derien | ExpatWoman.com
 

derien

derien
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Latest post on 27 February 2013 - 11:45
Congrats greengoddess! Can't be easy if you're in France with all that lovely wine around you :) I took the CB test last night when I got home - couldn't wait until the morning. And as you say, the big cross appeared straight away! CONGRATS JUPITER!!! Wonderful news :-)
derien
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Latest post on 27 February 2013 - 10:56
Kazakstan? Am I the winner? Wrong. But you get a consolation prize of a free apartment in the Palm. Just make sure you send over 1000 dhs in Phone credit by tomorrow. Sending you my phone credits now :D <em>edited by derien on 27/02/2013</em>
derien
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Latest post on 27 February 2013 - 10:55
The country where Prince Harry was... Oh really? I have rarely seen any of these people even in Dubai. Surely there aren't that many Afghans in Dubai. It's hard for them to even get visas! I hane never come across one in 7 years! I've met plenty of Kazaks but never an Afghan. Strange
derien
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Latest post on 27 February 2013 - 10:53
The country where Prince Harry was... Oh really? I have rarely seen any of these people even in Dubai. Surely there aren't that many Afghans in Dubai. It's hard for them to even get visas!
derien
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Latest post on 27 February 2013 - 09:47
Kazakstan? Am I the winner?
derien
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Latest post on 26 February 2013 - 15:34
Is this your first?
derien
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Latest post on 26 February 2013 - 15:26
You need to take another test tomorrow morning when you get up. Your pee is more concentrated in the morning. The line will be darker if you are pregnant.
derien
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Latest post on 26 February 2013 - 15:08
Any line as faint or strong as it may be indicates HCG levels in your blood. There's a good chance you are pregnant.
derien
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Latest post on 26 February 2013 - 15:06
i am led to believe by my company that this is UAE labour law. eg: married men employed by my company get private medical for their wives, and flights home for heir family. married women get nothing for their husbands. actually makes you think twice about employing a bloke as they cost us so much more! LOL yeah! that's one way to look at it. Personally, I believe in a secular system and equal set of rights and responsibilities for men and women, at least in the eyes of the law. I know that in practice there are inequalities that still exisit wherever you go but the legislation should not be one-sided or favour one or the other.
derien
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Latest post on 26 February 2013 - 13:38
So you obviously don't adhere to the "Equal pay and benefits for equal job" mantra? That "mantra" doesn't work when 1 of the parents has the sponsorship. Then it's logic that 1 gets the benefits. Your statement about equal rights I think is just to try and stir things up, and has no logic to it. Except that what the OP is saying is that only Male employees get these benefits in that case. Which is not uncommon at all. I have worked in KSA, Qatar and now the UAE. It is not uncommon to find that more benefits are offered to men, even if the woman is the sponsor of her family, which in some of these countries is not even possible due to religious/cultural differences. I think you are upset by my statement because you know that it is in part true.
derien
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Latest post on 26 February 2013 - 13:22
So you obviously don't adhere to the "Equal pay and benefits for equal job" mantra?
derien
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Latest post on 26 February 2013 - 13:15
It does when the woman is the breadwinner and the man is not.
derien
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Latest post on 26 February 2013 - 13:07
Stay strong Buttercup. xx
derien
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Latest post on 26 February 2013 - 13:05
No it's not. In Europe, the US, South America whatever, this would be a clear cut case of discrimination and the company could be taken to court. Here, many companies do it openly. The Father/Man is considered the Head of the family here and the benefits given are in line with that. This country still needs to evolve. I am in HR and I have seen this many times before.
derien
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Latest post on 26 February 2013 - 12:17
I have friends whose companies pay up to 80% of their housing. They are living in Jumeirah Islands with a 300K annual rent of which they pay 60K only. Lots f people get their housing paid for.
derien
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Latest post on 26 February 2013 - 10:29
Dont wast money on lawyers for this. They shall charge between 40K to 70K only to get the same sentence. If's it's found on the person (carrying), no chance for them to be set free. I know of 2 cases with friends where this happened. One case they hired a top notch lawyer and the other never hired any. Either way, the sentence would be 4 years imprisonment and they will be pardoned by the ruler during the next eid (I believe they have a minimum of 7 months to stay at the Aweer prison. Family and friends can meet them on saturdays (men mornings and women afternoon) and special meetings can be arranged by the staff at the prison during weekdays. Should you want to know more details, do let me know. As of now he is kept at the jail nearest to the airport and would take about 15 days to be transfered to the central jail at aweer. Exactly what happened to the son of my friend's friend. He is at Al Awir. No point wasting money on lawyers as the person I am talking about had the BEST money could buy and the judge won't set him free.
derien
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Latest post on 26 February 2013 - 10:20
A friend of a friends son took drugs last year. He has been awaiting sentencing for 8 months. He will get 4 + years. They are coming down hard on drugs now. Expect the worse and don;t get involved. He should have known better than to have it on him.
derien
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Latest post on 21 February 2013 - 08:37
Sorry still fascinated by this shower after toilet nonsense. Your friends children strip off in school to go to the toilet? Or have they also been brought up being tied to the home toilet. You still haven't answered the questions about what you do on long business trips, flights, etc etc. Have you ever been on holiday to the UK because you may well find yourself staying somewhere with no water hose and no shower!!! What would you do then - not go for a week? seriously, it is normal for us. No water, no poop. we don't 'find' ourselves in bad situations like that. We have our own appt in London (with hoses and showers thanks) and anywhere else we travel to, we make sure in advance. We dont poop on planes, but obviously an emergency is different. Honestly, that is the strangest thing I have ever heard. Do you actually take an entire top to bottom shower after pooping? What is you poop four times a day? That's four showers? I just dont get it. There are such things as toliet hoses you know <em>edited by derien on 21/02/2013</em>
derien
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Latest post on 20 February 2013 - 13:40
get a new maid? Because if she is scared, she will make your kids scared!
derien
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Latest post on 18 February 2013 - 16:54
You do not need to wear the abaya on the plane or in the airport but you do need to put it on before you exit the airport. Also you need to make sure that a male is "claiming you" as you cannot exit without a male chaperone. There is no need to wear the shayla.
derien
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Latest post on 18 February 2013 - 15:02
Noooooooooooooooooooo!!! My kids will be gone the whole summer
derien
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Latest post on 18 February 2013 - 14:59
well then maybe they are paying based on nationality NOT skill. You need to apply to a multinational that wont discriminate.
derien
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Latest post on 18 February 2013 - 14:55
Why do you think the "arabs" are all well paid?
derien
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Latest post on 18 February 2013 - 12:42
The comapany may be trying to pul a fast one if your DH's tenure is nearing 5 years
derien
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Latest post on 18 February 2013 - 12:42
DH has been offered the chance to take his gratuity early. Apart from the fact that it would be calculated on his current salary, not his final (which we wouldn't expect to be much higher as he just got his first pay rise in 6 years) are there any other things we should consider before saying yes? We have a lot of debt at home and the money would be paid directly off that to minimise our interest payments at home. It seems a logical decision, but I was just wondering if anyone else has been down this road. i wouldnt as then you may well go back down to the beginning, once you go over 5 years then you get the bigger amount, if you take it out, then who knows where you will be legally i would ask a legal person to be on safe side. Great minds?
derien
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Latest post on 18 February 2013 - 12:40
everynight before they go to bed. In the morning, they wash their face with a wet towel after brushing their teeth to go off to school. <em>edited by derien on 18/02/2013</em>
derien
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Latest post on 18 February 2013 - 11:00
Moving into our new place DEWA didn't charge us for water for last 6 mths. We even called them to report and they said we need to file a complaint.... Seriously we need to this, they are unbelievable. Anyway now we received a sticker saying we will be fined 10k if we don't register our account. Still can't get over this!! Has anyone been in the same situation and fought not to pay the back dated amount. Also, they have no records from when we originally moved in so they said they would take and average of this months, which will not accurate. What have you done and how we go about this. I really don't want to pay the last 6 mths which I know we are liable but DEWa should have more control over there account bearing in mind they are the only company who can supply water and electric. Why did the only read the electric meter! Rant over!! TIA. You are in the wrong here! I hope you have put money aside to pay for this? You are actually lucky they are offering to take an average of the last month bill as we are in winter! If it has been an average taken over July or August, you would be paying much more. Just pay up and put up like the rest of us.
derien
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Latest post on 18 February 2013 - 10:48
If this is for real, OP - the maid is working behind your back and you are in danger of being fined.
derien
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Latest post on 17 February 2013 - 14:12
No no no no and no. It's a scam. They will take your money and run.
derien
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Latest post on 14 February 2013 - 10:19
The mother was denied custody, he was awarded full custody and wouldn't allow her to visit. He seems to be the very worst definition of an abusive man; I can very easily see how it came about that it was impossible for her to see her children. I think, after her daughter has died in this tragic manner, to openly presume that she "didn't care" without knowing her or the full extent of what happened is quite unfair. I don't think it's right to presume that she had any idea what was going on. edited by GirlAnachronism on 14/02/2013 Yes, this seems more plausible. They were obviously married too young, not ready to have children, didn't love each other, the pressures of religion and culture. It's a time bomb. Obviously the father and girlfriend were also sick individuals who deserve the full punishment. Why don't the UAE have social workers checking on these things? edited by derien on 14/02/2013 Domestic violence is still a very taboo subject in the UAE and very often these situations are considered family matters. It seems things are changing though, and inshAllah this case will move things forward. edited by Sakhifa on 14/02/2013 It is a good thing that mindsets are chaging. But it's still too slow. Women need to be given far more rights with regards to custody and the welfare of children.
derien
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Latest post on 14 February 2013 - 10:07
The mother was denied custody, he was awarded full custody and wouldn't allow her to visit. He seems to be the very worst definition of an abusive man; I can very easily see how it came about that it was impossible for her to see her children. I think, after her daughter has died in this tragic manner, to openly presume that she "didn't care" without knowing her or the full extent of what happened is quite unfair. I don't think it's right to presume that she had any idea what was going on. edited by GirlAnachronism on 14/02/2013 Yes, this seems more plausible. They were obviously married too young, not ready to have children, didn't love each other, the pressures of religion and culture. It's a time bomb. Obviously the father and girlfriend were also sick individuals who deserve the full punishment. Why don't the UAE have social workers checking on these things? <em>edited by derien on 14/02/2013</em>
derien
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Latest post on 13 February 2013 - 10:01
Like
derien
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Latest post on 11 February 2013 - 12:00
Could it be a money thing ? Maybe you have to leave the house or his business is not doing well? How much do you know about him, what he does etc?
derien
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Latest post on 11 February 2013 - 11:50
I'm sorry for what you are going through. It is an awful situation to be in. I don't know what to tell you. Just don't leave your kids! You may never see them again
derien
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Latest post on 11 February 2013 - 11:45
Do not leave without the kids. He is obviously up to something. Maybe he is having an affair. If this is the case, he would have a lot to answer for if the police were called. Is there any way you can get the passports back?
derien
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Latest post on 10 February 2013 - 11:51
I think Amazingdxb has spent to much time matching her handbags to her purses and it has caused her to lose a few brain cells :D
derien
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Latest post on 10 February 2013 - 11:23
All appeared well organised tonight. The queue was long but didn't really take too long to get in. Even getting out of car parking didn't take long at all. The only issues I had were people constantly texting throughout the performance - very rude and annoying. Also someone saw fit to bring a baby who did start to cry at one point - very selfish. Very rude and annoying: maybe the performance was not great Very selfish: I see one selfish person in here and it is not the crying baby ??? It is against the rules for children under 5 to be there so if a baby had started crying in the middle of the performance, i would be upset too. As for texting, also rude
derien
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Latest post on 07 February 2013 - 10:08
I am also really concerned. Events in Dubai are usally hit and miss. I am taking both my kids and we have silver tickets. Please if anyone could let us know what the deal is with seating, it would be much appreciated. TIA
derien
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Latest post on 05 February 2013 - 13:12
I moved my DS from IB to British and have to warn you. Its a lot harder. We spent a lot of our extra time trying to catch up towhere the current student level is. Its as if he didnt learn a thing at his previous IB school! However we are also very happy with the change as he has learned a lot more in the past few months than all of last year. They also warned me when I told them I was moving my son, that British curriculum is 'academically agressive' (their words). He is still young and doesnt really get homework but we are advised on things weekly what we should be concentrating on and going over with. not in the secondary years though. IB is more agressive. 2 very different approaches
derien
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Latest post on 05 February 2013 - 11:19
no, not the deaths but the conclusions that they were caused by Diane 35 are recent. It has been on the news everywhere
derien
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Latest post on 05 February 2013 - 11:17
France banned it also because it caused many deaths
derien
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Latest post on 05 February 2013 - 10:42
I completly agree ! Ive had people popping their shopping on the bonnet of my car whilst openeing the boot of their car .. errrr why ? Ive also had a bunch of teens loitering around my car, leaning against it and resting their drinks on my car, moving but leaving the carton behind with a milky stain on the bottom. when I called them back and I was shouted at and another carton thrown at me ! Ive also had a teen sitting on my car .. when I told him to move he asked me to make him. I got into the drivers seat and started the car and he jumped off ! Im playing devils advocate here but im sure that the teen was not just innocently leaning agaist the car.. some words must have been exchanged. Just sayin Spot on!
derien
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Latest post on 05 February 2013 - 10:41
Just leave it. She is being stubborn and obviously thinks she knows best. I feel sorry for the little one but there's not much more you can do I'm afraid.
derien
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Latest post on 05 February 2013 - 10:40
But isn't the fact that you fear the altrnative also a reason to try? I think the comment on this board that you MAY regret not having children but you DEFINITELY won't regret having them says it all really. Why live a life of regret? Once children are part of your life, the maternal instict kicks in.
derien
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Latest post on 04 February 2013 - 14:19
I work extra hours all the time and I am not paid for them. I am systematically called in when they need me or called to Saudi at the last minute. Argh.... DCC, Maid contracts do not fall under the labour law you know. It is an entirely different thing. Ahh sorry I thought what you did was employment and what the maid did was employment. Must be mistaken. Both are employment indeed but not the same category of employment as per the UAE Law. Until this changes, I am not doing anything "outside the law" if I don't fix an OT rate for my maid or give her the notice she is due. Voila! Its funny how quickly people who come here forget their roots. No I haven't forgotten how to be a human being. My maid has been with me for almost 3 years and we are signing up to a 4th contract next month..... I just don't wish to put things in a contract when it is not required by law. Why would you?
derien
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Latest post on 04 February 2013 - 14:16
Oh and FYI - notice periods work both ways. Sometimes it is to the benefit of the maid that there is no mention of required notice period in a contractual form..... since a lot of them seem to have dying uncles and aunts that they must rush off to see before they die at the drop of a hat.
derien
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Latest post on 04 February 2013 - 14:14
I work extra hours all the time and I am not paid for them. I am systematically called in when they need me or called to Saudi at the last minute. Argh.... DCC, Maid contracts do not fall under the labour law you know. It is an entirely different thing. Ahh sorry I thought what you did was employment and what the maid did was employment. Must be mistaken. Both are employment indeed but not the same category of employment as per the UAE Law. Until this changes, I am not doing anything "outside the law" if I don't fix an OT rate for my maid or give her the notice she is due. Voila!
derien
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Latest post on 04 February 2013 - 14:10
I work extra hours all the time and I am not paid for them. I am systematically called in when they need me or called to Saudi at the last minute. Argh.... DCC, Maid contracts do not fall under the labour law you know. It is an entirely different thing.
derien
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Latest post on 04 February 2013 - 13:48
I would not discuss the following with a maid except to say that they will all be decided upon depending on the circumstances: Holidays, Days off for Xmas, Eid etc Notice periods Overtime I agree with the above100%
derien
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Latest post on 04 February 2013 - 10:03
I have received a nice designer wallet as a gift and have been looking for the same printed/color shoulder bag that goes with this for about 2 months. I have found 'the one' in Hong Kong and thought that I will just get it in the UAE. However, it is not in this market at all :( Is it ok to just get another hand bag? Wow - First world issues huh?
 
 
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