lovingthesun | ExpatWoman.com
 

lovingthesun

lovingthesun
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Latest post on 25 August 2015 - 15:12
But asking for documents seems so unlikely I can hardly believe this is a real thing and not a scam?
lovingthesun
458
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 25 August 2015 - 15:09
In all fairness though it's not just a few who have left, it's literally hundreds of families, so it's not surprising that some of them are on here. Having choice and a degree of honesty in the schools available to people in Dubai can only be a good thing surely?
lovingthesun
458
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Latest post on 24 August 2015 - 12:33
I think there's a move generally towards all things a bit bigger. The fast food revolution is really hitting Europe now the way it did America before and clothes just seem to be getting bigger but vanity sizing means we are fooled into thinking we are 'still a size x' when if you compared that size to the same size 15 years ago there would be a huge difference. There's much more acceptance of bigger sizes now and people are encouraged to embrace the curves etc. There's nothing wrong with being happy with the way you are and embracing your curves, and good on her for accepting that she is happy with her body but I think it's all part of the junk food/fast food/unhealthy revolution that is making us all just bigger and the social movement that is going along with it to just accept it. Vanity sizing!!!! Oh gosh...I'd never heard of that at all. That has not made me happy at all :( I hadn't realised that was "a thing"... Time to find an old outfit in the back of the cupboard for a reality check!
lovingthesun
458
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 23 July 2015 - 09:53
No matter how much someone cuts you up or endangers your life with insane driving....don't insult them. You will be in trouble with the courts not them.
lovingthesun
458
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 23 July 2015 - 09:22
I would hope they hear of it too but given how aggresive some of the Mall "cops" seem to be regarding every tiny infraction I get the impression that perhaps the management are behind it. Dubai Mall seems easily the most pleasant place to be in terms of not been told off by them and the availability of seating. I don't really understand it as you would think the shop owners would want people in the Mall and perhaps have a word with the "security" team but it seems not. Their is a Mall we simply dont go in anymore after an unpleasant experience with these people.
lovingthesun
458
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Latest post on 23 July 2015 - 09:18
Between those two..no contest...JPS every single day.
lovingthesun
458
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 06 July 2015 - 08:22
Nothing you can say will change it. It's awful and incredible in this day and age that people do it, she knows exactly what she's doing, but...you can't change it and you will only drive a wedge between the two of you if you go on about it. As hard as it is to ignore it I don't think you have any choice since you've already spoken up once.
lovingthesun
458
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Latest post on 30 June 2015 - 11:10
Oh... I don't like the idea of this I must admit. But if it stops people who would otherwise go to Africa or elsewhere from shooting endangered animals then I can just about see it. I don't want to say I support it, and It might not do the above at all.
lovingthesun
458
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 30 June 2015 - 09:51
Last day for us today too. It's fine and I actually prefer it, at least we weren't trying to leave with the hoards over last weekend :)
lovingthesun
458
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 30 June 2015 - 08:27
This post has been weighing heavily on my mind. I always thought that there seemed to be a lot more coughs/colds (and worse) in terms of respiritory illness here but put it down to it being a travellers melting pot. I find it hard to imagine why there might be so much pollution and of what type though. There aren't that many people here and they are not that densely packed,certainly compared to what one sees of China. I'm worried about the long term issues that might be associated with it.
lovingthesun
458
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Latest post on 28 June 2015 - 08:39
The news is she is back! I haven't actually seen her as we've been away, but I have spoken to her and either she is back or we have a mysterious ghost that does the washing (I like!). Came back quite happy to forget the whole thing - water under the bridge, it is the month for acts of kindness etc, but You are probably right that it is worth deducting the extra flight cost purely to make a point and take a stand. She is not going to starve as a result, and she does need to stop causing stress and additional cost to her employer. I've no idea either if she's taking us for a ride or not. She always seems genuine and very grateful. I think she is a warm hearted woman who just doesn't think things through properly or think of the consequences, nor does she know what she wants all the time. Her plans are always changing, ehoch makes life quite tricky sometimes. But compared to some of the stories I hear regularly of maids stealing and lying we probably have it easy! I'm really pleased to hear this :) For the little it's worth from an anonymous forum type, you always come across as a decent person and I really hoped that your kindness wouldn't be taken for a ride. It is hard not to become cynical and hardhearted as we get older and I'm really pleased for you. Oddly touched by this mini-story and really think you did the right thing, but I do understand the thought process!
lovingthesun
458
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Latest post on 26 June 2015 - 11:39
If the charge is small why bother passing it on? Mistakes happen, you have more wealth than the maid. I agree. If you or your husband was made to bear the cost of every error at your work you would be outraged. It's a tiny amount to you but likely a huge amount to her.
lovingthesun
458
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 21 June 2015 - 14:52
Personally I don't think the KHDA report judged VH against what it was trying to be (and what it says it is). If you read the reports between the two different organisations (and the details of each) then you will see a much clearer picture. It might be that the points in one are of much more interest to you than the point in the other and that's your choice of course but I wouldn't simply go by the ratings, you should always read the full report. VH is (by my understanding) essentially a very nice little school with a very British feel to it. It might not be the best academically and there are questions about where to go for secondary, but I don't think that it's only "acceptable" IMHO.
lovingthesun
458
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 15 June 2015 - 10:30
Wow... They're a bit late to the party surely? Hiring class teachers now for an August start? Well I always think the more the merrier in terms of schools but this is really on the edge? Maybe they're thinking just get it open and let it develop as the new phase of the Ranches comes on stream in terms of villas etc? I guess long term (like JESS ranches) it's a no brainer?
lovingthesun
458
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Latest post on 15 June 2015 - 07:55
Has the first post in this thread been deleted for some reason? It looks like a baby/first few weeks survival thread but it's hard to know.
lovingthesun
458
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 15 June 2015 - 07:52
Not sure if you'll get many replies on here. I think as the school isn't finished being built it's pretty much empty.
lovingthesun
458
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 14 June 2015 - 12:49
Hi - Looking for a course as a present for my husband. I realise EDI offers a course. Also talked to Audi about their advanced driving course . Would love to hear if anyone has taken either of above courses or has taken another course here which was good. Thanks in advance for your help. Yes please. I witnessed some truly appaling driving this weekend, genuinley scary. This was a young mum with kids in the car being harrased (no other word covers it) by another driver who constantly over took and then slammed on the breaks. It's the one thing i unreservedly hate about living here. Has anyone called the police to report a driver? Does anything happen?
lovingthesun
458
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 14 June 2015 - 11:15
My eight year old has been complaining of stomach pain so the doctor asked for an ultrasound which shows that he has gallstones. I would like to know if there is anyone else on the forum who has been in a similar situation and what you did? Our appointment with the gastroenterologist is still a few weeks away. A few weeks? That does seem like rather a long time.
lovingthesun
458
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 14 June 2015 - 11:14
Hi All, I ve been in Dubai for 4 years in the first 2 years i was a shopaholic... buying was my thing! now in a 2 bedroom apt. and i barely have space in the closet. I have almost 15 pair of shoes all flawless used once & twice and all of them branded that i am not wearing. Any help on how i can sell them!!! much appreciated thanks!! Or... You could write a "confessions of a .... " type book so we could all say "yes, that's me!" :)
lovingthesun
458
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 12 June 2015 - 22:47
Yes it really is. It's about the atmosphere you children would grow up in and the kind of people you want them to grow up into. NAS is such a nicer place and is academically superior. Your call though, NAS isn't cheap. Ok thanks for the reply, but I heard academics in junior school are not at all as good, that some parents weren't happy with them. Also I heard first families registering were not selected via entrance exam so you have a wide range of abilities and some kids who don't even have a good base in English. Is this true? That's not the case no, at least in the case of academics which are of very high standard. My kids classes all have only great English speakers in them and I've not come across any kids who are not. I don't know about all the assesment methods but mine all had to take a test.
lovingthesun
458
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 12 June 2015 - 13:49
Yes it really is. It's about the atmosphere you children would grow up in and the kind of people you want them to grow up into. NAS is such a nicer place and is academically superior. Your call though, NAS isn't cheap.
lovingthesun
458
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 11 June 2015 - 10:25
We looked and looked and looked! Depends what you mean by elegant of course but we simply couldn't find one that wasn't either awful and gaudy or really cheap and nasty. Ended up going to the UK to get one.
lovingthesun
458
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 10 June 2015 - 10:55
Please do inform the school ASAP. They are, or should be, equipped to handle this and will, or should, take it very seriously. It is natural for your daughter to be concerened about having friends, we were all like that as young girls, but the school is a good solution. The police is backup if they fail to deal with it promptly, effectively and fairly.
lovingthesun
458
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 10 June 2015 - 05:55
The comical way in which rent is handled here (a YEAR in advance!) is one of the chief reasons people we know are leaving. Coupled with poor quality and a "tenant pays for all repairs" approach from absentee landlords I can't see it being sustainable. Maybe I'm just in a bad mood this morning! I do think overall there is a net outflow at the minute. No doubt it will change if oil prices pick up (when?) but right now I think quite a few are on the way out.
lovingthesun
458
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 09 June 2015 - 09:57
Given that they are 'children' it's highly unlikely that the police would do anything serious - but what would be good, if the police went and educated them on how their reactions are wrong and the possible consequences of their actions in future. Where are the parents of these horrible kids? A child was locked up in Abu Dhabi recently after a complaint from her teenage friend about this very issue. It was in the news a couple of weeks back. It's not just about that though...it's about helping her daughter and dealing with the issue in a long term way that is sustainable.
lovingthesun
458
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 09 June 2015 - 09:19
Dubai little league it's a really big thing out here and they have great facilities.
lovingthesun
458
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 09 June 2015 - 09:17
While I totally agree that this is wrong..and hurtful... Do you really want to go to the police and have them locked up as a first response? Your daughter then has to face her classmates, and everyone else. There are other ways to at least try to fix this matter and also help your daughter at the same time at least as a first port of call. In the slightly longer term these other ways might also do more good (most importantly for your daughter but also for these other kids). The police are an option of course...but a first option, i'm not sure this is wise.
lovingthesun
458
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Latest post on 09 June 2015 - 08:31
Are they all from the same school? If so perhaps it would be worth talking to the school administration who could talk to all of these kids at once?
lovingthesun
458
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Latest post on 08 June 2015 - 09:52
Wow... that's a pretty comprehensive and very helpful reply Solo :) I can't really add anything to that but I did remember that the Karting place had some second hand ones for sale last time I was there so perhaps worth a look on the boards?
lovingthesun
458
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 07 June 2015 - 10:54
Dragon Mart... Though I have to admit once we'd bought it I had it well checked over as some of the ones in the shop didn't seem quite up to spec. This one has been fine though. Otherwise I seem to recall that the Gokart track in MotorCity could supply them (but were more costly). I'm not sure we'd go to DragonMart for any faster models once they're old enough for them but in this case it was good. HTH
lovingthesun
458
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 04 June 2015 - 15:05
I think pre-school is a very valuable thing. First, the children DO need socialization. It helps them realize that they are not the most important thing in the world - a lesson that comes much harder as they get older. There was a child in my daughter's FS1 class that had never gone to pre-school or nursery and after the first month he had to be sent home because he couldn't cope with not being in someone's lap/getting his way all the time. It was very sad. Additionally, them being sick is the way the immune system builds up resistance. Your choice is to do it now or wait until his first year of school and then have him miss a lot of the first semester while he catches every random virus. I like GMKSME's advice - go for 2-3 mornings a week. It is a great way to ease the child into a new environment while still savoring your time with him. Totally agreed. On Dubai yesterday they were talking about how important it is to get all the childhood bugs in. It even protects in later life against all sorts of things. Hard on mum I know but...very good long term for the child
lovingthesun
458
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 04 June 2015 - 14:39
They do indeed sell them here BUT... A word of caution. DEWA (utilities) is very very expensive here so unless money is no object...take care as it costs a fortune to cool that much water in this heat.
lovingthesun
458
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Latest post on 04 June 2015 - 10:28
Chocolate biscuit New mascara Game face Out to face the day and good luck :)
lovingthesun
458
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 03 June 2015 - 07:45
Blind date with a very tasty chef ??? :-)
lovingthesun
458
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 02 June 2015 - 08:48
Hello would anyone be able to help me out in finding. Place where I could buy mason jars in bulk.. cos im very interested in doing some home made jams.. and giving as gifts at a party.. Please assist me.. n cheap too.. Ohhhh.... Chutney! A good excuse to go the fruit and veg market near the airport and buy in bulk and not worry too much about how quickly it will all go off! Making Jam and Chutney with my older children...weekend out of the mall...perfect. Thank you!
lovingthesun
458
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 02 June 2015 - 05:54
Take a look at whichschooladvisor.com Mine are at Nord Anglia which is a great school but also most likely doesn't have places (though maybe for 2016 FS1 you might be lucky). This site is often a remarkably bad place for schools info I have decided as many people on here must work for the schools (I realise this is an ironic comment given what I'm writing now!) as some things which are indefensible are defended with no sense of shame. You need to look elsewhere for honest opinion and then go and visit. Sure do your research here but don't use it as your only source of information.
lovingthesun
458
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Latest post on 02 June 2015 - 05:50
It's a tough one as no good school will take them into year 11. Only Repton would take them and you must avoid that at all costs. Talk to some schools about year 10 if your eldest is OK with that. Otherwise perhaps board in South Africa for one year? A very tough call.
lovingthesun
458
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Latest post on 02 June 2015 - 05:48
Ours are at Nord Anglia. It's a great school but like all the great schools it's essentially full. They might have places for 2016 FS1 but you'll be lucky. It's at the top end cost wise though. If they do have places then visit, and if you like it take the place.
lovingthesun
458
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 01 June 2015 - 10:58
Have you paid your bill? We forgot once and our broadband went off after a week. We paid online and it was back up in 10 minutes. Happens to the best of us!
lovingthesun
458
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 31 May 2015 - 14:09
although there are tons of brunches , hotels to visit etc etc .. i am feeling a but jaded of dubai ..i feel that unless you are here on a western package , surviving day to day is getting more and more expensive and running a business is costing more and more !!! food is expensive and eating out is also expensive !! thinking of returning to the usa may be alternative ..anyone else feels the same or is it just jaded me!! I usually get this way as the Summer approaches, hence the need to escape the heat. Once I have spent 2 weeks in the UK I am itching to come back to Dubai. I always have a good time there but only because I have plenty of money to spend and I am off work. Each time I go home the place looks grimmer and grimmer. I am much better off here and do more outdoor stuff than I ever did at home ( Due to cost and weather) I think a lot of people feel this way as the Summer arrives All the British people I know hate the UK. I think it's really sad. I don't, I quite like it (and Love it, if that makes sense). Equally travel broadens the mind. There is good here, there is bad there, there is interesting here. As per the UK really.
lovingthesun
458
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 31 May 2015 - 14:09
although there are tons of brunches , hotels to visit etc etc .. i am feeling a but jaded of dubai ..i feel that unless you are here on a western package , surviving day to day is getting more and more expensive and running a business is costing more and more !!! food is expensive and eating out is also expensive !! thinking of returning to the usa may be alternative ..anyone else feels the same or is it just jaded me!! I usually get this way as the Summer approaches, hence the need to escape the heat. Once I have spent 2 weeks in the UK I am itching to come back to Dubai. I always have a good time there but only because I have plenty of money to spend and I am off work. Each time I go home the place looks grimmer and grimmer. I am much better off here and do more outdoor stuff than I ever did at home ( Due to cost and weather) I think a lot of people feel this way as the Summer arrives All the British people I know hate the UK. I think it's really sad. I don't, I quite like it (and Love it, if that makes sense). Equally travel broadens the mind. There is good here, there is bad there, there is interesting here. As per the UK really.
lovingthesun
458
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 28 May 2015 - 10:59
Sunflower oil Or...butter where I can (yes i know I know...but it's a cake, it's not meant to be diet food) I also made an "Olive oil cake" once...even the kids wouldn't eat it :)
lovingthesun
458
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 28 May 2015 - 10:47
I think there is an article on Which School Advisor that compares them. I could be wrong it was a little while I go that I read it. My understanding is that PYP is good but MYP (which comes after it in middle school) is weak. Then comes IB diploma which is very good academically.
lovingthesun
458
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Latest post on 28 May 2015 - 10:36
Hartland should be good. Uptown would be my second choice (and not a bad one at that) Kings still isn't finished and is also quite empty so I would avoid that. Obviously not Repton. Don't know much about the others to be honest.
lovingthesun
458
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 25 May 2015 - 16:14
Excercise is the only proven appetite supresant out there. That, and a huge burger.
lovingthesun
458
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Latest post on 25 May 2015 - 13:18
Do be careful...there are some very bad ones amoungst the good. Friends of ours lived in an appartment there and the management of it was just awful...never mind the quality of the structure. Look very closely and try to talk to current residents.
lovingthesun
458
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 24 May 2015 - 10:38
Jim'll fix it
lovingthesun
458
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Latest post on 20 May 2015 - 15:17
Of those I would choose DBF because the curriculum is strong and will give you a wider choice when you need to choose a middle or secondary school.
lovingthesun
458
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Latest post on 19 May 2015 - 08:48
I hate to admit knowing this but... There is an actual Magnet shop in Dragon Mart and they go from tiny to HUGE I might need to get our more!!!
lovingthesun
458
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 18 May 2015 - 10:01
It's a hard post to comment on as I'm a Nord parent and feel very happy with my choice and I suspect anyone else that posts will be the same (based on the school they have chosen or, on these boards at least I have come to think...the school they work at!) I did take a look at my crystal ball in making the choice and based it on their experience, but...that's just me. I don't know any unhappy Nord parents and none have left to other schools (apart from one in FS1 who posts on here) while many have moved over from other schools, so that I think means something but again...that's just one indicator. I'd go and look and ask if i where you as Crystal Ball gazing is always tricky!
 
 
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