gailmcphail

198

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 03 April 2012 - 18:12

Hi, I am not familiar with Old Airport for housing options, but I don't think the journey from West Bay to Airport would be too horrendous along the Corniche. I have done it in the other direction and it's always seems quieter going away from West Bay.

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 03 April 2012 - 16:49

If I was going to be living here alone in an apartment, I would probably live in West Bay as it's close to lots of hotels (bars), shops, the corniche etc. It's worth considering where you would be working as traffic is bad and a long commute is not fun.

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 03 April 2012 - 15:41

Hi, I am not here alone, but for what it's worth, I have never felt unsafe or threatened here. I go out and about during the day alone all the time, people do sometimes stare, but not in a threatening way and I hardly even notice any more. There are not many places where you can walk, unless you were living in West Bay and walked to a hotel or mall there (I don't have much experience of being out and about around there at night, so can't comment re safety or perception of safety) so you would either be driving or getting a taxi and I would be happy doing that alone at night. I always just take normal precautions - use trusted taxi firm, don't go to unfamiliar or undesirable areas etc. Going to a hotel or a mall in the evening would be totally fine, IMO.

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 03 April 2012 - 00:17

Rather than getting another loan, work out what the repayments on e.g. a2000AED loan would be and start paying that straight to your card. Rather than pay another lot of interest the extra payment will help lower interest charges and capital owed. It does take time but the extra payments will start to have an effect.

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 02 April 2012 - 23:20

I've had a braun one for years, it got used daily and now my mum has it and I got a dualit one. Can highly recommend both sets (stick blender,.mini chopper & balloon whisk (and dualit also has double beaters thing)).

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 02 April 2012 - 19:49

Hi, When I've had credit card to pay off I always tried to make extra payments over and above the monthly payment (even if this was more than the minimum) i felt it was easier to make an extra payment when I had spare cash rather than waiting for the due date. Less chance of me spending the money and got me in habit of trying to pay it down with extra payments. I always thought that even an extra £10 made a difference and if I could do that each wk it started to make a difference esp if interest is calculated daily. I sometimes put the money I would have spent on a daily coffee or night out in a jar and put that as an extra payment. Paying off a card sux and you really need to get to point where the regular payments are decreasing the balance by a good chunk. If avail in Aus you could try transferring balance to a 0%card.

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 02 April 2012 - 00:08

Masai mara safari (also heard Tanzania good) then Zanzibar. We went mid-sept which was great time to see the animals in kenya as it was while the wildebeest were around, lots of predator action :-/

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 01 April 2012 - 23:47

I have been in Kandy in June & Sept- lots of mozzies at both times. Didn't have as much of an issue in Colombo.

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 01 April 2012 - 23:44

Daiso sell flat-packed tissue pom poms, all you have to.do is fluff them out.

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 01 April 2012 - 20:42

Drink cranberry juice

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 29 March 2012 - 08:41

You need to buy the phone and sim separately. I used an old phone with a hala top up card to start with, you can get the hala cards in all the malls. I then got a new phone and contract both in C4, where they seem to have Qtel and vodafone booths so you can choose. To get a contract you need RP, so my phone contract is in DH's name.

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 29 March 2012 - 08:28

hi, School fee info should be on school websites, not sure re nearby accomm and costs. Some ideas based on what we spend per month (2 adults): Car - 2000qr Petrol - 400qr (that's a guess based on 50 per wk for 2 cars,.in reality i think it's less) Water/Elec- 150qr (this is about to rise quite a lot when the ac goes on,.these have been winter bills) TV& internet -400 Mobile phone - 180 (contract) + 30-50 top up for pay as you go phone Groceries - 2000 (this is a guess based on 500 per wk, which i think is an overestimate, I don't really keep track but it always seems to be 300-350 for a shop then various extras thro'out the wk and then less frequent 'big shops') Gardener- 150 Cleaner - 600 I think a lot of stuff here is more expensive than the UK. Can't think what else we spend money on.....!

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 28 March 2012 - 11:49

Hi, Have you looked in Jarir Bookstore? I don't know if they have tapestry wool, but was amazed at the array of crafting supplies they had when I first visited.

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 25 March 2012 - 21:21

This sounds too good to be true if this man does exist and can do the furniture for a reasonable price! I will give him and try and post any update and would be keen to hear if anyone else gets in touch with him. On a similar note, has anyone ever been to Ghassan's Green Door, I am starting to think it was an urban myth! I got the directions online and took me ages to find it first time, but closed and also next time I tried. I heard he does good, proper wooden furniture at a reasonable price.

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 25 March 2012 - 17:10

EU students don't pay tuition fees at Scottish unis, so perhaps your daughter should focus on those. Quite a few are v well known for pharmacy/bioscience programmes. It's 4yrs for honours but lack of fees shouldn't make this an issue. Your daughter could do erasmus to a belgian uni- lots of exchanges are in place.

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 24 March 2012 - 21:47

Furniture choice here is limited and mostly over-priced, I am now just having to get over myself and pay for stuff that is 'ok' just to get what we need. Homes r us at the Hyatt Plaza is similar to Home Centre, not sure if they have bunkbeds but their beds are a standard size whereas Home Centre ones are a different size so you have to buy your mattress there too.

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 21 March 2012 - 22:09

Hi, In my experience, for science based courses, the requirements tend to be stricter, so if they are asking for HL, they really will want that. A big deal is made of the personal statements, but in reality, a lot of them are not even read! For courses that interview, the PS will be used for short-listing, but if there is no interview, it's normally about having the right subjects, at the right levels and grades. I would recommend you contact the unis she is thinking of applying to and ask what their policy is - they should tell you straight.

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 20 March 2012 - 17:26

We got ours from Apollo on Salwa Rd

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 20 March 2012 - 17:24

Threading is my preference. It's sore but not unbearable and gets them shaped v well.

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 20 March 2012 - 17:24

Threading is my preference. It's sore but not unbearable and gets them shaped v well.

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 19 March 2012 - 19:52

Hi, got your email Id so you can take it down now. I will mail you after dinner!

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 19 March 2012 - 17:10

Hi, I know Glasgow so could give some pointers..... Which uni will the job be at (there are three in Glasgow)

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 19 March 2012 - 11:29

I had a gas oven at home and hated it, so altho this one was burning everything to start with, it's much better!!! And my kitchen here is about double the size of the pokey wee one I had at home :)

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 19 March 2012 - 11:12

Get an oven thermometer, often the temp inside is not the same as the temp on the dial. My oven chargrilled most things until I got used to the temp being higher than stated on the dial!

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 19 March 2012 - 10:57

Hi, I have followed the Liver Cleansing Diet by Sandra Cabot and found it to be good for detoxing. It's quite old, I bought it second hand from Amazon. The essence is that you eliminate things that are bad for your liver to give it a chance to do its job properly. Carrot, celery and parsley juice is recommended first thing in the morning. Raw veg and salads with each meal. No (or very little) alcohol or caffeine, no dairy, meat is limited (I don't eat it, so didn't pay much attention to that part). There are lots of recipe suggestions for each stage. It's split into three two week stages, the middle one is the more restrictive. I had an almighty headache the first day, due to caffeine withdrawal, but I think it worked for me.

198

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 18 March 2012 - 22:00

Hi, Megamart normally has robinsons fruit & barley. C4 has their own brand of squash- in a metal bottle container more square in shape than a juice bottle and next to the grenadine et al. They normally always have lemon, orange & couple other flavours. I like the blackcurrant, tastes like ribena, but it's in stock more sporadically.

198

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 15 March 2012 - 11:30

Hi, You need to have degree certificate notarised in country of issue, so you will need to send it to solicitor or similar with, I assume ID and they will do this for you. I would check on the website for the police in the region you used to live. In Scotland there was a standard request form that had to be submitted, with the fee, and after a few weeks they will hopefully issue a letter saying they have nothing on file for you!

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 14 March 2012 - 13:48

Just do it! I am not sure I would notice if someone removed me from their friend list and if it was someone that was not a real friend, I wouldn't really care and if I bumped into them I wouldn't mention it. If someone does mention it say that you've decided it's for family only.

198

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 12 March 2012 - 18:52

My DH managed to get them to accept 3months bank statements by going in person and speaking to a supervisor. The next saga was having to get the rental contract signed by the municipality, another thing that has always been a legal requirement, but apparently never enforced.

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 12 March 2012 - 18:51

I have been for dinner. Service was a bit slow and disjointed at times, but they catered well to my dietary requirements and the food was very good. I did find it annoying that there is a barrier type thing at eye height when sitting down, so it was hard to see the view from your seat.

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 11 March 2012 - 10:04

Hi, I bought mine in Carrefour (not at CC) so perhaps try there.

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 07 March 2012 - 10:14

UK Passport services in the UK are also dreadful. They gave me incorrect advice on the helpline which delayed issue of new passport and seemed only to correspond with me by second class post to tell me what they had initially told me on the phone was incorrect. Cost me a fortune in registered post, phone calls and a huge amount of stress trying to get it sorted in advance of travel. They sent me a copy of someone else's application with one of their letters (dismissed it as human error and not a big deal!!) and had a very 'computer says no attitude'. I went through the formal complaint channel and got a heap of 'policy speak' in my responses until I just gave up.

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 23 February 2012 - 09:25

I use one of the arm ones, it's made out of wetsuit type material with velcro fastening. I find it very comfortable and secure without being too tight. Afraid I don't know of a lical stockust tho.

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 22 February 2012 - 18:57

This was how I felt before being diagnosed coeliac. The coeliac had made me very deficient in lots of vits and minerals. Worth a blood test to at least rule it out.

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 22 February 2012 - 14:15

BEDH, as long as your son is well brought up and understands clearly between right and wrong and acceptable/ unacceptable behaviour then, while you wouldn't want to encourage him to be around such expat brats, he will OK. I had my niece and nephew to visit while living in a 'less desirable' area of Glasgow, they live in a 'desirable English village'. They wanted to play outside and I was not keen as there were lots of kids outside and I had seen how they behaved and heard how they talk. Eventually however, I had to relent and it wasn't long before they were back inside telling me how horrible and rude these other children were, I was so pleased that they knew they were little brats and to walk away - they wouldn't accept it from me, but, were able to work it out for themselves.

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 08 February 2012 - 10:54

There is a food festival on at the convention centre this wkend. Free to get in and you buy vouchers 5,10,15qr to buy plates of food.

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 07 February 2012 - 16:16

Prawn and mango curry

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 07 February 2012 - 16:14

Hi, I like risotto- sweet potato or roasted tomato are my favs I've enjoyed experimenting with fish recently - in a curry or en paupiette or simply oven baked with some wholegrain mustard or pesto on top served with veg. I have also been getting prawns (cleaned at fish counter), marinate them in chilli, garlic, lime juice and little olive oil then cook on griddle or bbq Happy to post receipes if interested....

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 25 January 2012 - 13:21

Chanel Chance is my current fav and was one that I had smelled on other people.

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 25 January 2012 - 13:20

Hi Ladies, Thanks for the tips, I have booked into Riveria Gardens. Will keep a note of these recommendations and may try them next time. I will let you know how I get on at RG.

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 24 January 2012 - 21:23

Hi, I was reading about this in FAQ section of EWQ site the other day, the guidance there seems quite comprehensive,.but neither my husband or I have yet got health card, so can't comment from experience.

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 22 January 2012 - 23:18

Hi everyone, Thanks for your replies, information and interest. I have started a blog, not something I have done before, so it looks pretty basic, but it's a starting point to share information and advice etc: www/ glutenfreedoha/ blogspot/ com Please feel free to check it out and share your wisdom! g

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 22 January 2012 - 15:47

Hi, I use Nigella's Chocolate Pistachio Fudge receipe and it turns out great each time. 350g dark choc (70% cocoa solids) 1 x 397g condensed milk 30g butter pinch salt 150g pistachios (shelled and chopped) Put chopped choc, condensed milk, butter and salt in heavy based pan on low heat and stir to melt. Add nuts to melted mix and stir well. Pour into tray lined with baking parchment, smoothing the top. Cool and refridgerate to set. Cut into small pieces. Once cut it can be stored in the freezer - no need to thaw, can eat straight away. Makes approx 60 pieces of fudge. I have also made this with either crushed up ginger nut biscuits instead of the pistachios (and digestives would also work) or a couple of teaspoons of ground ginger and they are both delicious too. I have some pistachio fudge in the fridge from xmas (no idea how it has lasted this long) and it still tastes great.

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 18 January 2012 - 12:01

Hi Vee, I will post back here once I figure out how best to promote/ share GF info and awareness. I saw GF christmas cake in M&S the other day and almost bought one even though I don't really like it just because they had it!! g

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 17 January 2012 - 14:15

Thanks Katcalls, I've not been there yet, but shall definitely go and check it out.

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 16 January 2012 - 23:48

Hi, If your son wants to go to university, I would suggest finding out what the entry requirements are for that and working backwards from there. Most unis accept all international qualifications but for some courses there are more specific requirements and one curriculum over another may be favoured.

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 16 January 2012 - 22:10

Hi, I am relatively new to Doha and coeliac. So far I think I have done ok with finding GF products (thank goodness for Mega Mart!), eating out has been more challenging, but I seem to have survived so far. I have searched and haven't found any GF groups so far and was wondering if there were any other coeliacs out there who would be interested in connecting, either virtually(perhaps via some sort of blog?) or in person to exchange receipes/ ideas/ successes in finding ingredients or eating out and perhaps doing a bit of promotion regarding GF requirements (I have found it particularly hard to explain my requirements in restaurants - one guy who I thought understood told me I was ok to have the pasta salad!). If there is anybody out there in the same boat reply here and we can take it from there....

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 16 January 2012 - 19:39

Thanks for the tip; I have been meaning to check out Jarir, so shall try and stop by there in the next few days.

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