The Original BMAP | ExpatWoman.com
 

The Original BMAP

The Original BMAP
245
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 04 February 2013 - 12:10
Well, given RERA have been unable to offer advice, it sounds like it's open season... Maybe you could start the ball rolling by sending the PoA a copy of the lease ready for signing? That way all they have to do is correct it where there might be errors. It also gives you the power to ask for what you want. ie if you want the choice to stay in the apartment another 2 years, mock up a new lease contract as if it's the first one. The process of filling in the blanks in the lease should flush out who the cheque goes to. But knowing the MF situation (we were renting through them as well) and the fact that your LL is overseas, they may very well be collecting the cheque, putting it in the their bank account and passing on a component of it to the LL. If this is the case...be careful that history is not repeating itself....have you done your due diligence on the LL's Attorney? Have you seen documentation that makes it clear they have proper Power of Attorney? Are they a real estate company? Ask how many cheques they want you to pay? Is there anyway you can find out what they would be paying the LL versus what they are asking you to pay, to ensure the sums are right and they are not going to abscond with the rent like MF did? Good luck. Would be interested to hear how it all pans out. As an aside, we are now renting directly from the LL (a great relief).
The Original BMAP
245
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 03 February 2013 - 21:24
We have lost 2 water heaters in our time here. On both occasions Hitches and Glitches have replaced (as opposed to fixed) them. The cost was I think around 400 DHMs. We have a maintenance contract with H & G though so have only had to pay for the water heater itself. I don't know about the warranty situation, but might be worth a call to ask them if they would supply a warranty on their work if you are interested in using them.
The Original BMAP
245
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 03 February 2013 - 21:17
Thank you
The Original BMAP
245
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 03 February 2013 - 21:12
How awful. I'm glad they've caught them and hopefully it won't happen again anytime soon. With your permission Ariana, I'd be grateful if I could post your statement on the Facebook Group for the Meadows, Lakes and Springs Community? https://www.facebook.com/groups/356982741075640/
The Original BMAP
245
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 03 February 2013 - 16:27
I've seen telescopes in the window of a camera shop up near Geant in Ibn Battuta. No idea what their quality is like though.
The Original BMAP
245
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 03 February 2013 - 14:56
I think I saw some at Dragonmart when we took visitors there 2 weeks ago. Whether they were genuine or not is another question...
The Original BMAP
245
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 02 February 2013 - 00:17
Another vote for RAW here. Wouldn't drink anything else.
The Original BMAP
245
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 01 February 2013 - 17:01
Rain just started in the Meadows!
The Original BMAP
245
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 31 January 2013 - 18:15
Hi October I think there are some EIS parents on the Meadows, Lakes, Springs Community Facebook page, so if you don't mind, I will copy your post and put it in there as well. https://www.facebook.com/groups/356982741075640/
The Original BMAP
245
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 31 January 2013 - 08:02
Yes...this is my cognitive dissonance: What is expected to be done as a normal part of living as a family and what should be paid for. Having said that, my kids are mostly living the life of Riley as I seem to do everything (bar clearing the dinner table) unless I rouse on them. At them moment they get no pocket money, not because I'm not organised, more because I/we can't seem to commit to which philosophy suits us best. And I take the previous poster's point that they are so tired once they're home from school, done their homework or completed their afternoon's activities that I am loathe to ask them to do anything but relax with what little time they have left. I like Aroha's idea of using pocket money to fine them for transgressions in behaviour. At the moment our only currency is "computer time", but that's not teaching them the value of money.
The Original BMAP
245
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 31 January 2013 - 07:08
Do any of the kids who receive pocket money (regardless of age) do chores for it? If so, what kind of things do they do at what age?
The Original BMAP
245
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 30 January 2013 - 21:29
Far out! Kids are expensive! Do these teenagers do anything around the house to earn this money or is it purely a gift? And what age did you start giving pocket money?
The Original BMAP
245
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 30 January 2013 - 19:01
Can you google her name in LinkedIn? I would imagine most teachers over here would be on there as they move around so much. That would probably tell you where she is currently working. I agree what she did was wrong - she does not have the right to judge who can and who cannot take your child's picture.
The Original BMAP
245
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 30 January 2013 - 17:34
Karen, I'm sorry about your cat and really hope he turns up. You might want to put his picture on the facebook page for the Meadows, Lakes and Springs Community as there are mums on there who ride and walk with their kids etc: https://www.facebook.com/groups/356982741075640/ Admin, please don't delete the link. We are trying to help find the cat and in no way competing with EW.
The Original BMAP
245
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 29 January 2013 - 21:07
Well I hope they don't muck up the country out there. Just looked up "fracking" and it doesn't sound sympathetic to the environment.
The Original BMAP
245
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 29 January 2013 - 20:06
Given it's the outback, it could very well be on aboriginal territory. Shame it's not QLD, they could do a lot with those $$$.
The Original BMAP
245
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 29 January 2013 - 15:54
Just marking this thread for future reference. I would be grateful to hear how your hubby goes Flydiver. I suspect I may need to go under the knife at some point, though might try and hold on till we return to Australia.
The Original BMAP
245
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 28 January 2013 - 15:35
Thanks everyone. I hadn't even thought of IKEA for something like that!
The Original BMAP
245
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 28 January 2013 - 13:12
Oh thanks! I know that shop, will pop in there and ask some questions! Thanks so much for the suggestion.
The Original BMAP
245
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 28 January 2013 - 12:55
Bump???
The Original BMAP
245
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 26 January 2013 - 22:06
My 7 year old DS successfully grows herbs in a big herb pot on our back steps - tomatoes, parsley, basil, thyme, mint, rosemary. They are in full sun and get watered everyday. Thriving at the moment, but expect thy will die over summer. Garden centre has 2 sizes of herb pots. We are using the smaller, stumpy one.
The Original BMAP
245
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 24 January 2013 - 11:54
Thank you!
The Original BMAP
245
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 24 January 2013 - 11:33
I saw it in Brisbane in January 2009 with my then, 7 year old. It was a fantastic show. I thought at the time it was well worth it, but can't remember how much I paid for the tickets which were a Christmas present to him.
The Original BMAP
245
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 24 January 2013 - 11:19
On maids and cooking (disclosure: I do not have a maid): After reading numerous articles in Gulf News etc about what maids might add to their madam's food (urine, menstrual blood etc) there is no way I would want a maid to cook my food anyway!
The Original BMAP
245
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 24 January 2013 - 11:13
Wow. That was a very lucky escape, but horrible to watch. I hope her family learned from the experience and now have her safely in a child seat (and are more cautious about overtaking on icy roads). ETA I was also disturbed that they didn't seem to take any time examining whether she was ok, but instead rushed to pick up their possessions from the road. <em>edited by The Original BMAP on 24/01/2013</em>
The Original BMAP
245
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 24 January 2013 - 11:00
Advice is too late for you, but for future parents applying for schools and reading this thread: SweetSugar is totally right. You cannot under any circumstances put all your eggs in one basket here. I would say you need to apply for at least 3, if not more schools. Particularly if the schools you are applying for are well established and well reputed.
The Original BMAP
245
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 24 January 2013 - 10:58
Have seen several for sale in the Union Coop Shop in Al Barsha Mall.
The Original BMAP
245
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 22 January 2013 - 17:00
From my experience, they will come out if you go in to their offices and dispute the reading. The estimate is based on the last 3 months' water bill, so if the old tenant has used more water or the leak has not been picked up for that long, their invoice will be inaccurate once everything is back to normal. ETA: Actually I [i'>have [/i'>seen the DEWA guy walking around taking readings. He does it around the 26th of each month. The strange thing is that despite having the correct reading, after we had fixed our water problems, they still used an estimation that was based on the previous months' exorbitant rates to bill us! <em>edited by The Original BMAP on 22/01/2013</em>
The Original BMAP
245
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 22 January 2013 - 16:21
Hah, it's almost an initiation right, isn't it Derien? So many of us...
The Original BMAP
245
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 22 January 2013 - 16:20
Yes, spice souk - very cheap and they are also selling it at Global Village. I think in the Yemen pavillion or close by it.
The Original BMAP
245
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 22 January 2013 - 16:16
Yes, first bill 3 weeks after moving in was 23,000. It was a huge water leak - ball float in water tank had stuck and water flowing in constantly and out the overflow pipe so no sign of it on surface. As we only caught it halfway through the second billing month, our next Bill was not much better at 17,000. Simple to fix though - 50 aed for the new ball float. Where abouts are you living? This is a relatively common problem around Meadows-Springs-Lakes. Oh...when you say it is way over your usage, you mean you have the start reading and you have the reading at approximately the date corresponding to the bill and they do not tally? So you have evidence they have made an estimate? In that case it should be an easy fix but will entail a visit to DEWA to straighten it out. <em>edited by The Original BMAP on 22/01/2013</em>
The Original BMAP
245
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 19 January 2013 - 11:24
We used Excellence Limo's last weekend for a Stretch Porsche and they were good. Clean, reliable etc. No seat belts though (not happy about that). 600 dirris for one hour though so perhaps you could get cheaper. We had 8 in the car (4 adults, 4 kids) but it would have comfortably seated 10. A hummer would probably seat more. Any chance you could name the dodgy companies and why just for those of us who might do this again?
The Original BMAP
245
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 January 2013 - 22:05
PMSL MC Don't know about the shakes, but with the P90x, yes, I think you'd have to get it through Amazon and get it shipped here.
The Original BMAP
245
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 January 2013 - 21:53
Currently in the tail end of one and failing dismally. Don't take that to heart. Been my issue. I haven't followed the programme and have stuffed up my knee, so no exercise and eating ****. Have done the Transformation before and it was fantastic. Lost maybe 20 kgs in about 4 months and trimmed down a lot due to lean muscle development. The beauty of the programme is you don't have to think. It's all laid out for you - food, exercise, mindset exercises to help you understand yourself better, a forum of motivated people living through the same experience to support you. Live video time with Michelle. The best $200 I've spent on my health ever probably in terms of payback. It is as intense as you want to make it and if you get into it, you will enjoy the personal challenge and the feeling of satisfaction you get as you see yourself getting stronger mentally and physically. Knowing you, I think you will love this aspect of it and I am looking forward to witnessing the changes in you! The food is awesome. Fresh, healthy stuff and you don't feel deprived as you are allowed to eat Carbs! If there are meals you don't like, you can swap one for the other. But you have to be organised and plan ahead. If you fail to plan, then you [i'>will [/i'>fail the programme and that has been my problem (along with my alcohol intake ;)) There's lots more I can say. But you know where to find me. xo Oh...and good on you for taking the bull by the horns and taking control. There will be a ripple effect through your whole life, I'm sure! <em>edited by The Original BMAP on 16/01/2013</em>
The Original BMAP
245
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 January 2013 - 13:20
There is a place in Festival City called something like "The Lounge Room" which is set up as numerous lounge rooms with big tvs and x-boxes, wii's etc. They will do a party with games on these, burgers and popcorn etc. I haven't been there for about 18 months, so I'm a bit rusty on the name though. Hopefully it's still there and worth investigating. ETA: Here you are...looks like it's still around - http://www.livingroomscafe.com/ <em>edited by The Original BMAP on 16/01/2013</em>
The Original BMAP
245
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 January 2013 - 12:54
Thanks Admin! Comment noted and very much appreciated!
The Original BMAP
245
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 January 2013 - 08:40
Another one with no sympathy. Some of these LL's need a wake-up call. You can't keep taking eggs from the golden goose without looking after it. Eventually the goose will die. They need to stop exploiting their situation. This was another reason for establishing a community facebook page "Meadows, Lakes, Springs Community - Dubai" ... so neighbours could advise of which vacant villas in which streets were poorly maintained and prospective tenants would go in with their eyes open. Link to the community FB page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/356982741075640/ Thanks for not deleting this admin. <em>edited by The Original BMAP on 16/01/2013</em>
The Original BMAP
245
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 January 2013 - 08:18
Admin please do the morally right thing and don't delete this post. We are trying to help this lady find her cat and if she posts on the "Meadows, Lakes, Springs Community - Dubai" facebook page, there are people who will see her post while they are out and about on their phones because it will come through on their wall updates as FB is not a forum. The Community page is not set up to be nor could it ever be in competition with EW! Anasaffron, here is the link to the facebook page. Maybe post a picture and a description of where she went missing as there are mums reading this whose kids are out and about on bikes etc and can keep an eye open as they ride to and from school. https://www.facebook.com/groups/356982741075640/
The Original BMAP
245
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 14 January 2013 - 21:47
I would have followed up with an email straight after the interview emphasising or reinforcing a few key points and then one week later with a phone call if you hadn't heard anything. But then my way might be outdated as it's a while since I worked in HR.
The Original BMAP
245
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 14 January 2013 - 21:23
AXA. You want a company that's big and stable. Not going to quibble and not going to be taken over. Just MO.
The Original BMAP
245
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 12 January 2013 - 22:01
I like FeeMick's answer. I am a mum of boys, but have had this happen recently with my DS1 where his best friend from last year ostracized him this year. They were put into different classes and the best friend was trying to impress the 2 "cool kids" in the new class by picking on or ignoring his previous bestie, my son. We explained to my boy that sometimes people are fair-weather friends, and that there are kids out there that are so insecure about themselves they feel in order to fit in, they have to publically put down others in front of the people they are trying to impress. This is their weakness and we can rise above it. We encouraged him to seek new friends in his class and not try and rebuild the bridge to his old friend as by definition, he wasn't behaving like a true friend should. Once the bridge has been burnt, the trust is gone and it's time to move on... So for what it's worth, having experienced this as a young girl, I would find a handful of girls who your daughter feels connected with. 3 if possible. If not, then just 1. Not 2 because the group dynamics of girls in a threesome can ultimately get competitive. Foster these friendships - have them over for a playdate, or a sleep over. Take them to the movies, have a "girlie afternoon" of pedicure and cake. Something along those lines that they can share together and feel special. Try and nuture these friendships so she has her own little posse who can stick by her at school when the other girl gets nasty. If their friendship is obvious, the other girl's taunts will fall on deaf ears and will hopefully stop. As some of hte others have said. I wouldn't approach the mother. From what I have experienced or observed, approaching the parents never ends well. They just get defensive and can sometimes be as bad as their kids (after all, where did the child learn this behaviour from?) Good luck. It's heartbreaking when you see this happen to your child.
The Original BMAP
245
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 12 January 2013 - 21:44
Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I will follow them all up! Very much appreciated as I have visitors here at the moment and have realised how much it is restricting me. I need to get my head out of the sand and get on top of it.
The Original BMAP
245
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 10 January 2013 - 12:14
Rats. I was wanting to take visitors desert camping next week. Thanks for the heads up. I do appreciate it. Will hold off buying tickets now.
The Original BMAP
245
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 10 January 2013 - 08:32
Mmmm, it's the second beggar I've seen down in TC. There was one there last year for a few weeks. Just as the weather was starting to get hotter. He wasn't injured though, just asking for money to buy food. Thing was he did not look in any way underfed and he was always in clean clothes.
The Original BMAP
245
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 10 January 2013 - 08:24
Thanks for the tip off. If he approaches me I will let Security know.
 
 
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