ninap | ExpatWoman.com
 

ninap

ninap
94
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 26 September 2016 - 18:52
It's fairly easy to get epi pens here, with a UAE prescription. The problem can be the expiry date - I have had to take them with just 3 months left before expiry, the best I have had is around 14 months. In the past I have got them from Al Noor, NMC, SKMC and Harley St Medical.
ninap
94
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 22 June 2016 - 19:54
8.There's a craft shop called Green Branch on Electra St that has a lot of craft supplies. 5. Stars for Special Abilities and Kids First both have qualified speech therapists. 7. This can be contentious, but imo the best british curriculum schools are British School al Khubairat, Brighton College, Al Yasmina and Pearl Primary .Long waiting lists for all though, especially the younger years. 1. My husband loves watching sport on TV - we have Bein for premier league football [english commentary - more live games than you get on Sky'> and OSN - he watches F1, golf, rugby.... he also watches the champions league etc. Hope that helps a bit
ninap
94
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 30 May 2015 - 12:16
Old passport arrived today - around 11 days after we received the new one. Had begun to get a bit anxious when I read previous posts and was waiting to ring UK passport office when I got call from DHL to deliver,
ninap
94
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 19 May 2015 - 19:00
My kindle has broken. Have done all the troubleshooting and when I looked online I found that the problem [I get kind of half a picture which doesn't go'> is fairly common. Online, it suggests getting the screen changed. Anyone ever done this? It's an old kindle, so maybe I will just need to buy a new one.:(
ninap
94
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 31 March 2015 - 06:51
The ad for Head of Senior School has just gone into the TES, but no info re location.
ninap
94
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 20 March 2015 - 21:36
We use the Australian Vet, opposite Al Forsan. Although I wouldn't describe it as cheap, it's much less than the British Vet in KCA. Happy with the service there though.
ninap
94
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 12 March 2015 - 22:34
We use the orthodontist at Smilerite which is just by Gems AA in KCA. We have been very pleased with the treatment - not sure where the orthodontist is from but his English is perfect. When we went to SEHA the other week [also by GAA'> we were surprised to be seen by a british doctor - not sure you can ask for a particular doctor, in the past we have seen arabic doctors.
ninap
94
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 February 2015 - 19:14
Two places for you to contact: Kids First - they have just opened in Abu Dhabi - if you google, you will find the Dubai phone number, but if you contact them they will give you info re their new AD branch. New England Centre for Children - the children are all emirati there, but they run a very good outreach and training service http://www.neccabudhabi.org/english/ Good luck.
ninap
94
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 30 January 2015 - 19:56
I was recently told by a head teacher that the policy has changed and children can switch schools of the same curriculum any time of year.
ninap
94
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 08 January 2015 - 17:47
Unfortunately it closed a little while ago. Not sure where you can get it from now - Magrudys no longer stocks it. If you find out, please post!
ninap
94
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 08 January 2015 - 17:44
There is a fb page which you may find useful - Allergy Awareness Abu Dhabi. My son has a nut allergy, it has been good to get info on this site. https://www.facebook.com/groups/482465818462045/?fref=ts
ninap
94
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 30 June 2014 - 15:55
I used the free app with a child. it was kind of successful - the app didn't correctly 'hear' what the child said, ie if he said ' the cat is on the mat' the written version may have been 'the bat is on the fat'. I think this was because the app didn't hear the child properly. The good bit was that the child then really had a lot of fun reading what the app had written, so it became a good reading exercise! I believe you can buy a more expensive version whereby the program learns how you pronounce words, so would be a lot more accurate. Would be interested if anyone has tried this too.
ninap
94
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 27 May 2014 - 13:08
Hello, welcome to AD. My children are much older than yours now, but when we first arrived in AD, this was a great way to meet other mums: http://www.abudhabimums.ae/ There is also a playgroup at St Andrews church, another good way to meet people: http://standrewauh.org/community/mums-toddlers-playgroup/
ninap
94
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 14 March 2014 - 21:21
We did! just back on again - phew - watching American Idol.
ninap
94
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 15 January 2014 - 20:09
I bought a couple in Tschibo - they were reduced to about dh9.
ninap
94
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 11 January 2014 - 19:50
OK, thanks, maybe we need to re install as we still have Jazeera on our channel list.
ninap
94
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 27 November 2013 - 21:09
Sorry, you are quite right, it was when my son got to 30kg that he switched to adult. I was getting muddled with when he was below 15kg yet had to have a Junior epipen, even though too light - thankfully though we didn't need to use it. Despite all the info about being able to use expired epipens, we have always made sure that we have 3 current ones - one for school, one for home and one that gets carried around. However, I also have a stack of expired ones all over the house, just in case.
ninap
94
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 27 November 2013 - 20:02
I was also told that as long as the liquid in the epipen is still clear and not discoloured in any way that it is still usable. However, school can only accept epipens which are not expired.
ninap
94
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 27 November 2013 - 13:41
When my son went over 15kg he was switched from Junior to adult Epipen. Can't really help with availability in Dubai, as I live in Abu Dhabi. I went to get new ones for my son last week , they tried to give me one that expired November 2013... Luckily I noticed and managed to get 2 for August 2014. It's very hit and miss - the ones that are just expiring were good for a year. Have you tried the American Hospital? When it was hard to get in AD, I would phone them to check the expiration dates of the ones in stock. Trouble with there though is that you have to see one of their doctors - those were the only prescriptions they accepted. There is a facebook page which may be more helpful - allergy awareness Dubai.
ninap
94
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 25 October 2013 - 09:46
Hi, Abu Dhabi resident here. House of Fraser not open yet, but is looking very imminent.
ninap
94
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 25 October 2013 - 09:43
Hi, welcome. Will try to answer a couple of your points: 1. We are from the UK and have kept our UK bank account open. We transfer from UAE account to UK and do online banking. I would keep at least the savings account, otherwise what will you do when you go back for holidays? 2. My guess is that it wouldn't be worth having your fridge shipped over. All sorts of brands and sizes are easily available here. Do send your personal things like the wedding photos though. 3. Most places want rent paid in one or two cheques. 4.You can't do anything here until your visa is processed. This then allows you to get your Emirates ID, which in turn allows you to open a bank account/driving licence etc etc.If your husband is the main job holder, his visa will need to be processed before yours can start. 5. You can get debit and credit cards here. 6.I am rubbish at the mobile phone deals, - won't offer any advice as I am sure I could get a better deal. I have etisalat and am billed monthly. You can also get pay as you go. Two companies - etisalat and du. 7. Yes, I think it is quite common for dental and optical not to be covered. We are lucky in that respect though and are covered, so not sure of prices. Hopefully you'll get some other responses with a bit more info.
ninap
94
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 06 October 2013 - 18:42
Your package looks fine to me - you should be able to have a good lifestyle. Of course, you will meet some expats here on huge packages, others on less.The only thing I know about the German School is that it is one of the very few schools to get the highest rating in the recent ADEC inspections. I am pretty sure the school has moved though, but don't know where.Good luck
ninap
94
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 17 September 2013 - 21:20
The OP was asking about a company called *******eye.
ninap
94
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 17 September 2013 - 15:15
Didn't take long for a certain financial house to get the thread pulled... what a shame they didn't even try to answer the allegations of poor practice on the forum, instead of just getting the thread pulled.
ninap
94
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 13 August 2013 - 11:56
I use Eastern Jewellers which is in downtown AD, near Royal Meridien hotel. Sorry, am rubbish at directions. They also make fab copies of jewellery if you give them a picture. I am sure you could also easily find somewhere in the Gold Souk, Madinat Zayed.
ninap
94
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 13 August 2013 - 11:52
A friend who is a big GP fan recommended the West, so for the first 3 we went to we sat there - great seats, they're at the bend at the end of the longest stretch. However, when we went to buy our tickets last year, West was sold out, so we went for South. Those seats were great, a few bends in front and every incident happened right in front of us!! We have bought South again for this year. Apparently the Main Grandstand is good for the start and finish, but that's all. Other friends have been happy in North. Hope they enjoy.
ninap
94
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 11 August 2013 - 11:51
Teachers' packages vary hugely - the best give family status [ie sponsoring spouse and up to 3 children, flights, med ins for all and family accommodation'>, the worst give low salary, poor accommodation etc. If this school is not offering even a small accommodation allowance, I would look elsewhere. If they are skimping on accommodation for an overseas contract, I would then expect other aspects to be poor - from the school you would be working in, to the way you would be treated. Keep looking in the TES for other opportunities.
ninap
94
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 10 August 2013 - 15:34
My daughter at uni now and always did lots of dance classes, but my info re dance classes may not be up to date. I think Arabesque is the best dance school http://www.abudhabidance.com/ If you join The Club, they have various dance and drama groups and may be a really good place for you to join: http://www.the-club.com/ Edited to add- have just looked at The Club site, it only has info re summer activities, but for sure ballet/jazz dance etc plus a drama group [and lots of other things'> will start. edited by ninap on 10/08/2013 <em>edited by ninap on 10/08/2013</em>
ninap
94
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 03 August 2013 - 23:18
Go along to The Club and get an application form - you can ask for a look around at the same time. My husband used to play at the Club but stopped as the surface was giving him a lot of knee injuries. He now plays at Zayed Sports City too in the league. I'll ask my DH how it all works and let you know.
ninap
94
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 28 June 2013 - 11:29
I use Shop and Ship too. The only problem I have had recently was with my bank address - I tried to order from Next [to be delivered to my mum's address in the UK'>, my bank account is a UK one BUT the address for my bank account is here. It just couldn't be entered on their website, so I phoned up to be told that if the address for my bank [not the bank itself, but where my statements etc would be sent to'> is in the UAE then I couldn't order. I am going to change my bank address to my UK one to solve this problem - we do all our banking online anyway.
ninap
94
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 27 June 2013 - 17:30
The Club were looking for teenagers to help with the summer kid's club - not sure if you have to be a member, but it may be worth enquiring.
ninap
94
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 30 May 2013 - 21:11
We had a similar experience, my oldest 2 have never been to school in the UK. My son was offered home status at all 5 and my daughter at 4. Once at uni, they both applied for NI numbers and applied for the student loan, which they both got.
ninap
94
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 May 2013 - 10:53
JoJo, if it is the entrance test for BC you are worried about, I wouldn't worry too much. I have been told by a teacher there that the pass mark is 100, which is average, and they have accepted lower.
ninap
94
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 28 April 2013 - 07:56
No, Charlotte isn't new. Yes, I have dealt with her on a professional basis and she is very good. I can understand why some people may be critical of Stars itself, but CS is easily the best SALT I have dealt with in AD.
ninap
94
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 27 April 2013 - 16:26
Stars for Special Abilities [now just near the Malaysian Embassy on 19th'>, ask for Charlotte Stockwell.
ninap
94
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 March 2013 - 12:58
You're absolutely correct March, Special Needs covers a huge range of learning needs. BC have a dedicated EAL department as well as SEN. Their SEN provision covers all the areas you mention, apart from physical. I think it's a real shame that parents are put off applying there when they do cater for children with a wide range of special needs. The SEN teacher last year was excellent and this year's seems very good too.
ninap
94
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 15 March 2013 - 15:26
BC has a special needs dept - they are not quite as selective as it may appear [which is good imo, but wish they would be more honest about it'>.
ninap
94
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 15 March 2013 - 15:24
There are loads of phone shops on Defence Road, opposite Lebanese Flower, near the bus station in town. Quite a few of those shops sell second hand phones.
ninap
94
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 March 2013 - 07:32
Tomsmum, I don't think Al Ain would be a great option - there is a 6th form, but friends who lived in AA sent their children to boarding school as they were not happy with 6th form provision. You could check it out though. BB, yes, a commute to/from Dubai would be horrible, but it wouldn't be forever - when you think, it would be Sep 13 until June 15, so less than 2 years -if that were the only option for my child, then I would take it.
ninap
94
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 06 March 2013 - 19:32
Did BSAK give a reason? It may be that if you hang on until after gcse results a place will become available, but that doesn't really help you now. Your options in AD would be, as you know, Al Yasmina or somewhere like Cambridge [Gems school'> where I think they do A levels. A possible plan would be to think about Dubai where there are lots more options - JESS, English College, Dubai College, plus quite a few more. You could live well outside AD and drive him in, or live in Dubai and your husband commutes [not an option if your husband is working for UAE gov org as you have to live in AD'> - not ideal, but at least A levels are just for 2 years. Good luck, hope you get something sorted.
ninap
94
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 02 March 2013 - 19:06
Are you sure it's heat rash? Babies usually get heat rash on other parts of the body, ie under the arms, on the body. I remember one of my children was very spotty when a few weeks old - I just left it and it eventually went. He was only on breast milk, so I reckoned it couldn't be anything to do with that. I was always told cooled boiled water was ok for little babies - we were out here when they were tiny, I would occasionally give it on a spoon when the weather was v hot.
ninap
94
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 01 March 2013 - 19:36
Agree with busybee, it will depend on what you are offered and also where you live. Al Yas is also not for profit,like BSAK. Repton will also be opening next year, but only for younger year groups.
ninap
94
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 23 February 2013 - 20:01
We have done the brunch a couple of times, it's very good. There is a nice beach too. Haven't stayed at the hotel, so can't comment. It should be easy to get to after the concert too.
ninap
94
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 01 December 2012 - 15:46
I'm on island, but it's sunny at the moment. There are some ominous looking clouds around though!
ninap
94
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 27 November 2012 - 21:03
dh 29 [cushion and cover'> in Ikea on Yas Island last weekend, hopefully you will find in Dubai Ikea.
ninap
94
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 18 November 2012 - 20:18
My children also got the student loan - they had to apply for NI numbers, as they didn't have through living here. As soon as that came through, they got the loans. As previous posters have stated, it really does depend on the uni. Unis that offered home status to mine included Leeds, Cardiff, Birmingham, Sussex, UCL - can't remember the others but of the 10 unis the two of them applied to, 8 offered home status. The other two they didn't fill in the forms to determine HS as they had already accepted offers.
ninap
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 18 November 2012 - 18:44
My two both got home status at Russell Group unis despite being born in Kuwait and never going to school in the UK [only the UAE'>. Crucial was the fact that DH's contracts were temporary [even though they were renewed many times'>, having a property in the UK and stating that 'were it not for employment abroad, they would have been educated in England'. As far as I am aware, all students in year 13 who applied for Home Status got it - including students from Cyprus and Poland.
ninap
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 November 2012 - 19:43
I understand there are quite a few homeschoolers in AD - don't know about Al Ain. My son has met quite a few of them at the wrestling club here [he was fascinated by the idea of being homeschooled, lol'>. This may help: http://www.abudhabihomeschoolers.org/
ninap
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 28 October 2012 - 16:07
I have no idea what Cambridge is like as I don't know anyone whose children go there. However, I do know that Cambridge is part of the GEMS group which is profit making. This may or may not be relevant to you, but imo it does make a difference when making money through education is a factor and the school is a business. [Brighton College, BISAD also profit making'>. I think the only not for profit schools are BSAK, ACS and the Aldar group of schools.
ninap
94
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 21 October 2012 - 20:15
Agree about Priscilla! Fab show, but I think its West End run has ended [ I wanted to go again last summer'>.
 
 
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