plum2 | ExpatWoman.com
 

plum2

plum2
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Latest post on 28 March 2011 - 05:55
Hi MI I'm OK thanks. Had a change of job this year which was tough to start with but is going OK now. Enjoy keeping up with your activities on FB. How is my boy doing at school? What year did they put him in? Hope to catch up if you get back to Dubai. Best of Luck! Plum
plum2
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Latest post on 27 March 2011 - 05:51
Hi, having camped at the turtle place twice in the past we arrived there early evening just after Christmas to find that there is no campsite anymore and also that they were fully booked! You need to make your reservations in advance. The guy inside just told us to go and put up our tents at the end of the car park, which we did and it was fine. Luckily they had some no-shows so we were able to get in. My sister and her family went in again early in the morning too which they enjoyed. It is a nice visitor centre with good facilities and much better organised than it used to be. It is quite a walk from the visitor centre down to the beck so take decent footwear and torches.
plum2
1913
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Latest post on 17 March 2011 - 15:39
Are you wanting to train to work just with your own child or with a wider group of children? The Child Early Intervention Medical Centre trains its staff very well but I think you have to be prepared to work about 20 hours a week.
plum2
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Latest post on 14 March 2011 - 15:31
http://www.gbdriver.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=78_85&products_id=534 I've just been looking for something as I worry if we ever have to take our DD in a taxi... This product seems ideal although I've never seen anyone using it. It looks great but it's for children from 3 years of age and 15kg so would be no use to the OP.
plum2
1913
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Latest post on 13 March 2011 - 16:36
The kids and I had a week in Rome a few years ago and had a great time. We did a day trip to Pompeii one day. Pompeii itself was great but it was a very long day (most spent on the bus) and very little of it was actually spent at Pompeii which i found incredibly frustrating. I did not want to stop en route to spend time at a jewellery factory or stop at another place for a long lunch break! I think we ended up with about 1 1/2 hour max at the site when that was all I really wanted to see! If you opt to do a tour then check out v carefully exactly how much time you will have at Pompeii.
plum2
1913
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Latest post on 11 March 2011 - 22:01
You can take a passport photo if you want to change yours (mine was 10 years old and v outdated) or they will just use the old one.
plum2
1913
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Latest post on 11 March 2011 - 19:51
@melbell, Yes, that's all you need. If you have any fines you have to pay those before you can renew your licence.
plum2
1913
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Latest post on 11 March 2011 - 19:34
I did mine recently at the RTA office upstairs at the Union Co-op, Safa Park. Very quick and easy.
plum2
1913
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Latest post on 09 March 2011 - 21:21
At MOE you can also buy stamps from the main information desk.
plum2
1913
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Latest post on 08 March 2011 - 14:39
I have had a fair bit of experience working alongside people from both Stepping Stones & reach Out & just recenlty (like this last week or so) have been working alongside the Early Childhood Intervention Centre. As far as I know they are fairly new on the scene & are a Goverment Organisation offering a free or reduced rate service to those in need (Im not sure if this means UAE nationals only???) Im not saying that because they are Goverment that they ae not as good as the others, as yet I am not in a position to judge......am just letting you know what I know so far about them. Hope that helps a little :) I think you might be a bit confused between the Child Early Intervention Medical Centre which is a private business run out of an office in Healthcare City (and has been running for about 2-3 years) and the Dubai Early Childhood Intervention Centre which is a free service only for nationals and is run out of Zayed University. This has also been running for a few years.
plum2
1913
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Latest post on 07 March 2011 - 22:28
with the postgraduate training school you can also pay in installments. We paid 500dhs more or less monthly.
plum2
1913
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Latest post on 07 March 2011 - 21:12
Contact the Nicholas and Asp postgraduate orthodontic training school in healthcare city. It costs around 6,000 all up for braces and they do an excellent job. All work is supervised every step of the way by world class orthodontists. All the students are qualified dentists doing their speciality training. I couldn't fault the service. I think the initial assessment is free so what do you have to lose.? Go along and see what you think. Edited to add both my teenagers had their braces through this clinic and now have lovely teeth. I have seen both children and adults there. <em>edited by plum2 on 07/03/2011</em>
plum2
1913
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Latest post on 10 February 2011 - 06:25
The scouts in Dubai are boys only. The are British Girl Guides operating in many areas (AR, Springs, Umm Suqeim). Where do you live?
plum2
1913
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Latest post on 29 January 2011 - 14:33
Bump for Sandfly
plum2
1913
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Latest post on 28 January 2011 - 19:31
You have mail.
plum2
1913
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Latest post on 28 January 2011 - 19:27
If visitors to Dubai enter Oman within 9 days there is no visa charge for Oman, not sure about reentry to the UAE. We did it with my sister and family at Xmas but they are on UK passports so no UAE visa charges anyway.
plum2
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Latest post on 28 January 2011 - 17:50
Hi Bizarre Yes I am happy to receive stuff in aid of the Rashid Paediatric Therapy Centre. I live in the Ranches but could possibly collect from elsewhere. Please Post your email and I will contact you. TIA Plum <em>edited by plum2 on 28/01/2011</em>
plum2
1913
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Latest post on 26 January 2011 - 20:19
i want to get mine fixed, tyers, new chain etc - is it just cheaper to get a new bike? I also used Decathlon at MCC. I was at the point of almost ditching a bike with broken gear and rusty chain etc. They fixed it much cheaper than the cost of even the cheapest new bike. Great service.
plum2
1913
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Latest post on 24 January 2011 - 20:10
Ok DR. Keep me posted!
plum2
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Latest post on 24 January 2011 - 18:33
I guess if he's 27 months now there is a chance he could be 3 by 1 Sept or soon after. However, if he has a language delay I would not be rushing to put him in to FS1 this September but delay starting big school till Sept 2012. That will give him lots of time to catch up. A lot of research shows that, particularly for boys, there are advantages to being towards the older end of the class rather than being one of the youngest. No good Nursery should have a problem accepting a child with a language delay, particularly if they know you are doing something about it.
plum2
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Latest post on 24 January 2011 - 15:05
Do not believe everything you read on here!! At the Rashid Paediatric Therapy Centre (next to MOE) you do not have to pay to see a doctor before starting therapy. At the moment they have only a small waiting list which they say should equate to maybe a 2 week wait. They are a non for profit centre with excellent western trained therapists at reasonable rates (300dhs an hour). 04 340 0005 The senior SLT is called Jess Renton. Leave a message for her. <em>edited by plum2 on 24/01/2011</em>
plum2
1913
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Latest post on 23 January 2011 - 18:28
I had some really bad black mould in our rarely used maid's bathroom (we don't have a maid). I sprayed it with bleach and just left it for a few days, respraying a couple of times. it takes time but it does work. All grout now nice and white. Obviously this only works if you have an area where you can safely leave bleach,I.e. No kids around.
plum2
1913
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Latest post on 20 January 2011 - 13:00
Mushrif Park Equestrian Centre 04 257 1256. Lisa and Tracey are both excellent instructors. They have quite a lot of adult students.
plum2
1913
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Latest post on 20 January 2011 - 12:52
Children generally need to have turned 4 by the beginning of Sept or at the latest by around the 15th Sept to start in FS2. Younger than this and it would be FS1. Going with the younger year group is often no bad thing. Those who are the youngest in the year group often struggle, particularly some boys. JESS in AR is the closest but has no spaces available. There is a general shortage of school places in the early years. Other schools would be Regent International in the Greens, Repton or a new Wellington school in Silicon Oasis.
plum2
1913
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Latest post on 17 January 2011 - 21:02
There is a pretty good map on the website. From AR take the Emirates Rd down one junction and then turn onto the Al Ain Rd. http://www.descdubai.com/location/location.html
plum2
1913
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Latest post on 17 January 2011 - 16:02
I wash mine in the machine regularly. I let them half dry naturally then put them back on the furniture slightly damp and they are fine. I don't do mine that often but a friend washes her cream ones monthly and they still look fine.
plum2
1913
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 17 January 2011 - 15:54
Not at Repton.
plum2
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Latest post on 17 January 2011 - 15:53
If you don't have a maintenance contract and want AC filters cleaned call Sam at Renovo. 050 105 0329 They are the most reliable and reasonable maintenance company I have dealt with.
plum2
1913
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Latest post on 17 January 2011 - 15:50
From Sh Zayed Rd keep in the right hand lane coming under the Trade Centre roundabout. After this tunnel merge to the right. Then stay right over in the right hand lane. Peel off to the right - should be signposted to Wafi. Then keep left, go under the next road then off to the right, up and around to join the road you have just gone under. Wafi and Healthcare City will be on your right. Just go straight. Through the lights and DESS is in the next block on your right. There is a slip road entry before the school, just by the church car park.
plum2
1913
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Latest post on 11 January 2011 - 16:05
Or you can buy the Nol cards from metro stations.
plum2
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Latest post on 11 January 2011 - 13:01
It's not much but not sure exactly. Best to buy them NOL cards because you can't just pay the driver. They then hold their card up to the reader machine on entry and exit of the bus and the fare is deducted. If you get on the bus at the last stop in the Ranches (which is by Mirador La Colleccion I think) or close to that roundabout, then it is only about 20 mins. The bus goes clockwise around the perimeter road so depending on where you get on it can take ages. HTH edited by plum2 on 11/01/2011 <em>edited by plum2 on 11/01/2011</em>
plum2
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Latest post on 11 January 2011 - 12:56
Call Sam at Renovo. Lovely guy. They will do a whole range of maintenance jobs without contracts. I have used them a lot lately for a whole range of stuff and the have been excellent. 050 105 0329
plum2
1913
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Latest post on 10 January 2011 - 19:27
Gracesandie Don't fret. There are always some unscrupulous people who buy them to sell on at a profit. You will be able to get tickets Im sure.
plum2
1913
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Latest post on 09 January 2011 - 16:41
If you happen to live in Mirdif there is an EW poster (lawyer with stamp) who lives there who will often help people out.
plum2
1913
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Latest post on 09 January 2011 - 16:39
I think it also depends on how much garden you have and the irrigation requirements. We are also in Saheel in 3 bedroom with a pool. We have 2 teenage children so long showers! No maid. I am sure our bills are higher than Northern Chic's but we have 10 palm trees and other gardens which I am sure take a lot of water. It is lovely to have the green and all the birds around though. I will check the bills tonight and update the post.
plum2
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Latest post on 09 January 2011 - 15:58
We are in Saheel and have had an outside hose taken from the side of the garage. With 4 bikes and a mountain of other stuff in our garage I am constantly telling the rest of my family not to leave the garage door open. They think I'm mad.
plum2
1913
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Latest post on 09 January 2011 - 15:52
apparently they smash as much as they can and they try to set fire to them. They also urinate in them and other things. Knowing this you have to wonder why people leave them unlocked. It's hardly going to be an attractive rental proposition in that state!
plum2
1913
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Latest post on 09 January 2011 - 15:13
Hi Being already 3, your daughter will be eligible for FS1/Nursery year in many British Curriculum Schools. Many schools start at this age. The children have to have turned 3 by the beginning of September, so your DD will be one of the older ones. The only schools not to start at this age are I think Jebel Ali and DESS. They start at FS2 or Reception. The problem with waiting till FS2 is that those in FS! take all the places and there are often only a few extra available in FS2 and these are often taken by siblings.
plum2
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Latest post on 08 January 2011 - 17:24
There is a fairly new shoe repair place close to MOE, directly opposite the entrance to the Lulu Hypermarket.
plum2
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Latest post on 07 January 2011 - 06:53
From AR you would head onto Emirates Rd, down one junction and then in through Al Barsha south. That road is being improved hugely with new flyovers. I can get from AR to Dubai College easily in 15 mins even at peak times. I would say no more than 20 mins to Internet city.
plum2
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Latest post on 06 January 2011 - 22:09
There is a used book store at the back of Ibn Battuta mall as well as one on Beach road, I think it is in Jumeriah Plaza. edited by cafe au lait on 04/01/2011 It's called House of Prose. There is also Bookworld in Plant Street, Satwa, which has second hand books.
plum2
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Latest post on 04 January 2011 - 08:54
If you are struggling to sort out a school then Fiona can be v useful. She charges a flat fee of 6,000 dhs I believe. Not sure if this is per child or what. That would be pretty costly if you have several children!
plum2
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Latest post on 04 January 2011 - 08:43
to answer your Qs regarding finding places.......it is next to impossible to find places in older well established schools specially in certain year groups (age 4+, 7+ and 11+ for example) but the newer IB schools like Repton, a new Gems one cant remember name (and maybe also Greenfield?) seem to have no space issues. Repton only offers IB for the 6th form.u.e. years 12 and 13. The primary school offers the British Curriculum.
plum2
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Latest post on 03 January 2011 - 21:14
I would second Mushrif Park Equestrian Centre. Very relaxed and great instructors in Lisa and Tracey. Call 04 257 1256
 
 
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