m_king | ExpatWoman.com
 

m_king

m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 29 April 2011 - 12:53
Thank you Claire. Really appreciate that. It does not say anything about non-renewable. I am SO relieved. And I am quite certain that this is the classic wanting us out so he can hike the rent and nothing to do with his daughter. However, much as I cringe at the thought, still may go through the ordeal of moving just to get away from the slime-ball but at least, under these circumstances, we can insist on a couple of extra months so the timing isn't quite so bad for us. Will have to talk it over with DH. But again, thank you. Thank you to everyone who gave me advice. Good luck with your situation emlsnre. I would say if you like the place you have every right to stay same deal as before. Be warned you could get an even slimier landlord than the one you have now. No, I really don't think they come any slimier than this. In fairness, he hasn't actually caused us too much hassle over the past year and I am well aware that some cause huge amounts of trouble and headache. But he is slime nonetheless and every time we have to speak to them it turns my stomach all over again and I spend the rest of the day regretting the day we moved in here. All of that said, it really would suit my family better to stay put for now. But we have to make a decision ... either do that - stay put - one more year. Or, insist on an extra couple of months so we can move when we come back from the summer hols. Does anyone know if it is easier to find a place in June or August? I'm guessing AUgust is better. hmmm... perhaps I should start a new thread with this question. Anyway, thank you Claire. I really do appreciate your taking the time to share your experience and give advice. Best of luck emlsnre.
m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 28 April 2011 - 22:45
Thank you Claire. Really appreciate that. It does not say anything about non-renewable. I am SO relieved. And I am quite certain that this is the classic wanting us out so he can hike the rent and nothing to do with his daughter. However, much as I cringe at the thought, still may go through the ordeal of moving just to get away from the slime-ball but at least, under these circumstances, we can insist on a couple of extra months so the timing isn't quite so bad for us. Will have to talk it over with DH. But again, thank you. Thank you to everyone who gave me advice. Good luck with your situation emlsnre.
m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 28 April 2011 - 20:29
They vary enormously from one type to another. We bought a crappy IKEA one and frankly, it's very comfy. Meanwhile my aunt spent over $1500 on her tempur one and hates it.... says it makes her feel claustrophobic.
m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 28 April 2011 - 20:27
emlsnre... ladies..., I hope you don't mind me jumping in but but this thread has been enormously helpful as we are in the same boat. Lease up in June and we've only been here almost a year and landlord rang us Easter day to tell us he wants the house back as his daughter will live in it because she's tired of driving from Sharjah every day! And like emlsnre, we've created a garden. I say 'created' because it was a real disaster. And a dead one too! And we've painted and done all sorts. Anyway. My point is... how do you know if your lease agreement is renewable or not. Ours doesn't say either way. It does say at the top, in the 'term' field: "One year only". But it also says that if we want to stay (or go) we have to give written notice within 2 months before the end of the lease and that if the LL wants us out, he has to do the same... written notice with 2 months of end of lease. DH did go to the rent committee this morning and they told him everything that's been said here about 12 months notice etc... but the guy didn't actually look at the agreement and DH didn't insist and I'm worried that he said all he said assuming it was a renewable lease when it might not be. Sorry for the long post. This whole thing has me so wound up, I'm incapable of being succinct!!! Thanks so much, you've all helped so much already.
m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 28 April 2011 - 20:14
Thanks so much. LOL.... had to laugh... I don't think I've ever gotten answers to a question quite SO fast! Thank you ladies. yes, imagined BBC would have it on!! Might have to go BBC just 'cause!
m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 28 April 2011 - 19:53
thanks !! (sorry I'm not an enthusiast!!!!... But I probably will watch a bit with my mum) errrr... what time?
m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 28 April 2011 - 19:44
My mum HAS to watch. What channel will she find it on television? Thanks.
m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 28 April 2011 - 12:26
xmasbaby, you might want to see if you can get your landlord to extend by just a couple of months or so as I think the rents will come back down by around the end of the summer when landlords realise that they still have empty houses sitting around and most of the people looking have already found places. That's what we're going to try for. Basically, if our landlord doesn't have a right to refuse to renew the lease then we can ask for a two month extension and if he refuses, we then point out that he actually can't even ask us to leave so unless he wants to come up to Dubai (he lives in AD), and go to the Rent Committee, he'll bl00dy well give us the 2 extra months.
m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 28 April 2011 - 11:31
What is it with landlords wanting to move back into their places all of a sudden? Are they really moving in or are they just trying to get us out so they can't hike the rent?? I and several other people apparently (from what I'm reading and hearing) are in the same boat. We're currently talking with RERA to find out if our landlord actually has the right to ask us to leave since we've only been in our place one year.
m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 28 April 2011 - 09:04
Oh. yes, that's a good idea! Thanks.
m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 28 April 2011 - 08:50
Just a thought... who did you use to move here from Oz? (If that's where you moved from). If you liked them (and whoever they used on this end), you could always book your move back with them and have them sot this end out too. Sometimes I think that's the better way to go because if anything goes wrong then the people you need to go after are right there (in Oz in your case) rather than being half way around the world (in Dubai).
m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 28 April 2011 - 08:46
If it makes any difference to you, DASA is a member of a major removals association, whereas Bridgeway is not. The association is FIDI (www.fidi.com) and for the most part, you can be sure their members are good because they audit them in a HUGE way for everything from the materials they use to various other bits and pieces. And then, if anything WERE to go wrong (hopefully not) you'd have a recognised association to turn to.
m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 28 April 2011 - 08:21
No, certainly not as cool!! Thanks!!
m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 27 April 2011 - 22:10
eeewwwwwww.... but ok, yes, I can see how that might be of interest. And where would one get such a treasure??
m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 27 April 2011 - 22:08
Lady Rose Champ-Buteen!
m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 27 April 2011 - 22:04
Sorry Oats... I ended up getting one made after all. Didn't realise DH has carpenters at work!! Shame they don't sell the hard-type paddling pools here. You know? The plastic ones... as opposed to the blow up kind. Looked everywhere and couldn't find them.
m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 27 April 2011 - 22:02
Does anyone know where I can buy Kishek... the granular powder that is used to make the middle eastern dish by the same name?
m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 27 April 2011 - 22:01
My mother is the type who HAS to buy gifts when she goes away and it's now killing here that she is now going back to Canada after 6 months and hasn't bought her 13 year old grandson a gift. But as we've all (including my sister) been telling her, there's nothing she can get him from here that he can't get there and that would be of any interest to him. But it's killing her. Particularly as he went on a school trip to Mexico and bought her a gorgeous table cloth!!! So... any thoughts?? Just thought I'd give it a try. He's 13. He's lived in Doha so the middle east isn't a novelty. He's not into sports. Anyone want to have a go at this?
m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 23 April 2011 - 15:44
Thank you Kate, but I think I'd just as soon be done with these people. I just can't believe we have to go through moving and trying to settle in AGAIN. And the cost of doing this all over again just makes me angry. And losing my little girl's room that I was so proud of and that she didn't even get a chance to move into!!! But again, thanks for the advice.
m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 23 April 2011 - 12:28
Thank you thank you thank you...
m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 23 April 2011 - 12:27
I'm not sure if I spelled the name right but it's right behind Choueifat school. Does anyone live there or can anyone tell me what it's like. My understanding is that the compound had a somewhat bad reputation for maintenance but only because the developer simply wasn't spending money on it. But it seems now they are actually starting to spend a bit and they're painting the houses on the outside etc... Any info would be much appreciated.
m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 22 April 2011 - 12:00
Cool. Thank you SO much. This is why I love this forum. There is always someone out there who knows the answer to your question!! Thanks again.
m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 15 April 2011 - 19:08
To those who recommend Gulf Photo, do you recommend any one instructor over another??
m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 15 April 2011 - 19:02
Why not try a broker so you don't have to do all the legwork? It doesn't cost you any more than if you go direct. Pacific Prime is a well known one. Just google them. Then you can tell them what you're looking for and they'll send you options.. normally with a spreadsheet that shows you the major differences at which point you can go back with any questions or adjustments you want to make to your requirements.
m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 15 April 2011 - 19:00
You know the date filled cookies? Yes, there's also those stuffed with nuts and what have you but I'm looking for the date ones. Does anyone know where I can get good ones? And if anyone knows of where I can find the Egyptian type (that is, made with flour not semolina) that would be MARVELLOUS! Many thanks to anyone who can help me with this!!
m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 14 April 2011 - 19:56
Petunia, thank you very much... much appreciated. LadyMuck... what can I say? There's always one isn't there? Do you honestly have nothing better to do on a Thursday evening but be a 8itch? G0d knows why I'm bothering because frankly I DON'T have time but if it's any concern of yours, I made the reservation literally moments before posting. So unless I'm unaware of a trend in Dubai for people to suddenly make a mad dash for reservations on the evening of the night they're going out, I don't think they were going to be packed out anyway. In addition, have you ever heard of the notion of not judging others until you've walked a mile in their shoes. It so happens that I have SERIOUS health issues that now require me to make some life changing decisions and as I have a toddler, DH and I don't get out much but my mum has finally come out and so we get to go out for one last dinner before everything changes for me. So sue me for wanting to make sure I have a nice dinner out. What is WRONG with people that they so often feel a need to be so G0d damnd uncharitable to total strangers???
m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 12 April 2011 - 13:10
bump
m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 11 April 2011 - 20:28
If you want a reliable mover who has a reliable, renowned association behind them (who you can turn to in case of any problems), have a look at www.fidi.com and find a mover there.
m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 10 April 2011 - 10:22
I would try the other suggestions here first, of course, but if they don't work, I would seriously consider seeing a child psychologist if there are any good ones out here. If not, then maybe see one in your own country in the summer?? The reason I say this is that I was the same way and in the end, I cried EVERY SINGLE school day morning before leaving for school (until I was about 12 or 13... literally) and once there, I clung to my sister and had to be prized off her when the bell went for the start of class (but I stopped doing that long before 12 or 13!).
m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 10 April 2011 - 10:15
Probably not what you want to hear but, personally, since you have the chance to see her interacting with DS before heading out, I would say that if you are in any way uncomfortable with what you see, even if you can't put your finger on why you're uncomfortable, don't go. Let DH go alone. However, assuming all goes well... just give the nanny your mobile # and ask her to ring you every hour or half hour... whatever works for you. Good luck. I know how hard it is. I haven't yet been able to do it and DD is 16 months.
m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 10 April 2011 - 10:00
This is why I love this forum!! Thanks everyone. Will keep an eye out at Carrefour and Lulu's. Otherwise will pick one up over the summer hols. Cheers.
m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 10 April 2011 - 09:57
Thanks everyone. Will have a look at the website.
m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 08 April 2011 - 14:05
A point of interest... my understanding is that the initial funding for the group they've hired to do the inspections was 3 years so I can't help but wonder how much of the overall apparently poor performance of the majority of Dubai's private schools is in fact this group wanting to ensure that they're kept on beyond the three years! Considering the money they're on, I'm sure they go into severe depression whenever they think about the three years coming to a close!!
m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 08 April 2011 - 13:08
Mabel, actually individual teachers are rated... only to the extent that they tell the school that their teachers (in general) are or are not any good. (And this is based on a very casual judgement of each teacher at the end of each observed lesson... the inspector basically tells the teacher something like "that was a good lesson".) But I guess that's what you meant when you said that lessons are rated. You can hardly rate a lesson without rating the teacher. But you are absolutely correct that "it is not possible to make a secure judgement about individual teachers based upon observations"!! And yes, they do tell the school their rating as soon as they are finished that school's inspection but like someone said earlier, this is only provisional. However, I have to agree with tally-ho that the reports are a waste of time. I would not be surprised if a decent school like Repton got unacceptable as the criteria the inspectors use are very strange in some ways and they do things very subjectively. I know of one school where they said the level of teaching and learning was unacceptable because most of the students between the ages of 3 and 5 could not read at an acceptable level and I know, first hand, that this school has a fantastic reading programme and most of these kids can read at or above their age-level. I can only imagine that the inspectors' method of evaluation by observation is a) too subjective and b) too open to error based on student discomfort or what-have-you. Also, as I said, the criteria used are 'interesting' to say the least. For example, one of the points you are evaluated on is your use of technology and one of the sub-criterion for that is the use of whiteboards in the classroom. Well, if you have the money to have a whiteboard in every classroom and the money to fulfill various other criteria similar to this one (and there are many), then you're that much closer to being given a rating of "outstanding". Finally, the inspectors do not judge a school in terms of how well it succeeds in accomplishing ITS goals but on how well they fulfill their (the inspectors') concept of 'world's best practice'. Now, who's to say what that is??? And realistically, who's to say that every school should aspire to that? To do so would mean to necessarily charge outstanding fees and hence, make education only for the rich! They should have far more ratings, and not just the four they currently use and they should also have categories. It is not everyone who can afford to put their child in a top school and the fact is that there exist schools that do a good job of fulfilling their not-so-lofty goals. Sorry Anon, just realised I'm basically making the same point you already made! edited by m_king on 08/04/2011 <em>edited by m_king on 08/04/2011</em>
m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 02 April 2011 - 14:33
Sorry... couldn't go away in the end so can't help! Good luck in finding something.
m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 01 April 2011 - 22:20
Thank you. Yeah, don't think normal fans will quite cut it for me! The misting ones are brilliant if they work so if they do work here, I'll go for one of those!
m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 25 March 2011 - 16:15
Thank you!!
m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 25 March 2011 - 16:13
Can I just add that unless you contact them well in advance and have lots of time, they can be a NIGHTMARE to deal with. I needed to get to Cairo urgently. I left two messages and sent two emails. It took 3 days for someone to get back to me. In the meantime, I kept trying and got through to someone and told them it was urgent but I still didn't get an itinerary until two days later and then it was only with one of the two airlines I was interested in. I asked for the other and explained my outgoing date had changed to the 22nd of March. I have YET to hear from them!!!
m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 25 March 2011 - 16:13
Can I just add that unless you contact them well in advance and have lots of time, they can be a NIGHTMARE to deal with. I needed to get to Cairo urgently. I left two messages and sent two emails. It took 3 days for someone to get back to me. In the meantime, I kept trying and got through to someone and told them it was urgent but I still didn't get an itinerary until two days later and then it was only with one of the two airlines I was interested in. I asked for the other and explained my outgoing date had changed to the 22nd of March. I have YET to hear from them!!!
m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 25 March 2011 - 11:52
Bumping this up to see if anyone else out there knows where I can find these. Thanks for the replies... but as I said, I've been to Ace. That's the only place I've found them. And I've been to that shop at Dragon Mart. I'm looking for anywhere else other than those two places. Tasha, I haven't gotten around to trying Walmart and will hopefully do so in the next few days. In the meantime, if anyone else can suggest anywhere, for a 3 x 4m gazebo with fly-screen curtains and shade curtains, that would be much appreciated. Cheers.
m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 13 March 2011 - 22:11
You ain't heard nuthin' yet! I'm not kidding. He really IS a piece of work. But thanks. This makes me feel a bit better. Like I said, will ring RERA in the morning. And yes, Chocs, he signed the main agreement. But he didn't sign the reverse that had a number of 'sub-points'. But the reverse side did have a spot for signatures so I guess it does need to be signed despite the front being signed.
m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 07 March 2011 - 19:39
Yay! This is brilliant. Thank you all.
m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 04 February 2011 - 22:36
thank you muchly!! Now to find the time to get it done. Mine's not a prob. It's convincing Dh to give me his car and take mine for the day that's the tricky bit!
m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 04 February 2011 - 20:43
Can anyone recommend where they'll do a decent job at a reasonable rate? Any deals what with the shopping festival?? Or two for one's?? LOL... need my car and DH's done as too much sun for LO. Thanks
m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 04 February 2011 - 10:56
Yes Claire, I had another look and I was mistakenly thinking that the individual dishes were fusion. Tried to book last night but they were already full so will try them next week. Certo's was lovely though. Service a touch fast but otherwise very nice and the food was very good. Looking forward to Teatro's next week.
m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 03 February 2011 - 18:31
The clubs don't get started till about midnight!! The restaurants are even virtually empty until 10pm or 11pm. Absolutely spend some time touring the old city on foot. There's a great store called Giovanni's where we used to buy all our table cloths (lived there 8 years) and right by it is Anat which is a marvelous shop run by a German lady who was married to a Palestinian gentleman. She basically revived traditional ways of making cloth and embroidering and that and the money goes back to the women who do the work. These are both at the end of straight street. Also very close to there along straight street but not right at the end (before Anat, which IS at the end) is a very old and wonderful pizzeria of all things but it's famous amongst Damascenes. Beit Jabri which is not far (closer to the Ummayad mosque) is a lovely restaurant to go to in the day. Elissar is better for night. Not far from either is Marmar which is a marvelous and very popular bar (that doesn't get started till 12 or 1am). Personally, I like it before it gets started, when it's very empty and you can just sit at the bar and have a beer and soak in the atmosphere.
m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 03 February 2011 - 17:30
Thanks ladies. I already booked Certo when I found I couldn't access the forum!! But will have another look at Teatro. Was a little put off by the fact that it's fusion. I prefer my food to be culturally separated!! However, will have another look. Do either have an outdoors?
m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 01 February 2011 - 20:10
Oh wow. I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who took the time. I will go through all this when I have a minute (LO is teething I think!) and might come back with questions!! Thanks again.
m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 28 January 2011 - 16:28
Thanks for the Bussola recommendation. We went with that and it was lovely. Really nice ambiance... excellent service... food wasn't anything to write home about but it was certainly nice. Will definitely go back. And must try the pizza place upstairs too. Thanks again.
m_king
618
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 26 January 2011 - 12:17
Thanks everyone. Very much appreciated. Am thinking Traiteur or Bussola. Is there anything else that's good at the Royal Mirage? Don't really feel like Moroccan.
 
 
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