EmilyG220 | ExpatWoman.com
 

EmilyG220

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Latest post on 15 March 2012 - 21:59
Thanks quizzme! I was showing her the English version online earlier and she said they had been doing it in English class. But I guess that's not a reason not to do it in French too!
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Latest post on 15 March 2012 - 16:16
Thanks dramaqn! That's a lovely song. Unfortunately she needs to do something in French though (lol)!
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Latest post on 15 March 2012 - 15:57
Hi thanks for the responses! Yes Eric Carle's book did cross my mind. BUT she goes to a French school and although there is a translation I don't have a copy. I guess I could always buy a copy in English and at least get her to show everyone the pictures. Not sure how long a 5 yo would be expected to speak for. Any idea?
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Latest post on 15 March 2012 - 15:27
My 5 yo dd has to do a 'show and tell' at school on Sunday on the theme of caterpillars (and, assumingly, butterflies). Not sure what this involves. Am thinking of getting her to do some caterpillar and butterfly artwork and showing it to the class. She also has a Little Einstein book with photos of the process of metamorphosis. Was thinking maybe she could talk through the different steps (in basic language of course - e.g. "first the caterpillar hangs of a branch, then makes a chrysalis, this becomes hard... and then a butterfly pops out a while later). Would this be enough or do we need to do anything else? Is there anywhere I could take her in Dubai to look at something caterpillar- or butterfly-related and maybe take pics to show the class? Advice appreciated - first ever school project lol!
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Latest post on 15 March 2012 - 13:25
Hi I have never lived in Brussels but my dad has been working there for over 20 years so I have visited quite a few times. I would say that on the whole it's a very nice place. 1) Pros Nice manageable size (compared to Paris or London) Green Lots of history, museums, things to do Family-friendly (mainly due to open spaces) Very cosmopolitan (lots of expats) Great place to learn languages (most ppl are bilingual or trilingual) Good schools Reasonable rent (much less than London, Paris or Dxb) Lovely restaurants 2) Cons Dull weather - similar to London only it can rain constantly for days or even weeks on end Crime - both my stepmum and sis were mugged in exactly the same spot - car windows smashed with crow bars and their handbags snatched - and that was in a 'nice' area Tension between French- and Flemish-speaking communities (although as an expat you probably wouldn't notice this) Some racism. Given the opportunity to go there on a good package, I think I would take it up (although dh would not). There are some lovely areas. Many Brits live in Tervuren. My dad is in Wezembeek which is v convenient - right on the edge of the countryside and yet has a metro station and is not far from the airport.. Uccle is also nice. Hth x
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Latest post on 13 March 2012 - 21:59
Hi Babs, congrats on stating to ttc. I have an underactive thyroid too but got pg 3 times very quickly thanks to FAM - the fertility awareness method. It just involves taking temps and monitoring other sign to figure out when you're ovulating. Would strongly recommend reading Take Charge of your Fertility by Toni Weschler which explains it all really well. In fact it's a fantastic book! The Old Library have a copy if you're interested. Good luck and have fun x
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Latest post on 13 March 2012 - 21:54
Hi I have the Maclaren twin techno and I'm happy with it. I used it non-stop for around 6 months after I had dd2 as I walked dd1 to nursery locally. Now that I've had a 3rd I use it a couple of times a week and it's still fine. I would say the best things about it are its weight (light) and the ample storage space in the back. Oh and it folds up nicely due to its 'umbrella' style. Both seats can also recline fully which is great. I would def have a look for barely used double strollers on dubizzle as many ppl witha large age gap between kids sell them on soon after the birth of a baby when the older child refuses to sit in a double stroller. Good luck x
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Latest post on 13 March 2012 - 21:47
Hi I have 3... exactly 5 years between the eldest and youngest. Middle child born 2.5 years after the 1st. Sooo far it's going well. 3rd child is only 3 months old right now though - ask me again in a year (lol).
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Latest post on 13 March 2012 - 15:08
How about Nicolas & ASP postgraduate college of dentistry? They have ppl qualified on their home countries as dentists working as nurses and assistants, and I believe these *may* go on to qualify here in dxb.
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Latest post on 13 March 2012 - 14:22
Hi CB, personally I would not involve my children in modelling as I do not feel comfortable with it for various reasons. BUT a friend of mine is fine with it and her kids have done a *lot* over the past few years. She has a great relationship with Bareface who are very professional, but, as far as I know, she had one very bad exp with Jellyfish. That was a few years ago though, so maybe they have since changed - or maybe she was just unlucky. I would think very carefully before involving your kids in this environment but if you are all happy with it then good luck.
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Latest post on 02 March 2012 - 19:13
Hi I had all 3 of my babies at AW so am reasonably familiar with them (lol). I didn't choose them for cost reasons (had insurance) but because they are the high risk hospital with the best nicu. The hospital is not flashy - similar to NHS only cleaner and much less crowded (in my exp). I had 3 c-sections - 1 emcs and 2 planned. For my 1st, my dh was with me at all times, except overnight on ward while waiting for labour to start and during the emergency cs. For my 2nd and 3rd, he was with me pretty much non-stop, including the spinal and the actual delivery. In fact he cut the cord for baby no.3 :-). For all 3 deliveries I was on a (quiet) ward for 1 night and in a private room thereafter (highly recommended). My dh didn't stay the night after the birth but was there all day until about 9pm. Btw the rule excluding husbands from the labour ward is not applied consistently. In my exp, there were *often* men sitting with their wives on the ward, only behind the curtain surrounding the bed. As far as I can see, the rule is only enforced if there is a local lady present who requests it. At other times men are present. I would definitely recommend AW to anyone with a high risk pregnancy and/or no insurance. You may not get pampered but the care is excellent *and* great value. Nowadays some ppl feel that as normal deliveries are almost as much as a private hospital, there is no point in going to Latifa. But it's worth noting that private outfits has a *much* higher cs rate - so you need to budget for a cesarean. Last time we paid a total of AED17k - this included antenatal care (5k), the elcs (10k) and private room (about 2k). Privately that would have cost a good deal more e.g. AED25-30k. Also registering at Latifa acts as an insurance policy in itself, since their nicu is great and *much* cheaper (about half that of city or AH). And if you encounter complications while pg and need to be admitted, care is charged at a very reasonable rate. I was admitted for dehydration at around 36 wks. Stayed the night, had 3 drips, countless tests and saw several doctors - all for AED360! Best of luck to Willa - hope all goes well for you :-)
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Latest post on 28 February 2012 - 21:33
Hi! I have a 3 month old and I live right next to Lime Tree as well. I have 2 older kids too but they're at school and nursery in the mornings. Cheers x <em>edited by EmilyG on 29/02/2012</em>
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Latest post on 28 February 2012 - 21:30
Thanks I will check out Justkidding. Kiwispiers - thanks for pointing out the expiry issue. It's actually bang on 5 years old which is its lifespan, but I only need it for another couple of months so can't really justify shelling out on a whole new seat. Cheers x
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Latest post on 28 February 2012 - 15:17
Hi I would recommend registering the baby at the UK consulate first (if you haven't already done so). If you do that you only need to send the British birth cert (as opposed to all that stuff). Hth x
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Latest post on 19 February 2012 - 15:26
thanks Girls just saw these responses now EmilyG my husband is french and I will forward those details on to him as I Think that may be what we are looking for. Katyjt if the previous one doesnt work out I will get details of your boss :) Great, hope you find what you're looking for. Yves is quite helpful.
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Latest post on 16 February 2012 - 21:11
Ok cheers Ange!
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Latest post on 16 February 2012 - 15:54
Thanks angelina! Yes I had emailed the EEG and was waiting for a response. Was wondering whether there were any bins closer to home (jumeirah mosque - lol) but I guess if I can drop everything there it's a good one stop shop. Cheers x
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Latest post on 16 February 2012 - 10:30
Hi Frances Not in HCC but Dr Tadros at Al Zahra Medical Centre is great. Hth x
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Latest post on 14 February 2012 - 16:14
I did this too - was working for a company owned by DIFCA. I had negotiated about 6 months' mat leave altogether (45 working days full [ay + 45 working days half pay + accrued leave + 1 month unpaid leave) and I resigned around 6 weeks before I planned to return to work. I got all the gratuity I was entitled to.
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Latest post on 14 February 2012 - 15:12
Persian ladies... a quick question now that you're on the topic of your home country. When you travel back there and are obliged to cover, how do you normally dress? Scarf tied under the chin teamed with belted coat? Just being nosey ;-) Emily
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Latest post on 12 February 2012 - 10:24
Hi AvalonMum, not sure if this is any help to you, but we have dealt with a branch of BNP Paribas located in Paris which specialises in expats (i.e. French people living abroad). They helped us set up a number of tax-free savings plans. Here are my account mgr's details. He is French but speaks good English. Yves GRAUFOGEL Conseiller en Développement de Patrimoine Clientèle des Expatriés Paris Agence Centrale Internationale 16 Bvd des Italiens - 75009 PARIS Tel : 33 (0) 1 44 83 54 73 Fax : 33 (0) 1 44 83 54 69
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Latest post on 12 February 2012 - 10:01
HI I had 3 babies by cs at AW and all went well. First was an emergency (foetal distress) and subsequent ones were planned (2nd breech and 3rd due to previous cesareans). You can't request a specific doctor although you may be able choose a particular team of OBs. I had 3 different ones and they were all *very* experienced. AW is such a busy high risk hospital that I knew I would be in good times each time. In fact I was more concerned about the anaesthetist - 1st time was fine, but 2nd and 3rd time I had Dr Strakal (sic?) who was *amazing*. He is the top anaesthetist there (a consultant) and does all the planned c-sections (assuming he's not on leave). In fact I interacted a lot more with him than with the OB each time. He is quite a character and kept me informed - and even entertained - each time. Good luck, I'm sure all will be fine xx
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Latest post on 12 February 2012 - 09:50
Hi I got two v nice one-piece swimsuits at Decathlon. V cheap too!
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Latest post on 09 February 2012 - 22:28
Hi pepito It all depends on a) the language you speak at home and b) what your priority is - bilingual kids or easy return to French system. If you really want your kids to become bilingual (English/French) and you all speak French at home, then you could look at an English school. This would give them a good balance of the two languages. BUT there is the risk of them finding a return to a French system difficult. As I'm sure you know, it can be quite unforgiving. There are lessons at the Alliance for French kids who attend English schools, but I'm not sure how in depth they are. If like me you're married to a Brit and you tend to socialise with English speakers, then I would say a French-speaking school is best. Imho having one parent speak the target (i.e. less dominant) language at home is not enough to achieve bilingualism. This is why my dd1 goes to the Lycee Francais International (LFI - commonly referred to as Aflec). She has made fantastic progress in French there over the past 1.5 years. It's not a flashy school but so far I'm very happy with the teaching. It has the same status as the Lycee Pompidou (i.e. recognised and subsidised by the French state). My other dd (age 2.5) goes to a French-speaking nursery called Mon Ecole in Jumeira 1 near where we live. I am delighted with it. It's a wonderful nurturing environment run by a Lebanese lady who has been teaching in Dubai for over 30 years. Other French nurseries include le Petit Bout'Chou (also in Jumeira) and the London Paris nursery (closer to you as it's near the Burj Al Arab). Personally I wouldn't worry about kids having issues moving from the French system to the British one. Although officially in France they start to learn how to read in CP (i.e. year 1) they actually begin familiarising themselves with it in Maternelle moyenne and grande section. My dd is roughly at the same stage of learning as her friends who attend British schools. If anything I would say that the French system is more academic. I have moved in both directions - i.e. from the French system to the English one and back again - and I would say that moving to the English one was easy but it was quite challenging go back to France after that. Hth x
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Latest post on 06 February 2012 - 13:11
I tasted a cake from Lafayette Gourmet a couple of days ago and it was delicious. Custom-made, several tiers and pictures of TInkerbell on it. Not sure how much it cost though (lol).
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Latest post on 06 February 2012 - 13:04
Thanks for your responses, ladies! I will definitely check out those suggestions. Purple - you're right, we could def get by with just a booster for dd1 - in fact we already have one and used it for visitors in the past. But while I'm happy to use one occasionally, I'm a bit nervous about doing so on a daily basis. Just paranoid I guess! Lol. Em x
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Latest post on 05 February 2012 - 15:04
Why not just give it away? No hassle negotiating and some people would really appreciate it. I did this with my baby girls' clothes (once I found out I was expecting a boy) and my neighbour was really pleased. Then lo and behold, a few days later a friend contacted me and gave me a load of boys' stuff :-)
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Latest post on 02 February 2012 - 16:44
Omg how ironic that they had already been warned *and* the story reported in the media. We can only assume that they brought the aunt over in response to that warning... but unfortunately that was not enough. They needed to childproof the windows *and* ensure that the carer stayed awake. This is something I worry about as I live in an apt (albeit on the 1st floor). Has anyone approached their landlord in view of having special l;ocks installed? Poor child :-(
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Latest post on 31 January 2012 - 09:52
Thanks mojitoqueen. I've enquired about that class and hope to join you next Sun :-)
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Latest post on 29 January 2012 - 22:03
Hi I saw Paula Miller when first had dd1 and she was amazing. Thanks to her I managed to bf for 2 years and am now well on my way with my 3rd child.
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Latest post on 29 January 2012 - 22:01
Hi I would def advise you to invest in a lightweight umbrella stroller (e.g. maclaren). I know the Zapp isn't as bulky as the Buzz but on a bus or tube you really need something light, narrow and easily fold-able. I took my Buzz to Paris wen dd was 8 months old and it was a nightmare. After half an hour of struggling to get on the metro and bus (had to dismantle the thing to get on either of these) I rushed home to get my sling. The next day I picked up a v cheap stroller at C4 which was fab.
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Latest post on 29 January 2012 - 21:54
Hi sorry to crash your thread, but any idea where the Jumeira class is held? I'm in Jumeira 1 and would def be interested. Cheers x
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Latest post on 29 January 2012 - 21:51
Yes DC is right - Babysteps can get the local birth cert in Arabic and English, but the British birth cert must be obtained from the consulate. I just collected my ds's one today. Here is some useful info: http://ukinuae.fco.gov.uk/en/help-for-british-nationals/living-in-uae/how-to-register-birth It all went smoothly. It's just a bit expensive - AED1050! Hth x
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Latest post on 28 January 2012 - 22:02
Thanks ladies! Both suggestions sound really good. I'm in Jumeira 1 though so Media City is a bit far. I may well try urban energy class for new mums at Umm Suqueim Pk. Love the concept of taking lo along in a buggy :-) Thanks again x
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Latest post on 13 January 2012 - 11:22
Hi MaiTai. I'm originally from Paris and my mum lives there so we go quite often. Normally we stay at my mum's but last time we had to stay in a hotel for 1 night on arrival. We thought an apt would be best as we have 2 kids *but* it turned out that the only convenient ones (Citadines - vg rep and great location not far from Eiffel Tower etc) were v expensive - AED360 per night As it was only for 1 night we just went to a hotel and stayed in a normal room with a pull-out kids bed.Sorry, not sure that's much help to you! Re: activities... last time we chose not to go to Eurodisney as a daytrip as I was pg but it's v doable (provided you prepare yourself for a 1-1.5 hour train journey there and back). I would say the best kids' activities in central Paris are the Jardin d'Acclimatation (kids' park with animals and rides), the Eiffel Tower, the Menagerie du Jardin des Plantes (lovely medium-sized zoo) and the Grande Galerie de l'Evolution (lots of real stuffed animals e.g. elephants, also in the jardin des plantes). Bateau mouche on the Seine is also a good idea and quite relaxing. If your kids like dinosaurs there is also a museum in the Jardin des Plantes next to the Grande Galerie similar to the natural history museum in London. Have fun xx
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Latest post on 09 January 2012 - 22:46
Ok great. Thanks Azania!
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Latest post on 03 January 2012 - 20:18
Cheers sandfly x
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Latest post on 01 January 2012 - 16:02
Ok thanks busybee! I guess you're right that I shouldn't make assumptions re: car... will wait to speak to axa again. TIA x
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Latest post on 01 January 2012 - 15:33
OMG congrats Greenish! Wonderful news. Four kids... wow :-) Oh and loved the football comment. Lol!
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Latest post on 01 January 2012 - 15:28
save your sanity and call "babysteps" to do it for you. I agree - just did this and it made my life 10 times easier. For just over AED500 they provide a delivery service so you don't even have to leave your home. Bliss!
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Latest post on 01 January 2012 - 15:25
Thanks for the feedback. Waiting to speak to axa before dh gets behind the wheel just to be on safe side. My car shouldn't be classed as a high performance sports car as it's just a bmw 5 series. Has anyone heard anything about needing an NOC for a third party to drive a car? I seem to recall axa mentioning this when I enquired a while ago. Cheers x
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Latest post on 01 January 2012 - 15:16
Thanks for that feedback, AmyAus and sandfly. Very valuable. Am I right in assuming you are both qualified lawyers? I haven't quite decided which direction to go in yet but would really like to discuss this with you offline (if you have the time). Could either of you please email me on emily_glynn at yahoo dot com? TIA x <em>edited by EmilyG on 03/01/2012</em>
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Latest post on 31 December 2011 - 16:58
Oh great, thanks semisaudi. I guess that means my dh can drive my car. Lol!
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Latest post on 25 December 2011 - 11:41
Lol! You're not alone. My gas oven refused to work so I'm roasting the turkey in the microwave instead. In the meantime the maintenance guys have arrived and are installing a brand new oven for me ( a bit late but never mind)!
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Latest post on 12 December 2011 - 17:36
Yes this is a well-known scam. My former boss, dh and fil have all been approached around the DIFC area. Only my boss bought the suits and wore them to work - much to the amusement of the rest of the team. Lol. Tbh it's harmless though - the worst that can have happened is that your dh just paid a bit too much for them.
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Latest post on 12 December 2011 - 17:22
Thanks so much for your responses! I agree that it's pretty ridiculous. If neither Spinneys nor C4 (small one) have them then it's safe to say that they are hard to come by. Cherry ripe - thanks for the offer! I would def come round only I can't drive as I have just had a cs. LOL. I think I will just send the creme fraiche ones back tomorrow and try to make it to GL by taxi in the morning. Hopefully they're not planning to do the artwork tomorrow. Not sure what they need these for - assuming it's to put tea lights in them as xmas decs. Cheers x
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Latest post on 12 December 2011 - 15:19
Does anyone know where I can find any? Dd1 needs to take 2 glass yoghurt pots to school for an artwork project. I looked in my local Spinneys and C4 but they didn't have any in stock. I ended up buying 2 pots of creme fraiche int he hope that they would do the job but the teacher sent them home :-( TIA x
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Latest post on 07 December 2011 - 15:18
'Shame' by Jasvinder Sanghera. Fantastic true story of a girl who escaped forced marriage at 15 and has been rejected by her family ever since. Very inspiring.
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Latest post on 30 November 2011 - 07:39
CongratsEnigma1979. Hope al is going well for you. As mentioned on another thread, I had my baby boy on Thurs 24th Nov by elcs at AW. Em xx
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Latest post on 28 November 2011 - 17:21
Great thanks for your suggestions! Have sent dh out for some arnica tabs. Fc!