dibdab | ExpatWoman.com
 

dibdab

dibdab
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Latest post on 22 May 2012 - 15:41
Our tenancy contract has both our names on - covers all eventualities!
dibdab
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Latest post on 22 May 2012 - 15:38
25 is my minimum happy temperature but unfortunately my husband and I have differing opinions on this so it usually ends up being set to his preference (23) and I put extra layers on!
dibdab
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Latest post on 21 May 2012 - 12:28
I used IMC Advertising last year after buying a Gonabit voucher and they were pretty good - some of my photos weren't very high resolution and they still put them in, just with the warning that they may not look fantastic quality. I found all the pics I wanted and just emailed them to them (through a large files website) and then let them know if there were any captions I wanted anywhere or anything else. http://www.imcadvertising.com/
dibdab
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Latest post on 21 May 2012 - 12:22
We went to 2 places for our honeymoon - Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu and Coco Palm Bodu Hithi - both amazing. Quite pricey but really amazing. We stayed in an Escape Water Villa at Bodu Hithi which was absolutely out of this world.
dibdab
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Latest post on 21 May 2012 - 12:20
Call the typing centre first because I have found that some are only accepting applications in the mornings because of the demand - or just go to one as early as you can. I went to one in Satwa yesterday and only had to wait 20 mins for my typing, I then received my text message last night with my appointment for the next bit - 17th September!! Then the card will be delivered to the PO Box so I imagine it will be Christmas by the time I receive it.
dibdab
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Latest post on 17 May 2012 - 13:25
There has been a company recommended here called Liquid Mortgages who are very helpful. There are a small number of lenders who will lend to expats but it's a pretty specialsed area. Contact number: +44 (0) 161 633 5009. Some expats who retain homes in the UK do take out residential mortgages based on the UK address. This is very definitely fraud though. Thanks suze63, I will look into them - looks like they are actually based in the UK from the phone number. Yeah I definitely wouldn't want to take out a mortgage by pretending we live in the house, we already rent it without official permission from the mortgage company because they would have put the mortgage up by a huge amount and I am not comfortable with it so would love to feel that we are all above board!
dibdab
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Latest post on 17 May 2012 - 10:03
Thanks so much that's great, I will dispatch the hubby on Sunday!
dibdab
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Latest post on 17 May 2012 - 09:46
Does anyone know whether there is a typing centre for Emirates ID cards near the Burjuman Centre? There are many on the website which say Bur Dubai but most are no more specific than that, I have tried to call a few and none are answering their phones. Thanks in advance :)
dibdab
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Latest post on 09 May 2012 - 18:04
Not everybody gets charged for it though, I responded to a request by DEWA months ago asking me to let them know how much rent I pay so that they can start charging me but they are still not! I am not complaining though :) So if it doesn't appear on your bill then you don't need to follow it up anywhere - if you are going to get charged for it then it will be on there.
dibdab
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Latest post on 12 April 2012 - 17:01
Thanks for the replies, I will check these areas out. TurkishDervish – we will not be moving until the end of August, I am just trying to gather information so we know where to start looking in a few months. notheragain – Is there bad traffic at rush hour getting to your area?
dibdab
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Latest post on 10 April 2012 - 17:39
The main job sites here are Gulf Talent and Monster Gulf - you can upload your CV onto them for recruiters and companies to search for your skills and also many companies here advertise their vacancies on those sites too.
dibdab
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Latest post on 10 April 2012 - 17:15
You are able to work - you just need your husband to give you a NOC letter and then a company can provide you with a labour card. My visa also says 'housewife not allowed to work' but I am able to by doing this.
dibdab
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 04 April 2012 - 12:01
I read the article yesterday and have to say I was very confused! Don't get me wrong, she is an attractive lady but I would not say that she is so stunningly beautiful that men would pay for her bar bills and pilots would send her bottles of champagne, seriously weird. And other women push her out of the way in photos because she makes them all look so bad?! She does mention in the article that she has spoken before about flirting to get ahead in the workplace so it did cross my mind that she is just a huge flirt and that is why other woman that she socialises with feel uncomfortable about her being around their husbands. It just all sounded odd, I have some very attractive friends and they have never had more than a man offering them a drink in a bar which is pretty common.
dibdab
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 03 April 2012 - 15:55
I really love the Fairmont – it kind of has a beach (man made) but the pool area is lovely, I find it very relaxing – comfortable loungers, towels rolled up as a pillow, ice buckets for your water etc. If you get an upgraded room they have a lovely view over the Grand Mosque. The rooms are nice, extremely comfortable beds! Also there are nice restaurants in the hotel – Marco Pierre White Steakhouse and Frankie’s as well as a couple of others. It is close to the Shangri-la hotel which is also nice to go for dinner. I haven't actually stayed in any others but I think the Fairmont definitely beats hotels in other locations that I have stayed in. My friends have stayed at St Regis on Saadiyat Island and highly recommend that too, it is pretty new. I am not sure whether it has any kind of beach area.
dibdab
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Latest post on 21 March 2012 - 17:37
My sister (in the UK) is trying to get onto a midwifery uni course and she has had a very tough struggle – she is on her 3rd year of applications and this is the first year she has been interviewed by the universities – she is waiting to hear back from them now so I am keeping all my fingers and toes crossed because she will be heartbroken if she doesn’t get it this time! Anyway, my point is that you are correct in needing to get some experience as there is so much competition for the places so anything you can do will help. She gave up her retail job and went to work as a care assistant in a hospital (no qualifications needed, not sure whether it is different here though) – although even though she was already working in a hospital last year she still didn’t get interviewed and found out it was due to her A-level results (which were 8 years ago!) – apparently she did not have quite enough points – so she enrolled onto a 1 year access course to get the points she needs. So I just wanted to let you know her experience so that you can be aware how difficult it is (although I am sure you have done your research so may be already). Sorry I can’t help with contacts or advice for hospitals here but I am wishing you the best of luck and really hope you can find a way of getting some work experience so that you can put in a fantastic application!
dibdab
460
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Latest post on 19 March 2012 - 15:30
One of my best friends in the UK has just booked her wedding for a date in May – I am taking 2 weeks off prior to this for a holiday which is already booked and therefore I cannot take the 2 days off I would need to go to her wedding (it is on a Sunday so I would fly back on Monday). She completely understands as it is quite short notice but I feel a little bit heartbroken that I won’t be there for her big day, I just can’t bear the thought of not being there – but there is no way I can be. She was trying to arrange it for a date that I could do but her fiancé’s brother will be on leave from Afghanistan and can only make the date they have chosen – obviously he has to take priority. So I really want to come up with an amazing idea of something I can do for them or send them to show them how much I wish I could be there and so that I feel I have somehow been a part of their day – any ideas? I have thought of asking the best man to read out a message, asking the hotel to leave a gift in their room etc but they just don’t seem special or unique enough. If anyone has any ideas they would be much appreciated because nothing I come up with seems good enough :(
dibdab
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 12 March 2012 - 13:56
I agree with keeping a food journal – it is very easy to eat too much. It helps to work out your approximate basal metabolic rate (google) and then eat less calories than that, however the minimum calories advised is 1200. I kept a food diary for a long time and sticking to 1200 calories is pretty difficult, I felt like I had been eating healthily but my portion sizes were too large so I had to work on that and made sure I weighed everything out each time and didn’t just rely on thinking I knew how much pasta / cereal etc was the correct sized portion. And sometimes healthy eating means different things to different people – to me cutting out carbs (or any other major food group) isn’t healthy as it is not a balanced diet – everything in moderation. Oily fish and nuts are healthy but high in calories so if you are following a calorie controlled diet then you should limit (but not cut out) how much of these type of foods you have. So by saying healthy eating it is difficult to know what types of food you are eating, portion sizes etc – it is difficult to advise.
dibdab
460
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 07 March 2012 - 11:42
Mine is back
dibdab
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 07 March 2012 - 10:51
I accessed it earlier this morning but now can't.
dibdab
460
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 07 March 2012 - 10:41
I haven't used one but I saw it and thought that I have never found keeping my feet clean to be an issue therefore I don't think I need one.
dibdab
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 05 March 2012 - 16:15
No I get that but I thought since the first bus leaves at 9.30 then likely that SP will have done by then... do these things normally getpacked? never been and not planning to go for 12hrs from 2 til 2!!! I know taxi will be ridiculous, do you have to book the bus or just turn up and wait for the one you want to take? I pretty much just want to get anywhere near a red line Metro station (unless that will be ridiculously crowded too!) I'd guess I'll go home at 11pm-ish... Last time we arrived at 4ish and there was plenty of space and no queues at the bar but by later on it was much more crowded, we left right at the end and there were queues for taxis but they were moving continuously as had a massive line of taxis waiting so it wasn't too bad. There were no buses when I last went (a year ago) so I can't speak for how well they work.
dibdab
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 05 March 2012 - 13:52
What type of place are you looking for? Frankie's has live music (piano and singer) at the weekend and this may include Thursday so it may be worth giving them a call to check. Also somewhere not quite so fancy is Nell Gwynn's at the Byblos Hotel - they have a band on, I think they are there every night but that is a very different kind of atmosphere and is pub food, it does get busy though, not sure whether you can book a table or just have to turn up and take your chances. Also Barasti usually has a band playing but again that isn't exactly a fine dining experience so it depends on what sort of place you are after. I am sure there are other places too but off the top of my head those are the ones I can think of.
dibdab
460
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 27 February 2012 - 16:21
Oops sorry I misunderstood - thought you were moving FROM Canada!
dibdab
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 27 February 2012 - 16:07
I would bring furniture with you if you really like it - we left all of ours at home (gave to relatives to 'look after' but realistically we will never see it again) and then had to buy it all again here, for some items of furniture this was good because - well, everyone likes new things! But for other furniture we ended up buying the same Ikea (didn't realise it was cheap and nasty - thanks for that angelinaballerina) furniture that we had at home so it would have probably worked out cheaper to ship what we had than to buy again. When you first arrive here you will have a lot of outgoings so if you can bring furniture and not have to kit out your place from scratch then that would help a lot. I'm not sure about electricals - we brought some items but we are from the UK so ours work OK. And in terms of room sizes it depends on where you will be living - generally apartments do not have huge living spaces (as we found out when we were looking to move and could not find many places that would fit our L shaped sofa and small dining table) but villas would be more roomy.
dibdab
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Latest post on 23 February 2012 - 11:13
I used to do classes at that time at Core Direction in the Marina (Damac Tower) but it was a while ago so you would need to check their latest timetable. It was usually RPM or Body pump at that time. Yes they do early morning classes starting at 6:45am - you can find their timetable here... http://media.wix.com/ugd/d49e92_a9a2b5ae2a850bb41ac33775bd69d6a6.pdf?dn=Core%2BStudio%2BMarina%2BFeb%2B12%2BTimetable.pdf They have moved now to Dreams Tower where Almaya supermarket is.
dibdab
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Latest post on 23 February 2012 - 10:32
Can anyone tell me approximately how much the Invisalign costs? I have been thinking about it but don't want to pay for a dentist's appointment to make enquiries if they are more than I would want to pay. I would probably just go for them on the top teeth.
dibdab
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 23 February 2012 - 10:27
I am so sorry to hear this, you are an amazing person to be able to take the time to thank others at such a difficult time, such a sad time for you. And very scary about currents at JBR beach being so strong that they caused your poor mother to drown, people should be made more aware of the dangers because there are so many people in the sea there every day.
dibdab
460
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Latest post on 21 February 2012 - 14:27
Kitsch are my favourite - I used to love Magnolia ones until I had Kitsch, they are sooo nice!
dibdab
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Latest post on 21 February 2012 - 13:58
ADNIC will cover you while you are pregnant. Thanks TruBlu - do you know whether that is full medical insurance or just a maternity 'add on' option? I think that ideally she wasn't wanting full insurance, just one that covers maternity costs. I will pass the name on anyway and if you don't know then she can make enquiries with them. Thanks :)
dibdab
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Latest post on 21 February 2012 - 13:04
We deal with Adam at IIB, who should be able to give you any help you need in what is available:- [email protected] From what I know you should be covered for a while, some are at least 9 months, before you can claim any maternity costs. Thanks pollydxb, will pass on the contact - looks like she may be out of luck if is pregnant or is soon to be!
dibdab
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Latest post on 21 February 2012 - 12:54
@home is where we bought ours and its a Phillips seaco which grinds the beans each time -- so fresh ground coffee each cup ------------the machine 1,899 and they do have bigger sizes too -- We have the same machine also from @home, it is great - and we buy our beans from Dubai Garden Centre. We have a Nespresso at work but I prefer our home machine, there is something about freshly ground beans, mmmmmm.
dibdab
460
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 20 February 2012 - 17:05
I saw a shop in Mercato Mall the other day which had a lot of fancy dress type stuff, I only had a very quick look so can't remember if they did party things. I definitely saw party hats, masquerade masks and balloons in Daiso at Ibn Battuta but I don't think they were 40 ones.
dibdab
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Latest post on 19 February 2012 - 14:35
Diving, climbing, photography?
dibdab
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Latest post on 19 February 2012 - 14:33
Yep it is very annoying - my husband and I were very nearly bumped off an Etihad flights to Dublin last year and we were going for a wedding so if we had not been on the flight then we would have missed the wedding - we did arrive later than we usually would for check in but it was still in plenty of time so I would never have expected that - luckily we did end up getting onto the flight but only because we are Etihad silver members so when we complained after being pushed to the side and told we had no seats on the flight they managed to find us some. It was awful because there was a small group of people who had been told that they would not be getting onto the flight and it included a family with young children, I was also trying to argue on their behalf and if we hadn't needed to urgently get the flight I would have given them our seats. We were then told that we should always check in online and that will mean that your seat will not be given away. I understand why they overbook from a business point of view but it is very distressing to passengers and despite us being very loyal to Etihad I can honestly say that we would not have flown with them again if they had not found us a seat on the flight.
dibdab
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Latest post on 14 February 2012 - 18:12
http://www.szgmc.ae/en/tours
dibdab
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Latest post on 14 February 2012 - 18:00
Another vote for gelish!
dibdab
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Latest post on 14 February 2012 - 17:58
Amazing news, so happy that all is well and fantastic that there were so many people looking out for her, sounds like the police did all they can as well which is reassuring because in the UK it is unlikely they would have acted so soon after someone going missing, even a vulnerable person.
dibdab
460
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 14 February 2012 - 17:58
Anybody? You don't have to admit you have actually eaten one, just say you drove past and saw the lights on :)
dibdab
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 14 February 2012 - 17:25
They put a menu under our door a few weeks ago but today their website is not working and their review on Time Out has disappeared - and I can't call them as am at work :) Thanks!
dibdab
460
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 14 February 2012 - 16:44
Bump
dibdab
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Latest post on 13 February 2012 - 17:26
I don't know whether travelling with children means different rules but when I have travelled to Oman without my husband (no children) I have just been able to get my visa on arrival - AED 200 though rather than the AED 50 that residents are charged because if you travel without your sponsor you get charged tourist rate!
dibdab
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 13 February 2012 - 17:22
I guess it depends how many children you have and therefore what kind of accommodation you would need - we pay 6250 per month for a 2 bedroom apartment in the marina but we have no storage so it doesn't feel very spacious and I think it would be a squeeze for any more than the 2 of us (but we do have a lot of stuff!) - so in a similar area I think you would need to spend at least 8000 per month for an appropriately sized apartment. You can find decent sized villas within your allowance but then the water and electricity bills would be much higher so you would have to consider this - villas also tend to be further away from the action so you may need 2 cars (if you weren't already planning to have 2) which would push your costs up. I actually have no idea what my husband's housing allowance is because we just consider the total salary and work out what amount from that we are willing to spend on rent - we will be moving this year and have decided that we are willing to spend a chunk more than we do now for a nicer place - it will probably mean that we will be spending more than what is officially our housing allowance. So I guess what I am saying is that if your husband's basic salary would be good and you could afford to dip into that in addition to your allowance and still save money, enjoy yourselves etc then that is also an option. Can't comment on the school fees as I don't have children.
dibdab
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Latest post on 09 February 2012 - 13:45
Great, thanks for the replies, will check those places out :)
dibdab
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Latest post on 09 February 2012 - 13:30
What area dibdab? Oh yeah sorry that info might help! We are in the Marina so preferably somewhere at that end of Dubai.
dibdab
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Latest post on 09 February 2012 - 13:11
I don't have children so am clueless about where children are allowed to be taken or not - can anyone suggest a restaurant that would allow a small group of us to take a 16 month old child on a Friday evening? Preferably somewhere that serves alcohol. Thanks :)
dibdab
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Latest post on 06 February 2012 - 11:31
If you sign up to Etihad 'Sky Blue' (supposedly for fans of Manchester City but anyone can sign up) then you can get 15% discount on flights to Manchester. http://www.etihadairways.com/sites/etihad/skyblueclub/global/en/pages/home.aspx
dibdab
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Latest post on 05 February 2012 - 17:35
Are you trying to get ideas for snacks to take with you when you are a passenger on a flight? Or are you responsible for thinking of snacks to put into airline meals on behalf of an airline? Healthy snacks or anything? For kids or adults?
dibdab
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Latest post on 05 February 2012 - 12:14
Ladies, dont kill me, but i guess we need these? I have 3 kids.....plus me....none of us had them- only my husband got one? Yes you all need them unfortunately so check which category you fall into and make sure you don't miss the deadline because for 4 of you the fines could really add up.
dibdab
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 05 February 2012 - 11:43
You do have to pay the fees and fines to the typing centre - that is the process. If you have a Dubai residency visa and you (or your husband if sponsored by him) work for a private company then the deadline is June 1st and you will not be fined now. However if your residency visa is Abu Dhabi the deadline is April 1st, Sharjah is February 1st and other emirates have passed already and the fines are racking up at 20 dhs per day. The deadline for those who work for government or semi government companies has also passed and those people will receive fines. The fines do seem to be applied consistently but I think that the confusion is around the type of companies that people work for because many don't seem to realise which companies are semi government. I have called the Emirates ID authority to check this with them and they have confirmed the above and have promised me that as I have a Dubai visa from a private company that my deadline has not yet arrived and therefore I will not be fined. However I will admit that I called twice to make sure I got the same answer from 2 different people!! edited by dibdab on 05/02/2012 My husband works for a private Belgian-owned company of 7employees. In the free zone. Yet he did get fined. So which category is that? Hmm that is a very good question! My friend works in a free zone and was fined and says that her company is classed as semi government - but I don't know if that is because it is a free zone? So maybe free zones are classed as semi government for some reason? Give the Emirates ID authority a call because if he has been fined and definitely doesn't belong to any of the overdue categories then they may be able to help - when I spoke to them they were adamant that it was impossible to receive a fine unless in the overdue categories.
dibdab
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Latest post on 05 February 2012 - 11:02
Wow I feel completely filthy now - our towels are washed every week - if for some reason they 'look' dirty (easy to tell because they are white but they never do look dirty) then they would be changed straight away. I have never realised it was a problem - we use them when clean after a shower and hang them straight up so they are aired and dry. I have no idea how people have time to wash them daily - I work full time and therefore have time (and drying space) for 1 load of washing in the evening - if I was washing towels daily then I would have to take all of my other laundry to the laundrette!
 
 
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