lovingthesun | ExpatWoman.com
 

lovingthesun

lovingthesun
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 03 February 2016 - 13:29
From my experience, though only brief, it didn't really do anything. I don't know if that's just me but..
lovingthesun
458
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 03 February 2016 - 13:28
That is a difficult age for most girls to find suitable outfits regardless if they are a bit rounded or skinny. Where is her problem areas? if it's around her tummy she can go for skinny jeans with loose tops, those don't need boobs to fit well. The trick is to find the style that works for her body shape, Google teen with her body shape outfits & look for inspirations, Good luck Actually that was very helpful advice in general, i'd never thought of doing that with my girls. Swim suits are so easy for the confident ones but I have one who is also very shy and thinks far too much. Putting it in her hands with this suggestion really helped. Thank you.
lovingthesun
458
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 27 January 2016 - 11:13
Some of the schools mentioned above are clearly having big financial problems and will likely close. So some of the recent schools are great but some will wither on the vine. I think this is for the best actually as Dubai schools had it too easy with under supply for a long time. Now there are so many more places than kids it's better for us. I know the very good schools are still full and that is a problem but seeing some of the less honest places go down won't harm anyone I think.
lovingthesun
458
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 23 January 2016 - 21:04
really? it is a good things that cuddling and kissing on the beach is getting normal in Dubai??? Why would it not be out of interest?
lovingthesun
458
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 21 January 2016 - 16:24
What a very odd couple of opening questions from a Newbie though? Are we expecting a wave of such things...perhaps a whole plethora of threads on "marital aids"... Now there's a disturbing thought for mid afternoon!
lovingthesun
458
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 21 January 2016 - 16:21
One tastes disgusting, and the other tastes disgusting with sugar on.
lovingthesun
458
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 19 January 2016 - 16:08
It's always been mentioned as a nice caring school. Not the most academic of schools but not bad either.
lovingthesun
458
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 19 January 2016 - 16:07
BISAD. I know a few folks who came from there to Dubai. All very happy.
lovingthesun
458
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 19 January 2016 - 14:34
Can you call your mum. I must admit I still do this when I've had a horrible day and DH is either not around or, just not the right person to talk to about a particular issue. Sometimes Mum knows best even for us big girls...
lovingthesun
458
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 19 January 2016 - 14:32
I'm always very surprised that they can appear to get away with this kind of thing here. I'm very pleased you have escaped without paying them any money. Did you report them to the police? It would be good if others could be shielded from these awful people. They might well be based in another country though.
lovingthesun
458
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 13 January 2016 - 15:04
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.
lovingthesun
458
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 12 January 2016 - 19:55
Rents are going down now aren't they?
lovingthesun
458
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 11 January 2016 - 15:34
I have looked at all the schools in terms of location, tuition cost and so they are at least GOOD rated on KHDA reports. I really do not mind what nationality of the teachers or pupils are in the schools as our budget unfortunately dictates the choice. My reasoning is this - if the school is rated GOOD, the management is western and there are western pupils at the school (no matter how few), that school is worth considering. Would you agree? No I wouldn't agree. I don't mean to be mean or miserable but your 10 year old in particular would potentially have an awful time of things in a school where they are quite isolated. Schools do tend to be quite segregated in some sense. I take your point regarding budget but would strongly strongly advise you to think about looking at travel. KHDA ratings aren't all that important as they focus very much on one curriculum area much of the time and some schools that are rated outstanding really are not. Equally some schools, like Victory Heights, which got acceptable are FAR better than that. Sadly I think VH is out of your specified price range. I think you likely can find the right school but I did feel I should say something about the effect on your 10 year old.
lovingthesun
458
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 11 January 2016 - 08:23
I know i'm old fashioned here but... You can't beat bleach and a flat head mop I always think! My mum used to use vinegar but i've never liked the smell of that. Even white vinegar had a really distinctive odour to it. Even now it takes me back to being a little girl.
lovingthesun
458
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 10 January 2016 - 20:49
Look at whichschooladvisor.com They have listings with schools in them and if I remember rightly they did a feature on schools at various price points. You are right about the Cambridge school.
lovingthesun
458
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 06 January 2016 - 10:40
I would agree with Sarah Lou very much. There is no substitute for experience.
lovingthesun
458
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 04 January 2016 - 15:31
Often it's a case of "buy in" as the maids are paid poorly by the agency and might well never come to your house again. So, at least in that sense, why would they do a good job. They won't get paid more and the agency doesn't really treat them well. What I know some friends of mine have done who didn't individually need a full time person was club together and share a maid. It worked well if you can find the people to do it. She is better treated/paid and has more incentive to do good work. I know it's a bit complicated though.
lovingthesun
458
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 04 January 2016 - 13:31
There are some companies that buy any car quickly. No doubt they don't offer top prices but they will at least do it fast I would imagine.
lovingthesun
458
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 03 January 2016 - 15:13
I don't think "they" have that much control over the weather do they really? Am i living in the past?
lovingthesun
458
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 17 December 2015 - 06:56
Love this :) The sisterhood...reminds me a bit of being at Univesity :)
lovingthesun
458
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 16 December 2015 - 14:55
Just natural growth as the older students move up through and those moving into the new year 11 and preperation for IB.
lovingthesun
458
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 16 December 2015 - 14:38
Agreed, take a plan B school for now and keep you LO on the waiting list for the school you really want. It might be the case that you lose a little bit of money when you move them in eventually but it's worth it in the end.
lovingthesun
458
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 15 December 2015 - 11:56
With an infectious disease such as Hep you will not get another visa here. I'm sorry this has happened to you, but it's best now to plan for a new life and to maintain your health. I don't mean in any way to sound heartless...but this door has now closed.
lovingthesun
458
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 13 December 2015 - 13:03
I think you will need to get your name down quickly (at least for the very good schools) as most of them will be full already? FS1 places are hard to come across. On the other hand there are a number of schools which are OK that you could go to for a little while as you wait for your preferred place to come up. 24 is far too large I think.
lovingthesun
458
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 07 December 2015 - 08:20
The security passes all schools make you wear are more for show. The security guards are not armed nor trained, If terrorists wanted to attack a school in Dubai, these security measures would not help. I don't really agree with you, not from what i've seen at my childrens school but...what would you have them do? The same could be said of any school around the world. I certainly wouldn't want it to become like America where the head of a university is encouraging students to bring in guns!
lovingthesun
458
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 07 December 2015 - 08:03
I have friends with children in both...And they are all happy too. Really I think they're both good schools from the feedback I've had and you can't really go wrong in either. Personally i'd go with whichever is closest to where you're living.
lovingthesun
458
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 07 December 2015 - 07:43
I know I posted a question regarding schools and security but a question for the wider forum. We are looking to move out to Dubia and wanted to know if you feel safe what with the recent tragedies. I am bringing children so I am slightly nervous as apparently schools have not got the best security. I don't want to move if I am going to put my children in any danger as we live in a quite village in the middle of nowhere in U.K. At the moment. I am confused Yes I do. As i said in the other thread the schools here are generally pretty good on security. And as for the UAE itself it feels pretty safe here. So yes, I feel safe.
lovingthesun
458
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 07 December 2015 - 07:41
Pretty much all schools are reasonably good on this matter. My childrens schools has guards, passcard systems, CCTV and they practice a lockdown drill! It's also very close to the police station and the dads play the police team regularly :) I don't think we can take anything for granted but I think you don't need to worry too much.
lovingthesun
458
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 06 December 2015 - 11:07
Good Morning Yellow G :) Firstly, like any forum, their are some "characters" on here. Some people are very helpful, and some...I struggle to describe. But, I would certainly advise being choosy about whom you pay attention to, much like real life I suppose. Secondly, I think Dubai is, as others have said, what you make of it. There are many opportunities here, and pitfalls too. Much like England in fact. It is though, in terms of a little one, clean, healthy and generally very safe. You mentioned driving. The roads trouble me most of all in terms of children (car seats etc) because frankly some of the drivers here are hyper aggressive sociopaths. They are simply best avoided. I would also advise to get a big chunky car and a big chunky baby seat to mitigate any bumps. I don't want to make too much of it though as simply not driving in the outside lane keeps you away from 90% of the nutters. Other than that the outdoor space matter can be an issue some of the time as the heat during the warmer times is oppresive. However this is seasonal. There are certainly many months when it's lovely here and there are many places to go with a baby/toddler. The community here is very varied and mostly very friendly and welcoming. It can be, sometimes, a bit cliquey but certainly not all the time and you can avoid those people easily enough. There are a lot of nice normal mums here :) One thing we found we needed to be careful of with our own children was not letting them become mini racists...There is quite a division here between labourers and others and, well, we didn't like that. It's not a huge deal but it was something we noticed as a family. Your children are young so I won't go into the teen things (I think Geordie expat is right though) as they don't apply. For a little one and mum though, you will like Dubai I suspect :)
lovingthesun
458
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 02 December 2015 - 13:28
I totally agree. This is the one area of living here that I find absolutely remarkable. A year in advance for an absentee landlord, terrible service from agents and poor quality of housing...leaks, broken AC...and how funny that all the repair bills come in at 499AED. When we move next I'm not going to pay a year in advance as it simply means the landlord has no interest in fixing the many things that go wrong. With our company we've lived in a few places and I have never come across anything quite like this and I think it needs to change. Right now it's a buyers market and some landlords have not woken up to this. I see quite a few places that have been on the market for quite a long time.
lovingthesun
458
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 02 December 2015 - 01:55
So pleased... I still wonder what happened to poor Madeline even after all these years. Not to mention all those awful cases where something is confirmed. I sometimes have to go in and look at my children in the middle of the night just to be sure.
lovingthesun
458
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 02 December 2015 - 01:16
Take a look at WhichSchoolAdvisor.com as well as they do look at all of the schools around in Dubai. Reliable and impartial.
lovingthesun
458
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 02 December 2015 - 01:08
He's born in June and we applied for FS2. The school is Safa Private. Another child at his nursery got the same assessment. Plan B is to try at as many schools as I can - and hope that he gets into one that will help him during these formative years. Glowingcandle.. may I ask which school your child goes to? My DD goes to Nord Anglia. Sadly Laydeelay Nord Anglia is pretty much full all the time (my children also go there). It might be worth putting your little one into a different school while waiting for a place. A lot of people are doing this now and holding a place on the waiting list. A lot of schools do have places in FS1 and it's doesn't mean they are "bad" schools, just not as good as the best ones. I wouldn't lose hope, where there is a will, there is a way.
lovingthesun
458
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 24 November 2015 - 17:32
Fishy, very fishy :)
lovingthesun
458
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 24 November 2015 - 17:25
Really? I don't think she's Tessa at all? Doesn't seem anythink like her, but what do i know! I kind of hope that she is, at least she (Tessa) is interesting and provocative. I'd also hope Lolacat would come back, she wasn't boring and did seem to know her stuff.
lovingthesun
458
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 23 November 2015 - 05:31
I like this thread. It's not boring. But i do really wish we could edit the title, it drives my OCD side NUTS everytime I see it.
lovingthesun
458
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 19 November 2015 - 08:48
Song to be so miserable! :( I heard it on the school run this morning but it's so sad :( :(
lovingthesun
458
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 18 November 2015 - 09:53
Joint account. You're a team...actually, you're a family, which is greater still.
lovingthesun
458
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 18 November 2015 - 09:51
Oh :( Me too, we used to love watching him play and apparently he was a really nice man too. 40 with a family...that's so young :(
lovingthesun
458
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 17 November 2015 - 10:36
If they have everything then you should just offer them some help. Take a plate of food over, or a tray of food they can freeze, and offer them your babysitting services. That would be the best gift rather than disposable and unnecessary gifts like clothes, This is a far better suggestion than mine :) OR...on second thoughts...Earplugs and help?? :) Oh...and wine for the nights when you're babysitting, for them not you that is!
lovingthesun
458
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 17 November 2015 - 07:07
Earplugs
lovingthesun
458
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 16 November 2015 - 14:54
With a baby I would say something big, safe and sturdy. You don't need posh or expensive here as they get scratched very quickly anyway I think...or covered in vomit...or worse, when you have a baby :) Toyota do some good deals as do Ford and both fit the bill with their SUV range and are good second hand.
lovingthesun
458
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 14 November 2015 - 09:12
I cried. there is no end to the hatred in these people hearts.
lovingthesun
458
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 12 November 2015 - 12:08
I agree with GE. I would also add that an established community often has a more mature community feel to it in terms of children/play dates/mums to talk to etc. I know that new communities can have that but, at least in my experience, the more mature communities here in Dubai make forming family links a lot easier.
lovingthesun
458
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 12 November 2015 - 09:11
Holy Thread Ressurection Batman!!!!! You waited 2 years to reply and be offended?
lovingthesun
458
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 11 November 2015 - 16:47
There will be no problem with the Ark but I have heard of some non Abrahamic religous iconography being stopped but that was a long time ago. I don't think it's at all likely in personal shipments. I would be wary of bringing in books that might mention politically sensitive topics as they are "banned". Also *ahem* adult pictorical literature in the unlikely event you might be shipping any *ahem* In terms of medicines, be wary of any that are opiates or their derivatives. Sleeping medications, some tranqulizers. They can be got here but bringing them in is a no-no. If in doubt ask a pharmacist in the UK if any you have in your medicine cabinet contain them. HTH XXX
lovingthesun
458
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 11 November 2015 - 15:53
In terms of villa vs apartment living what is he general consensus with two kids and with me being a stay at home mum for now. There doesn't seem a huge difference between prices for a 3 bed apartment vs 3 bed villa. We also have just had confirmation that the company will pay the years rent upfront for us and then deduct it from my husband salary. We aren't in a position to oh such a lump sum ourselves ! Does anyone know Which schools are near Arabian ranches? This seems A popular area but online research can sometimes be out of date ! Arabian Ranches is a great place to live but tends to be a bit more expensive in terms of rental than Springs/Meadows. You would get a smaller place for your allowance I suspect. Possibly much smaller.
lovingthesun
458
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 11 November 2015 - 14:39
They should also cover the costs of Visa's for the family and associated medicals etc. These are not huge but they can mount up. The relo package there looks reasonable really. If you're looking at Emirates Int School then Dubai British School is also a good one to look at if you want to stay very local.
lovingthesun
458
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 11 November 2015 - 14:23
On that package, for a good school, you're going to need an education allowance I think. In terms of negotiating the package with your company it might be worth trying to find out if they give an allowance to any other people.
lovingthesun
458
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 11 November 2015 - 13:01
Good questions :) AND...welcome to Dubai! Package isn't bad overall. Jeeps would be about 1500 AED per month (depends on the Jeep) Springs Meadows nice area... Good schools in the area (or close enough to drive to) Nord Anglia (my children go there but places very hard to come by) Jess is quite close Foremarke supposed to be quite good New Jebel Ali campus Ranches Primary There are some that you MUST visit and someone will be along to advertise them soon but go and see them because...well...go and see. Look at Which School Advisor . COM for some more advice on schools. Lots of women drive, but many drivers here are mad. yes you will be able to save, but it is expensive here. yes there are GP's and many good. Make sure your medical covers all costs...some really don't. HTH XXX
 
 
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