DubaiCat | ExpatWoman.com
 

DubaiCat

DubaiCat
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Latest post on 10 October 2012 - 13:56
That's good to hear, thanks!
DubaiCat
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Latest post on 10 October 2012 - 13:56
And while you're here, how was the recovery? DS is 26 months.
DubaiCat
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Latest post on 06 October 2012 - 10:52
No it's just across the road from the crew building.
DubaiCat
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Latest post on 06 October 2012 - 10:19
My friend got out but said there were still people on their balconies when she got outside. She realised there was a fire because of people screaming, not when the alarm went off - the alarm came after the screaming started.
DubaiCat
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Latest post on 06 October 2012 - 10:08
No, it's occupied. Saif Belhasa building in Tecom.
DubaiCat
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Latest post on 04 October 2012 - 07:35
And if so, did you get your voucher yet? The deal ended 17th of September and I still haven't got mine! I emailed them today...
DubaiCat
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Latest post on 02 October 2012 - 12:51
No, it's not true :). There are a lot of recommendations on here for doctors - I think the Dubai Community Health place (can't remember the name of it) is quite popular. I saw my GP for post-natal depression and she referred me to Dr Hassan at MediCentres Motor City, but I didn't think she was great. If you're looking for a counsellor as well I can recommend Ann Kuis at MediCentres, or Dr Sabrina Christensen at Dubai London Clinic as a psychologist.
DubaiCat
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Latest post on 01 October 2012 - 13:38
After DS, I thought everyone felt like I did. I was OK as long as things were going smoothly, but add a teeny bit of stress and I just lost it. I simply couldn't cope with any more than basic everyday things and sometimes even those got too much. I think my PND then was very anxiety-based rather than 'down', but still the same dreadful disease. I remember telling my Mum I'd looked at a checklist to see if it was PND and I could tick all the boxes, and she said, "Oh well, we could all say that about a lot of things". Thanks, Mum! So I never did anything about it and when DS was around 8 months I fell pregnant with DD. It was a whole different story with DD. I started to get the feelings of anxiety when she wouldn't settle while we were still in hospital, and by the time I got home - about five days after her birth - I didn't want her. I desperately wanted it to be back to just me, DH and DS. I couldn't stand the feeling of her feeding, especially if she wouldn't settle, and I just felt horrendous. The worst I've ever felt in my life. It had just hit me like a brick wall, but I went off to the doctor pronto and started taking medication, and I can't describe the relief I felt at starting to feel normal again. GP Dr Delphine at MediCentres Motor City is very sympathetic and can refer you to a counsellor and a psychiatrist. Go get the help you need - I promise you there is light at the end of the tunnel if it is PND, and the sooner you get help the sooner you can start to get rid of this awful, awful condition and start enjoying being a mum. You deserve to. *mental note to self to get backside in gear and work on PND website I have been promising to set up since the beginning of the year*
DubaiCat
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Latest post on 01 October 2012 - 13:32
Drop me a note on harpersdxb at gmail dot com - I have a Baby Bjorn Synergy :).
DubaiCat
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Latest post on 30 September 2012 - 21:57
Yep, I think - from memory, too lazy to remove bum from sofa to go check - the auto setting cooks it on high for a few hours then switches it down to low.
DubaiCat
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Latest post on 30 September 2012 - 21:49
I have Maxi Cosi for both of mine and they've never sweated noticeably. You can get terry towelling summer covers for them that make them cooler if you prefer, though.
DubaiCat
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Latest post on 30 September 2012 - 19:26
It is possible to make 'fries' without them being deep-fat fried junk. Just cut up your potatoes and give them a light spray with Fry Light then roast in the oven :). Keeps me going on Slimming World! And you can do healthier burgers, too - add lots of chopped onion, spray with Fry Light and grill them. With a wholemeal bun and salad I'd say that isn't too unhealthy.
DubaiCat
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Latest post on 30 September 2012 - 14:33
A friend of mine makes them from pashminas so they just look like you have a pashmina draped over you, but they have the rigid neckline so you can still see baby. I used mine to death with my two :). Drop me a line on harpersdxb at gmail dot com if you want her details.
DubaiCat
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Latest post on 30 September 2012 - 13:05
We booked one for 8pm last night. At almost 8.30 DH called to find out where it was and instead of saying 'You have a taxi booked' it said 'We have your address, if you want to book a taxi' so they'd cancelled our original booking! He tried booking again, 20 minutes later still no cab. He finally got through to someone who said there were 70 people waiting for a cab in our area (Al Waha). We drove and got one of those driver services to bring us home. Did he have to wait til 8.30pm just to make sure you were ready??? X No, I was ready at bang on 8 actually! ;) x
DubaiCat
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Latest post on 29 September 2012 - 19:56
We booked one for 8pm last night. At almost 8.30 DH called to find out where it was and instead of saying 'You have a taxi booked' it said 'We have your address, if you want to book a taxi' so they'd cancelled our original booking! He tried booking again, 20 minutes later still no cab. He finally got through to someone who said there were 70 people waiting for a cab in our area (Al Waha). We drove and got one of those driver services to bring us home.
DubaiCat
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Latest post on 25 September 2012 - 15:16
Unless I'm reading it completely wrong, the piece doesn't say you can't bring a case against a developer at all It might as well be saying that, of course, because few people have the money to fight even a short court battle, never mind a protracted one. Arbitration was an arm and a leg, if I remember rightly. Court would probably require a kidney.
DubaiCat
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Latest post on 25 September 2012 - 15:05
I know most of the time it's the landlord being a buttmunch but not always... Our tenant in Springs 1 got a letter from Emaar threatening to stop garbage collection if we didn't pay up. We promptly reminded Emaar we've been trying to pay for about two and half years and they've kept losing our title deeds so we weren't able to pay as the property wasn't registered in our names. Finally after DH went into Emaar for about the fifth time we managed to get it sorted, but it took months! And re renting directly from large companies, that doesn't always work forever. We rented directly from Dubai Properties so we didn't have to deal with a private LL and six days after we signed the contract they gave the villa to a private landlord in exchange for a property he bought and they didn't build.
DubaiCat
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Latest post on 25 September 2012 - 14:54
[url=http://dubai.angloinfo.com/information/working/employment/employing-domestics/'>link[/url'> Sadly the link to the DNRD doesn't get you the official guidelines, and searching 'domestic' on the DNRD site comes up with nothing. I'm not sure if the 'new' refers to the employment of those staying illegally in the country or to the employment of workers sponsored by somebody else - it's not very clear.
DubaiCat
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Latest post on 25 September 2012 - 14:41
From Emirates247; UAE authorities apprehended more than 65,000 domestic servants staying illegally in the country in 2011 as part of an intensified crackdown intended to curb labour and immigration offences. Many of them were caught by police informed by the public as part of a newly-created campaign dubbed Sahim (contribute), the semi official daily Alittihad said, quoting Brigadier Saeed Rakan Al Rashdi, director of the illegal migrants follow-up division at the Ministry of Interior. He said a large number of those illegal migrants handed themselves over to the police after failing to find work. He noted that under new federal laws, those who employ illegal entrants could be jailed for two months and fined Dh100,000. [b'>Employers hiring workers sponsored by others could be fined Dh50,000, he added.[/b'> Seeing the Ministry's guidelines in black and white won't stop the 'maid scam' at all (and I'm pretty sure you won't get a Dh50,000 fine for a 'grey area'). Plenty of people are well aware it's illegal to use a maid not under your sponsorship but they still do it because they can't be bothered with the cost and hassle of sponsoring someone.
DubaiCat
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Latest post on 25 September 2012 - 14:36
You can check if he's registered on the RERA website; [url=http://www.dubailand.gov.ae/English/Real_Estate_Licenses/EngBrokersList.aspx'>link[/url'> and if he's not, take his name straight down to the licensing section.
DubaiCat
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Latest post on 25 September 2012 - 14:34
Unless I'm reading it completely wrong, the piece doesn't say you can't bring a case against a developer at all. It says you'll no longer be able to use arbitration if you want to pursue a case against a developer - you'll have to file in court. As I understand it, DIAC is an arbitration centre where claimants can bring in an external arbitrator to hear their complaint against another party with the other party's consent and agreement to abide by the arbitrator's decision. Property purchasers have been using it to settle claims against developers but this recent ruling means they'll now have to use official court channels instead (which I think cost way more money, funnily enough, and that money goes to the court coffers instead of to arbitrators' pockets!).
DubaiCat
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Latest post on 24 September 2012 - 15:36
Fancy dress so get your gladrags out! :D
DubaiCat
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Latest post on 24 September 2012 - 14:33
What's an EMIE number? DH just spoke to the store manager and apparently they're going to send it to the repair centre to fix it, and try and find out why the numbers don't match up. I'm taking it back in tomorrow so I'll keep you posted. Is DED the economic dept, CA?
DubaiCat
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Latest post on 24 September 2012 - 13:45
Last year our Mac charger died, about a month out of warranty. So we forked out 400dhs for a new one which is under warranty until the end of November this year. This one died yesterday and I took it down to the iStyle store in Ibn Battuta this morning. Turns out serial number on the new charger doesn't match up with the serial number on the box, and the number on the charger is the one they use when they decide if the product will be fixed under warranty. The charger is out of warranty as it's older than a year old, although the box it came in is only ten months old. So, somewhere along the line a different - older - charger has been put in the box. We deserve a slap for not checking the serial numbers matched up when we bought it, but it's still bang out of order. So, if you're buying any Mac accessories here, make sure the serial numbers match up before you leave the store in case you need to use the warranty.
DubaiCat
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Latest post on 24 September 2012 - 13:28
harpersdxb at gmail dot com :).
DubaiCat
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Latest post on 24 September 2012 - 13:23
AussiePup had an awful time with those guys, I'll tell her about this thread.
DubaiCat
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Latest post on 23 September 2012 - 12:39
Thanks, I'll call Virgin :). Only tickets wanted on Dubizzle at the moment but I'm sure that'll change soon! Ta.
DubaiCat
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Latest post on 23 September 2012 - 12:37
Wow, thanks for all the suggestions! I shall run them by himself and see if he feels like making up his mind what kind of food he wants :D.
DubaiCat
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Latest post on 23 September 2012 - 12:36
Definitely Safita Trading behind the Pepsi factory. Coming from SZR take the Safa exit going out towards Nad Al Sheba and turn right at the lights (or turn into the service road before the lights, same same). Turn first right again and go down to the end of the street towards SZR. Turn left at the bottom and then - I think - first right and you should see a car showroom on your left (maybe Chevrolet?). Then turn right into the little alleyway with the car workshop places on the left, and Safita is at the bottom on the right. Hot, dingy little warehouse with exactly what you're looking for! BritGeek, don't suppose you have a dressing table, do you?! Or can you mail me pictures of the console tables? :D
DubaiCat
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Latest post on 23 September 2012 - 12:30
I've been here 11 years and been in and out of various clinics and hospitals, in-patient and out-patient, and I have never once seen a nurse accept a tip. I'd be gobsmacked if I did! And as for a head midwife telling patients to tip to get better service... I'd be after having her fired. You simply cannot expect patients to cough up to be looked after. That's why they're at a clinic or a hospital, for heaven's sake, and it's not like they can bring you an extra croissant at breakfast to show they're doing a great job! Jeez, that's riled me so much I might need to go get my blood pressure checked. I wonder if I slip the nurse a fifty she might check my temperature for free.
DubaiCat
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Latest post on 22 September 2012 - 23:17
As it says on the tin :D. Mpremiere is sold out online, but does anyone know if anywhere has any left? TIA :).
DubaiCat
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Latest post on 19 September 2012 - 13:52
I got Pam spray and another one (silver can with green print?!) but they're both aerosols and I'd rather use the pump-action Fry Light so I use less, as I've found the sprays leave the food a bit greasy :(.
DubaiCat
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Latest post on 19 September 2012 - 13:36
A pathetic, miserable, disappointing, annoying 0.1kg loss. I know a loss is better than a gain but I stupidly weighed myself midweek and had lost 0.4kg, so I am gutted. I know where I've been slipping up, though - hidden Syns when it's something I can't readily work out, picking at the kids' food and of course my little wine binge on Friday night - so I am firmly back on track today. Apparently you can get Fry Light at Spinneys in Mirdif so I'll be taking a quick trip over there :) and this morning I stocked up on chicken and mince so I can do a few huge batches of Syn-free meals over the weekend. I'd been worried about the fat content of the low-fat mince I'd been using so today I got the butcher to cut all the fat off a couple of kilos of rump and had him mince that instead. Cringed at the price but if it means I lose my target kilo next week I don't care!
DubaiCat
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Latest post on 17 September 2012 - 19:16
I am covered at Welcare too, yes - but I thought that was EHL, so the same as City. Is MedCare part of that group too?
DubaiCat
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Latest post on 16 September 2012 - 20:59
I looked at Philippine Airways online and it's only about 300dhs for the connecting flight so it'll be a flight to her home whether DH thinks we have to or not :D.
DubaiCat
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Latest post on 16 September 2012 - 07:25
Thanks for the link :). Do you think I'll be able to get hold of that stuff here?
DubaiCat
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Latest post on 15 September 2012 - 22:03
Super, thanks!
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Latest post on 15 September 2012 - 21:53
I would imagine it would be much kinder for you to get her home, wouldn't it, vs just her home country? Yes, that's what I thought, as I said. I'd just like to be able to tell DH he has to! :)
DubaiCat
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Latest post on 15 September 2012 - 20:34
I need to find a flight for our maid to go home. Any suggestions for the cheapest and easiest way? And also, are we expected to provide a flight to her closest airport or just to her home country? I figured we'd just book the flight to her nearest airport but DH says we only have to get her to her home country.
DubaiCat
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Latest post on 11 September 2012 - 22:08
I am going to join online myself. Although DH and myself are doing it together we want to make sure it is 'our' thing first so going to try it for a week or so by downloading the mags onto my iPad and use them :) If you want a look at the books you get when you join a group, so you can try it out, you're more than welcome to borrow mine :).
DubaiCat
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Latest post on 11 September 2012 - 19:00
Can I ask where you got the quark from? It is free (if I remember correctly) on SW and I was going to take that up again after a particularly foodie/boozy holiday in UK over summer! Thanks. Yee ha - I've been searching for it too! It is indeed free food and is great for making carbonara, stuffed chicken, cheesy pie and dip for potato wedges :D. I started another thread on SW-friendly food I can't find here so if you can help on that I'd be most grateful!
DubaiCat
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Latest post on 11 September 2012 - 18:54
Yep two Alpen Light bars count as your HEB :). Bonus!
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Latest post on 11 September 2012 - 18:50
We have the same issue in the pool at our rented villa and we don't expect the tenants to pay for it, or for refilling the pool. It's not like they've done something to make the tiles fall off!
DubaiCat
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Latest post on 11 September 2012 - 13:53
Yes, they gave us buy 1 get 1 free on the tasting menu - bargain meal with the voucher! Can I be rude and ask how much it cost?! Thanks :).
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Latest post on 11 September 2012 - 13:52
Does anyone want a weekly thing in the Ranches/Waha/Falcon City/Villa area or are you happy to go to something already set up? I don't mind either way and will be happy to tag along to someone else's once I find my feet after the summer! If you want me to set one up so it's closer to home drop me a note on harpersdxb at gmail dot com :).
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Latest post on 09 September 2012 - 12:54
And PS; I weighed myself this morning. Lost almost 5lb/2.2kgs since I was last weighed in the UK, so maybe ten days. Yee ha!
DubaiCat
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Latest post on 09 September 2012 - 12:52
At risk of being booted out when I've just got back, I'm pretty sure a way to get hold of me can be found on here somewhere ;).
DubaiCat
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Latest post on 09 September 2012 - 12:51
I think I'd better call and ask. I'm not the greatest fan of Japanese food and I don't fancy forking out a fortune! I'll post when I've spoken to them :).
DubaiCat
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Latest post on 09 September 2012 - 12:45
My sister got her engagement ring here and it was valued back in the UK at three and a half times what her DH paid for it. Even taking into consideration the bump-up for insurance purposes that's a good deal!
DubaiCat
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Latest post on 08 September 2012 - 21:55
PS I'm really missing my group, too. Weird but I loved looking forward to weighing in and feeling so good about myself when the scales showed a loss! And it was such a huge help being among people on the same wavelength.
 
 
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