Kim67 | ExpatWoman.com
 

Kim67

Kim67
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Latest post on 14 February 2011 - 05:05
We did a two week road trip around Thailand on the way back to Australia with the kids. I'd recommend Ayatthaya, the old capital of Siam. It's a couple of hours drive North of Bangkok and a great place to take the kids. Also further north a rain forrest resort about 50km out of Phitsanulok was lovely, saw the most beautiful temple ever in a mountain village there. Also Chiang Mai. Kids loved Bangkok too.
Kim67
95
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 February 2011 - 06:47
Pretty sure the Neuro Spinal Hospital on Beach Road has one. Went to visit a little boy there over summer.
Kim67
95
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 08 February 2011 - 15:56
My daughters performed in a few of these type of shows in Dubai, one with the company in question and they both performed in the Christmas Panto (which doesn't charge anything). Before auditioning I was told by several people that the girls wouldn't receive any kind of payment for anything they performed at in Dubai because it's not legal to pay children for work in Dubai (as I've already said). It's against the Child Labour Laws of the country to "employ" children. It's then up to the parents to decide what they are willing to pay out - if you don't want to do it, don't pay. I paid the money for one production over summer. I would have actually paid that much for my daughter to go to summer camps. They were at DUCTAC from early in the morning until late evening for a couple of weeks before the show started. They had dance workshops, got to record tracks in a recording studio for the show - made friends with scores of other kids and had a grand old time.
Kim67
95
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Latest post on 07 February 2011 - 07:51
It's actually not legal to "employ" children in Dubai. So all shows they're in are unpaid.
Kim67
95
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Latest post on 06 February 2011 - 14:51
Blame the floods, everything that's missing on the shelves has a sign saying "Due to floods.........". Flooding in Victoria now - niece and her husband and three kids (one in a wheelchair) have had to be evacuated. With all the cyclones and flooding, Australian product exports are no doubt affected too.
Kim67
95
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Latest post on 04 February 2011 - 05:08
One death reported this morning. Twenty three year old man died from inhaling fumes from a generator he was using http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/02/04/3129837.htm. Still a couple of people missing - very sad. But an amazing outcome for such a huge storm system. The Emergency Services and Anna Bligh should be commended on their great effort to keep everyone informed and ultimately safe.
Kim67
95
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 02 February 2011 - 16:50
Just watched Premier Bligh's press conference live on QLD Police website - from what I can see that is one amazing women who is just getting so much thrown at her and seems to be holding it together well. Just also read that they confirm there have been 9.2 metre seas of Cairns. She is doing a really good job. There have been reports of 18m waves, but apparently the measurements are all thrown out because the buoys are not used to waves breaking over them when they do their readings, so who knows what's happening up there.
Kim67
95
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 02 February 2011 - 07:55
Winds have started to pick up apparently. It's knocked out the weather station's signal on the one of the island's on the way in. King tide at 9pm Queenland time (currently 1.53pm) and the cyclone expected to cross the coast at about 10pm. The eye of the cyclone is so wide (the eye alone is wider than Cyclone Tracy) that it could hit a very large area of coastline and because it is so large, it will take a long time to wind down and so inland areas will be hit too.
Kim67
95
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 01 February 2011 - 16:34
Apparently High Octane rather than leaded for Super.
Kim67
95
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 01 February 2011 - 16:26
The beach near the kite surfing, (just south of Jumeirah Beach Park or north of the Burj Al Arab) is fun, especially if your visitors have kids. They have surf skis and an inflatable football pitch and last time we were there some guys on a jet ski towed my kids and our friends kids around on a inflatable banana boat thing. Nice clear water too.
Kim67
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 01 February 2011 - 07:11
Yes, the only saving grace is that it's not expected to hit until tomorrow night so the evacuations are taking place with plenty of time to spare. Hope everyone stays safe and it weakens before it gets to the islands or crosses the coast. But agree, it's not looking good though.
Kim67
95
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 01 February 2011 - 07:04
Cyclones off Qld and WA. We had a nice couple of weeks of sunshine, but thanks to cyclonic weather up north it's been drizzling here in Brisbane again today.
Kim67
95
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 01 February 2011 - 06:52
I'm just seriously curious about the work practices in Dubai now that I find myself packing up my life to move there. Until now, I didn't think lack of professionalism could be hazardous to your mental health...and now I'm learning that the crackberry addiction will never end. I'm a little concerned about working outside of work hours. GGP, that is [b'>anywhere [/b'>these days, not just Dubai, so I don't think you will escape it where ever you are, I'm sorry to say. 12 years ago, before I had kids & before sms, my CEO would leave me v'mails & emails at all times of the night. I'm sorry to say I would work from about 8am till 10 or 11pm. Probably why I didn't have kids till late in life :-/. In Australia, if you are in the corporate arena no one works 9 - 5pm. No one. And certainly from the beginnings of my career in 1988 that has never been the case if you wanted to progress. If they do, they are judged for it - even if they are efficient and can get the work done in that time. My DH is up for work by 10am, still going at midnight and several times a week will have meetings scheduled for past midnight. He generally does not go to bed till 2 or 3 am. Now he is not working every minute of that time every day (he tries to fit in fitness activities and some time with the kids), but there would be many days he is. It is a global economy. People work across time zones. People are afraid of redundancy. It is common practice and I'm really shocked and surprised that it sounds like it's not done in London! I don't know how they have missed it...or maybe it's just particular professions??? edited by Buy me a Pony on 01/02/2011 BMAP, sounds like we're married to the same guy. My husband got about about 10am yesterday and is still sitting there working 27 hours later. He sleeps three or four hours a day, usually between about 6am-10am but every couple of days he just works through.
Kim67
95
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 01 February 2011 - 06:45
My kids went to Dr Isabella too - she's really good with them.
Kim67
95
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 01 February 2011 - 03:03
Meeting at Palm Strip and Active Living in Al Barsha stock them.
Kim67
95
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 01 February 2011 - 01:17
Just to make all you ballet mum's jealous.....I took my eldest daughter to Bloch here in Brisbane (Australia) a couple of months ago to get new point shoes. The girl took her to fit her - she tried about four different style shoes on - each time getting her to stand at the barre and plie and stand en pointe. She found exactly the right fit for her feet and ballet style......you should see the leotards and other stuff we've also bought since we got home.....oh happy ballet shop days........you'll all know what I'm talking about if you've tried to buy pointe shoes in Dubai. Well how pleased you must be then kim that you dont have to suffer the rubbish Dubai has to offer - you always complained about ballet everything when you were here and you are still having a dig now you have left.....happy ballet shop days to you too. Wasn't having a dig, just stating a fact. I am extremely happy to have the choices I have now, but always tried (and still do) to help advertise what's available in Dubai. It's a real bug bear amongst the ballet families in Dubai that there is so little choice. Hopefully store such as Active Living will continue to get more and more stock and things will be more readily available. Do you know how much joy little things like having "choice" and fitted properly bring after not having them for years - a lot. I didn't complain about everything ballet either, just the Ballet Centre and the lack of choice - not alone in those complaints I can assure you. Edited to add: For someone with six posts (and only three displayed) you seem to think you know a lot about my posting so obviously one of the banned pot stirrers reborn. edited by Kim67 on 01/02/2011 <em>edited by Kim67 on 01/02/2011</em>
Kim67
95
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 31 January 2011 - 17:54
Books, crafty stuff. Park'n'shop have some cute doll making kits that my 7 year old loves making - they're pretty inexpensive too, you could pop next door to Book Worm and grab a couple of those Fairy Chapter Books to go with it.
Kim67
95
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 31 January 2011 - 17:45
Just to make all you ballet mum's jealous.....I took my eldest daughter to Bloch here in Brisbane (Australia) a couple of months ago to get new point shoes. The girl took her to fit her - she tried about four different style shoes on - each time getting her to stand at the barre and plie and stand en pointe. She found exactly the right fit for her feet and ballet style......you should see the leotards and other stuff we've also bought since we got home.....oh happy ballet shop days........you'll all know what I'm talking about if you've tried to buy pointe shoes in Dubai.
Kim67
95
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 31 January 2011 - 17:39
Active Living in Al Barsha have them too.
Kim67
95
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 31 January 2011 - 17:35
Do you aussie girls want me to post over a couple of those classy "F off we're full" stickers to hand around at EW coffee mornings? (Not that I've actually ever seen them, I just keep hearing about them on an expat website so I woulnd't know where to buy them.)
Kim67
95
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 31 January 2011 - 17:31
I love freckles! Wish I had them! Always the way - I have one daughter with pale white skin, brown hair and freckles and another with blonde hair olive skin and one freckle on her leg. They both wish they had the others colouring.
Kim67
95
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 31 January 2011 - 15:46
Wear sunscreen all the time and long sleeved tops. If they're darker the chances are you're spending more time in the sun. Are you pregnant, pregnancy can cause pigmentation to go darker. I can't imagine bleaching creams are really very good for you.
Kim67
95
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 27 January 2011 - 03:43
I read anything that I think may be a little too mature for my 12 year old before I let her read it. That's how I became hooked on Twilight and Vampire Diaries. Now we're back in Australia it's great - I can just go to the library and she can choose books from the young teens section at the library and I know they're pretty safe. She's into all the Dance Academy books at the moment and ABC3 (tv station in Australia) has a Dance Academy Marathon on this weekend - can't wait to tape it (I love it too).
Kim67
95
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 25 January 2011 - 03:59
Well she's hit the headlines again today by introducing her newly found half sister to the world.
Kim67
95
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 24 January 2011 - 15:16
Don't panic too much bmap, my youngest went from 4 year old kindy in Australia (she turned 5 in the July) and started Year 1 in Dubai in the September and she was fine. The British curriculum is pretty similar to Australian level in the same year group, though with IB it seems a little different, Grade 4 in the IB curriculum would be equivalent to Year 5 in the British and Australian curriculums.
Kim67
95
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 23 January 2011 - 15:28
*** <em>edited by Kim67 on 24/01/2011</em>
Kim67
95
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 23 January 2011 - 09:15
BMAP - I think from memory that you're currently in Brisbane. I've just returned from a couple of years in Dubai and had three kids in Primary school. If you want, you can zap me an email and we can have a chat about where your kids now go to school and what they do and I might be able to give you some guidance on what is similar etc. Let me know and I'll put my email address up for you.
Kim67
95
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 18 January 2011 - 11:02
We have had Time Capsule for a few years. We have several computers in the house and it backs them all up wirelessly every 30 minutes or so. When we go out or on holidays, we just take it with us in a bag and everything is safely with us.
Kim67
95
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 15 January 2011 - 01:33
When we were looking at prices, for five us direct to Brisbane with Emirates was about 22k AED and with Thai via Thailand 13k AED. We stopped in Thailand for two weeks, hired a car and drove round the country and still didn't spend as much as we saved by going Thai.
Kim67
95
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 15 January 2011 - 01:14
Thai were the cheapest when we came back to Brisbane three months ago.
Kim67
95
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 13 January 2011 - 04:12
Morning concerned Cain Toads. You'll be pleased to know the River peaked this morning, slightly lower than the 1974 levels so a lot more homes than expected were spared. There are still a lot of homes under but, touch wood, no loss of life here in the Capital. The flood waters are receding out West and more bodies are being found - very sad for their families and friends. So many terrible stories from rescuers - one elderly man managed to rescue a ten year old boy, only to have his rope break and the 13 year old boy and mother were swept to their deaths. I think the people that attempted to, but couldn't save kids are the saddest stories. Some of the great Brisbane landmarks are in trouble - Oxley's Restaurant sunk yesterday and it's pontoon floated down the river (with all the tables and chairs on it) smashed into a bridge and sunk. The Riverwalk is partially destroyed and the rest will be destroyed today - efforts are being made to secure the Moggill Ferry and The Island (party barge) but if that fails, they too will be destroyed by the army today. Hope all of you with family here have heard from them. The Red Cross website has numbers for anyone looking for missing relatives and friends to phone to see whether they are registered at one of the many evacuation centres. My kids and I are off in a minute to go and check out the flooding in our suburb. But at least we still have power.
Kim67
95
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 11 January 2011 - 15:53
Here's a good site to check the expected flood zones http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=159582460756441&utm_source=RoamMedia&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=qldonline
Kim67
95
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 11 January 2011 - 15:50
Thanks Famn.
Kim67
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Latest post on 11 January 2011 - 15:44
Thanks Leshell - our house in on top of a hill about 5km from the city in a flood zone, so we should be okay if we just stay at home for a couple of days. My brother just phoned and said the Brisbane Airport is closed (sorry Shellly) he couldn't cancel the two family rooms at a hotel that he'd booked for the final two nights of his stay so it looks like my gang and my niece and her gang are going to live it up in the city for a few nights when the flooding goes down.
Kim67
95
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 11 January 2011 - 15:34
Hopefully we'll be over the worst of the actual flooding by the 23rd.
Kim67
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 11 January 2011 - 15:29
My cousin told me a 4 year old boy down the street got swept away this afternoon whilst emergency services were trying to save his family. He died. That was in the Ipswich area.
Kim67
95
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 11 January 2011 - 15:27
My family were due to fly in here to Brisbane and have cancelled because it's obviously not the ideal situation to be flying into a disaster zone. If your mum is flying Thursday and is in an area cut off by flooding from the airport then I don't think she'll be making her flight. The Brisbane River is set to peak on Thursday at levels higher than the 1974 floods. To put it in some perspective for you girls not here, 1974 claimed 12 lives, we are at over 20 dead and over 80 still missing and flood waters haven't hit Brisbane itself yet or peaked in other areas.
Kim67
95
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 11 January 2011 - 15:21
Shellly where are you? My brother and his family were flying in tomorrow but have cancelled. They're saying the airport should be still okay and operational but I guess if you're staying somewhere that's flooded, it's a matter of being able to get there. We're in Coorparoo and is one of the top 20 or so suburbs on flood alert for tomorrow and Thursday - our street looks to be safe because we're so high, but I don't fancy our chances of being able to go anywhere other than the next door neighbours. Can't believe it's been so ferocious and so many dead and missing.
Kim67
95
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 11 January 2011 - 12:51
basil, authorities are expecting the river to peak Thursday at levels higher than the 1974 floods. Flooding in all other areas has been worse than 1974. What happened in Toowoomba yesterday is nothing like they've ever seen in Queensland before. It'll be interesting to see how much of the city goes under.
Kim67
95
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 11 January 2011 - 09:35
Stay safe Green-ish. Just got back from spending hours trying to get supplies, the shops are out of water and a lot of canned food (our suburb is in the flood zone though so people are panicking). I will be staying home now for the next few days and hoping for the best.
Kim67
95
Posts
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Latest post on 10 January 2011 - 17:07
Well Brissy girls, it's been a horrible day in SE Queensland today. Toowoomba was hit with flash flooding, killing at least seven with more missing. Dalby, Chinchilla and surrounding towns have all been evacuated again tonight with more flash flooding expected in those areas. The Brisbane City and it's river suburbs (including mine - though we are very high up) are due to start flooding on Wednesday due to a high tide starting Tuesday afternoon.
Kim67
95
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 10 January 2011 - 05:42
We haven't to Wivenhoe yet BuymeaPony, it looks incredible on tv. Got family coming on Wednesday so hopefully go out and have a look then. Definitely a big contrast to Dubai. Wuffles, was down in Melbourne a month ago as great niece was having some risky surgery at Monash - couldn't believe how cold and wet it was.
Kim67
95
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 10 January 2011 - 04:53
According to the ads on tv, it's her wii fit plus that keeps her in that shape.
Kim67
95
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 10 January 2011 - 04:52
it's just non-stop. Have been back in Brisbane three months today and it hasn't stopped raining since we arrived. The last couple of weeks have been really heavy though - apparently it's as bad, if not worse, than the 1974 floods. The only saving grace is the new dams that have been built since then, hopefully they will hold up and Brisbane city will be spared. We're pretty high up in our suburb but the ground is just so soaking and wet that I hope the houses don't start toppling over like some have up the coast.
Kim67
95
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 10 January 2011 - 03:43
Still raining heavily in Queensland and more of the state is going under water each day. Apparently as bad as the 1974 floods, hopefully the dams they've built since then will hold up and we won't be swimming around the neighbourhood here in Brisbane too.
 
 
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