HesterPB | ExpatWoman.com
 

HesterPB

HesterPB
131
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Latest post on 19 April 2012 - 07:34
Hi! Doesn't your friend have a marriage certificate that is done by the county, town, etc.? That should have no mention of religion on it. Does the UK accept a marriage officiated only in a church as valid? Church marriages are of course valid and must be carried out by an ordained clergyman or woman, but still need to be registered at a local Registry Office. It is common practice for a newly married couple to arrange for a parent or best man to register and collect the marriage certificate while the couple are on honeymoon as we did when my DD got married. If you are legally married in church in England, then you do not need anything further. The government recognises the church marriage as valid and no further documentation is needed. Of course, marrying in a church in Dubai is completely different.
HesterPB
131
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 18 April 2012 - 18:27
Having given this some more thought, there are any number of occasions when you have to declare your religion on various forms here in Dubai. What is she intending to put? If she puts Muslim and her husband is not, then there will be consequences. If she is planning to put something else, well...
HesterPB
131
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 18 April 2012 - 17:51
If she married in a church in the UK, then the only marriage certificate she will have is the church certificate. To be honest, if she comes to Dubai, uses her British passport and married surname (assuming her maiden name might be Arabic/Muslim-sounding as she is from the GCC), she won't have much problem. If her husband is sponsoring her, then they will need to provide a notarised copy of the marriage certificate for her residence visa, but I doubt officials will be too interested in this. I am afraid someone else will have to answer as to having children here and whether you are quizzed as to religion, as both mine were born in the UK before we moved here.
HesterPB
131
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 17 April 2012 - 10:19
I started out by writing a huge long reply to this, telling you I had felt exactly the same but actually all I wanted to say is that your feelings are completely normal. There are some mothers who adore every minute of their time with their little ones, but there are many of us who, much as we love our children, find the whole full time mothering thing mind numbingly repetitive and boring. You are not alone! Things will get better over time and my best advice is that you have to take time for yourself. Despite the feeling guilty about leaving her, for me I honestly believe I was a better mother once I became a happier person and to do that, I had to do my own things (for me it was running - easier in the UK with the weather). Just do something for you - it is not selfish, it is for the greater good as an unhappy mother equals an unhappy family. Get your DH to babysit - don't ask his permission, just tell him. I used to do things in the evening as I found my DH didn't mind babysitting when they were asleep! Also I get my girls to help me do the things I enjoy - baking, reading, music, craft (painting and playdoh are banned in this house as I can't bear the mess). Do what you want with your daughter, not what you feel you should do. As long as there is love and laughter, you are a good mother.
HesterPB
131
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 April 2012 - 17:43
You can't get post delivered to your actual home address (i.e. villa number and street), you need a PO Box. Some people (like me) just use DH's work PO Box address and he brings the post home with him from work. Similarly I give him the few letters and packages I need to send and he gets them sent through his work, but otherwise you have to go to a post office or buy stamps and put in a post box yourself. You can get a personal PO Box which is physically located at a post office, so you literally have to go with your key and empty the box yourself from time to time. I think you can now (for an additional fee) get a post box actually at your villa, so the post is delivered to that. I have seen a few around the Ranches but I am not sure how it works. Have you checked the Empost website? HTH! Also meant to say that many people ask friends who are going back to the UK or returning visitors etc to post things for them. I send any visitors back with a pile of birthday cards etc with first class stamps on them already and a post-it on each stating the date on which they have to post it. A small effort for them in return for free board and lodgings and my tour-guide services, methinks!! <em>edited by HesterPB on 16/04/2012</em>
HesterPB
131
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 April 2012 - 16:25
Saba, we have just bought a villa and the original owner (who bought off plan) had not got a title deed, but they had to get one before they could sell it to us (and they did so at their expense). It cost them 2% of their original purchase price so that is correct, but I can't see why you would need a title deed now unless you are intending to sell. Certainly when you want to sell, you will need the title deed and it will be at your expense.
HesterPB
131
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 April 2012 - 15:44
There is Arabian Ranches Ladies that meets on Tuesday mornings at the Golf Club. There is a website I think. My mother-in-law goes and says it is very friendly and women of all ages. I don't go personally as I work from home so need the quiet mornings whilst my DDs are at school, but she certainly has made some very nice friends there and there always seems to be someone interesting giving a talk or some activity going on. Might be worth a try once to see if it is your thing. They have a team of people to welcome anyone new so you don't get left standing around feeling like billy-no-mates.
HesterPB
131
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 April 2012 - 11:45
Not sure who your paed is but we use Dr Rita Kovesdi at Health Bay on Al Wasl and she is fabulous - great with the kids and full of clear practical advice. Sorry for being so personal but is/was she pooping normally? I guess after 3 weeks there isn't much to come out, but my eldest DD has ongoing problems with constipation and when she gets very bad, her appetite drops away completely and she is very lacklustre. This has been the case since she was 6m old or so. Also, don't worry about the term anorexia being used. The eating disorder we all associate it with is anorexia nervosa but the medical term anorexia on its own literally just means not wanting to eat - there is no implication of psychological disturbance behind it. It might just be the case that your dr was using a medical term without thinking how you might interpret it.
HesterPB
131
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 April 2012 - 11:07
Carluccios in both Dubai Mall and Mirdif City Centre both do pizza now and they are very child-friendly places. Another good place for pizza with children is any of the Pizza Expresses (they can make their own in the Pizza Express in Kidszania, but that is v expensive to go in and worth a whole day, not just for lunch). Another idea is the Cafe Ceramique in Town Centre - they have pizza on the menu and your LO could have a go at painting a pot etc whilst you are there. Huge fun.
HesterPB
131
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 April 2012 - 11:02
Ok, just went and paid my fee and booked a table. Spoke to the chap there and he said people are starting to book now but there are still lots of spaces available, if anyone is interested...
HesterPB
131
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 April 2012 - 09:32
From our experience, we only used the VPN for the BBC iPlayer and they changed their security such that if the VPN ever dropped out (which of course it will from time to time), somehow their site can recognise that and then block you, i.e. basically our downloads were deleted. Skype works fine just from the normal computer - I use it everyday for work and social. Not sure about Australian programmes - depends on their download websites, I guess. I doubt there is a difference between Etisalat and du on this, but we have only ever had du.
HesterPB
131
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 April 2012 - 09:28
The flyer says it is a 'Community Market Day' event for the resident of AR on Friday 27 April from 4-7pm, to be held at JESS. To reserve a table complete the attached booking form (just contact details and details of what you will be selling) and take it to the Community Management office (between Al Mahra and Hattan) to pay the fee of AED75. You will need to present valid id and proof of residence - sales agreement or title deed or tenancy contract. FYI, there is a "Hawaiian theme", but that seems to be limited to children thankfully! I am going to pop to the office this morning to reserve a table so will report back later. HTH!
HesterPB
131
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 15 April 2012 - 19:55
To be honest, we have a landline and rarely use it, but I think it makes sense to have one, as occasionally mobiles can be unreliable and also, it makes it cheaper for people to call you from abroad and you to call them. Most shops etc ask for both a landline and mobile number but I doubt they would be put out if you only had one number. As for package, we get everything from du - landline, broadband and television. I have to say, we originally had the basic tv package and it was dire. We now have Orbit Showtime, which has the movies, sports and 'lifestyle' channels. DH constantly complains that it is a load of old rubbish (that said, he used to do that with Sky back in the UK), but I usually find something to watch on the nights he is away. There are shows like Eastenders, Emmerdale and all that on various channels, but I am not sure how up to date they are as I don't follow them. We did use a VPN for BBC iPlayer for a while, but they cottoned on to that trick. What we have now is an Apple TV plugged in and we just buy shows from ITunes, which usually appear within 24 hours of being shown in the UK. A few years into our time in Dubai now and it is amazing how little we actually miss and think worth buying. HTH!
HesterPB
131
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 15 April 2012 - 19:45
You might be right J, as I have been to neither, but the flyer from Emaar attached to our doors refers to it as Market Day. It is at JESS and says there will be entertainment and competitions etc. for the children, so perhaps it is somewhere between the two?
HesterPB
131
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 15 April 2012 - 19:41
I think so Egg, my daughters have switched between the calpol here and the UK calpol without complaint (and they are prone to being fussy, given half a chance!). The calpol I get in the Ranches pharmacy is the same pink sugar free stuff in the purple cardboard box with a photo of a baby on - I'm sure it is the same as I get in England.
HesterPB
131
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 15 April 2012 - 17:11
They always have it in the pharmacy in the Ranches retail centre - have bought lots recently as DDs have both had bad bouts of chicken pox and tonsillitis :-(
HesterPB
131
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 15 April 2012 - 17:09
It is Friday 27 April in the afternoon and a table is AED75. You do need to be a Ranches resident though.
HesterPB
131
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 15 April 2012 - 17:08
You can get brown paper sandwich bags in Le Marche in Arabian Ranches (which is a branch of Geant, so they should have them also). They are near all the other sandwich bags, cling film, foil, bin bags etc.
HesterPB
131
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 15 April 2012 - 15:11
Thanks Monds, that is what I had hoped! :-)
HesterPB
131
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 15 April 2012 - 12:39
Hi ladies, I was wondering if anyone has been to one of the previous AR Market Days at JESS? Despite having lived in the Ranches for a while now, we never have. I was thinking about taking a table there later this month as we have recently moved and have lots of household things and toys etc that we really don't need anymore and I thought it might be a fun way to sell them. Is the Market Day like a big car boot, where people bring along unwanted items for sale, or is it more like a chic craft market where people are selling homemade crafts and lovely things etc (and so a stall of second hand lampshades, books and kids' toys would look a bit out of place)? Many thanks. xx
HesterPB
131
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 15 April 2012 - 12:08
I can't help specifically as that is not my part of town, but I will say that for reasons of practicality and time, I would live as near to the school as possible. We ended up moving after 11 months of being in Dubai because driving to and from school (particularly in the heat of the summer months), was absolutely brutal and cutting it in half literally changed my life. I have friends living in Al Safa and they love it, as they are close to the park (with two young girls). I do know that because all the villas in those areas are independent, they vary a great deal is style and quality, so you just have to get out there and look at as many as possible until you find one that suits your family. Good luck!
HesterPB
131
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 15 April 2012 - 11:58
DH and I both did ours at the RTA main office in Umm Ramoul (near the airport). I took my mother-in-law there in January and they did it for her then, but that is as recently as I know. Just make sure you have all the paperwork with you, i.e. copies of your passport and visa page, photos (though I think they take the pictures for the licence there), your UK driving licence and copies (including the paper part) and a no objection letter, if you need it. Then you turn up, ask at reception for the form to complete (in English) and then the receptionist will give you a ticket and you wait until your number comes up. You give the forms and paperwork to the person at the desk, hand over the fee and they will produce your UAE licence there and then. HTH!
HesterPB
131
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 08 April 2012 - 19:05
I have thick wavy frizzy long hair that I blow dry straight myself. I have tried the keratin treatment a few times and find it makes a huge difference, but it doesn't last that long on me and it is expensive. So, trying more affordable methods, I have been using the Sunsilk straightening shampoo and conditioner (in the purple bottles) that was "developed" with Yuko, the Japanese hairdresser behind the famous hair straightening system. The Sunsilk stuff is reasonably priced and Yuko should know something about straightening hair so I thought it worth a go. To be honest, I have found my hair so much easier to dry straight and it is staying straight longer. Usually the first little bead of sweat that breaks out on my forehead and, pouf, the frizz is back, but this has definitely made a difference. I have also bought the Lee Stafford Moroccan oil shampoo and conditioner, which I intend to try next. That is more expensive though. Both the Sunsilk and Lee Stafford are in Le Marche in the Ranches.
HesterPB
131
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 April 2012 - 22:04
There are great ballet classes at Building Blocks in Motor City. Depending on age, there is Kinderdance for the little ones, which incorporates ballet, tap and gymnastics and there are RAD ballet classes for the older ones. Really good instructors too. Both my DDs go there and absolutely love it and we live in the Ranches so quick and easy to get there. You can watch the classes on the monitors in the waiting area or pop to Spinneys and get your shopping done whilst they are in class!
HesterPB
131
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 April 2012 - 11:02
For baking, I have always substituted a mix of half plain yoghurt and half low fat milk, which seems to work just as well.
HesterPB
131
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 26 March 2012 - 20:13
We used Pack N Move to move from Hattan to Al Mahra recently and I must say they were excellent. They were very reasonably priced (we got 5 quotes in all and they were the cheapest by some margin) and it was a 2 day job with 8 lorryloads and everything made it in one piece and the men were polite and helpful. Would happily recommend them.
HesterPB
131
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 26 March 2012 - 20:08
Glad it all worked out. Am sure you will be seeing him again soon... ;-)
HesterPB
131
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 26 March 2012 - 19:40
I know that dog well! We lived in Hattan for 18 months and he regularly got out and came wandering around - we always shooed him out as we have some rather unfriendly cats. I believe he lives at 43 Hattan Avenue - worth trying there to see if he is theirs. HTH!
HesterPB
131
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 13 March 2012 - 16:02
Thanks Zippy, that's really helpful. I might give it a go!
HesterPB
131
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 13 March 2012 - 12:23
The best place is Craftland in the Town Centre mall - just next to Mercato on the Jumeirah Beach Road. They have a lovely selection of wool and all knitting/crochet/sewing/quilting accessories etc. and the Canadian lady who owns and runs it is very helpful. The website is www.mycraftland.com.
HesterPB
131
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 05 March 2012 - 07:49
Ted Morgan hairdressers in Motor City uses and stocks Redken, though I am not sure which products they have. Why not give them a call - 04 457 2309?
 
 
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