mariav | ExpatWoman.com
 

mariav

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Latest post on 08 October 2013 - 14:23
Thank you GinaM. My husband didn't even need to go to Madinat Khalifa. He renewed the car registration at the Wholesale Market Traffic Department and happened to ask how he could renew his driving licence. They did it for him there, no questions asked ... done in 2 minutes flat. :) Isn't funny how much joy a simple process brings here?
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Latest post on 30 June 2012 - 09:46
I think you could definitely get a job as a teacher assistant and even a one-to-one aide for a special needs student (if you are interested in that kind of work) with your qualifications. Check out the schools. I can say that Doha British School does employ one-to-one aides for students with special needs.
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Latest post on 22 June 2012 - 21:28
I also know that my nephew entered Doha in December 2011 and departed in January 2012 and he did NOT need an exit permit. He turned 18 in October 2011. Not sure how he got through then, but required the exit permit last week when he was 18 both times!
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Latest post on 15 June 2012 - 21:26
I can confirm that my nephew (18 years old) attempted to leave for Barcelona yesterday was told he needed an exit permit. I did not ask my sister-in-law any details earlier today when she told me, but he did leave today after getting the exit permit.
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Latest post on 29 December 2011 - 15:03
Hi Kiwispiers, I agree with you that it is extremely sad and unfortunate. I don't think you can assume that the new tenants necessarily asked for the trees to be cut down. Our management routinely returns properties to "original state" once they have been vacated (paint, landscaping, etc.). But, as I reread, I see you rang management, so the new tenants may have put in the request. As I said though, I think many compounds have the policy of clearing out an entire place before new tenants move in. Hopefully, your plea will be heard. :)
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Latest post on 05 December 2011 - 22:14
MariaV - we are from the Chicago area as well and this is our 2nd winter here (last one was about 8 years ago). After coming from the northern winters we too are greatly enjoying this (reminds me of spring). The boys are enjoying the weather as well. Were you from Chicago itself or suburbs? We are from the southwestern suburbs (near Orland Park). We're from the northwestern burbs. I grew up in Mt. Prospect, but most recently lived in Wauconda. In my youth, I spent four years teaching at Oak Forest High School, before relocating to the northside, so I know the Orland area very well. It's always nice to hear from a fellow Illinoisian. :) For whatever reason the weather seems more like fall to me than spring, but either way it is a nice break from hot, hot, hot (which by the way, I also love). <em>edited by mariav on 06/12/2011</em>
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Latest post on 04 December 2011 - 15:29
This is our third winter and I agree with DebK it is definitely colder earlier. We arrived right after Christmas 2008 from Chicago (now that's cold!) and I would say the temps that winter were very similar to what we are experiencing today. The last two winters have been quite warm in my opinion, so much that I don't really think we needed a change in wardrobe at all. Sorry for those of you wishing for a poolside Christmas, but I am loving the change in temps. :)
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Latest post on 04 November 2011 - 13:42
Yes, just take Airport Road straight out of Doha heading toward Al Wakra. On the right you will see Barwa Village, can't miss it. Once you are in Barwa Village that is another story. It is probably the most convoluted parking lot on the planet . . . a complete maze. As DebK mentioned, it is in the Centrepoint building, just across from Atlas Medical Center. So, you'll be able to see it, but it will take at least five minutes, if not more, of driving around in circles back and forth trying to get into the parking lot. :\: ETA: I think you may be confusing Barwa City and Barwa Village. Barwa City is still under construction and is very near Ain Khalid just off E-Ring. Barwa Village is open and is on the way to Al Wakra. <em>edited by mariav on 04/11/2011</em>
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Latest post on 22 October 2011 - 19:34
Absolutely gorgeous!
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Latest post on 25 September 2011 - 15:20
I figured basic party rules must be universal, no? Parties are universal. Party "rules" are not.
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Latest post on 25 September 2011 - 15:15
I have to agree with DebK, not the teacher's responsibility and he/she should not be giving out confidential email addresses nor phone numbers. I have to say in my experience, some people will RSVP and attend, some won't and will not attend. Some who RSVP won't show, some who don't RSVP will show up. Some guests will bring all their children. Other guests will drop off their children and not stay. It is so hard to predict here that last year my two oldest children invited a small group of close friends each to help celebrate their birthdays and we will continue that tradition. My youngest, who is of the age of entire class parties, has not had a real birthday party yet, exactly for this reason. It just makes it really difficult to plan. You do have the rest of this week. If you do the drop-off/pick-up, you could ask the parents directly. Otherwise, I would just be prepared with food and goody bags (don't label them with names) for everyone who was invited.
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Latest post on 10 September 2011 - 14:30
Re: zippers in skorts Our skorts (from Zaks) also do not have a zipper. I have to agree with CornishGirl that there is no need for a zipper (the "skirt"covers the entire front on the "shorts") and I think the addition of one would also make them difficult to press. My girls don't even unbutton them. With the elastic waistband, the skorts are easily pulled up or down.
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Latest post on 29 June 2011 - 14:07
Thanks ladies!
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Latest post on 28 June 2011 - 22:09
Thanks ladies! Absurd, I know, but I had visions of my entire family getting through immigration and then I get stopped.
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Latest post on 28 June 2011 - 22:08
I didn't receive a "packet" from the U.S. Embassy, just a letter in Arabic and the fingerprint form. Do I now need to go back to the embassy before I send it to the FBI? Is there a form to fill out available on the internet? Thanks for the info.
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Latest post on 26 May 2011 - 15:10
I like Fabios out of the choices we have here (never tried Yellow Cab), but my kids prefer Pizza Hut or Papa Johns. Can't wait for Chicago Deep Dish this summer . . . now that's pizza!
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Latest post on 14 April 2011 - 15:12
I am not certain that the camel races are still on. I think the big event of the season was last weekend and I am not sure if this is considered the actual end of camel racing until it cools off again. I would see if you could find more info on this before you head out there. Anyone?
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Latest post on 07 April 2011 - 08:07
Hi Cobette, You can email me with any questions you have. ETA I have removed my email. Let me know if you would like to talk to me directly. Best of luck to you. <em>edited by mariav on 12/04/2011</em>
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Latest post on 24 March 2011 - 22:49
blister19, What an awful experience! We went yesterday and decided to forget the seal show as we anticipated the behavior would be exactly as you described. Learned my lesson two years ago at Christmas . . . mob action to see Santa at the Ritz! :\:
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Latest post on 21 March 2011 - 20:37
DBS finishes Thursday 17th April, recommencing Monday 18th April. (DBS = DMBS, they are dropping the montessori part to the end of the name) Just a slight correction on Dan Lou's post, which I think was a typo. DBS finishes on April [b'>7th[/b'> and resumes on April 18th.
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Latest post on 16 February 2011 - 10:02
With regard to contraband, my husband has had poker chips confiscated at the airport. He was visiting at the time and his brother asked for them. They did keep them for him and he picked up the poker chips on the way out! I have personally bought playing cards at the shop in our compound. They didn't seem to be hidden or have black market prices. Strangely enough, my father just brought in 6 or 7 bags of chocolate filled with liqueur, no problem. I think you will find it is pretty hit or miss.
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Latest post on 14 February 2011 - 10:13
We have visitors and would like to go to Souq Waqif and the fabric souq. I assume the shops have traditional hours (ie. closed in the afternoon). Can anyone confirm or deny this? TIA
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Latest post on 30 January 2011 - 20:10
Lol! We, too had the "no kite" rule bestowed upon us. I asked if I wasn't allowed to fly a kite in a huge open park, then where should I go . . . Villagio?!?
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Latest post on 10 January 2011 - 14:30
So would this apply to restaurants not in hotels?
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Latest post on 09 January 2011 - 15:06
The Gondolania soft play area used to be 15 QR per DAY, which is obviously a real steal as it is newish and huge! I haven't been in a while, so they may have decided to change the charge to 15 QR per hour. Can anyone confirm the price?
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Latest post on 06 January 2011 - 16:09
You'll want the new RP in the new passport, so I would renew the passport first. If you go to the US Embassy website right now, you will see that it will probably take a couple of weeks to schedule an appointment online with the US Embassy and then another two weeks until the passport is completed. You will still be able to use the old passport and RP (despite immigrations objections, since they have obviously accepted the RP at the airport). Once the new passport is in, the old passport will be canceled, but the RP will still be valid. The tricky part may be with the new RP. Sometimes they don't want to renew it until it is ready to expire. Hopefully, if you explain/show that the RP has been damaged (and has been requested to be replaced) the reps at company will do it. Right now I am carrying around two passports myself (one as a valid passport and my canceled one with the valid RP in it).
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Latest post on 05 January 2011 - 21:32
If you print out another application, I believe the picture specifications are on the form. I would bring it with you to whichever photo shop you go to just to be sure. I went to a real small and obscure one around the corner from my house and they had no problem printing an appropriate US passport photo.
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Latest post on 04 January 2011 - 21:18
blister, All the information that has been given to you is correct. I have done this twice in the last 9 months or so. Although you have to go through plenty of security (I thought they were friendly enough), the process is VERY organized and efficient. I used to scoff at the bureaucracy back home, but as I think most of us know it pales in comparison to some of the hoops you have to jump through here. God Bless America! ;) ETA We have had three passports done and they have all been ready within the two week time frame. You do not need an appointment to go pick-up your passport, but must go during Consular Services hours (1 - 3 ?). Make sure you don't go on a Monday, they are closed. <em>edited by mariav on 04/01/2011</em>
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Latest post on 01 January 2011 - 14:53
I know that the per kilo section (instead of by the box) is open in the afternoon. Don't know if they close around lunchtime and then reopen, but I've been there in the morning and in the afternoon.