's all so frustrating. An agent told me this morning and I quote " when Dubai wins the expo the prices will automatically go up 20/25%" ..... Aaarrrgggghhhhhhh ..... Beginning to dislike Dubai a lot :( Good luck with your search Curly
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Latest post on 13 November 2013 - 13:43
We just got a 4 bed in Umm Sequim for 175 There is one near us in a small compaiund it looks like by Blossom nursery. I have no details but I did take a picture of the sign for you Jason 050 9455369 Emirates homes. From Al Manara, turn left onto Al Wasl then first right and it is on the right That's a great price (by Dubai standards), congrats. How did you find this one mumofmoo? We are looking for a 3 bed in the same area, max budget of about 170k. Getting ever more depressed at the rate of rental price increases ..... :( If anyone know of any nice compounds with vacant villas, please let me know. (Sorry to hijack btw, thanks) Curly
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Latest post on 11 November 2013 - 20:20
Thanks for your reply March. I am surprise there isn't more feedback on the school, I'm sure there must be more JAPS mums on here, no? I have heard the Head is leaving. I will definitely be interested to see who takes over and what direction s/he will take the school (if even any different from the previous head). As I said earlier, it seems before when JAPS was mentioned, the responses were always positive, now not so much and I wondered about this. I have not been back since doing a tour over a year ago so will be sure to go back again for another tour in the new year. Curly
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Latest post on 10 November 2013 - 14:35
Hi, Since arriving in Dubai some years ago I've heard nothing but great things about this school. I visited it, loved it and registered my DD for it. Lately though I'm not liking what I'm hearing, a lot more negativity than before. Can anyone shed light on this, why the change? I will always go on my instincts on a school but with such a big change in feedback I would be very interested in hearing first hand experience, good and bad. Thank you. Curty
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Latest post on 10 November 2013 - 13:40
Am interested in this too. I would also like to know if it's true that the curriculum at Horizon, although British, is not sent out externally and bench marked against the national average? Thanks, Curly
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Latest post on 10 November 2013 - 13:38
Call me cynical but this sounds like an elaborate way of getting you out and starting again with inflated rent. I would definitely call the Rent Committee and get clarification. I would also not pay a cent more in rent if as per the calculator you don't need to, regardless of how nice the LL is . Hope you get sorted.
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Latest post on 06 October 2013 - 21:44
I would love there to be an Irish curriculum school here as that's where my two would go once school age. All my irish friends here feel the same. Actually a few of us have even said we'd set one up between us. ... Anyway will stick with the BC for now and do my own bit with them from home. Nice to know there are more out there on same wavelength.
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Latest post on 03 October 2013 - 14:28
Magnolia Bakery, lower ground floor of Bloomingdales
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Latest post on 19 September 2013 - 17:27
Ok thanks, I've passed on your email address, you should remove now. Thanks, Curly
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Latest post on 19 September 2013 - 15:08
Hi there, My friend is very interested and would love to speak to you. Can you pls post your tel number or here is hers ... Let me know when you have it and I will remove. Thanks <em>edited by CurlyOB on 19/09/2013</em>
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Latest post on 09 September 2013 - 20:47
Thank you mrsg for your honest feedback. I love the idea of it all. Love the space, front and back gardens etc but I do fear it won't be as ideal as I originally thought. What a pity. Thanks again. Curly
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Latest post on 09 September 2013 - 14:03
Hi Apparently the 3 beds are 130-135k and the 4 beds are 135-140k per year. They have big front and back gardens but tenant totally responsible for landscaping. Tenant also totally responsible for all maintenance which could be costly with them being old villas, even if renovated. No plans for play grounds or pools or even landscaping common areas. I'm wondering if this village will come alive again? From what I've read it used to be a lovely place to live. Curly
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Latest post on 08 September 2013 - 22:41
Hi, Just wondering if anyone knows anything about these villas? They are being released for rental after being renovated after 5 years lying idle on account of the recession. Too risky after such a long time being empty? Especially considering the maintenance is the tenants responsibility? Reasonable rent considering escalating prices but will it most likely remain unfinished? Any thoughts appreciated. Curly
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Latest post on 04 September 2013 - 23:39
Another vote for Little Land. The stuff my DD has learned there is unreal and she's only 3. My second DD starts this week too. Great teachers, lovely vibe. Not flash, no bells and whistles and the outdoor space is probably its only negative as its not huge but all teachers are fully trained and are excellent .
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Latest post on 26 August 2013 - 21:25
Bump
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Latest post on 26 August 2013 - 16:08
Hi there, Bumping up this thread as I am BM for my sister in October and brought back my dress to have altered. Ideally someone that would come to my home as I had a disastrous experience last sept with Deepas with more trips to Satwa than I care to remember not to mention the hours sitting in the car waiting for them to correct stupid mistakes. In saying that I wouldn't rule going to a tailor if I got good feedback or recommendations. Top of the dress is chiffon with a bodice underneath and a satin skirt. Any advice would be appreciated. Curly
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Latest post on 26 June 2013 - 14:51
Went this morning and your directions TB and roysie were spot on, I even managed to get a car space outside the door. Lovely new building and seems to run quite efficiently. Thanks again for your help ladies. Curly
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Latest post on 25 June 2013 - 18:59
Thank you so much ladies, that's a huge help. Hoping to be there at 8.30 after dropping off my other DD to nursery so hopefully there won't be much of a queue in front. Thanks again ladies Curly
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Latest post on 25 June 2013 - 16:08
Thanks ladies, yes I did look at the Map but like I said, idiot proof directions are needed and I don't really find the map all that helpful. I have to drive there as I will have my 2 year old DD in tow. I will just head for Karama and hope for the best .. Wish me luck .. I have visions of driving around in circles Lol Curly
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Latest post on 27 May 2013 - 13:35
Hi there, has anyone seen party stuff from the kiddie programme In the Night Garden .. in DUBAI? Or will I need to order online? Thanks, Curly <em>edited by CurlyOB on 27/05/2013</em>
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Latest post on 13 May 2013 - 10:11
Has anyone seen then in Dubai or knows anywhere that stock them? I've checked their website but it doesn't list stockists for the ME but I know this doesn't necessarily mean they are not here. Am BM for my sis in Oct with my two sisters and it looks like they will order a dress and I won't have had a chance to try it on before its ordered. Long shot but worth a try. Cheers, Curly
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Latest post on 08 May 2013 - 15:49
Thanks for the feedback... Which island did you stay at? We stayed at LUX* Maldives and it was great. Great family friendly resort although plenty of couples and groups there too. Kids had a ball at their kids club which meant DH and I had lots if couple time too which was great. Jealous of you guys with your hols ahead of you :) Curly
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Latest post on 08 May 2013 - 15:00
No worries TDB, our week in the Maldives was fab, enjoyed it so so much. Haven't done T3 yet, will be doing it twice this year coming though (normally fly from AUH) so might be eating my words about T2 .. Lol Enjoy your hols when they come around. Curly
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Latest post on 08 May 2013 - 14:29
I meant to come back and update this message as we took Fly Dubai to Male in March. We took the 00.30 flight from Terminal 2 and although it was delayed leaving, the flight itself was fine. Plane was half empty and the staff were lovely. The wait in T2 with two LOs was painful but the girls were great thankfully. Flight back was 08.55 so this meant a very early start from our resort as we were a 30min sea plane ride from Male. We set off from the island about 6.30 and had plenty of time to check in, get a cuppa and go for boarding, so no issues. Again staff lovely and helpful and this time I'd safely say there were only 30 people on the flight. The return flight took longer back to Dubai and watching the screen our plane seemed to go over India for a bit before turning left and heading for Dubai ... Apparently a very strong tail wind caused the delay in getting back. All in all, flights with Emirates were 9260 aed but with Fly Dubai were 4,435 aed so it was a no brainer. Would deffo fly with them again. Curly
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Latest post on 07 May 2013 - 13:16
thanks for the replies ladies. Yes we do have insurance with an excess of 25 pounds so we do get most of it back but honestly I still don't think its right to pay it as it seems quite inflated to me. I do have health cards for both girls and my second DD had all her vaccinations done through the Gov Clinic which saved us a fortune as I had paid for all my first DDs at extortionate prices. I just like the idea of building up a relationship with a GP and the kids getting to know them and feeling comfortable so its easier going private in that sense. But the cost of it is crazy in my opinion! Regardless of insurance I have to say I do begrude paying so much so am on the look out for a good/nice family clinic with a nice GP ... so any recommendations would be welcome. thanks again, Curly
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Latest post on 06 May 2013 - 17:28
Hi there, I'm looking for the average that you pay your GP for a consultation. I was recently at my GP and the price has gone from 380 to 430 ... Anyone else think this is too expensive? While I very much like and trust the GP for myself and my children I am sure there are other practices out there with equally as good doctors but not as expensive. Or maybe not? Would appreciate your feedback. Thanks, Curly
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Latest post on 28 April 2013 - 16:02
Hi there, see below my opinion, cant help with everything but here goes ... My questions: [b'>When should I put my child's name down for a primary school? [/b'> She was born July 2012 so she would be 3 years old and start primary school in Sep 2015. Should I register now? Yes I would register asap but it will depend on the schools and when they take names on their list. Some only open up their lists a year before etc so it would be wise to check with each school. [b'>What's the process? Do I have to pay?[/b'> I saw on Wellington's website they need 500dhs fee, non-refundable, I'm assuming most schools will have this? Can I e-mail or is it better to go in person to submit the documents? Yes DHS 500 per school application - non refundable [b'>How important is nursery?[/b'> I will be putting her in a nursery when she's 1.5 years old, probably Kidville or Inspire. Is it a requirement that the child should have gone to a nursery? Does which nursery they went to matter? Its not a requirement no, but IMHO it does help as when it comes to assessments the nursery experience can help. Every child is different though and may be just as easily pass an assessment having not been in nursery. [b'>My choices of schools[/b'> Based on the KHDA reviews I will be trying for these: [u'>Outstanding rating[/u'> Wellington International School Jumeirah Primary School Jumeirah English Speaking School Kings Dubai [u'>Good[/u'> Wellington Primary School Dubai English Speaking College (EC Primary School) Repton I've no real experience of any of the above schools as my eldest DD will only start FS2 in Sept 15 Good luck Any help and advice appreciated, thanks! edited by sourskittleashnut on 27/04/2013
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Latest post on 21 April 2013 - 13:55
Zebra Crossing is on SZR, right at the Noor Islamic Bank Metro stop. It is ideal for both kids as it has the big slides and section to run around/dress up etc as well as the soft play and toy area for the younger kids. They used to do an offer of 350 dhs for a 3 month membership for 2 kids and I used that and it worked out well for me. Curly
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Latest post on 12 April 2013 - 14:16
only need one now .... wonder what the chances are at getting one outside the venue tonight?
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Latest post on 11 April 2013 - 13:03
I would love two tickets too. Good luck with your search!
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Latest post on 25 March 2013 - 17:41
Thanks guys, yes hindsight is 20/20. We should have insisted on a yearly contract but looking back we actually thought this would be our last year here as we planned on moving to a villa at the end of this lease. Then the rents shot up everywhere and we've had to reconsider! Ok we will go to the Rent Committee for further clarification. Thanks again. And good luck emlsnre, hope all works out for you (& us). Curly
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Latest post on 25 March 2013 - 17:11
Thanks star southern. It doesn't say Non Renewable so we know we are ok from that front. The part I am worried about is the email continuation of the lease so basically you are saying as we don't have an actual lease for the two consecutive years we don't have a leg to stand on :( ?
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Latest post on 25 March 2013 - 17:01
Hi there, Sorry to hijack but we are going through something similar but just wanted advice please. Our LL told us he had sold the apartment and gave us new LL's name, number and email and advised us we had to be out at the end of our lease (May). Our lease is not a Non Renewable lease and we know about the 12 months notice etc. we in fact believe the apt hasn't been sold as we have googled new LL and we think he's a mate/colleague of our current LL. Our problem is - after the first years lease we renewed by email (been here 3 yrs), saying we renew as per terms and conditions of lease. So in effect we only have a blue lease (standard agent) for the first year and for the subsequent 2 years, emails stating a continuation under same t&c. We have gone to RERA and in typical Dubai style, one person told us we are in the right and can't be kicked out while another said the opposite. Anyone have any advice? Known of similar circumstances? Thank you, Curly
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Latest post on 13 March 2013 - 20:44
Saw some in Carrefour MOE today