GinaM | ExpatWoman.com
 

GinaM

GinaM
514
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EW GURU
Latest post on 22 September 2011 - 18:07
I missed the last one Baffled...it was on during Ramadan and I was in the UK. I did manage to buy 2 new pairs over there though! :) Next one should be in February - plenty of time to save! :) ETA - I do like "DWNS"...do you mind if I borrow that?? <em>edited by GinaM on 22/09/2011</em>
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 22 September 2011 - 17:52
Hi Dan Lou - why don't you ring the Intercont and the Sheraton - all of the ladies that I know play at those 2 places so they might be able to give you some contacts.
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 22 September 2011 - 17:50
There are so many diets to chose from but my friend gave me the best advice and that was to eat 5 times a day and try no carbs after 5pm combined with cardio and weight training . There's only one problem with no carbs after 5pm that I can see sarahloudxb....wine is a carb! ;)
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 21 September 2011 - 21:29
Good on you Vee. I'm with you - the number of people I know who have done crazy fad diets in Doha (and just yo yo'd back and forth in the process no doubt increasing their stretch mark quota and organ damage out of sight) is large! Eat healthy and exercise (unfortunately I wish I was better on the eating healthy side). I'm actually a firm believer that your body has a natural healthy weight that works for it and it will go back to it all the time - feel free to starve yourself, not eat carbs, only eat meat etc etc if you feel that life is long enough to bother depriving yourself when you can look good and still eat what you want in moderation. And get off your butt and exercise every other day - you may not be a twig but you'll be healthy! Man...I'm really getting on that soap box lately...must be just post summer! ;)
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 20 September 2011 - 12:22
I never used to have to log back in but since the new website I have had to. I've never had to change my user name though (although sometimes I would quite like too! ;) )
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 20 September 2011 - 12:20
disa1975 - its not actually an iqama in Qatar (I think that is only in Saudi) - here it is actually a Resident Permit and you get an ID card plus a visa in your passport. Momoyum - Do they mean it could take a few months to get his RP? Thats not unusual but the fact that they are admiting it would make me question how competent they are. You should be able to get the RP in no time at all (I have seen someone get it in 2 days). The reason for the delay is almost always due to the company dragging their feet and not the government. Is he coming in on an RP visa (basically the company first needs to get permission to get an RP for a particular person, then they can come in on the RP visa and then actually get their RP). Or is he coming in on some other visa (business visa etc)? If they are saying the delay is so that they can get the RP visa for him then that is more understandable (they may have been rejected in the past and are just reapplying) but if they are saying the actual RP process is a few months then they are admitting their own incompetence. Anyway - I digress! :) You can come in and do visa runs no problem. In terms of Dr's you'll have to find out from your husbands company if you are going to be covered by their medical insurance before you get your RP. You cannot get a health card (for the local system) until you have your RP so if they won't cover you then you will have to pay for the service. Which is not a problem - but could end up costing you a bit if they really drag their feet (as well as 2 days I know people who have waited 8 months for their RPs!).
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 19 September 2011 - 21:31
Well as much as I hate the driving here, if they banned women drivers that would be us (and I'm guessing 90% of westerners) out on the next plane! No way am I putting my, or my familys lives, in the hands of some driver in this country (and don't even get me started on the s*xist bit)! I'm not quite sure what was better - when we just had roundabouts or now that we have roundabouts with flashing lights and red lights that people just ignore anyway. They don't seem to be able to figure out whether they want lights or roundabouts....one week its a roundabout, the next it has lights, the next the lights are disabled...agh!! And lets face it - most of the people out there have no idea about how either lights or roundabouts work!! Hmmm....can you tell that I'm not enjoying the roads at the moment! ;)
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 19 September 2011 - 21:11
Indicators are on cars to be used soley as hazard lights during sandstorms...which would be confusing but since 90% of the idiots on the road don't use them any other time it really doesn't make much difference. Rule #1....be the right nationality!!
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 17 September 2011 - 19:00
It is 30 days grace. Also just FYI (although you probably don't want to let on to your DH Baffled ;) ) - the person who the car is registered under doesn't actually have to take the car in themselves. Anyone can take it in.
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 17 September 2011 - 18:58
When I moved a few years back I had to get my curtains altered. I went to one of the curtain places (there are a lot of them) at Najma (the second hand souk). If you come from their airport down C ring and then turn at the lights just past the Gulf Cinema, go straight through the roundabout and then turn right at the lights at the end of the road - you'll see them just up the road there. I went to one about 100 metres up the road on the left hand side. They were good and well priced and came and put new tracks up, rehung them etc. No doubt they would clean them for you too.
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 15 September 2011 - 21:04
Thanks for that Baffled. Hope it all goes well for you.
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 13 September 2011 - 18:48
Thats Go Sport Marycatherine not Hello Sport. :)
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 13 September 2011 - 18:21
Not quite sure which is the lesser of two evils CSH....CC or Salwa road! :) Thanks anyway.
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 12 September 2011 - 16:32
Thanks for the offer Tamieg1 - not after anything but am very jealous! I'm from Sydney (lived there most of my adult life) and my parents live in Canberra and I did most of my high schooling there. Are you from Canberra?
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 12 September 2011 - 16:27
Ha ha...yes definitely know who the Wallabies are and definitely supporting them! :)
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 12 September 2011 - 16:14
Did you try his mobile Baffled? I did post it up but then took it down after about an hour since it is his mobile and didn't want to leave it on a public forum. Can't tell if anyone is online anymore so just let me know if you are and I'll put it back up again till you can jot it down. ETA I'm a very bad aussie....my husband (whos a pom) said to me this morning "thats good about Samantha Stosur isn't it" and I said "who?"...opps! ;) <em>edited by GinaM on 12/09/2011</em>
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 12 September 2011 - 09:00
Hi Baffled. Yes, just turn up - they don't have an appointment system. Its normally not an issue getting in to see Dr Abdul Rahman though - like I said on another post, most women here don't want to see a man which is good if you do cause it means less waiting time! :) Dr Abudl Rahmans number at the clinic is 66584794. Just call to see what hours he is working at the moment as I think he normally doesn't start till around 10am. If you can do me a favour and let me know what hours he's working at the moment too that would be great - need to go for a check up myself! :) <em>edited by GinaM on 12/09/2011</em>
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 12 September 2011 - 08:38
I've had a couple of mammograms at Doha Clinic Baffled. They were very good - quite gentle and I didn't find it painful at all...albeit a bit uncomfortable. You have to see the gynae first - I go to Dr Abdul Rahman now but I think for my first mammogram I may have seen Dr Salma. Personally I like Dr Abdul Rahman. They then just give you the form to take down to the screening area. As well as doing a mammogram they also do an ultrasound - just a bit more thorough doing both I think. I don't think I had to get insurance approval or if I did it was a case of just taking the form to the Doha Clinic insurance office and getting it stamped - definitely didn't have to wait for approval to come through.
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 11 September 2011 - 20:43
If you're happy to see a man go to Dr Abdul Rahman at Doha Clinic - he is very good, London trained and you generally don't have to wait to see him (since a lot of women here don't want to see a man so he's not as "sought after" as Dr Salma). I've also been to Dr Salma but thought that Dr Abdul Rahman was more thorough and a bit more knowledgeable on overall womens issues health wise. I think he doesn't start work till about 10am though.
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 10 September 2011 - 22:19
In 5 years I've tried lots of hairdressers in Doha and, without wanting to book him out so I can't get in, I've now been going to Roger at the Sheraton for about 6 months. First cut and colour I loved, 2nd I wasn't 100% on but then maybe my expectations were high and I also didn't really specify what I wanted (based on the first cut I probably left it up to him too much), 3rd I REALLY loved - I guess it takes a while too for a hairdresser to know your hair. Anyway, I have VERY straight hair and he is very good at styling. I think I've walked out of there happier than with any other hairdresser ever and that is saying a lot cause I am very fussy too. I'm going back this week and am just going to tell him to do exactly the same as last time cause it wore so well....will see if its a long term relationship but I'm thinking it is! :)
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 10 September 2011 - 22:13
I agree - its almost like having a store to yourself! :) Did you go just before Ramadan? Perhaps they closed down in the afternoon during the summer?? It was probably around April/May last time I went there.
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 10 September 2011 - 09:35
Thats very strange Vallan cause I've definitely gone there a few times between school end and swimming start (1pm to 2pm) and they have been open. Perhaps they just close for 15 or 30 minutes or something like that for prayer time??
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 09 September 2011 - 20:40
The underground one across the road from Al Ahli does not close during the afternoon - or at least it didn't before Ramadan! :)
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 08 September 2011 - 10:22
Reasonably priced vet - isn't that an oxymoron?! ;) I wouldn't say that they were reasonable (in fact I find it amazing that it costs more to take my dog to the vet than my son to the Dr's!!) but we use Qatar Veterinary Centre which is near Villagio.
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 08 September 2011 - 10:19
I think Thai Snack and Mango Tree are both very good (although I have had both good and bad experiences at Mango Tree but at the moment the good is weighing out the bad). Personally I think that Thai Chi is overpriced bad thai food - I'm not quite sure how you manage to muck up Pad Thai but they do! Gluggy, horrible mess!
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 07 September 2011 - 19:04
derien, I think it could be very simple - the private sector would be instructed/pressured into salary increases so that they can be encouraged to make the move. They aren't going to have much choice either - as part of Qatarisation, private companies must employ a certain number of locals - its going to be even harder to reach those numbers now...why would you work for a private company? Not much incentive!! I'd be interested to hear how they believe that this 'initiative' is going to be of long term benefit to Qatar.
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 07 September 2011 - 15:43
Ha ha...we will NEVER see it. I posted the link to this on FB and my sister posted (and for those that haven't read it its about a 60 to 120% pay increase that has been awarded to Qataris employed in public service and military "I'll expect a 60% increase in productivity at customs and immigration when I next visit. What's 60% more of "I don't give a ****". LOL :) I'm sure that they all heartily deserve the generosity and will be extremely appreciative! ;) <em>edited by GinaM on 07/09/2011</em>
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 01 September 2011 - 22:40
I doubt that you would have any problems at all with terracotta pots - I'd bring them in. Toiletries also should be OK provided they aren't actually medicinal but keep in mind that if you are bringing in liquids they will show up on a scan so may delay your shipment getting through customs. I wouldn't risk that. I brought in creams etc though. The real no nos are grog, drugs and porn. They scan the shipments so anything that looks like any of those things may slow things down - particularly liquids. We brought in heaps of DVD's etc (but got rid of all porn LOL!) and they didn't go through our boxes at all but that was a few years back before they did the one big scan of the container.
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 01 September 2011 - 22:36
I freeze mine too and just chop off bits as I want to use it. Also, you can use different nuts (possibly a good thing since I've just come back from holidays to discover that pinenuts have incredibly DOUBLED in price in the last month....perhaps just a Ramadan thing???) - cashew work quite well.
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 31 August 2011 - 23:40
The guy at the Centre has actually moved outside the actual Centre building. If you are standing in the carpark looking at the Centre walk over to the building on the right hand side and sort of down a bit from it and he is in there (or just ask someone and they will direct you).
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 31 August 2011 - 23:36
Nothing ever happens when they say in construction Rachel - they bid and then it gets blown out by years. We came over on a 3 year contract for a major construction project here 5 years ago - I'll be suprised if its finished in the next 5 years (granted the recession didn't help but even still - there was no way it was going to be done in 3 years, or even 5 for that matter!!). :)
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 31 August 2011 - 23:28
Six months ago according to hubby who is in construction! LOL!! Sorry - not very helpful I know but lets face it - whatever they say in construction, you can add on 6 months to 5 years and you might hit the mark!
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 30 August 2011 - 14:09
Well I know the Rugby Club is open - they sent an email and text message out to members about 2 minutes after Eid was announced saying that their "beverages" section would be open from midday today. LOL. Now that's good marketing!! :)
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 29 August 2011 - 08:40
I also buy my son's Clark school shoes and socks overseas if that helps. Not a great range here. Quite a few people use Starfish Lane nursery as its near DESS (there are 2 of them so make sure if you contact them you ask about the one nearest to DESS) but then I guess it depends on where you are going to be living too and if there is somewhere else closer/on the way to school. The tracksuit that they are talking about is basically just either a fleece top that they have in the uniform shop - they're aren't actually any pants (that I've ever seen).
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 28 August 2011 - 20:03
Hi Lexie They can wear any kind of shorts, trousers, skirts so long as they are grey. I buy mine overseas - you can get them at M&S here though. My son has never worn long pants in 3 years at DESS - I'm always tempted to buy some but then am always grateful when I don't! I did buy him a DESS tracksuit top last year though - which he wore maybe once! :) Re PE shoes - trainers are fine. My son wears normal black school shoes in the cooler months and just red/black sandals in the hot months. There is no lunch provided - you pack for them. In saying that the are home by 1.30pm so its really more of a snack rather than a full on lunch. I think their break time is around 10am ish - so not lunch time (I tend to pack a sandwich, piece of fruit...which comes home every day and gets sent back for the week and then thrown out! :), drink, crisps or something like that). I live near Villagio but West bay is a great location for getting to DESS - shouldn't take much time at all.
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 07 August 2011 - 23:08
I've lived in Qatar for 5 years and there have been a few times at the beginning of a couple of ramadans when my husband has said to be 'what are you doing?' with complete horror in his voice - I've got a young child who I've been feeding and without thinking have popped something in my own mouth. So its not always a deliberate thing. I also think that we all need to keep in mind that its really really blo*dy hot outside and for some people it may be a necessity to take a mouthful of water - yes, better to do it in private if possible but at 50 degrees its also better to just do it than pass out, choke (as the woman discussed below may well have been doing for all we know) or something worse. So lets give people a little bit of a break. I think that most people aren't trying to deliberately offend anyone, they are probably just trying to deal with extreme weather conditions which in all reality should not be coupled with extreme fasting conditions...going without water for an hour in these temperatures is a health hazard! Similarly dressing modestly is always commonsense in a muslim country but in 50 degrees I personally think that wrist to ankle is unhealthy and uncomfortable (and yes, before someone replies, I know that they say that its cooler to do it that way but in my experience its not).
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 26 July 2011 - 20:13
Every now and then I find something at Megabucks for less than at C4 oddly enough - they seem to muck up their prices sometimes (like for instance - smartie yoghurts...which my little one is very partial to...are sometimes QR8 at Megabucks and sometimes QR15! Can't figure out the logic there but then again this is Qatar...the land of illogical! :)
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 25 July 2011 - 17:19
GinaM, the check-out staff at QDC would probably not understand why there is such a big crowd today but as for the Boozer reputation ... they have some great pubs in Yorkshire, as you no doubt already know!;) And cheaper, too:(. And believe me, I'm looking forward to trying out a few of them! :) Heading to York races while I'm there too....going for broke on the doing things I can't do in the middle east bit! ;)
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 24 July 2011 - 21:10
I was a little suprised that they would potentially lose probably one of their most profitable weeks of the year but then I wouldn't be totally suprised if its true!
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 24 July 2011 - 20:57
Not wanting to increase my reputation as a boozer but a friend just sent me a message saying that a friend of hers was at QDC today and they told her that tomorrow was the last day they would be open before Ramadan. Didn't hear it myself so not sure if its true or not but just thought I'd pass it on! :)
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 24 July 2011 - 20:49
Probably Runway that a lot of us have written about LadyD. Not sure if they do country to country moves though. Last time we moved we used them (and they were great) and I think I asked them and they said that they did...can't be 100% sure of that though.
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 21 July 2011 - 23:39
GinaM's dog is a pushover, no chance of having your leg taken off by that sweetie!! :)
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 21 July 2011 - 22:21
Ah...you could have been so right - if I was heading home I would have been going down under!! You should change your user name to Miss Marple! :) Husband is from North Yorkshire though so taking 6 yo there to see the grans and hubby is meeting us there for a trip down south to legoland...off to pack my winter gear now! LOL! hope you have a great August too...here or elsewhere! :)
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 21 July 2011 - 21:53
Very impressive...my maid will still be here - see if you can butter her up! You'll have to get past the dog too though! ;) ETA oh and husband too for half of the time...I would have said he won't be a problem since he'll be at the rugby club for most of that time but....ramadan....!!! :) <em>edited by GinaM on 21/07/2011</em>
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 21 July 2011 - 21:00
I'm escaping this year...heading off in a week for all of Ramadan...so I haven't done THE big shop! Actually, since the first year that I was here for Ramadan and panicked big time (read 4 visits to QDC in the month before Ramadan - the last one being at 6pm the night before - and about 6 months worth of grog stockpiled for the month!) I've been fairly restrained each year! :) In saying that, I am on friendly first name terms with some of the staff at QDC. ;) You need to get your detective cap on Baffled...I have let it be known which compound I live on through EW before! ;)
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 21 July 2011 - 20:06
I find your comment about 9:30am, it being empty (whilst no charges are effective yet), rather interesting ccdoha - so now, it is a bit of a puzzle that if it is not the office workers, who were blocking so many spaces. Another Doha puzzle ;)! Actually now that you mention that, it is really intriguing!! If I HAVE to go to CC I make sure I'm there before 10am and can get a park - but by 11am its a nightmare and I wouldn't even consider going there. Its not like its the busiest mall around...where are all the people who are parking there? Anyway....paid parking is just going to make me even less likely (if that is possible) to go there...can't see that ever running smoothly! :)
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 20 July 2011 - 15:57
Ha ha...you may not do so well on the food side Baffled...as you can see we have our priorities right and only have one for food and 2 for rehydration stuff! :)
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 19 July 2011 - 21:59
Keep the fridge...you can never have too many fridges in the middle east...we've accumulated them over the years and have 3 going at the moment...one food, one beer, soft drink and wine and one...hmmmmm....beer and wine! ;)
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 18 July 2011 - 18:01
By the way, I arrived on a Sunday very late at night, did the medical the next day, fingerprinting a couple of days later and I had my visa by Thursday! I just had to go back for two letters in Arabic from the HR department a couple of times following different stages, but it can be done very quickly! For a family visa you can just go to the medical commission at any time for your medical (once your spouse has his/hers obviously) but unfortunately for a company sponsored visa you have to book in for medicals now which is what is causing the hold up - it was actually faster (if you had a good PRO in your company) before they started the booking system! :(
GinaM
514
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 18 July 2011 - 18:01
We used GAC for an internal move in Doha a few years back and they were fantastic.
 
 
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