fjcruiser | ExpatWoman.com
 

fjcruiser

fjcruiser
542
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 26 January 2013 - 21:36
Many thanks.
fjcruiser
542
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 31 December 2012 - 15:08
Sorry to hear about your awful experience. Airlines are insured for these type of events as well as for late arrival of your luggage. As a case has been opened with the police, hopefully the financial loss will be resolved soon and hopefully the culprits caught.
fjcruiser
542
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 30 December 2012 - 19:28
Good luck for the op. I had mine done last March at the Neurospinal hospital on Jumeirah Road. I have not had any pain ever since.If you follow your doctor's advice and physio's advice you will recover quickly.
fjcruiser
542
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 30 December 2012 - 19:25
$250
fjcruiser
542
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 23 December 2012 - 17:26
I have bought all my appliances from Jacky's and only have praise for their customer service. So far after 4 years, they are all working fine.
fjcruiser
542
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 21 December 2012 - 00:33
The issue is not with ELife but with the router they supply you with which is c***.Since I switched to a Time Capsule, I have not had to reboot ever.I bought a TC as we have Macs and I also use it to back up but if you want just a router it will not cost you the earth. Netgear and Cisco are good brands.I would not use anything else.
fjcruiser
542
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 15 December 2012 - 21:43
Although I do not have any experience with these two models of cars, if you decide to go for Ford and the car is out of warranty, stay away from Al Tayer for serviceing. They are just plain thiefs. AAA was mentioned by a previous poster and I recommend them too.They are honest and value for money. <em>edited by fjcruiser on 15/12/2012</em>
fjcruiser
542
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 13 December 2012 - 22:40
What a great idea, Will go and get the toy and try!.Thanks SueB.
fjcruiser
542
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 29 November 2012 - 18:15
Rattan House on SZR has great furniture, pricey but high quality.
fjcruiser
542
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 27 September 2012 - 18:05
ok now.
fjcruiser
542
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 26 September 2012 - 18:41
I was in the same situation as you when we found our little feral girl. She used to bite me a lot as I think she was quite posessive and looked at me as being her mum.I used a spray bottle quite often and at the end she started calming down. As she grew older (she is now 18 months), the 'attacks' became quite infrequent but I get them at times if she is in a mood!. Now I tend to blow on her and it calms her quickly or she is sent outside. I think she wants me all to herself and is jealous of hubby and my DS she very rarely attacks. I think the feral genes are there, no doubt. I have never experienced this before. It will be difficult to re-home a cat without telling the new owner of this issue to be honest. Give your cat a bit more time and use spray bottle or blowing on her face. She will get the message. Good luck.
fjcruiser
542
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 25 September 2012 - 15:20
Please can anyone advise me what this actually means? I am very new to Dubai and my children are now in their 3rd week of school here. My eldest has just turned 6 and in year 2 (so youngest in class) he had a very difficult 1st week at school - crying and not wanting to go into class etc. I saw his teacher regarding this and she also raised concerns about his reading level and writing skills. He does struggle with reading and writing so this was no surprise to me - in the uk we were advised by school to do a programme similar to kumon to help with this. Anyway I asked if the school could suggest anything or provide any support to help him settle and with academics, the teacher said she would look into it and let us know. 9am the following day we are called into see the head teacher who advised we needed to get our child 'fully assessed' ASAP. We were given a business card for a children's clinc but basically told it is us that needs to sort out the assessments/supports and next step. We were told it needs to be done quickly in case a change of year group is needed - as this is best done before children are 'processed into the system' I've contacted the clinc who have told me there is currently a waiting list for assessments. Is this how it works? Schools give you no guidance? I've been told the assessment involves going to the clinic and taking tests - is this not a bit artificial? Sorry for the long post! I'm just looking for a bit of advice of how it all works and what I should be doing. I would be grateful for any insight, thanks. Has the school told what your DS need to be assessed for ? There are hundreds of tests around so the school needs to be a bit more specific, tell you what triggers what behaviour and so on. 6 is very young to assess anything anyway as most child psychologists will tell you.Before going and spending large amounts of money,it may be worth thinking about what your DS was like in his previous school, was he showing signs of distress for eg, A move to another country can trigger many things for some people and your DS may just need time to settle and the school should work with you on a program with your child to help him settle down. Unfortunately schools here are often too quick to pass on the problem to you rather than working out a plan of action. They are quite happy to take your money without fullfilling their duty of care and blame your child for his behaviour. Any professional you see will ask you why you think you need to have your child assessed so the school has to give you examples of what happens and what measures they take to address the problem not just blame you and your child.
fjcruiser
542
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 25 September 2012 - 11:49
Paying online is easiest as you will get an SMS and email confirming payment. It will not be cheaper if you pay before 15 days in Dubai and it will not increase either as you can wait till re-registeration of your car. The admin fee is compulsory whether you pay online or at the re-registration counter (at the counter you can only pay cash). If you pay online, the website only works with Internet Explorer, not Firefox btw.
fjcruiser
542
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 25 September 2012 - 11:34
Although I do not have direct experience with UAS, a good friend of mine had her two boys there from age 13 and 14 and they spent 2 1/2 years there (they are back in the US now).She was extremely happy with the academics and the school ethos and the multicultural aspect of it. She told me that when the boys went back to the US they were ahead of their peers. You can always ask to see the IB results of the school. The school is doing the IB program in primary then the US curriculum and the last two years offer IB or the US certificate. There is very little said about UAS on forums but I have only heard good things about the school. Good luck!
fjcruiser
542
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 24 September 2012 - 15:31
All the Nespresso machines cost the same here. We bought a new one in the UK during the summer at half the cost here. I just wonder how many are sold in Dubai since most people travel and can bring one back from their home country where it is often cheaper.I guess like Mac products, someone will soon realise this and prices will start coming down Insh Allah! PS We did have to wait 8 months before buying one in the UK but we saved ourselves over 700dhs!
fjcruiser
542
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 24 September 2012 - 15:25
You could print out little notes asking for parents to check into their child's bag and ask the teacher if she does not mind putting it into the kids bag. At least your child knows that taking toys to school is risky. Hopefully the go-go will be returned soon. <em>edited by fjcruiser on 24/09/2012</em>
fjcruiser
542
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 24 September 2012 - 12:15
I just paid 200dhs to have a male cat castrated at Safa Vet with the FF discount. Females are more expensive as it is more invasive.
fjcruiser
542
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 24 September 2012 - 12:12
Although I do not know much about Kia, they seem to be popular in Dubai which is a sign the company is doing something right. I found that Honda has gone down in terms of quality compared to a few years ago. The CRV is well put together but the engine is a bit weak which can be an issue here if you need to get yourself out of trouble.Honda in theory have a higher resell value than Kia but Kia' reliability means that could change quite easily when you come to re-sell your car. It depends how long you intend to keep your car and whether you will be doing a lot of mileage or not.Have you also checked the cost of servicing at both dealers and parts prices. This can make a big difference over time. Good luck!
fjcruiser
542
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 24 September 2012 - 12:06
The problem with Sharaf is their appliances are sometimes cheaper because they are imported from cheap countries.When I was looking at washing machines, I found the Bosch I was looking at in Jacky's was made in Germany and a cheaper version sold at Sharaf was made in Turkey. At the end of the day, you get what you pay for. I am a great fan of Jacky's and never buy from Sharaf because of the cheap imports and the general poor customer service if something goes wrong.
fjcruiser
542
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 23 September 2012 - 21:30
Unless you hold a trading licence you are not allowed to buy or sell animals in Dubai. Petshops sell all sorts of animals in Dubai but I would not recommend you go this route. Most animals will be in poor health, of dubious breeding and end up being a nightmare for the buyers. If you care about animals, there are plenty of rescued cats to adopt in Dubai via various charities (Feline Friends for eg). The animals are thoroughly checked for health issues, vaccinated and in some cases neutered depending on their age. Other places to look at are the various vets.
fjcruiser
542
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 18 September 2012 - 14:48
I recommend you try Al Karama King Games in Karama Center (Kuwait St).They are on the Ground Floor next to a Jewelry Shop.
fjcruiser
542
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 18 September 2012 - 12:24
After the Thalidomide scandal, many meds carry warnings about taking meds while being pregnant.
fjcruiser
542
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 18 September 2012 - 12:22
Sponsoring means your nanny will only be allowed to work for you, no one else.
fjcruiser
542
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 17 September 2012 - 16:20
Buying can make sense if financially you will be better off than renting taking into account all the costs of course. From what I gather mainly by way of personal experiences or reading in various press, buying a flat in Dubai has many pittfalls. It seems that most towers will have LLs who are investors, may be living abroad or have become untrackable and have failed to pay maintenance charges over several years resulting in pools being closed or maintenance being kept to a minimum due to lack of funds. Generally buying a flat in a tower would make sense if maintenance charges are reasonable provided everyone pays! I guess it is the same with villas although some areas like AR are mainly owners occupied I believe so it is easier to chase for maintenance payments.You would need to do some serious research to try to find out who are the people living in the tower you are looking at, are they tenants, owner occupied, if tenanted, are LLs here or outside Dubai.....also you would want a peek at the accounts of the company who does maintenance so you know if there is money in the sinking fund or not. I just wonder how easy it is to get this kind of info in Dubai.Good luck!
fjcruiser
542
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 17 September 2012 - 12:13
CA, copy your post on the pet section please. There are some pet experts on there (SueB for example) who will give you sound advice as they did when I adopted a stray adult and already had a very territorial cat!. The vet will give you also good advice and once vaccinated and ear mites cleared (hopefully she has not got any at such a young age), your other pets will adapt as long as you follow the recommendations. My instructions were quite strict about segregation for 2 weeks, no going out for 5, but it worked. It is like antibiotics, you have to go till the end of the course. All the best!
fjcruiser
542
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 17 September 2012 - 10:38
You did the right thing. It looks like your cat was in pain when trying to eat. It is one of the most difficult decision to make and I have had to do this 3 times (1 dog and 2 cats). It still haunts me after all those years.RIP little girl.
fjcruiser
542
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 16 September 2012 - 20:15
This article seems to say that there is hope for your cat and explains what the drip feeding is about and how long it needs to last for to reverse the condition. May be you should try as for your cat eating normally must be extremely painful. I hope your cat gets better soon. Thinking of you.
fjcruiser
542
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 13 September 2012 - 16:14
A friend of mine who tried pretty much all water dispensers out there recommended 3 1/2 years ago that I go for Aftron (made in Korea not China). It has been an excellent recommendation. I bought mine from the Aftron shop in Festival City (mid floor when you enter via Plug Ins).
fjcruiser
542
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 10 September 2012 - 20:52
With meds you do not know how it can react on people so you would not want to take the risk I think. I asked a pharmacy once what they did with returned unused meds and they said they just dispose of them. They do not seem to have contacts with any charities who send meds to poorer countries for eg. It is a shame but that's how it is here.
fjcruiser
542
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 10 September 2012 - 20:40
Thank you so much for all your replies...DH is a little better...able to walk slowly and sit for little while ...pain in leg still there but going higher up in the leg which the doc says is a good sign! surgery is still not ruled out though...! fjcruiser..i called for an app with Dr Masaddi ...and he is available in February! imagine that...although if it comes to surgery i would like to have him as our Dr...so thank you for ur reply and ur idea of the cost estimate also helped..... have an appointment with Dr Catalin at Neurospinal on thursday ...will at least get his opinion have been reading good things about Dr Amr Sarwat at City hospital here on expat woman..so now thinking maybe no harm in getting his opinion too... Would still like to add for general info that Dr Charles Jones has so far been a miracle worker and has brought DH to this level where at least he has regained some level of activity... May all of you never need a doctor and be healthy and happy...amen! Dr Catalin is in Dr Msaadi's team. I saw him first and then he referred me straight away to Dr Msaadi although when I first called like you I was told 4 months waiting! The hospital reception should explain that it is ok to see Dr Catalin (he is great btw and is doing my 3 months check ups) and that he is not an alternative to Dr Msaadi but part of his team! Dr Catalin and Dr Msaadi jointly operated on me. Hope it makes things clearer. <em>edited by fjcruiser on 10/09/2012</em>
fjcruiser
542
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 10 September 2012 - 20:36
do not donate meds, give them to a pharmacy who will dispose of them safely.
fjcruiser
542
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 10 September 2012 - 20:34
I bought my 2 3feet tall a year ago from the garden souq in AC for 70dhs. In a year they grew to 6ft, but it does not make them more valuable I think. In fact I would personally not buy large ones as it is more difficult for a grown up tree to re-root. So my answer is you will not get much for them sorry.
fjcruiser
542
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 09 September 2012 - 22:19
I used http://churchwoodscathotel.com/ many times and found the service excellent albeit not cheap. This was almost 3 years ago.
fjcruiser
542
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 09 September 2012 - 22:06
Park N' Shop is on Al Wasl Road on the right going towards Safa park. You pass Spinneys Um Suqeim on your right then just before reaching the next traffic light junction, it is on your right (you will see Baskins & Robins) when you come in to park. It is next to it.
fjcruiser
542
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 09 September 2012 - 18:01
Ah well another rip-off place I will not go to. It did not look very enticing when I had a quick look from the outside . Thanks for your comments ladies.
fjcruiser
542
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 09 September 2012 - 17:05
I go to AAA Al Qoz for servicing and I am always happy with their service. They use genuine parts which is important.
fjcruiser
542
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 09 September 2012 - 16:55
Has anyone tried IHOP in the MOE ? Is it as good as it can be in the US ?
fjcruiser
542
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 07 September 2012 - 22:18
scam, heard about this sometime ago.
fjcruiser
542
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 07 September 2012 - 15:05
One downside on the Miele is you have to get the parts from their World Trade Centre Office now. I used to buy the bags at Jacky's but only Miele supply them now. I have not checked the price yet.
fjcruiser
542
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 06 September 2012 - 11:46
you cannot buy weed killer here so I bought small and large weed scrapers.It works out fine as most of my garden is fairly dry. I get few weeds here thankfully.
fjcruiser
542
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 05 September 2012 - 21:51
Not eaten there yet but I do often see Korean people going in there. The menu is quite pricey though. To be honest I am yet to find a decent Korean restaurant in Dubai. I used to live near Korean city in London so I was very spoiled. <em>edited by fjcruiser on 05/09/2012</em>
fjcruiser
542
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 31 August 2012 - 22:16
Dear ladies... I will be really obliged if some body can advise me on my situation... My DH suffered a slip disc around 15 days back..he has 2 of them one small one between L4 and L5 and one major one between L5and S1...the lower one is pressing on the sciatica nerve which is causing major pain so much so that he can barely walk ...only to the loo and back and is mostly lying down... Now ive been following this thread since DH's issue started..and read about all various recommendations.....we have gone to Dr Charles Jones the chiropractic...he is doing spine decompression therapy...but on our second visit today he told us that a fragment of the disc seems to have broken off which is now pressing on the nerve ....we will continue with the therapy for 1 week but if there is no drastic improvement we will have to go for surgery to remove that fragment. He advised us that if it comes to surgery the best doctors were available at AI MIS (American institute of minimally invasive spine surgery) in Cyprus....he said these are all American doctors and best in the world..............in Dubai he only suggested Dr Msaddi at Neuro Spinal Jumeirah and one other at Dubai Bone and Joint Centre. The Cyprus stint would cost us around 20,000 $ ....it’s just an idea which Dr Jones gave.. Would love it if anybody could share their personal experience with Dr Msaddi, how much it costed? Just for a general idea of course.....and if any body has ever gone to the Cyprus hospital which Dr Jones recommends...(I really respect him...he sorted out my back pain although not major and a friend has gone to him for years and recommends him highly) Any comments/advice highly appreciated! TIA.. PS: I think Expat Woman is a great blessing ...reading about all u guys out there has given me so much hope and often direction as well. Love u all I had my surgery done at the Neuro Spinal Hospital by Dr Msaadi and is team.He is a very experienced surgeon and will only do surgery if surgery needs doing.He has a great reputation in Dubai but at times it can be difficult to get an appointment with him. Fortunately for me, it was all done on insurance. The cost was about 40,000dhs and I have 3 months check ups (I was operated on the L4-L5 disc 6 months ago). The sciatica pain went immediately and the recovery has been going very well. I am just left with some numbness which is normal and is decreasing and should be gone within a year. I highly recommend the Neuro Spinal Hospital (not one of the most modern hospital but the care was fantastic).
fjcruiser
542
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 27 August 2012 - 21:09
Budget is one thing but you also need to consider other factors such as will you need to store data on the laptop or is is just to browse internet, skype and a bit of word documents.Will your laptop be a working horse or will it network with a desktop where you will keep all your data. Which OS do you prefer, Mac or Windows.Mac are expensive but worth the money IMHO. The budget Mac starts at about 3,999dhs for the MacBook Air 64GB and if you need more storage you can always buy 1 or 2TB external HD for under 700dhs. Good luck with the search.
fjcruiser
542
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 26 August 2012 - 20:58
As a tennis player, my advice would be to go with him to choose a racket as grip size, racket weight and style is important and cannot be chosen by someone else to be honest. There are hundreds of rackets to choose from but depending on his level or past level, it will quickly narrow down. Good luck!
fjcruiser
542
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 25 August 2012 - 14:25
add thin bleach to the washing powder and it will keep the white, white.If the white are too far gone, soak them overnight in a bucket with water to which you add thin bleach.
fjcruiser
542
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 23 August 2012 - 18:08
There is a free website called http://youtubeforchildren.com/ which filters violent and innapropriate videos. It is on my DS's allowed websites and it works fine.
fjcruiser
542
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 22 August 2012 - 21:56
We used Moorfields recently for my DS thinking he may need glasses. He had to undergo many tests but the Drs made sure they were one after to minimize waiting and anxiety time. Great Drs and the diagnosis was my DS did not need glasses after all. Highly recommend.
fjcruiser
542
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 22 August 2012 - 21:50
Twice I fixed my DS's flat tyre caused by a puncture but I found with the heat the repair would not hold for very long as the tyre expands in the heat. Eventually, I replaced the inner tube. They are quite cheap here. Wolfi's, Rage bikes sell all inner tube sizes.
fjcruiser
542
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 21 August 2012 - 17:17
You should have the sciatic pain checked. My understanding is the sciatica pain should have gone after the op.I had my surgery like yours end of February for the same problem at the NeuroSpinal Hospital with Dr Msaadi. I had constant sciatica for the 4 months before surgery and a numb leg. The sciatica pain has totally gone, there is still numbness but that is normal and can last up to a year. I have regular 3 months check ups and I am fine as I have had never been before. I do not want to alarm you but please go and have it checked.
fjcruiser
542
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 21 August 2012 - 17:05
As most fruits and veg are imported and harvested when still green, I believe that even with the best diet in Dubai, our bodies are shorter on vitamins. As we sweat more here as well, our bodies loose vital nutrients so we need to replenish our systems. I buy Nordic Berries for my DS and it can also be used by adults. It is the chewable form and it tastes very nice. Again it is important to go for good quality vitamins. I personally do not rate the Boots ones based on Which research in the UK. Good vitamins are indeed expensive but it is what you get at the end of the day which matters.
 
 
How expats in Germany can get German pension refund

Bye Bye Germany - Hello German Pension Refund?

UAE Emirati Lawyer Awatif Khouri in Dubai and Abu Dhabi

Meet the Emirati Woman Breaking Grounds in UAE Law: Awatif Khouri

Mashreq NEO NXT Account | Why Kids and Teens Need Financial Education

Why Teens Need Real-World Financial Education?

International university transition tips

How to Make the Transition to University Life Easier

How to apply for Germany VBL Pension Refund as an expatriate | Germany Pension Refund

Bye Bye German Public Service Job - Hello VBL Pension Refund

Tourist SIM cards in Dubai guide

Tourist SIM Cards in Dubai: Where to Get One and Package Prices

World's most expensive cities to live in 2024

These Are the World's Most Expensive Cities To Live in 2024

Dubai ranked as one of the best cities to work in 2024

Dubai Ranked Among Top 5 Cities in the World to Work In

What are the signs that your online date is a fraud

8 Warning Signs Your Online Date is a Scammer

10 Expat Experiences You Should Check Off Before Repatriation

10 Expat Experiences You Should Check Off Before Leaving For Good

Best and Worst Countries to Get Started Abroad for New Expats

Best and Worst Countries for New Expats to Get Started Abroad

Under the Mango Tree by Robyn Fok | Expat Books

Expat Author Robyn Fok's 'Under the Mango Tree' Deals With Pet Grief & Loss

Expat Wife, Happy Life: Interview With Expat Author Florence Reisch

(Images: Supplied)

Expat Interview: Meet Florence Reisch, Author of 'Expat Wife, Happy Life!'

Remembering Queen Elizabeth II: A Tribute by UAE Expats

Remembering an Extraordinary Woman: A Tribute to Queen Elizabeth II

10 reasons why expat women love the UAE

10 Reasons Why the UAE is a Popular Choice for Expat Women

6 Common Fears of Moving Abroad By Yourself and How to Overcome Them

Moving to the UAE Alone: 6 Common Fears and How to Overcome Them

Ultimate Babyshop Baby and Toddler Travel Packing List

These Baby Travel Essentials Are Must-Haves For Your Next Family Getaway

Requirements to apply for a UAE Golden Visa

How Do I Obtain a UAE Golden Visa? Requirements, Eligibility, and Process Explained

5 Tip for Expats to Survive Long-Distance Relationships

5 Tip for Expats to Survive Long-Distance Relationships

Opening a bank account in the UAE

A Newcomer to the UAE? What to Consider When Choosing a Bank for Opening an Account

Culture shock in the United Arab Emirates for expats

14 Ways You Will Experience Culture Shock in the UAE

Why you shouldn't upload your resume on your LinkedIn profile

5 Reasons Why You Shouldn't Upload a Resume to Your LinkedIn Profile

10 Secrets to Happiness as an Expat

10 Secrets to Finding Happiness as an Expat

4 Ways to Network as an Expat

4 Ways to Network as an Expat

8 Expat Problems That Are Just Too Real

8 Expat Problems That Are Just Too Real

How to Make New Friends in a Foreign Country

How to Make New Friends in a Foreign Country

Top 10 Countries with the Best Quality of Life

Top 10 Countries with the Best Quality of Life

The best European cities for new expats

Pictured: Prague

The Best Cities in Europe for Expat Arrivals

House in Husavik

10 Amazing Things To Do In Iceland

How to Make Your Own Life as an Expat and Why It’s Important

How to Make Your Own Life as an Expat and Why It’s Important

The Labriz eforea spa location

Why Seychelles is One of the Best Holiday Destinations

The Real Expat: Chasing Your Dreams to Find Your True Purpose

The Real Expat: Chasing Your Dreams to Find Your True Purpose

6 Annoying Things Expats Hate Hearing

6 Annoying Things Expats Hate Hearing