lovingthesun | ExpatWoman.com
 

lovingthesun

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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 16 August 2016 - 14:58
I would think it's very different if he's just looking at strangers, or exchaning messages. Although it's not easy to graps i think MOST men look at that kind of thing from time to time... If he's in some form of communication with these ladies that's very different.
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 17 May 2016 - 07:56
I'm deeply ashamed to say that I don't think i'd be able to read this just yet...I can only marvel at the strength of this lady and wish I had half as much. I'm afraid to even open the link. What a coward :(
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 17 May 2016 - 07:48
All i might add to the advice given here is...Shop around. We found huge variation in prices for things associated with setting up a home (mops...toilet brushes, you know...all the exciting stuff!). Food as well is always worth just keeping an eye on. Eating out...some places are hugely expensive and you can't always tell which it will be, while others are super cheap. Food quality certainly doesn't always follow cost either (though does it anywhere?). You certainly don't have to pay 100 pounds for a mop...but i bet you can :) HTH xx
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 17 May 2016 - 07:33
ADEC do ratings like KHDA. I think it's on their website. I would go with the highest rated if you don't know anything else about the schools in question. Or, if possible take a look at Whichschooladvisor.com And...talk to people. This forum is rather poor in terms of school recommendations I often think
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 02 May 2016 - 12:13
The most important thing is to get proper advice. If he files here then you are basically stuck and on your own is my understanding. I know of one poor lady (poor now) who chased and chased and basically was told in the end "he can do what he wants". This is terrible i think. Get proper advice before signing or agreeing to anything. I totally agree that it's terrible to be in this positiion but you might have to be smart before you're emotional. He is the bad guy here...
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 02 May 2016 - 08:04
Even if they are recognised, and i don't think any are, you would need two years of experience to be hired as a teacher. It might be better to work as a teaching aide while you're doing it to get some kind of experience under your belt. But certainly it is something you need to look at carefully and talk to the KHDA and if possible the Visa people too!
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 21 April 2016 - 10:31
A Rolex watch or a vintage car;) I think you have to give a budget or give some information about your husband to get any suitable ideas. Your description he sounds dead boring, no travel, sport or adventure... I think that's a bit harsh Silvstet. I agree. He might be remarkable in many other interesting areas :) An idea of budget would be useful. A "birth year" watch is always a good thing though i think for the boys. Has to be a good classic brand that they would know and with a certificate. There are a lot of dealers who specialise in that kind of thing and will streer you clear of the many many fakes. I got my DH one and he was enchanted with it.
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 11 April 2016 - 08:40
Oh how i wish :) I have to agree though, all of these things, machines, creams, Quinoa! Don't work. It's a hard slog and all about discipline which is tricky. No to cakes, yes to moving around. What i have found hardest of all is that i seem to have to eat less and less as I get older just to maintain the same size. I know my elderly relatives seem to eat next to nothing, even the active ones. I find this quite depressing. A machine would be lovely.
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 09 April 2016 - 11:48
Another big thumbs up for Nord Anglia from me too.
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Latest post on 22 March 2016 - 07:32
You need to go and see a proper doctor. I don't think vinegar is going to help you at all.
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 21 March 2016 - 14:33
It started off with great promise I understand but... doesn't seem to be going at all well now from what I hear. Try Horizon, seems to be on the up, or Safa seems to be good too. There are a number of bad options to be carefully looked into too! We're at NAS but the waiting list is a real issue so probably the above two are good options? Depends what you want really, If a selective school then maybe wait for NAS, if a more inclusive school then the above two seem to get very good press.
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 21 March 2016 - 14:29
1 TA per class for years 1 to 6, 20 students 2 TA per class FS1 and 2, 18 students NAS How does it work with year groups sharing a TA? That seems odd? I thought it was normal to have a teacher and a TA in every class?
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 21 March 2016 - 12:54
Oh my God. This makes me sick 84K for KG1 ?!?! What's happening here? What's happening here?...That's a very good question :)
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 21 March 2016 - 08:59
I've come to this late and there is a lot of good advice here. The only thing I would add is...do something. Anything. I have seen this take hold of people here (and elsewhere) and nothing feeds misery like loneliness...Do ANYTHING that gets you out and moving and active and interacting. I'm not meaning to be harsh...not at all...just think it's the only way.
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 20 March 2016 - 13:13
I asked at my kids school (NAS) and they said that like all schools they were pretty much waiting on KHDA. Some issue about no half terms?! I hope this isn't the case but i did see last year that the ministry was more or less setting all term dates and the schools didn't have much choice anymore.
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 20 March 2016 - 08:54
I agree it makes it no less tragic and sad. Still...I can't help but write something, even though i know it does nothing at all to help. I know many cabin crew as friends...and the sense of shock amoungst them is palpable today. I wish those who have lost peace in time. :(
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 17 March 2016 - 07:52
I went to a party held at the sanctuary and have to say the children really enjoyed it. Far better than holding it in some posh hotel I thought.
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 16 March 2016 - 07:34
KHDA seem to be setting all the calendars according to my kids school, or at least schools no longer have the flexibility they once had. The 28th seems to be the case across the board but it also looks like they have made schools take out all half terms? Is this a ministry thing that has come down from Abu Dhabi?
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 16 March 2016 - 07:31
To be very very careful about what i might post online.
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 08 March 2016 - 07:45
For something as specialist as this you might be better going via Amazon etc I think?
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 06 March 2016 - 11:09
How old is he? What does he like? Is he sporty, arty, both, into cars, into cinema, into science? WE NEED MORE INFORMATION :)
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 03 March 2016 - 22:39
I'm sorry but I just don't agree. What will this make us look like, we're always "ill" weak females...haven't we heard that some time before? So should we have time off when we have a headache, is that a MEDICAL (shouting) issue? Should we always be asking for excuses because we're female. There is a huge difference between periods and needing time to nurse a newborn and i'd like paternity leave to be a real thing here too for that matter. I know some people have painful periods, I do from time to time. But this is a terrible idea because many women will take advantage of this, because people do take advantage, and set us all back years and years. It's not an illness, we are not ill, it shouldn't be stigmatised but nor is it an excuse to miss work. There were so many girls in school who really did not have hugely painful periods who simply used it as an excuse to miss PE or even not come to school...they will be doing the same thing at work and that will be bad for all of us.
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 03 March 2016 - 09:33
Doesn't it just mean that all those girls who used it as an excuse to get out of PE will now be using it as an excuse to get out of work?
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Latest post on 02 March 2016 - 12:35
Could I ask what technique Dr Tahir uses?
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Latest post on 01 March 2016 - 15:13
That's awesome Brie thank you :) !! xxx
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Latest post on 29 February 2016 - 15:51
Me neither. I think it's a terrible idea. And I often think it's just a way of school saving money too when they are being greedy.
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 25 February 2016 - 07:01
5% VAT? I wonder how they will decided what is VAT-able? It's something of a luxury tax in the UK, of course a bunch of silly men have decided that certain ladies essentials are luxuries!. But will it be applied only to luxuries or to everything?
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 24 February 2016 - 11:33
They really hurt as well don't they! Very painful bites from such small things and they also seem quite aggressive. We tried everything... Flour (supposed to bung them up)...did nothing. Blocking holes they come in from...they made more Traps...killed a few but there were lots of them Cleaning the house all the time...no chance with kids. The only thing that worked for us was exterminators (I think we used Rentokil but DD sorted it) and they apparently "heated" the house. I must admit we were away when it was done but it lasted a good three months before they started coming back. We're going to have it done again soon.
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 24 February 2016 - 11:25
I think you might be best discussing this with a good hair dresser who knows your hair and personal style. Otherwise you could just do what i do now after advice on here....a Pony tail to keep the sand out :)
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 23 February 2016 - 10:50
There are a set of coaching videos on Youtube which a friends grown up son used as he was not getting through despite being qualified. He was just a very shy gentle young man who didn't quite shine at interview. They really helped him get through and he's been there 3 years and has just been promoted too. I can't remember the exact name but i'm sure they will be easy to find. They are also totally free to use. I seem to remember he tried them out on his mum and a couple of others once he'd watched the videos. It took a bit of work on his part but really worked out in the end. HTH XX
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 23 February 2016 - 08:00
They/you will decide naturally. It's only "gross" if either party decides it's "gross" surely? I think sometimes get too hung up on tiny little things like and worrying about what is appropriate and what is not with little things like this...If my children want to kiss me I'm just glad that they do and I don't really care cheek or lips. When they are older they will do what they feel best with I suppose. As for my mum and dad...lips still for mum but dad was never a big kissy type (but I know he'd sulk if he didn't get a big hug from his favourite daughter!)
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 15 February 2016 - 12:03
Not meaning to be funny buy...have you tried IKEA? They do sell them seperately if you ask nicely I believe.
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 15 February 2016 - 12:00
Do look carefully into maternity leave. Some places have clauses that mean you have to have worked there for a certain amount of time before you're allowed to take it I think. This certainly was the case for a friend of mine but that was a few years ago so things might have changed. HTH xx Oh and...congratulations :)
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 15 February 2016 - 11:58
I agree re the Dubai mums FB page it's a great place and people can't hide behind a fake ID which means it's even more useful so you can see who works in advertising :)
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 11 February 2016 - 13:46
Men always take the path of least resistance. They just don't always realise that we prefer the path of most involvement ?
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 10 February 2016 - 07:59
What this thread needs....is an expert :)
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 10 February 2016 - 07:44
Definitely the downturn has started, rent and house prices are drop. Paycuts and people getting laid off. There are still jobs out there, but the competition is getting harder. Good luck with your move I'm definitely worried as we were going through the last downturn in Dubai, the experts don't think it will be as bad as last time....we will see. I hope you're right :) I'm no expert at all, not even in the slightest, but do have a question out of interest. Wasn't the last downturn, the Dubai specific part, rather a perfect storm of factors specific to this area? And the current situation is more about the oil price world wide rather than a basket of factors?
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 09 February 2016 - 22:35
No harm in trying to see if you can make payment monthly rather than in one go, some schools will allow this. Although I would urge you to seriously look into your financial situation and the future and be very careful about getting into any debt. School fees will have to be paid at some point, so think long term as well. Have you thought about yourself and your child returning to your home country and your DH staying here, downsizing and seeing if he can ride out this low period? This would hopefully (depending on home country) reduce overheads for now. Hopefully your child is not in exam years. Or consider home schooling for a bit? No school is worth getting into debt for. I agree. Talk to the school first and also explore other options. If they are in exam years then it does become much more difficult which would make it even more important. Another suggestion is, perhaps you could offer to work at the school in some capacity if you don't already work? It might help?
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 09 February 2016 - 22:20
Perhaps look on whichschooladvisor dot com There are a lot of people on here who will give partizan advice for less than transparent reasons :) And certainly parents who are happy at their current school are deeply biased too. Like I am :) WSA gives a good overview in general though. Best thing to do is talk to people here and then go and see some schools. The main problem in Dubai is that the very good schools are full though so unless you're lucky you tend to end up in a school that isn't quite as good. A lot of people do wait in a second tier school until their first choice comes up.
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 09 February 2016 - 22:17
Gulf international can do the screening test, although I think they have to send it away to another lab. I think you should talk to someone in detail about this though who is a real expert. There is another thread about this on here that you can find easily. I agree having the test is the best idea as it might put your mind at rest. I had it too as I was very nervous. The waiting was difficult but worth it in the end. HTH xx
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 09 February 2016 - 22:14
There are some odd comments on here. I do think the schools threads are the least pure on this whole board. Safa is a very good school in general, and certainly worthy of consideration. Go along and see if it matches what you want :)
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 09 February 2016 - 22:12
Now, now lovingthesun, that is very naughty and very misleading lumping Nord Anglia in with Desc, Jess and DC. Apart from NAS, the other schools are LONG established in Dubai and have very good or outstanding ratings from the KHDA. They are also not for profit schools. Nord Anglia is up and running for 17 months, yes , months not years and has no KHDA rating. If the keyboard warriors cannot give impartial, honest opinions then please resist replying. It's unfair, to say the least on newbies . OP, can I suggest you apply to JESS....it's a 40+ year old school, not for profit and delivers the BC in its true form. We'll have to agree to disagree then won't be Silk regarding my honesty. I do hope my manners though are at least as my parents raised me. Clearly we have different standards in regards to both these qualities. You do seem to share a penchant for CAPITALS with the other person on here who works for the construction site? You also share a penchant for many other qualities, perhaps you are one and the same? Strange things do happen on the internet after all. Personally i prefer to talk from my own experience and to be honest about it from my point of view. I do agree JESS is a very good school It has much to recommend it. So do the others on my list. None of them, including JESS, teach crane driving. I feel that crane driving detracts from the NC it's not really BC but there you go, I do care about accuracy too. How about yours? Have a lovely day and i hope to hear from you and your TWIN soon :)
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 09 February 2016 - 15:30
I'd go with Safa myself if I lived over in that area.
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 09 February 2016 - 15:29
I definately think rents are cheaper now than they were a few months ago and certainly last year. I do wonder with all the new Villas I see being built if it will become more of a buyers market and less one in which absentee landlords demand payment a year in advance and then don't do any maintanace work as well. If the market can turn around and stay that way I think it would help Dubai long term. I don't know about a general economic downturn, I don't think if it is happening that it's Dubai specific, it seems more that the whole world is uncertain and Oil is on the floor at the moment as we know.
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 08 February 2016 - 12:55
LG from Carrefour. Replaced one the sadly passed away after many years loyal service *sniff*
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Latest post on 08 February 2016 - 09:56
If a second dentist said it was an awful job, which is a second opinion basically, then I would think get a third opinion, because how do you know the second one wasn't the bad apple? If second and third say the first was terrible then you have a very good case to go to the consumer rights department. I've noticed that often in Dubai one goes in with a sore throat and after 15 hours, a CAT scan, and MRI, an ECG, and Crystal healing sessions one comes out with a diagnosis of a sore throat and a 5 million AED bill for the insurance company. I might be exagerating a little here :)
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 08 February 2016 - 09:34
Was just thinking about this thread the other day and it's really nice to see some meet up invitations. I also wondered if getting out there and doing some voluntary work might be a nice way to meet some other people for a chat at well as doing something useful.
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 08 February 2016 - 09:04
Agencies are your friend I think. Then you can see if you like them and sponsor them if they are very good. I do think we also need to remember that these ladies are often away from thier own families and also need to be treated properly so be careful with the agencies.
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 03 February 2016 - 21:37
Jim'll Fix It for us every time. We just got fed up of calling other people to come back and actually do the job properly, again, and again, and again!
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 03 February 2016 - 21:30
lovingthesun - you mentioned that the post did not list any of the good british schools. so was are the top british schools in your opinion thanks! Hard to list but; Dubai College DESC Nord Anglia JESS Ranches Spring to mind.... To a degree it depends what you mean and at which age group. My children go to Nord Anglia and it's a great school but it's not the only very good school in Dubai. There are however some that are not at all good... And some that are STILL not finished after years of being open which is shocking and speaks to the nature of some of the places here. But I get angry about that kind of thing.