plum2 | ExpatWoman.com
 

plum2

plum2
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Latest post on 21 May 2013 - 17:28
I can recommend The Developing Child Centre. I have visited it several times and know some of the staff there personally. Some of their staff have moved there from the Dubai Community Health Centre. It is a beautiful centre although not quite finished yet. They still have to finish their outside area. The rooms the therapists are currently working in are spacious and well equipped. All the staff are well qualified and experienced. Go and have a look for yourself.
plum2
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Latest post on 21 May 2013 - 15:00
If you kids will be going to VH primary school then you could live in Victory heights itself. It is a slightly newer area than AR so they trees are smaller but it has very developed areas. You could also consider the Green Community Motor City (Villas and apartments) and the range of apartments and townhouses in Motor City itself. Motor City has the largest Spinney's supermarket in Dubai and a huge range of other cafes, restaurants and other shops. With improvements to the roads both VH and Motor City have great access onto MBZ rd and onto Hessa Street in towards Sh Zayed Rd. Where will you/DH need to travel to for work?
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Latest post on 21 May 2013 - 14:43
AR is a large complex made up of about 12 different communities. The types of housing range from semi-detatched and terraced house (2 bedrooms and upwards) up to large 6-7 bedroom independent villas. It is a very green community with lots of trees and streetside planting. It has a shopping centre fairly centrally located with a supermarket, a few cafes/take-away shops, a pharmacy , bookshop, travel agent, salon, opticians bank etc. There is also a large medical centre within AR. I find it a very pleasant place to live. The access out of the Ranches can be difficult depending on the time you leave. It would be about 10 minutes to the new VH primary school from the time you leave AR, but I gather at times it can take up to 30 minutes just to get out of AR. I go the other way out onto MBZ Rd and that is very quick and easy.
plum2
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Latest post on 21 May 2013 - 12:17
The Tecom Area is on the desert side of Sh Zayed Rd and Media City is on the other side of Sh Zayed Rd. To get to either from AR I would not take Umm Suqeim Rd. The traffic can be awful. Hessa Street would be best. From AR take MBZ Rd (old Emirates Rd) heading towards Abu Dhabi. There is a small exit almost as you join MBZ Rd. Ignore that one but take the next main exit which is Hessa Street. For TECOM you need to keep right after the petrol station and then turn left at the lights under the flyover. The right at the first lights takes you in to the TECOM area. For Media City go over the second flyover then keep right and join Sh Zayed Rd (Abu Dhabi bound). The Media City exit is then signposted.
plum2
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Latest post on 20 May 2013 - 11:09
Can you not buy a cheap t-shirt from Splash/C4 or similar and cut jagged ends and make it look a bit grubby?
plum2
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Latest post on 20 May 2013 - 10:17
I think if they are just wrapped by the packers along with all your other household goods you should be fine. As Lady Bee said, it will just be stuff in unopened original packing that they are looking for.
plum2
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Latest post on 19 May 2013 - 12:36
We usually leave ours off for a month. Mind you the house does get incredibly hot and it takes several days for it all to cool down again. Last summer candles literally melted off the candlesticks!
plum2
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Latest post on 19 May 2013 - 12:34
A friend's son is also learning to read in FS1. He's at Star in Umm Suqeim.
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Latest post on 19 May 2013 - 11:22
Yes there is a crossing. It is very hot out there at the moment. An umbrella does give a huge amount of shade and it's worth carrying a small one for the 5 minute walk across the road and the car park.
plum2
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Latest post on 17 May 2013 - 06:49
What about Al Mawakeb behind MOE?
plum2
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Latest post on 17 May 2013 - 06:47
Contact DUbai College if your DD is academic. Most of their students get a lot of A's and A*'s at GCSEs. Students are expect to start 4 A-levels then most drop one subject after the AS level exams at the end of year 12. Repton is also v close to the villa which could be good for your DS. They do IGCSEs and theN IB in the 6th form. I would not recommend Regent. They have a v high staff turnover and their Principal was fired this year. I have a friend with a DD there in secondary who is relieved to have found a school place elsewhere for Sept. Cambridge would not have a v high percentage of British students. Dubai British School has a good reputation. Gems Wellington Academy in Silicon Oasis is a good school. I would second DESC for your DD too. Good Luck! <em>edited by plum2 on 17/05/2013</em>
plum2
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Latest post on 15 May 2013 - 18:28
Just checking that your Landlord has given you the required 12 months notice to vacate? <em>edited by plum2 on 15/05/2013</em>
plum2
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Latest post on 15 May 2013 - 18:26
I don't know what the current situation is but we got our visa 13 years ago for us and 2 children and had only got married a few weeks before heading to Dubai. Noone ever questioned it.
plum2
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Latest post on 15 May 2013 - 18:26
No idea how old your children are but school places are quite hard to find at the moment.
plum2
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Latest post on 15 May 2013 - 15:43
We usedJean-Luc from HouseMatters or HomeMatters (can't remember!) and he was excellent.
plum2
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Latest post on 14 May 2013 - 15:10
Do you have a US/Canadian passport? I think they get priority. I'm sure someone ill correct me if I'm wrong.
plum2
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Latest post on 14 May 2013 - 15:09
Both schools are very oversubscribed. I am sure a recent poster was unable to secure a place at either.
plum2
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Latest post on 14 May 2013 - 15:00
Thanks ladies. I know our insurance covers oman but I better check that we have proof. I know my way to hatta so feel better going that way but a friend is telling me al ain is quicker, has anyone any experience? You just need to take your insurance papers with you. It has it on the front page usually. The only time we went through Al Ain Border they were much more picky. They wanted to see the vehicle registration card which I had forgotten to put back in the car!
plum2
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Latest post on 14 May 2013 - 12:07
The other doctor (can't remember name) at Dubai Physio is also good. A friend also recommended a Doctor at Health Bay Poly Clinic that dealt with her DD of a similar age. Dr Neil Fell. Is a man OK or does it need to be a woman?
plum2
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Latest post on 14 May 2013 - 11:27
That must be the one he meant. Thanks.
plum2
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Latest post on 14 May 2013 - 11:26
I thought there was one scrapbooking shop here. Maybe on Al Manara or somewhere in that vicinity. I know it's a hobby but try posting on the main board as you'll get more viewers there. I'm sure there are lots of keen scrapbookers in Dubai.
plum2
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Latest post on 14 May 2013 - 11:23
thanks ladies. my son is 16 months old. he will turn 3 in january 2015, so will have to start school that year. appletiser, that is exactly what i'm afraid of. even though FS1 is not hectic, it *must* be "easier" in nursery than in school. so when DS starts FS2 in school, he will feel a bit left behind. i dont want that. kings (my first choice) has closed FS1 waitlist for 2015. i missed it because we were away. i've emailed them but of course havent had a response. to phone is such a nightmare - they never pick up! do you think i should just pop in and plead ignorance? i'm so new to this and it's all so daunting. regent's 2015 FS1 registrations only open in 2014 Q4. i'm not too keen on a GEMS school so trying to avoid that but if i have to, i think i'd go for JPS or Wellington on SZR. Is this for all the Kings schools that they have closed the FS1 waiting list for 2015 or just the Umm Suqeim one? There is a new Kings due to open this September in Nad al Sheba and another site out towards AR.
plum2
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Latest post on 14 May 2013 - 11:16
I also need to do this. A guy at the petrol station was telling me to go to a big petrol station in Garhoud but I didn't really understand where he meant.
plum2
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Latest post on 14 May 2013 - 11:15
You can buy Oman car insurance at the border if yours doesn't cover Oman.
plum2
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Latest post on 14 May 2013 - 11:14
I second Sue Norton. She is at Dubai Physiotherapy and Family Medical Centre 04 349 6333
plum2
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Latest post on 13 May 2013 - 10:36
Their principal was fired suddenly mid-year. The letter said 'gross misconduct' I believe. They have a very high staff turnover rate. My friend came from a good private school in another country and finds that Regent does not compare well. Her child is not being extended.
plum2
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Latest post on 13 May 2013 - 10:08
Yes, all day :)
plum2
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Latest post on 13 May 2013 - 07:53
Have you tried DESS (primary) and DESC(secondary)? Both great schools. One feeds into the other. They are about 15 mins apart but they both have bus services. I currently have a friend desperate to get her child out of Regent secondary.
plum2
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Latest post on 12 May 2013 - 18:38
I would post this on the Qatar board. You may get more replies there. Good luck!
plum2
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Latest post on 12 May 2013 - 18:36
There is a DESS in Dubai but I presume you mean the DESS in Doha?
plum2
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Latest post on 12 May 2013 - 17:29
There is a great theatre at DUCTAC, Mall of the Emirates.
plum2
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Latest post on 12 May 2013 - 14:27
There is a Fitness First Gym in Mirdif City Centre. There is a ladies only pool in Mushrif Park which is not far from Mirdif. If you want a pool for swimming training rather than sunbathing then there are various companies that have swimming sessions in school pools after school. Some of these are for adults.
plum2
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Latest post on 08 May 2013 - 18:17
They have more than one boat. Can you not have two boats travelling together? When you stop for the snorkelling you would all be together.
plum2
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Latest post on 08 May 2013 - 16:22
www.dolphinkhasabtours.com They were excellent!
plum2
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Latest post on 08 May 2013 - 06:47
If you are doing a Khasab Dolphin Tour you are not going anywhere near Dibba! Khasab is on the other coast accessed via Ras al Khaimah. In Khasab there are 2 ports/harbours they use but the company will tell you where to meet. <em>edited by plum2 on 08/05/2013</em>
plum2
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Latest post on 07 May 2013 - 16:38
Choithrams supermarket bakeries also stock a range of brown breads and they are in quite a few areas.
plum2
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Latest post on 07 May 2013 - 16:37
Where do you live? I think Swiss Cottage delivers to some areas.
plum2
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Latest post on 07 May 2013 - 16:20
Park'n'Shop supermarket in the small Al Safa shopping centre on Al Wasl Rd has a great baker. They make a range of brown breads including Spelt bread for those who are intolerant to gluten.
plum2
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Latest post on 07 May 2013 - 13:48
Not sure what replies/info you got last time. Currently DESS and Jebel Ali are two schools that don't start until FS2.
plum2
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Latest post on 07 May 2013 - 11:24
I had bugs on one of mine. I used one of my mum's old rememdies. Wash the plant and all the bugs off with soapy water (I just used some fairy liquid in mine). It worked like a treat.
plum2
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Latest post on 07 May 2013 - 09:13
It does work. I've just tried it. The threads appear below the form so make sure you scroll down. Alternatively, if you catch the user online you can click on their name at the bottom of the page and their threads will come up.
plum2
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Latest post on 07 May 2013 - 07:51
I can't remember the name of it but there is a tyre place right at the end of Umm Suqeim street (on the left heading towards AR) just before the new flyover. They have a wide range of tyres, offer competitive prices (and then a discount without me even asking!). Service was very quick and efficient. Worth calling in if you live that way.
plum2
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Latest post on 06 May 2013 - 18:54
If you and your daughter would like to get advice about her dysfluency I can recommend Sima Hall, a lovely Australian speech therapist who has a particular interest in stammering. She works from the Dubai Physiotherapy and Family Medicine centre in Town Centre mall on the Beach Rd. 04 349 6333 edited by plum2 on 07/05/2013 <em>edited by plum2 on 07/05/2013</em>
plum2
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Latest post on 06 May 2013 - 12:09
Where do you live? Someone may know an OT who lives in your area.
plum2
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Latest post on 05 May 2013 - 14:37
Have Done events organised anything on that scale before? Their arrangements for traffic and parking were dreadful. Clearly not enough staff on duty and not enough quick access to car parks. The rugby 7's copes with more people with far less hassle. To have all lanes of the Al Ain Rd completely gridlocked was ridiculous.
plum2
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Latest post on 04 May 2013 - 17:21
Or you could try Mr Sajjad 055 4788128
plum2
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Latest post on 02 May 2013 - 10:12
Details sent
plum2
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Latest post on 02 May 2013 - 07:37
bump for OP
plum2
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Latest post on 02 May 2013 - 06:11
IKEA (Festival City). Many different styles and prices available. I believe if you order more than a certain amount they will deliver and assemble everything for you.
plum2
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Latest post on 01 May 2013 - 22:22
I found Dr Michael's very expensive (not 8,200 expensive though!!!) Make sure any quote is very clear.
 
 
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