Maracas | ExpatWoman.com
 

Maracas

43
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 12 October 2011 - 08:29
Were you interviewing for a live-in maid? I don't have a maid myself so don't know exactly how it works... but I imagine that if I were a woman who had to go live in someone else's house for work I too would be quite careful about who I chose to work for, because you wouldn't want to get trapped in the job from ****. There are just so many horror stories about abuse, not only in Dubai... When we lived in HK I saw one family who forced their maid to mix cement for a brick wall, and one woman who grabbed her maid by the shoulders and shook her while shouting at her in public, to name a few bad scenarios. The maids often have little power to improve their situation or get out of a bad job or they risk having to leave and go back home. It's not only a big decision for the family whose looking for a maid -- for the maids it's also their life, their safety and their happiness too. Perhaps that's why they may seem to be 'interviewing' prospective clients?
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 October 2011 - 17:21
Dubai Cheeky -- just curious how long you have been here?
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 08 October 2011 - 14:26
Not sure how old your computer is or how much you've accumulated on it, but mine is about 5 years old and at one point had over 8000 photos stored on it. Takes up HUGE amounts of space because iPhoto keeps all the originals of the ones that you've tinkered with which means there are a lot of duplicates. My Mac was running like a sloth the other day and when I checked my hard drive (right click on the hard drive icon on your desk top and go to 'Get info' -- it will tell you how much space you actually have) I was horrified to see I was almost completely full! I bought a really powerful external storage drive and took most of the photos off the computer, and also burnt the really important photos onto CDs just to be safe. Definitely delete whatever old stuff you don't need or just get them off your computer and onto an external storage device. Don't forget to empty the trash. Taking stuff off your computer is something that needs to be done regularly, unfortunately...
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 October 2011 - 10:53
Thanks lemondrops, and yes I guess I should have phrased the question a bit more carefully to them. As a Dubai newbie of course there are many things I still don't understand and I suppose where I come from a meeting in a hotel would be considered strange because it would imply they don't have a 'real' office. Guess I still have a lot to learn. Anyways thanks everyone for the responses. Now I'll know what to do in the future if in a similar situation.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 06 October 2011 - 20:25
Thanks UAE2012 -- I would tend to think the same thing. They were SO OFFENDED by me even asking about the meeting location (and really, haven't you all heard stories about women getting arrested??). I kind of agree that this is probably not a good company to work for!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 06 October 2011 - 20:23
Hi Frania! Do you have a language you can teach another person in a language exchange? Here are two useful websites: www.mylanguageexchange.com (but you have to pay for it) www.conversationexchange.com (free) Hope this helps! I've done it before..... when you meet try to talk 30 minutes in one language, then 30 minutes in the other language. Good luck!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 06 October 2011 - 20:16
So is meeting in a hotel lobby kind of the equivalent of saying "We don't have a REAL office"?? I don't get it!! Why not meet in a coffee shop instead? Are people allowed to run offices out of hotel? FYI, it was for a freelance job. I guess I was just surprised they reacted so strongly, they were most offended that I even questioned the legitimacy of meeting in a hotel. Guess that is a bad sign!!!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 06 October 2011 - 20:11
Not sure if this was wrong.... Applied for a job through Dubizzle... All seemed to be going well, got invited for an interview. But they wrote back and asked me to come to a hotel for the first meeting. Now I'm pretty new to Dubai, but a job interview at a hotel sounded a bit dodgy to me. Especially since I've heard stories about people (read: women) getting arrested for being in a hotel room with a man they are not married to. So I wrote back and asked them if they could clarify the meeting location (i.e. in a proper office and not in a hotel room). They replied in a huge tizzy, totally ticked off at me for even questioning them and telling me to stick it where the sun don't shine. Did I do something wrong? Do a lot of people really have legitimate 'offices' inside hotels and I just don't understand the culture? Or is this plain and simple a dodgy company I should avoid??? Quite confused!!!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 03 October 2011 - 09:35
We just went north to Khasab -- amazing drive with unbelievable scenery. Crossed the border at Tibat and paid the exit fee (AED 35) and then the Oman tourist entry fee (AED 200). We didn't risk taking booze across the border as from what I understand you would need a liqour license to drink in Oman. Figured it wasn't worth the hassle. Taking food, no problem. Coming back in there are no more fees to be paid... only when leaving Dubai/entering Oman. You can read about the trip [url=http://thetravellingtrini.com/2011/09/28/goats/'> HERE [/url'>, if you like... not sure which part of Oman you are going to...
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 03 October 2011 - 09:14
Just a quick tip -- my husband had to get it for his work as he flies to Africa. When he got the shot, he had a really bad fever and felt ill all day and night, which the doctors said is a common side effect. So plan when you get your shot carefully because you could feel quite ill!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 20 September 2011 - 21:03
Wow thanks for this... I was looking at some Apple products in Dubai Mall the other day and was horrified at the prices!!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 20 September 2011 - 21:01
Not sure how curly your hair is, but I tried the keratin straightening in January because I thought straight hair might be easier than curls, and yeah I was curious about it. My hair was gorgeous and perfect for about three days -- like movie star perfect. But after about a month, the hair started curling up again and I was stuck between half straight and half curls! To me it wasn't worth it and if you have to spend a lot of time using a flat iron then it defeats the purpose of getting straight hair in the first place. In the end I got a trim and my hair returned to normal curls. The keratin process takes HOURS in the salon (more than 3) and whooo does the chemical stink... if you have straight hair, it will work much better. My hair was really soft and silky at first. But the keratin washes out. If you are a Curly Q like me, personally, I'd invest in a good hair cut instead. You can never TRULY tame your curls. If you start with the keratin, you'll have to keep going back over, and over, and over again to keep it really looking straight. And it aint cheap!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 20 September 2011 - 20:52
Ha! The GWWC! Love it. So it's two votes for the Gold and Diamond Park. Sounds like it's a pretty easy process. I'll be sure to stay in the room with them while it's done. Thanks for the tip. By the way, I'm not really that giant.... it's just that standing next to a 70-year-old Japanese woman in comparison makes me HUGE! A whole head taller than her. I could bite her on the head, if I wanted to, she's so tiny... hehehe. Anyways, thanks so much for the info on bling resizing. Is it true that in the heat of the summer your fingers can swell?
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 20 September 2011 - 12:52
Sorry to disappoint ladies. This is just about fat fingers!! The ring is an heirloom -- it was his grandmother's (the aforementioned tiny Japanese woman) -- so I don't want to change it too much or remove the stone. Anyone done a re-sizing here? (p.s. are there lots of giant white women in the Greens???) <em>edited by Maracas on 20/09/2011</em>
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 20 September 2011 - 09:22
I got my card there but don't remember the operating hours. I'm sure if you go around 10 am you should be fine.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 15 September 2011 - 08:32
We got our blinds from Danube and they were pretty cheap... about 800 dirhams or so for two bedrooms? But it was JUST the black out blinds, no curtains. Be sure to choose a dark colour because we took a light cream blind for one of the rooms and it doesn't work nearly as well as the dark brown one. The salesgirl said 'sure sure yes all black out works the same' but as usual you have to know more than them... so choose carefully and get a dark colour! Anyways, it was Danube in Ibn Battuta mall, though there is another one on SZR, I believe.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 15 September 2011 - 08:18
14 kilos is incredible! A big congratulations to you -- I am struggling just to lose FOUR!!!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 04 September 2011 - 17:26
Hi Air Hostie, As someone who has taught ESL in four different countries, I can confirm that missyuae is absolutely right. The best qualification (short of actually getting a masters degree in TESOL) is to get your CELTA -- Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults. It's a Cambridge certificate (UK) so it is recognised world over. It's also good because it specialises in teaching adults instead of little brats... ooops... I mean, children. That said, there are millions of schools that can give you a TESOL cert/dip but CELTA is really the best of the best. Do you mind if I ask what is your first language? If English is not your first language, you will have to pass English tests in order to get into the CELTA class in the UK. They are pretty strict about it. I have friends who were fluent in English but not native speakers and they did not all pass the entry tests. Another idea: since you speak French and Spanish, how about teaching those instead? There are so many English speakers here, your other languages may be a good advantage! Do a web search on certificates in teaching French/Spanish and I'm sure you will find a lot of info! There are quite a lot of language schools here but be warned English is already the daily language here for 80% of the population. Your French/Spanish skills may come in handy....
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 04 September 2011 - 17:13
I had a very good experience too -- but I went to the Rashidiya ID application office (just a few minutes taxi from Rashidiya station). I was the only woman there that day so I was shown into the processing room for women where they fingerprinted me and so forth. I was in and out of the office in 15 minutes! Really easy. Takes a bit of time to get the card. When it's ready they send an SMS to your mobile telling you where to pick up your card.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 04 September 2011 - 17:09
Trust your instincts -- if you are not comfortable with it, don't do it. We women are raised to always 'play nice', even if we don't want to. If I were you I would just get my husband to answer the door, EVERY time, until the garbage guy gets the hint! Nothing wrong with getting some help from your spouse for this problem. And don't feel guilty!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 31 August 2011 - 22:15
Oh, and another thing, it will be a cold day in **** when my beloved husband moves to a dry state!!!!!!!!! :)
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 31 August 2011 - 22:10
Thanks a lot for the replies. I guess an hour is not THAT bad (though of course it's not very good either). I've spent a heck of a lot more time commuting on the monstrous transit system in Tokyo, sometimes taking two hours or more each way. So maybe an hour in the comfort of your own car isn't too bad? Yes, I'd hope that going out into RAK in the morning would have no traffic as everyone else is heading in the opposite direction. Princess_I, really not sure if we would be able to move out of Dubai and still qualify for the housing allowance from his company... something I will need to look into. I think they only provide housing for within Dubai itself? Also, if this helps any, the job is in the RAK Free Trade Zone...
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 31 August 2011 - 00:24
What a depressing thread. Makes me even more determined to get a job so that I am never financially dependent on anyone who has a pair of balls.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 August 2011 - 22:00
Would like to also ask the same question -- though I am pretty sure bringing in seeds is against the law in many countries. I'd like to bring back some culantro seeds with me from my home country since I have not found it in Dubai. Is it illegal?
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 August 2011 - 14:22
Nelsons in Tecom is supposed to be smoke free? Really? It wasn't when I was there 3 weeks ago!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 August 2011 - 09:53
That's a great link kali_MM. The friendly games sound like fun. Will have to go and introduce myself some time! I would also be very happy go to play a 9 some time on the weekend. Sounds like Arabian Ranches par-3 course is quite cheap. Will drop you a line when I get back in Sept.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 05 August 2011 - 22:21
Right behind Mall of the Emirates is Citymax hotel -- seems to be all right and advertising pretty cheap rates! Or perhaps even cheaper -- Ibis Hotel. 150 AED a night? Hmm......
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 05 August 2011 - 22:16
There are fresh nuts in the Waitrose in Dubai Mall -- you will see them in the veggie section at the entrance but they've had some of their top shaved into a point to make it easy for you to chop open at home. p.s. in the Caribbean, coconut water and Scotch is a popular drink! Yum!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 05 August 2011 - 09:29
Hiya wootb! May I make a suggestion as a 'full figured' woman too who has always been a bit on the heavy side... instead of spending all your time on cardio, do the weight machines instead. Yup, all those big scary machines that those big sweaty men are using. Start using them. Natalie8 is right -- you've got to do resistance training to build the muscles. Cardio is not really going to help. You need more muscles! When I started my regimen, I did not do any cardio (at all) and instead did machines and weights. Within 3 months my body fat percentage dropped a whopping 8%. And without a single step on the treadmill. I went from being useless and flabby to being toned and strong. In fact in the gym I eventually found myself doing the same level of weights as some of the men! Now I can do hundreds of push ups and sit ups no problem, which are things I never would have been able to do before. I still have some flab on my arms (and legs... and belly... haha), but hey, it all takes time. And I feel really good to see the progress, to see how the muscles are getting stronger. The real challenge is getting over the fear of the machines. IMO this is probably why most women limit themselves to cardio machines which don't do much to build muscle. Hope you can find or ask someone to show you how to use all of them. My husband loves weights so luckily he showed me how to do everything. And I am so glad he did. (Also... I am by no means a fitness pro.... but are you sure you want to try to lose 15 kilos in 4-6 months? That sounds like a lot to lose in a very short space of time?)
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 01 August 2011 - 14:12
Hey MOT... I don't have a bike yet but since you must be a biking enthusiast I was wondering, have you ever gone to the Dubai autodrome on Wednesdays? Or anyone else in this forum?
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 01 August 2011 - 14:03
FYI -- in case anyone else should find themselves in the same situation as me. The driving school confirmed that if your license from your home country has expired, you must take the 40 classes here, instead of the 20 classes. So yeah, I am pretty much screwed!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 31 July 2011 - 10:58
Well put, Monkey Face. I just moved here a month and I agree that it is pretty shocking what some people wear in public and in the malls, especially since they DO have signs that ask you to dress modestly, which to me does not seem so unreasonable. It's not like they are forcing us to cover up head to toe... would it kill them to at least wear something with sleeves? I wouldn't feel comfortable going into the mall or even into a taxi with all my 'goods' on display for the entire world to see. Sure, I want to wear my cute clothes, but you can at least throw a pashmina over your shoulders till you get inside the pub or bar, where that kind of clothing is acceptable. Not sure why some women go out dressed like that... why would you want everyone staring at you anyway?
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 31 July 2011 - 09:57
Yeah unfortunately Trinidad is not on the list of countries that can transfer their license. I'm just wondering, if I send my license to the nearest Embassy (in India, I think), will they still authenticate it if it is expired. Guess there is only one way to find out!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 31 July 2011 - 09:50
Where I am from (Trinidad) you have to renew your license every four years. So even though it was first issued in 1999, I have to renew it this year. On the license it says 'Expiry Date 23.06.11'. I have a feeling they are going to give me a hard time about this!! Also, the Embassy in Canada said I would have to send them my license to authenticate. But I am dreading sending it by mail and not getting it back through these PO boxes!!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 30 July 2011 - 10:06
I made the trip out to Dragonmart for the first time the other day and had great luck in finding a huge bead shop as soon as I entered the mall's main entrance. As you walk in to the mall, on your left is a shop called Fashion Zone. When you go into the shop, go straight just a few steps, and on your right should be a little flashing sign that says PEARLS. You can't miss the millions of strands of beads and stones and crystals on the wall. Just like Sham Shui Po in Hong Kong!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 29 July 2011 - 10:19
Sounds good Dal Fry! Let me know when you are back in October (when it is nice and cool again.. ahhhh)...
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 28 July 2011 - 19:48
Hi all, having recently moved here with my bag of Callaways, I am hoping to meet some other ladies who regularly get together for a game. I'm in Al Barsha so I know there are three courses nearby, though I am very glad to go play at other courses as far as Sharjah. I usually hit about a 95 on a full round and enjoy having a 'round' at the 19th hole. Any female golfers out there??????
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 28 July 2011 - 19:41
I personally would recommend Lamai instead of Chaweng (having lived in Samui for about four months last year). Both are on the east coast, but Lamai is a much more laid back and prettier town. Chaweng is really really westernised... Hard Rock Cafes on the beach and so on. Much more expensive too (shopping, food, drinking, etc). Lamai on the other hand has more atmosphere, along with Thai Boxing on a Saturday and a night market on a Sunday which is great fun. Chaweng is much more of a youngsters party area, with a lot of young boys in Billabong surfer pants and overpriced restaurants selling terrible food. Lamai is the place to be!! Bophut is also nice, but small and quiet. Fisherman's Village is a nice place to shop. But Bophut beach is not so nice for swimming. Here is a list of Lamai hotels: [url=http://www.samui-hotels.com/hotels/lamai_beach.htm'>Lamai[/url'> Hope this helps! <em>edited by Maracas on 28/07/2011</em>
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 28 July 2011 - 19:26
I got three recently done in Desert Frames, though as a newbie in Dubai who knows if I was ripped off!! Size was 20" x 14" and paid about AED 150 for each, in really nice painted wood, non reflective glass, and cardboard edges around the print (sorry, forget how to say it). You could also check out a small frame shop in Safestway on SZR, by Business Bay station (ground floor, behind the supermarket cashiers). I got one done there too, price was about the same as Desert Frames. Actually, the guy started off by quoting me AED 270, and when I said I would take it to Satwa instead he went down by half the price!!!!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 27 July 2011 - 17:24
Nope, it's open! Was in there just today -- or more like passing through to get to the Korean supermarket upstairs. Guess they just took down the signs for cleaning?
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 27 July 2011 - 17:22
I can give three recommendations: 1. Penang is good for food, hiking and historical sightseeing, but forget about the beach as the water is pretty murky. Penang has quite a lot of nightlife in Batu Ferringhi and Georgetown, as the island is Chinese-dominated rather than Muslim majority. Great hawker centres, night markets, etc. Very vibrant. 2. Langkawi is really beautiful, beaches are stunning, but it is QUIET!!!!!! Often hard to find booze in restaurants as it is a very Muslim island. Almost no nightlife. Only area with 'action' is Pantai Cenang but Langkawi was a bit too dead for our liking.... You can go diving at the Pulau Payar Marine Park which is in between Penang and Langkawi. Diving was nice nice nice! 3. Kota Kinabalu was a great trip. Wonderful diving at the TARP Marine Park. Laid back people, amaaaazing food, and excellent diving. Lots of corner bars, easy to walk around, and a vibrant backpacker district with cafes, restaurants, etc. If you are really active, you can climb Mt. Kinabalu. It is a small town however. Also other little islands you can go to for more diving, like Mantanani. Hope these links help you to decide..... [url=http://thetravellingtrini.com/2010/04/02/penang-malaysia/'>Penang Trip[/url'> [url=http://thetravellingtrini.com/2009/04/15/living-it-up-in-langkawi/'>Langkawi Trip[/url'> [url=http://thetravellingtrini.com/2010/07/01/trip-report-kota-kinabalu-malaysia/'>KK Trip[/url'> A friend who lived in Malaysia strongly recommended Pulau Redang, Tioman, and the Perhentians, but alas, I never made it there. I think for those islands you have to check if it is typhoon season because the boats and flights stop!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 27 July 2011 - 16:59
If you want to try something different than just the normal hotels, you can stay in these really quaint water bungalows on the east coast of Bintan. Pretty quiet, though you can walk to the bungalows' sister hotel nearby if you want to use kayaks or whatever. You can also do snorkelling on the beach but it's pretty laid back. Not sure if you are keen on staying in a place with no AC though! And if lizards freak you out, then for sure this place is not for you. You can read about my trip here, if you like... decide for yourself if you want to do a bit of roughing it .... http://thetravellingtrini.com/2008/01/06/pulau-bintan-the-star-island/ <em>edited by Maracas on 27/07/2011</em>
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 27 July 2011 - 16:56
Hey, I have recently arrived but very interested in playing in Sharjah. Did you get any PMs or info?