m_king | ExpatWoman.com
 

m_king

m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 19 May 2011 - 10:20
I have to agree. I live in the Springs and the number of times I myself have seen people take off like lunatics with kids around is insane. DH and I often walk to Choitrams and there are kids on skateboards or bikes around and they DO NOT look where they're going. I blame their parents too because some of them are awfully young and there is ZERO supervision but it hardly makes it alright to speed. It's not like if something terrible did happen you could argue that it wasn't really your fault because the parents weren't supervising the kids!! There are also three little girls who are always playing on their own and I've seen them actually sitting in the middle of the road just around the corner. If you WERE speeding, you'd hardly have time to brake. An sorry, but arguing that you've not seen loads of kids around doesn't mean there won't be one there one day! That's akin to saying it's ok to drive drunk because you've never yet had an accident when driving drunk!!
m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 18 May 2011 - 13:43
Oh thank you thank you thank you!!! There IS hope!! And DD is 18 months in 5 days!! Yippeeeee... Now to see if mummy is able to drop her off and walk away!!
m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 18 May 2011 - 09:17
Just a gentle bump for the sake of exposure!
m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 18 May 2011 - 09:16
Sorry but I'm not sure what ideas it is that you're looking for. You kind of have to find something that you are qualified to do. You can't just decide to become an event planner if this is not what you're qualified - through education or experience - to do. At least, you can't just decide to do something like that when you want to work from home. I would consider getting in touch with any contacts you have from your previous job to see if you can do something for them from home, if that's do-able.
m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 18 May 2011 - 09:03
Lots of people work from home but it depends on what you do/want to do. For example, I manage an international association that doesn't have a physical office so wherever I go, I take my job with me. Others might be graphic designers or event planners who have a couple of clients they work for from home.
m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 16 May 2011 - 13:12
oooh... thank you! Good to hear.
m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 15 May 2011 - 18:08
Thanks!! I feel like such an idiot for freaking out like this but my last trip (first solo with LO) I was absolutely terrified. And sadly, it turned out to be the worst trip of my entire life. And it's been a fairly 'flight-y' one!! And frankly, I LOVE BA! I have always found them to have fantastic crew and to be really very nice and very helpful. And yet they let me down BIG time on that last trip. Actually, it wasn't the crew who let me down. It was the office staff and ground staff who made the trip such a nightmare. Anyway, DH sounding more amenable to business so we'll see. Find it quite surprising that they will FINE us for upgrading to business though!!!!! Thanks everyone! You will be fine - if you can't change it, stick with the PEcon seats. Often that cabin can be quieter so possibility of more free seats etc. Also I've always found onboard crew quite good with trying to put you in the bulkhead etc if they can. At the end of the day millions do it and you will be able to as well. I always resign myself to awful flights and feel pleasantly surprised when they are better than my worse case scenario. Also, I know BA comes in for some criticism, but when I've travelled solo (and when I haven't) they have often taken my DS off for 10 mins to give me a break. I know you can only speak as you find, and I find them to usually be helpful, but do find them more helpful the further to the front you are ;-) plus of course if you are business there is always that glass of champers to make it all seem better! Whatever happens you will be fine in PEcon, but if it was me and I could change the ticket to a business one I would.
m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 15 May 2011 - 16:55
Thanks bornconfused... I need all the encouragement I can get. I really am suddenly freaked. Was fine with it all until I found out about the sodding armrest and then the reality of it all set in! LOL... But am seriously thinking I may as well go economy if I can't get business. I mean, seriously, I'd rather the armrest move than the few inches extra space. I mean, under the circumstances... with an 18-month old. For myself, sure premium eco would be better but with her, not so sure at all.
m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 15 May 2011 - 15:46
thanks nutty. I will def keep that in mind as I rang BA and there's no way they'll let me have bulkhead because the ticket is for a "child seat" even though she's an infant. pilotsprincess, thanks for the info. Although, now I'm really freaked. I have visions of her on my lap the whole way! And DH hates changing things. I've told him I'm freaking and want to go back to one seat in business and he's telling me to relax and that it'll be fine!!!!! However, was just messaging on skype so will speak to him tonight. Am actually thinking that if we can't switch to business, I might be better off in regular economy where the freakin' armrest moves!!! <em>edited by m_king on 15/05/2011</em>
m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 15 May 2011 - 14:36
S_D, I'm not sure I understand... are you asking about premium economy or business? In premium, the table is in the seat back of the seat in front of you but you don't have so much leg room that you wouldn't reach it! It's only a few extra inches and the table pulls forward. In business it's a whole different thing because it's the flat-bed seats in their little 'pod' enclosures.
m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 15 May 2011 - 14:33
nutty, excuse my ignorance but what does that mean? What would a wheelchair accessible seat be??
m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 15 May 2011 - 13:45
So did I!!! But I was looking on the BA website last night as my mum wanted to know just how much more legroom you get with premium economy and I read where it says to please note that armrests in the premium economy cabin DO NOT MOVE!!! Why? WHY?? Why would they do such a daft thing??? UGH!
m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 13 May 2011 - 22:56
Thanks Ladies. Hmm... Meydan, huh? Might look into that. But I think maybe Grand Millenium is more along the lines we'd be looking at. As for transport, I'm not sure I've ever been to a conference that didn't offer transport to conference events and this is a training event and students must be taken to the port, airport and a logistics warehouse as part of the training so most definitely HAVE to include that kind of transportation... will check out the car rental places but might also check with the hotel and with the travel agent I plan to look into as well. Thanks ladies.
m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 13 May 2011 - 12:25
Thanks CinDubai. Will have a look. I just thought... We do need to transport people to both the airport and seaport (these are logistics people coming for training). Clearly somewhere near the airport would be best if trying to get to the airport but I have NO IDEA where the seaport is!! LOL! Would you be better off out by the airport?? Would you be ok if you were down near/in Media City? Anyone know how much it is to hire a nice bus for 30-odd people?? Or who you go to for something like that? Would it be car rental places like Avis and the like?
m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 12 May 2011 - 19:54
You can drop me an email too if you like... mercedes dot king71 at gmail dot com I'm Canadian but was raised in Abu Dhabi and now live in Dubai. Am a relatively new-ish mum (my little one is 1.5years now) and I also had a tough time baby-wise in the beginning. But I'd be happy to answer any questions and help you out in any way.
m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 12 May 2011 - 19:50
Lots of grade 12s have finished exams and are out and about. Guess this is really just another gentle bump.
m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 12 May 2011 - 19:45
Thanks so much. Very much appreciated.
m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 12 May 2011 - 17:22
What other info would you need me to post. Sorry... not having school age children I'm clueless. Choueifat isn't BC but that's not a big deal. The problem is, I think it would be out of her budget. Are Queen and Mirdif similarly priced as Cambridge or Choueifat, do you know?
m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 12 May 2011 - 16:22
They're moving from Syria. Not sure if that makes a difference. They're British/Syrian. Can anyone recommend reasonably priced schools that offer a decent education. I've been told Cambridge is a good education but just a low-cost school so might not be the greatest facilities and most of the teachers are Indian (not saying there's anything wrong with that but just in the sense that they don't 'cost' as much... apparently the school gets good results so sounds like the teachers are good).
m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 12 May 2011 - 16:03
And don't let their friendliness get the better of you. Everyone and their dog has a friend who sells carpets/leather/what-have-you and who will give you a "great deal"! But they really are wonderful people and it really is a stunning place. Favourite city out there besides Beirut. I've been 4 times and am desperate to go again.
m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 12 May 2011 - 16:00
I did dinner too and also won't be back. Really didn't like the place, and like what-to-do says, food was really not very good. Service was only just for us. And yes, the bar was bopping!
m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 12 May 2011 - 14:14
That's funny. We had champagne in the lobby lounge but there was no concern about kids in there. I thought they weren't allowed in the Sky View bar just because it's a bar.
m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 12 May 2011 - 13:12
I would just stay in one of the little hotels in Sultan Ahmet. They can be as cheap as $5 a night if you really want to rough it!! We stayed in a $40/night one once and it was really lovely.
m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 12 May 2011 - 13:10
BFC and forever 21, thank you for pointing out the strangeness of the comment. jewelsmiddle, I hardly think my expectations are misplaced when I say it was enjoyable and worth it for the experience but that, factually, the service was surprisingly bad and the food only okay. Frankly, I would expect better service in a 5* hotel and I've seen better looking hotels than the Burj. Not knocking it in that it is a nice hotel and it was an enjoyable experience but just because of that doesn't mean one should have to put up worth whatever shoddy service or food they choose to give you!! Claire is right, it's worth doing and I'd do it again with guests but as I said, for the experience. Unfortunately, we didn't make it to the Sky View Bar as you're not allowed up there with little ones. But we still paid Dhs395/person for it.
m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 12 May 2011 - 12:58
I wouldn't do Cairo... touristically speaking it has most definitely not bounced back yet. But Istanbul is BRILLIANT. Jordan's nice too but personally I wouldn't want to do Petra / Wadi Rum alone. And (just my opinion) I'm not keen on the city. But Istanbul... aaaah... Istanbul. Gorgeous. I'd do it alone in a heartbeat.
m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 11 May 2011 - 20:44
So we finally went this afternoon. And yes, def worth it. Although, more for the experience than anything else. Granted, the scones were divine but I was actually a little disappointed in the rest of the food and I was very surprised at the service all things considered. Very friendly but I didn't find it as professional as one might expect of a 7* hotel! After we finished the scones, the empty plates and stand sat there for a really long time until I finally got someone's attention and asked if we could have the empty plates removed. I assumed they would understand this to mean that we also wanted the next bit. But the next bit didn't seem to be showing up. When I asked about it, I also realised that my tea was gone! I hadn't paid attention because my little girl was getting very fed up and I was watching her. So the head waiter or manager or whoever he was (in a suit) goes off to find out what's happening and comes back and tells me that we've had all our courses!!!! When I told him we hadn't, he very 'magnanimously' pointed out that we were welcome to have more of anything we wanted! I explained that we'd had nothing after the scones and he hurried off again and the next thing I know, there's pastries and chocolates and cake and all sorts being delivered to our table! I hadn't realised we were short three courses! And my replacement tea didn't come until after we'd finished al that! However, nice for the experience.
m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 11 May 2011 - 20:37
Thanks everyone. No time to go to the farm unfortunately but I did pick some up at MOE. Didn't have the nerve to try it myself though!!!
m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 11 May 2011 - 20:36
Thanks everyone... will go have a look tomorrow.
m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 11 May 2011 - 20:34
My husband lived there for a couple of years and he says he wouldn't do it because it's basically all game parks (often in open vehicles) and if you go on the Okavango then you're out on boats. Don't get me wrong, he LOVED it there and has made me desperate to visit but not with a small child. I guess it depends on your child's character and what you can deal with. Our 1.5 year old would be a nightmare as she can't sit still and is always trying to run off and do her own thing and personally, I'd hate to try to do this sort of thing with her... I wouldn't be able to relax. Sorry I couldn't offer more positive feedback!!
m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 11 May 2011 - 11:16
OMG ... thank you so much. I was giving up home. Will check it out. Do you know if it's purely arabic or bilingual?
m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 10 May 2011 - 08:56
Oh wow! Yes, memories!! NO! Had no idea about dear old Richard!!
m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 07 May 2011 - 19:44
oops... thank you Aryanwynn!!
m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 07 May 2011 - 19:43
Sanddy_Dogg, you got it! I have no intention of tasting it thankyouverymuch!! Ugh... Have tasted camel's milk and feel zero need to taste the chocolate. It's a gift for my 13yo nephew to enjoy "ewwww-ing" over with his friends in Canada!
m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 07 May 2011 - 19:40
stovetop, love the olay comment!! LOL Willamina, Enjoy, maybe we should start an over-the-hill mummies group!! I'm 39 with a 1 year old!!
m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 06 May 2011 - 18:36
Thank you ladies. Much appreciated. I know nothing about the ranches. Can anyone who knows the Ranches AND the Springs compare? I love it here because we're a 5 minute walk from Choitrams and a 5 minute drive from Spinneys and I go to Shakespeare's almost every morning and take LO into the Town centre to wander past all the shops. Does AR have the coffee shops and shops and all the rest of it? And what about the areas. According to Dubizzle it looks like Layan rents are very low. Am I right?? And if so, why? Is there a diference between being there or Al Reem or Alma. (I mention those three only because they're the ones I see come up over and over) Thanks so much.
m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 06 May 2011 - 16:46
Well, DH's work is pretty much equidistant and DD isn't at school yet. In other 'travel' we go to the beach on weekends and we go to MOE or Ibn Battuta for shopping and that. But I mean, it's hardly any distance between the Springs and the Ranches, but I had heard that the traffic getting in and out of the Ranches could be horrendous.
m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 06 May 2011 - 16:43
never got an answer and just thought I'd bump it in case anyone out there knows anything... TIA
m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 04 May 2011 - 20:32
VERY surprised that Crown will only do a full container load. Can you go back and ask them if they don't offer LCL service (that is "less than container load"). Or are you wanting your stuff there by a certain date? The thing with LCL is that you have to wait till they have enough people wanting small amounts shipped to the same place so that they can fill a container and send it off. Alternatively, for small amounts, you have to go via air. If Crown don't do LCL then you can check out www.fidi.com for other reputable movers. FIDI is the Federation International de Demenageures Internationaux (or Intl Federation of International Movers) and is the only international association of movers. They audit all their movers very strictly so generally, you get good movers, and SHOULD anything go wrong, you have FIDI to turn to if the mover doesn't respond well (or at all). If you do get in touch with other movers, ask them about LCL. Depending on how small an amount it is, then ask about air too. Air can be surprisingly affordable sometimes.
m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 04 May 2011 - 20:12
By the sandwich shop idea, do you ladies mean something along the lines of Lime Tree? I've only just discovered them and was quite excited until I tried their cakes. I thought they were horrid. And the sandwiches were only just. I realise you're talking about custom made sandwiches and these aren't but I'm actually thinking of doing something like this and so thought I'd ask. Sorry to the OP... not trying to take over your thread.
m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 03 May 2011 - 11:50
Thanks ladies. Sounds good!! And yes, it's the Burj experience she's after. I was just wondering if it was worth it. Sounds like it is. Much appreciated.
m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 01 May 2011 - 10:59
Thanks dubai2003, will have a look. Although, I have already heard from a couple of people that there are loads of places available in Springs 14. Is there a reason that anyone knows of?? Worries me a little!! I would have thought it was one of the more desirable Springs what with being so close to the Town Centre. Or maybe LLs are asking for more for that very reason.
m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 30 April 2011 - 16:14
Claire, do you know if there is anywhere online where one can read the rights etc? Or is such logic too much to ask for?
m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 30 April 2011 - 13:57
I think June/July is always better than August. Most people who leave Dubai leave when the schools finish so a whole load of villas become available. those moving to Dubai usually come in august for September school starts and that's when it's busy for villas. I think you would have more choice in June/July Thanks again Claire. Will have to have a good think about this. Ugh. SO don't want to move but wondering if we shouldn't just jump in and do it.
m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 29 April 2011 - 16:15
Yes, makes perfect sense. Thanks for the explanations.
m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 29 April 2011 - 15:35
Tis a bit sad really, because they are both very pretty girls, but who would ever think putting a beige coloured octopus on your head would be a good idea. Love it!! I was thinking rather that she looked like she had a pair of antlers on her head! Yup, and the bridal party is going to hunt her after the wedding breakfast. :D hee hee hee... tsk... we're terrible. Although, that said... WHAT were they thinking??? Surely they MUST know better than that!!
m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 29 April 2011 - 15:33
Yes, that's what I meant. I wasn't referring to the princess part. But why can she only be queen consort? Because she was not born royalty or for another reason? It doesn't matter who she was born to. She could be a princess, but she will always be the Queen consort. I thought she could only become queen consort since she's not born royalty.
m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 29 April 2011 - 15:32
Tis a bit sad really, because they are both very pretty girls, but who would ever think putting a beige coloured octopus on your head would be a good idea. Love it!! I was thinking rather that she looked like she had a pair of antlers on her head!
m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 29 April 2011 - 15:31
Who dressed Princess Eugene and Beatrice? Their mother? They look like their outfits are from Cinderellas two ugly sisters. ********love********* Don't they look a sorry pair!! Shame...
m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 29 April 2011 - 15:26
I thought she could only become queen consort since she's not born royalty.
m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 29 April 2011 - 14:36
Ok... wasn;t planning to watch but turned it on for my mum and was glued!! Yes, she's stunning. Her brother reminds me of whatshisface who played in Four Weddings and a Funeral!! And yes, her sister does look lovely doesn't she!! Is it just me.... hate that that woman is there in Diana's place.
 
 
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