Nimonemo | ExpatWoman.com
 

Nimonemo

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Latest post on 31 January 2012 - 21:26
Well, I am sorry to read the problems continue in Green Lake Towers, but the reasons you are stating in your posts made me change to other towers in JLT last month - I lived at Green Lakes for 2 years and the quality dropped dramatically, but the prices remain the same! It used to be such a good place - the best in JLT. But not anymore. Hopefully you can deal with your problems, but if not move somewhere else, it is not worth the price they are charging anymore. I used to phone concordia management and they did not pay attention to me for months.... Good luck ladies, but there are other towers in JLT that are much better value for money!
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Latest post on 31 January 2012 - 21:26
Well, I am sorry to read the problems continue in Green Lake Towers, but the reasons you are stating in your posts made me change to other towers in JLT last month - I lived at Green Lakes for 2 years and the quality dropped dramatically, but the prices remain the same! It used to be such a good place - the best in JLT. But not anymore. Hopefully you can deal with your problems, but if not move somewhere else, it is not worth the price they are charging anymore. I used to phone concordia management and they did not pay attention to me for months.... Good luck ladies, but there are other towers in JLT that are much better value for money!
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Latest post on 24 January 2012 - 12:07
It has been long since I wrote in this post, but I have been following all your comments. I am also petrified every time I look in the scale, I am in week 31 and I have already put 16 kg on. The fact is that I still wear the same underwear (pants) and some of the trousers so I hope when the baby is out I will come back to my weight. As all of you I will start organising all the baby stuff and hospital bag soon... I am enjoying so much this weather! All of you take care!
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Latest post on 23 January 2012 - 21:31
Nursing bras and tops - here the selection is poor and expensive. Video monitor - here they are an extortion
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Latest post on 23 January 2012 - 17:04
I am Spanish from Madrid and I have some experience teaching Spanish. My email is rchlmiller7 at gmail dot com.
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Latest post on 23 January 2012 - 11:15
Hi there, I am also a teacher, in my husband visa and found the job once I was here. My salary is slightly higher than yours, I get flights home every year and medical for me only. Apart from that nothing else. In my case I am still earning more than back home and the whole package (husband+me) is much better so it works for me. My priority now is having a family though, so that is why I am not so bothered. In other moment of my life I would have fought harder for better conditions...
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Latest post on 22 January 2012 - 17:20
In my opinion all prams/strollers are extremely overprice so if you find a cheaper one that makes the job I would go for it. I am in the same situation you are, and I am between a second hand "expensive" brand at a quarter of the price it was new or a new pram but from a brand that is not so extremely overpriced. Good luck with your choice. Look and compare different options, if I learnt something these months looking for baby stuff is that not always the most expensive brand is the best for your baby.
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Latest post on 19 January 2012 - 16:36
Nutty - Did you have to get the services of the LC at AH separately or you get to see the LC if you deliver there? I wouldn't mind to have to pay extra if the nurse is good - Can you tell me more about it, please?
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Latest post on 18 January 2012 - 17:24
Thai Kitchen in Park Hyatt - The best Thai experience in Dubai
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Latest post on 16 January 2012 - 16:20
Yep, but until the bank comes you can live in your apartment for free!!!!!! That sounds awesome to me....
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Latest post on 16 January 2012 - 16:17
We have Aetna Global Benefits. Dental is covered 80% and maternity is covered also 80% unless you buy a package (hospitals offer ante-natal and delivery packages) in that case it is covered 90%. You need to be in the insurance for a year before the date of conception to be covered by maternity though. We had to pay dental in advance, claim for the money back and then get a cheque. For maternity, insurance paid everything when buying the package apart from the 10% we needed to pay to the hospital. As far as I am aware, we can use any hospital/clinic in Dubai without any restriction. I hope this helps.
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Latest post on 16 January 2012 - 14:59
I haven't seen La Toja, sorry. What about Lactovit, the moisturiser? My mum brought a couple of bottles last time she was here and second one is almost finish now... Haven't found it in any supermarket. The other question is Margaret Astor...
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Latest post on 16 January 2012 - 12:45
Why don't you try frozen yoghurt instead? It is healthier and yummy!
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Latest post on 15 January 2012 - 14:37
I would be interested in responses here as I am in the same situation. Just to ad (if the OP does not mind): "Can you share a live-out maid between 2 families so you share the costs of visa and residency?" Thanks
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Latest post on 15 January 2012 - 14:29
Totally agree with rest of the ladies, my friend gave it to me when I was 6 months and now everyday I look forward to lay with it :). They are not cheap though, my pillow is DreamGenii Maternity Support Pillow and last time I looked in Destination Maternity it was AED400, and it is a very normal pillow, only different thing is the shape. I would not recommend the one I have as the part you put between your legs is too narrow and I have to use another normal pillow to have a good opening of my heaps. It gives good support for back and bump though - Don't look a gift horse in the mouth.... but if you buy a new one, open it in the shop and make sure that the part you put between your legs is as big as a normal pillow, if not you will have the risk to have back pain. I hope this helps :)
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Latest post on 11 January 2012 - 14:09
I moved into Saba now, but there are also other buildings, i.e. Al Waleed Paradise deserves a view as well.
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Latest post on 11 January 2012 - 13:34
pmd, you should bother Yusuf until he speaks to the landlord, it is his job! Yusuf gave us landlord's number from the very beginning and we haven't had any problem. I guess every landlord is different but it is Yusuf's job to fix these problems! You cannot live without an access card! I lived in Green Lakes Towers for 2 years but we decided to move last month. Reasons:It is the most expensive tower in JLT and the management of the building 2 years ago was very good, but in the last year it has dropped massively: Sauna and steam room constantly breaking, machines in the gym that don't work, they removed all the weights from gym in S1 because the neighbour downstairs complained about the noise - what about the other 500 neighbours who want to use the gym?????? Apparently there is a waiting list now for flats in the buildings; I would like to say that even though it has its advantages (right next to the metro, very nice furniture) you can more for your money in JLT with almost the same quality. Green Lakes Towers has very big disadvantages for the money you have to pay: the Mosque is very laud and I used to wake up at 5 am every morning, balconies are nothing especial, windows are not big so you don't get nice views, management of the building is not working well, when you drive to the parking (b1 and b2 levels) you need to take 2 lifts to get to your apartment, our guest toilet stank (they told me it is a common problem....) Good luck with the access cards and start looking for other apartments in JLT. Now I live round the corner from there, I pay AED35,000 less than in Green Lakes and I get almost the same quality: the difference does not cost AED35,000.
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Latest post on 10 January 2012 - 10:43
Madrid. May is perfect weather in Spain and it will be cheaper than London. You don't need to drive as public transport is very good and once you are in Madrid you can take the train to go to Toledo for a day which is a very beautiful old city.
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Latest post on 10 January 2012 - 10:36
Baby is kicking again as before, as you told me s/he was probably in a different position or having a lazy day. Thanks for your replies! It is so scary when you are first time pregnant and you start reading websites!!!!
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Latest post on 10 January 2012 - 10:28
Dr. Braithwaite at AH. Yesterday I was a little bit worried because my baby were not moving so much, so I wrote her an email. In two hours she replied to me and by the end of the afternoon she phoned me to speak to me in person to see hoe everything was and put my mind on ease. A few months ago I had to email her before for another issue and she replied to me within two hours. I think that is the best service you can get from a Dr. when you are first time pregnant.
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Latest post on 09 January 2012 - 14:34
Zen Yoga at Media City. Check the website, they have different times and teachers, in my opinion some are better than others, I can send you a private email if you want. I started doing only yoga and now I am doing only Pilates twice per week as I like it more. It is AED 75 per 1 hour sesion (but clases are usually longer than 1 hour if you include relaxation time). I have bought birth ball and other pilates' equipment in Ibn Battuta mall for a very small price and I repeat the exercises at home. You can even go by metro.
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Latest post on 09 January 2012 - 12:21
Thanks ladies for your quick reply. Baby was kicking a lot until the day before yesterday, but now it is not the same intensity. I have just emailed my doctor to tell her the situation, and if she thinks I should go and visit her. She is usually pretty good at replying emails, so I will wait for her answers (better than speaking to the nurse, I think). It is not that I don't feel anything, it is a big decrease in the strength and intensity of the kicks. I might be overreacting as a first timer but all the sources say so firmly that you should contact your doctor if you notice a change in the fetal movements... Thanks.
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Latest post on 07 January 2012 - 12:21
SweetLily and Kiwispiers: Your posts are incredibly helpful, thanks so much! Very good advise, I should probably try to relax and tell my mum with a smile yes/not depending what she is suggesting and change the conversation when I think an argument might arise.... My feeling is that for my mum is painful enough to have a pregnant daughter living in Dubai, so I don't have the strength to tell her not to come. She deserves to enjoy this moment as well. But I have already started to tell her how I feel and I will keep on telling all the time. Thankfully my sister will also be here for a week after the delivery, and she is on my side, so she will try to intercede between my mum and me and she will be the one telling my mum to calm down or keep quiet. Husband is very happy with visits, but I really want him to take initiative, and that is going to be the first argument in front of my mum: "Husband has said...."; "Husband wants...." she would never disagree with him, so I will definitely use him! MIL is coming for 4 days after mum are sister are gone and by them I hope to have everything under control. I just need to enjoy and relax! Thanks ladies for all you advise, very very helpful! I am also going to buy some nice thank you presents for Mum, sister and MIL to give them when they are here... I really need to be grateful and definitely not take from granted how lucky I am to have such a great family!
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Latest post on 07 January 2012 - 11:29
I am 28 weeks pregnant with my first baby, delivering at the AH and my husband and I have decided not to do the ante natal classes for the following reasons: 1. We both work full time and our weekends/evenings are too precious together and we are trying to make the most of our time together before the baby is here 2. We have bought some books and read some very good websites - the information available is more than enough 3. No matter what you write in your birth plan - everything might change during the delivery and you cannot control it 4. I have friends with newborns in Dubai who are teaching me how to treat a newborn 5. I do pilates and yoga where I have my socializing with other pregnant ladies 6. I don't really need to have a tour in the hospital or meet the midwifes or have a marketing person trying to sell me the umbilical cord stem cells services 7. AED1500 is money that I would have never paid in my home country for something you can get for free online/through friends Of course every person and situation is different and this is only my opinion. I am very keen though to pay the services of a lactation consultant once my baby is here. I think she will be very useful in helping me how to nurse.
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Latest post on 05 January 2012 - 11:46
I am in American Hospital with D. Braithwaite and I am very happy so far.
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Latest post on 05 January 2012 - 11:44
Go to TK Max in Sauchiehall street. They will be on sales now :)
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Latest post on 05 January 2012 - 11:37
The first. Why?
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Latest post on 05 January 2012 - 11:36
I have had a lot of food poisoning and stomach problems since I am in Dubai. Once of the times I was on antibiotics after visiting the doctor and it was a bacteria I had in my intestine. I think I got the majority of my bugs eating outside. Now I dont eat in places that look cheap or dont have enough customers. I am almost sure that the health and safety training of the stuff who handle food in Dubai in really bad and that is way we get sick. Hygiene standards for some of the restaurant's workers are not as high as in the Western World, and that might apply to supermarkets also. From all the times I have been ill, only once was from eating at home and my husband was also ill. We were almost sure it was the raspberries and/or pre packaged salad we ate for dinner. We cleaned them, but obviously not enough! Now I feel much better since I am eating more at home, I wash everything and I only eat outside in very popular places. I hope you get better soon.
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Latest post on 05 January 2012 - 11:01
Ayda247, I sent you an email. Thanks Papaye, Hauck is the name of the brand I didn't remember! Regards Dubizzle, I don't usually expect to negotiate the price and perhaps that is my mistake, if I see an advert for too much money I just ignore it. It is a shame that people are acting that way as for me Dubizzle is loosing interest. For example, I was looking for a hoover, blender and toaster and after looking at the prices in Dubizzle for second hand stuff I decided to buy them brand new in Carrefour for only a few dirhams more.
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Latest post on 04 January 2012 - 22:05
Nothing special at all but I got 20% with the time our Dubai card. I would not come back though
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Latest post on 04 January 2012 - 20:55
I find Dubizzle is taking the pi*** these days asking ridiculous amounts of money for second hand stuff. I found a shop in Deira, next to the gold souk where they sells German prams for AED1000 but they include car seat, moses basket and chair. I dont remember the brand now but I will come back to have a look again. Baby stuff is an extortion and from my point of view stupid to spend a lot of money in as the baby will grow eerything literally in months. But, who would not spend a lot of money in their first child???? I think it is better to put the money in a savings account and start saving for the school and university fees!
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Latest post on 04 January 2012 - 17:40
Don't go to the Marina, they will charge you an extortion. Go to Ibn Battuta Mall, they have a tailor quite hidden from the main corridor, who does the jobs at a more affordable price - and he is good. They are in the corridor that goes into the toilets in front of the shop New Look, at the end of the corridor on your left hand side taking one of the doors that looks as if you would be going through an emergency exit. I don't know why they are so hidden, but everybody knows in the mall so if you don't find them ask and somebody will explain how to get there.
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Latest post on 04 January 2012 - 17:35
Don't let me start talking about MIL... I won't mix the two of them in the same thread (Mum and MIL) because they roles are soooo different that you cannot compare. For those who were "on your own" during the first month - did you cope ok? I mean, not only with the baby but also with shopping, cooking, etc.
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Latest post on 04 January 2012 - 17:25
This is the kind of debate I was looking for! Well, Sue62, from what I read here I don't think it is sad to have issues with your mum, it is just a fact of life. I understand what you say and I do try to be in my Mum's position - that is why I will let her to be here when she wishes but I really need to mark my territory because if not I will choose the name she wants, baby will wear what she wants and we won't be able to do the things in our way! I know I am extremely lucky I have a Mum who is keen to be here to help me and that is why I am so worry now: I want it to work for everybody. It is very comforting to read other ladies experiences.
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Latest post on 04 January 2012 - 13:00
Thanks ladies, I feel better now knowing that I am not the only one. I think I will stick to my ideas and let her know in the best possible way... The reality is that I need her, and I really want her to enjoy her new role. Thanks very much for your comments :)
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Latest post on 04 January 2012 - 09:49
I use Pretty Polly and they are reliable and very effective. Highly recommended. 0509174000
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Latest post on 03 January 2012 - 22:41
Off I go to buy it... Thanks ladies! :)
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Latest post on 03 January 2012 - 21:08
Even though we live in the 25th floor we have an invasion of ants in the kitchen. They are the tiniest ants I have ever seen, almost transparent, but there are hundreds of them! We bought some poison - the one that the ants eat and they take back to the nest to kill the queen, but it is not working. They are attacking mainly sugar and honey - I have changed the honey jar to 3 different positions in the kitchen and they always find it in a few hours! Now I put it in the fridge so I hope they dont find their way into the fridge :(. Basically I suspect there are more than one nest in the kitchen and because the ants are so tiny it is going to be very difficult to find the nests. Any ideas???????
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Latest post on 03 January 2012 - 12:49
I bought the one in Mothercare and now I don't leave the house without it. I have to take it out after lunch though :)
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Latest post on 20 December 2011 - 10:57
Thanks ladies for all your feedback. I am very keen to try the washable nappies and I am already checking in the different brands you mentioned here. Greenish - I really appreciate your passion for reusable nappies and your posts are very convincing. However, I have a lot of sensible friends, both here and in the UK, who are mums and they don't really manage with reusable nappies and I am sure that is for a reason. For example I don't think it is a good option for travelling or if you are spending the day out you will need to use the disposable ones unless you want to be carrying poo around. I work in the environment sector and I am going to try the reusable nappies for environmental reasons, however I don't think my friends are spreading nonsense when they are telling me their experiences. Every mum and baby are different and you need to accept different opinions. Also, I would like to drop the following question: What is better for the environment, to fill the landfill with disposable nappies or spend water and use detergent to wash reusable ones?
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Latest post on 13 December 2011 - 14:28
JLT is my choice. It is very nice now and not as busy as the Marina plus you can go to the Marina using the metro bridge any time you want... We considered villas but the convenience to have the metro if you don't want to drive is priceless with a baby, in my opinion.
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Latest post on 13 December 2011 - 14:24
Thanks October, very helpful! I am hoping now in Christmas there is no so many people... I'll try the discovery garden's office.
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Latest post on 13 December 2011 - 09:57
October - when you got your deposit back, did you do it online or you went in person to the DEWA offices? Thanks
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Latest post on 13 December 2011 - 09:27
Well, having read your experiences I better transfer the current deposit to the next flat because if not I might lose 2 deposits! Can I do that online using the option "changing billing address" . Thanks again!
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Latest post on 12 December 2011 - 23:34
Thanks ladies. DEWA sucks!
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Latest post on 11 December 2011 - 22:16
I am not from the UK and I support UK´s decision... why I don´t understand is how the Germans are still keen to continue paying money to the south of Europe! We had elections in Spain 2 weeks ago and the new government still has not unveil any of the drastic decisions they have to implement. What the heck?! I thought we had to save some money... Instead, in this week finishing there were 2 bank holidays, Tuesday and Thursday so people had Monday on, Tuesday off, Wednesday on, Thursday off, Friday on... Surely not the most productive week. It is really embarrassing. I don´t think either Germany nor Britain should continue paying for all these people who are not clearly at the same level of working mentality and efficiency.
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Latest post on 11 December 2011 - 21:56
Hi there. I am also due in March and very keen to use washable nappies. I found some very bad ones in Baby Shop, which I bought anyway because if they don´t work (and I am pretty sure hey won´t) I will use them on top of the normal nappy, to cover it. I am very interested in your research and I am also tempted to make my in-laws to bring them from the UK, but I would love to try them first (on my baby). I have been looking into Baby Cheeks and it seems a very good idea, I am definitely interested in hearing some reviews. Having said that, one of my friends in Dubai who has recently being a dad and who is a very keen environmentalist told me that it is very difficult to use washable nappies and they are not trying because to wash 10 nappies a day is quite a lot of work! So I am still thinking on it. My husband is very keen, but obviously he will be working 8 hours per day so he won´t be in charge of the laundry.... What are your thoughts?
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Latest post on 09 December 2011 - 19:35
Totally agree! I feel discriminated sine I got pregnant! I bought my last tops in New Look thanks to one of the ladies here who told us. They had some simple black dresses.
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Latest post on 07 December 2011 - 19:37
Two questions: - Could be that Dubai is busier because the Arab spring (so people with good positions in those countries has come to Dubai to work/live until everything is quieter at home)? - Are rental accommodation prices going up? Will they go crazy again?
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Latest post on 07 December 2011 - 17:12
I am just back from MOE with my Christmas present. I will give it to him tonight and he will give it to me on the 25th. I am not even expecting he will wrap it! I always do the same for my birthday. He is busy and he does not know what I want. A couple of big mistakes in the past and I learnt the lesson. And, obviously, he is extremely happy about it. And yes, I do buy him (several) presents - nice things that he would never buy from himself. He gives me tips though. It does not sound romantic but it is practical and we are both happy with it. Every couple is different :)