EmilyG220 | ExpatWoman.com
 

EmilyG220

EmilyG220
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Latest post on 29 May 2012 - 10:01
Hi girlinblack, congrats on moving back to Dubai. It's true that some schools will tell you there is no room available but don't despair - places get freed up at the last minute. In particular, I'd be very surprised if Safa (who are moving to larger premises) do not have availability. I looked at that school myself and was impresed with it. I would also contact any school which advertises - Gems Wellington Primary, Wellington DSO, Jumeira Baccalaureate School - as these are all *fairly* new and I don't see why they would spend money promoting themselves if they have no space. Good luck and don't stress xx
EmilyG220
275
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Latest post on 28 May 2012 - 22:43
I have decided not to tell ppl I live in Dubai next time I go back to the UK (unless I am going to see them again of course). Last time I mentioned I lived in Dubai at the hairdressers I got ripped off! If I am having to negotiate anything I think it's better to pretend I still live in the UK (or my other home country, France). <em>edited by EmilyG on 28/05/2012</em>
EmilyG220
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Latest post on 28 May 2012 - 22:21
I have to say I laughed out loud when I read the requirement for a Parisian tutor. There is very little regional variation in French accents, especially in expat communities where everyone tends to speak the same way. In my 8 years in Dubai I don't think I have ever come across a French person with a noticeably regional accent. Funny how people tend to be specific when searching for tutors. A couple of weeks ago someone was looking for a French teacher from France, 'with French as their first rather than second nationality'. I may be wrong but to me it sounded as if they only wanted a white person!
EmilyG220
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Latest post on 24 May 2012 - 15:27
Why are you comparing private health care in the UAE to free national health care in the UK surly to get a comparison you have to compare like for like. I’ve used national health and private both have been fantastic, probably why most Emiratis go to the UK for treatment rather than have it in the UAE. You must have got so excited when you saw the title of this thread :-)
EmilyG220
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Latest post on 23 May 2012 - 22:28
The rules concerning nhs entitlement for Expats are quite complex and summarised in a thread from a couple of years ago: http://www.expatwoman.com/forum/messages.aspx?TopicID=66162. If you scroll right back to the beginning, you will see that NicolaP has pasted the contents of a letter from the NHS answering her queries on the topic. There are exemptions in place e.g. if you have lived in the UK for 10 years in the past and have been away for less than 5 years then you are entitled to hospital care (including having babies). Good luck x
EmilyG220
275
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Latest post on 22 May 2012 - 16:09
go see a local lawyer and get proper advice...with the greatest of respect to everyone profferring opinions on the matter you'd be foolish to make a decision based on chat room views, too much is at stake. Spend the money and ask a lawyer, it may be a problem very easily solved with the right advice. YES. Try the link I posted earlier. Good luck x
EmilyG220
275
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 22 May 2012 - 15:10
My husband and I were married in the US, and he did the continuation of marriage thing here as well, in order to get some of our paperwork done. (He is local) However, whenever I gave birth here, and did my son's birth certificate through the hospital, they did not want the continuation paper. They requested the certified copy of our original marriage license from the US, which was stamped by the US Dept of State and the UAE embassy in the US, and then translated into Arabic. It may be different since you guys are not from UAE, but really, I would consult an attorney to be safe. Me too.
EmilyG220
275
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 22 May 2012 - 14:26
[ I wonder if theres any implications of showing up there with our situation and a 6 month belly hanging out. Abaya?
EmilyG220
275
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 22 May 2012 - 14:03
That is very strange. I had a muslim wedding here and i got it attested at my embassy here and it is recognised in my home country. I don't think there is a need for a civil wedding. Just bring your muslim wedding cert to the british embassy and have it attested. fyi, you have to go early in the am and they 'close' at 12 noon. Sorry but your muslim wedding is recognised in your home country because it is legally binding in the UAE. The OP's wedding is not legally binding in the UK, and would (I assume) therefore not be recognised by the British Embassy. But again we are not lawyers and I would suggest contacting one before proceeding any further. why won't it be recognised in the UK? Because muslim marriages are not recognised by the uk govt. In order for their marriage to be legalised, British muslims need to get married in a reg office.
EmilyG220
275
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Latest post on 22 May 2012 - 14:02
You can get a certificate from the court here, I think it is called a ' continuance of marriage certificate' (I don't know how to translate it properly). You will need 2 witnesses and then go to the court and ask them to give you this ceritficate, you will see a nice judge who will attest everything for you. It [i'>SHOULD[/i'> work. DOn't panic. That's interesting... I wasn't aware of such a procedure. Maybe there is a way out then :-)
EmilyG220
275
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 22 May 2012 - 13:59
That is very strange. I had a muslim wedding here and i got it attested at my embassy here and it is recognised in my home country. I don't think there is a need for a civil wedding. Just bring your muslim wedding cert to the british embassy and have it attested. fyi, you have to go early in the am and they 'close' at 12 noon. Sorry but your muslim wedding is recognised in your home country because it is legally binding in the UAE. The OP's wedding is not legally binding in the UK, and would (I assume) therefore not be recognised by the British Embassy. But again we are not lawyers and I would suggest contacting one before proceeding any further.
EmilyG220
275
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 22 May 2012 - 13:51
Hi I would suggest you contact Carol Alderson or one of her colleagues: http://www.aldersonandassociates.com/home.asp I have never dealt with her personally but she regulary speaks on Dubai Eye and seems very knowledgeable.
EmilyG220
275
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 22 May 2012 - 13:45
Can't you get legally married here and add it to the Muslim marriage certificate? Thats what I'm thinking and yes we can but what would we tell them at point of submitting for babys BC with regards to why we have two muslim marriage certificates one from UK and one from UAE? I would try to get that original attested. Can you contact the person who married you in the UK and get an attested affidavit? If it is not a legally binding document, not sure it can be attested.... may be wrong though. If dubai govt don't recognise uk muslim weddings then not sure how getting the cert attested could help.
EmilyG220
275
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Latest post on 22 May 2012 - 13:39
Hi hugsys, I think you need to seek legal advice before making a decision. EW posters can be very supportive but tbh you need to know where you stand legally.
EmilyG220
275
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Latest post on 22 May 2012 - 13:30
What if we were to get our civil ceremony done in the Shria Court asap? I'm not aware that there is such thing as a civil ceremony here.
EmilyG220
275
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Latest post on 22 May 2012 - 13:25
Hi I know several couples who got married in Cyprus and it was quite straightfwd. http://cyprus.angloinfo.com/countries/cyprus/marriage.asp
EmilyG220
275
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 22 May 2012 - 13:16
Hi hugsys, are you unable to fly at all? The flight to Cyprus is only 3 hrs so you could get hitched over a weekend. Pregnancy issues aside, I'd just like to add that it is worth getting married in a civil ceremony to protect yourself legally in the UK. Many British Muslim women do not realise that their islamic union is not recognised by the uk state which can cause issues in case of marital breakdown. Hope you find a solution xx ETA: Many of my friends got married while pg here and had no issues. edited by EmilyG on 22/05/2012 <em>edited by EmilyG on 22/05/2012</em>
EmilyG220
275
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 22 May 2012 - 13:11
Dear hugsys, congratulations on your pregnancy. Sorry to hear that you're stressed about this. Once again, govt orgs appear to be contradicting each other... if you could obtain a spousal visa then DNRD obviously does recognise your marriage cert. Your dh's PRO was able to sort it out. Do you think he/she could sort it out this time (i.e. speak to the powers that be)? If not, I would suggest getting married in a civil ceremony in the UK or Cyprus.
EmilyG220
275
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 21 May 2012 - 22:00
Looks like you can buy it online here: http://dubaicity.olx.ae/the-5in1-sit-n-stroll-iid-55844579 I do remember seeing ads for it around Dubai (e.g. in play areas) so maybe it's possible to purchase it directly from the wholesaler or whoever has the license to distribute it in the UAE?
EmilyG220
275
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 21 May 2012 - 21:50
I know... really quite depressing. But the 'salary' levels are even more so. I'm clearly quite naive as I thought AED2400 was low! <em>edited by EmilyG on 21/05/2012</em>
EmilyG220
275
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 21 May 2012 - 13:18
Hi I don't have a maid but am surprised to read about these salary levels for maids. Most of my friends pay a minimum of AED2400 basic + benefits. Have rates dropped recently?
EmilyG220
275
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 19 May 2012 - 22:13
Hi I'm French and my dd2 (age 3) goes to Mon Ecole. I'm *very* pleased with it. My dd1 (age 5) is coming to the end of her 2nd year at LFI (Aflec) and that's going well too. It's v similar to Pompidou (both are subsidised by French state) but the latter is oversubscribed.
EmilyG220
275
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 19 May 2012 - 22:08
Jumeira Music Centre (in Jumeira Plaza) do one.
EmilyG220
275
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 18 May 2012 - 09:57
Hi Anouja I grew up in Paris and went there with my young family last summer (kids were 4 and 2.5 plus I was pg). Imo best kids' attractions are: 1) Jardin d'acclimatation: children's park/fairground/small zoo near Porte Maillot (not too far from Champs Elysees) - cheap to get in although you have to pay for some rides. Little train which kids love. 2) Menagerie (Zoo) in the Jardin des Plantes: second oldest zoo in the world, nice size (easily walkable) with lovely selection of animals. 3) Eiffel Tower: speaks for itself. You don't even have to go up it as kids like just looking at it. 4) Bateau mouche on the Seine. 5) Various parks (e.g. Luxembourg). You may wish to go to Disneyland Paris but tbh it's not my cup of tea - quite far out and overpriced. Plus not very French (lol). But apparently kids do love it :-) I would say the best way to travel around is on public transport. If you have a stroller then bus is easiest as there are quite a few steps in the metro. Best thing to do is to buy a copy of the lonely planet and keep referring to it while you are there. They list quite a few kids' attractions. Re: shopping... tbh you can probably find most designer brands in dxb anyway so not sure it's worth it. The only thing you can't get here is vintage, which as pp says, is available at the *huge* marche aux puces in Porte de Clignancourt. Have fun - I love Paris! Emily
EmilyG220
275
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Latest post on 17 May 2012 - 14:18
Very sad... poor woman :(
EmilyG220
275
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 May 2012 - 21:19
Hi I got my kids some Startrite shoes in Shoemart (Babyshop) in MoE. That was in the winter though - not sure whether they still stock them.
EmilyG220
275
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 May 2012 - 21:13
Next door to Beach Hotel Apartments :) :) Me too - B block :-)
EmilyG220
275
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 May 2012 - 14:51
I live in Jumeira 1 next to the grand mosque - i.e. within easy walking distance of Satwa. I love going down there! All the fabric shops, mixture of people it's fab! In fact I just bought a sewing machine there this morning. Lol. The only ppl who would dislike that sort of area are those who like living in an western expat bubble... they favour places like the Springs (a la Milton-Keynes) where you would never know you were in the middle east. You must live really close to me!! Really, where are you? :)
EmilyG220
275
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 May 2012 - 14:22
Hi my 5yo dd1 has been at Aflec (LFI) since Sept 2010 and so far so good. I feel the standard of teaching is vg. She is about to go into CP (year 1) in Sept. It's true that it's big but that's the case for most schools here. Facilities are not flashy but perfectly adequate. I have posted about it previously - if you do a search various threads will come up. Dd2 on the other hand goes to Mon Ecole which is also vg but much cosier... we love it and will be really sad when she leaves soon. I was tempted to keep her there another year instead of going into petite section at Aflec but didn't want to risk losing her place. On balance I would favour putting a child straight into petite section at Aflec as for dd1 I waited until moyenne section and, although it went well, her teacher found she didn't get the 'consigne' i.e. format of teaching straight away as she had been used to a nursery setting. Sorry I don't have any direct exp of TCG. Good luck x
EmilyG220
275
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Latest post on 16 May 2012 - 14:09
I live in Jumeira 1 next to the grand mosque - i.e. within easy walking distance of Satwa. I love going down there! All the fabric shops, mixture of people it's fab! In fact I just bought a sewing machine there this morning. Lol. The only ppl who would dislike that sort of area are those who like living in a western expat bubble... they favour places like the Springs (a la Milton-Keynes) where you would never know you were in the middle east. <em>edited by EmilyG on 16/05/2012</em>
EmilyG220
275
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Latest post on 15 May 2012 - 22:15
I'd say that rents are now at a similar level to 5 years ago. In June 2006 we moved into a 3 bed apt on szr for 120k, although the market rate was higher e.g. 140k. They are now renting at around 145k. BUT in the intervening period (i.e. 2007-08) rents shot up, then back down. In 2008 similar apts were renting at about 180-200k. There was a sharp correction end 2008-09 and the market crashed. As far as I am aware, last year rents hit rock bottom and you could get a 3 bed in Business Bay for 80k, but now they are creeping back up again. ETA: same applies to villas... i.e. rents similar to 5 years ago. <em>edited by EmilyG on 15/05/2012</em>
EmilyG220
275
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Latest post on 14 May 2012 - 07:04
I would be Queen Rania of Jordan. Forget Waity Kate-y, she is not going to have a real role of substance, the best she can do is lend 'support' to good causes (which I am not negating at all) but Queen Rania is beautiful, thin, stylish, a happily married mother of 4 AND she has the position and power to make a real difference to the lives of Arab women. That is something worth doing. Oh and everyone adores her - that would be nice too! edited by HesterPB on 13/05/2012 Hmmm... the same could ahve been said of Asma Al Assad. Sadly, things took a turn for the worse.
EmilyG220
275
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 14 May 2012 - 07:02
Madonna or Kate Middleton.
EmilyG220
275
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 14 May 2012 - 06:51
I'd be Victoria Beckham. She has it all: lots of money, loving husband, 4 healthy kids, a skinny body, beauty, etc. Comme on AnonDubai - you can do better than that! She has a face like a smacked a*se.
EmilyG220
275
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 12 May 2012 - 16:19
HI I had my 3 children at Latifa and was very happy with it. They are a govt hospital, free for Emiratis and paying for expats. You need a health card to access their services but it is very easy to obtain one. Latifa is not fancy but definitely the best place to give birth if you have a high risk pregnancy and/or something goes wrong. ETA: Sorry, not sure whether you are pg or not. If so, you need to wait until you are 16 weeks to register. Before then you can see a private OB for scans including nuchal translucency. <em>edited by EmilyG on 12/05/2012</em>
EmilyG220
275
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Latest post on 12 May 2012 - 16:16
Hi sirenbritbabe, congratulations on deciding to get married. As far as I am aware, muslims cannot marry non-muslims in *Dubai*, but there are plenty of options abroad. Cyprus is the nearest and most convenient place where you can have a civil wedding. You need to request some paperwork from your respective embassies (I think) but that is just a formality. Alternatively, you could get married in the UK. Good luck x:)
EmilyG220
275
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 11 May 2012 - 13:02
The sleeper train is lovely... did it as a teenager and loved it! Go to bed in Paris and wake up in Cannes :-)
EmilyG220
275
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Latest post on 11 May 2012 - 09:20
I have just spotted a used Brother 3500 machine on Dubizzle for a reasonable price. Any views on this? Cheers x
EmilyG220
275
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Latest post on 11 May 2012 - 08:03
If he would like to impress I would avoid Barasti at all cost and go somewhere a bit more upmarket than certo. What about eay zone on the beach which is romantic or to the outdoor park hyatt bar area along the creek? Those are very nice but tbh I would avoid anywhere toooo romantic or upmarket for a first date. It could seem a bit too heavy and/or set up her expectations for further v expensive dates lol. Better imho to start more relaxed, and, if things work out, build up to something like that for their 3rd/4th date when they are more confident about each other.
EmilyG220
275
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Latest post on 11 May 2012 - 07:52
Red Tag ;-)
EmilyG220
275
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Latest post on 10 May 2012 - 16:05
I teach a class in Mirdiff. I will teach Patchwork and Quilting and also basic dressmaking. If you are interested I will post my contact details Please send me an email with your contact details as I am looking out for some classes. Thanks. [email protected] edited by andrea_m on 10/05/2012 And me too, please! [email protected]. Cheers x
EmilyG220
275
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Latest post on 10 May 2012 - 14:24
Hi loube Well done for at least purchasing a machine! Which Innovis did you get? And where did you find it? Have you had any lessons? Probably too many questions. I've just ordered a patchwork kit from the UK so better get my act together soon! EG
EmilyG220
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Latest post on 10 May 2012 - 09:51
Thanks my3guys! Actually I may well start with a pillow case myself :-) Yes I've heard that Brother machines are great and posted on Dubizzle looking for a high quality 2nd hand machine. Can you recommend any particular model? Was thinking of an Innovis. Thoughts? TIA x
EmilyG220
275
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 10 May 2012 - 09:47
So sorry to hear about your loss. It's hard losing a pet regardless of the circumstances, but that must have been awful. As PPs said, not your fault in any way - you were doing your best to look after them. Hugs x <em>edited by EmilyG on 10/05/2012</em>
EmilyG220
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Latest post on 10 May 2012 - 09:36
I first looked at the site before moving here in May 2004. Can't remember when I first posted though... possibly when pg with dd1, summer 2006. ETA: I think what put me off posting at the time was the name expatmum - cringe! <em>edited by EmilyG on 10/05/2012</em>
EmilyG220
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Latest post on 09 May 2012 - 23:38
Thanks for all your comments. So far I've had a look for machines in C4 and 2 craft shops. Am slowly realising that if I want to start quilting I need a half-decent machine as opposed to a cheapo! Problem is... they cost at least AED1500 and I'm not even sure I'm going to enjoy sewing so don't want to risk wasting my money. So... does anyone have a good quality machine that they are willing to sell for a reasonable price? TIA x
EmilyG220
275
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Latest post on 09 May 2012 - 23:31
Sorry to hear about all of this, DC. It must be especially hard with two small children. Sending cyberhugs xx
EmilyG220
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Latest post on 09 May 2012 - 11:22
Hi I used to live about 10 mins from dd1's nursery (if you count waiting for lifts etc) and I walked back and forth every day for an entire summer with both dd1 (age 3.5) and dd2 (age 2-6 months). BUT they were shaded in a double buggy so I was the only one getting really hot and sweaty! ETA: Between that and bfing, the baby weight just fell off! Lol. <em>edited by EmilyG on 09/05/2012</em>
EmilyG220
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Latest post on 05 May 2012 - 15:07
There is a nice Indian photographer near Financial Centre metro on SZR. He took some lovely pictures of my dds and is quite reasonable. His studio is called Rose Studios Phone: 04-3435600. Hth xx
EmilyG220
275
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Latest post on 05 May 2012 - 14:45
Anyone have one of these? If so, what do you think of it? TIA x
 
 
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