Raahatd58348

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Latest post on 30 May 2012 - 10:54

Don't bother looking for buttermilk Always add good squirt lemon juice into normal milk wait a while Job done Great for pancakes, scones and some cakes Yumm :) Yay I could answer a question for once rather than pleading for answers all the time lol

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Latest post on 29 May 2012 - 03:48

We read about this fire just as it had started while we were pursuing Qatar living and expat woman for hints and tips as we r moving there soon... Thought it was going to be a small thing Can't believe we woke up this morning to hear it has turned into such a huge tragedy Very very sad As a parent of young children it breaks my heart and will pray for strength for the parents of these angels... Life is precious ... We all need hug our children a little tighter tonight and pray for these families :(

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Latest post on 28 May 2012 - 05:56

Wow so much information Thanks so so much you guys Thisnisnstuff you just don't think about... Huge info to keep adding to my notes but so very helpful Maybe I shd bring a few tonnes of Merlo and sell them to ppl ;) I am going to fine comb thru these comment later tonight guys and respond...but leave my cruiser bike :( really? We have to pay for shipping for so will have to factor that in too...I guess also debating whether to bring fridge washing etc although they have served us excellently for 10 years - touchwood- I would hate that we ship them there and hey clock out lol Wow so much read I will go throu it's great to have this info.... Am looking at places I think I have been heading about al fardaan developments, ain Khalid gate, y village which I think is way out of our allowance and I would rather pau extra for school fees than fancier homes I am truly happy with a 3 bedroom, a backyard and extra room to down downstairs rather than a sperate living area upstairs which the kids just never use but spread their stuff everywhere Oh and a compund which has room for them to bike and lots of swimming they love their bikes and the water....organized activities or indoor stuff would be a bonus for hot summer months But seems that most compunds have playground which are more kiddyish? Need not be fancy place but a good kitchen and room for boys to stretch their legs and meet other kids their age? Not sure about schools yet as we are outside wait lists lol as my husband was just offered the job....so will have to take a home with the above qualities ...any suggestions please ??? and move a little bit later if we r truly unhappy with driving Is it a huge deal to break leases in Doha? Here is another silly question...does anyone bother growing veges like chillies and herbs *duckinkg for cover* lol Oh while on schools and we are looking at the usual suspects Parkhouse sherborne and Doha Which ones are good for boys and sports . Any recommendations Sorry guys this thread is all over the place :) but so appreciated! Many many Thks

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Latest post on 27 May 2012 - 15:43

Hi guys Dan Lou do you mind if i asked which compund in Ain Khaled u are in..we are about to move from the GoldCoast too and our kids 6 and 7 live on thier bikes and the pool as well..so would trust your judgemnt... if you dont mind me asking that is apparently there are quite a few in Ain Khaled also how do we get notifed if someone respnds to our messgae so we dont have to keep checking threads to see if additional pots have been made thanks again :)

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Latest post on 27 May 2012 - 14:10

Hi kabeeka Thks for your reply Do U actually use the coffee machine I have mine on layby so lol might buy it and sneak into the shipment ;) How long have u been Qatar and where in Oz do u hail from? So bring as much as I can ? Maybe I shd buy new stuff coz som of the new appliances are so cool in design and so cheap... My boys will be in grade 1 and three And what throws me is that they are not even in on the wait lists as all the wait lists have closed My husband just received his offer last t week.... So am super stressed about schools I am trying for park house Doha college and sherbourne But all of them have just nicely dismissed So my hopes are to literally go there and beg when we land Do your kids go to Asd or acs Bit out of range and didn't want to spend more on school and use up all we would have saved in tax here in oz... Have u seen any compounds that u recommend for kids -- so used to outside activite here... Many thks! Are there many Aussies that u meet up with there? :) R

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Latest post on 26 May 2012 - 19:08

hi anthea and everyone - silly spell check - sorry :) We r moving form Australia to Doha and are looking at the same problem and things of loydence as an option.... I have two boys 5 and 7 so similar age I see loydence has two campuses? Which campuses do you children go to? What sort of activities do they have? And do the kids have good playground equipment? Which compund would be near to loydence which you feel would be good with children... My husband will be working at the pearl Many thanks for your help So stressful trying to figure out the unknown <em>edited by Raahatd on 26/05/2012</em>

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Latest post on 19 May 2012 - 13:52

Thanks guys... DH just got back from his super quick trip and we will be chatting over next couple days...about what he saw etc Thks again....will keep u guys posted :) Quick question, are rents rising quickly? I e even if we sign in for X amount will we be out of our budget in couple years or once u are in a villa Then the increases are insignificant Thks :)

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Latest post on 19 May 2012 - 13:48

Thanks guys... Really two schools with similar names?.lol...how did they allow that? DH just got back from his super quick trip and we will be chatting over next couple days...Thks again ...will keep u guys posted :)

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Latest post on 17 May 2012 - 12:19

LALALA don't worry I have very thick skin and I usually scar wool off by my bluntness so it's good to see this honesty...thanks...can I pvt MSG you? Also do you mind me asking which school your kid(s) are in? Thanks guys ....Major error I realised after posting....meant if kids venture out to play after 4 PM..not am sorry then what time are hey in bed by? Gharaffa will look into it...is gulf gardens the same as GOlf gardens? Somewhere on Internet saying it had some major sewage problems at one time *Sigh...sometimes too much info can be a bad thing! :) Any recommendations on compunds ..they don't really have names on website oh And there seem to be so many websites ...any major website recommended showing all available for rent...ESP compund villas... And does anyone recommend any compounds around the gharaffa area... child friendly for kids...larger ones so ,hopefully more atmosphere and more organized activities? DH flies back Saturday so will have a more real idea of things then...right now swimming in the dark almost...still we are extremely lucky for the facilities and technology of today...wonder what ppl did 10 years ago...or more? Yes DESS told me last week we need to be British lol Acs and asd look nice but fees way to high! I did look at loydence ast week...someone said it was a 'temporary' school meaning a learning centre for kids to go to till they received a proper school placement... Thanks again guys

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Latest post on 17 May 2012 - 11:56

Thanks again GinaM ...lots to think about...but schooling is main concern...particularly coz of wait list and sheer diff in fees everywhere :(

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Latest post on 17 May 2012 - 07:01

Thanks Gina M and dotty Thanks guys for your responses....My husband last night he will be working in the pearl area so not sure then how far this would be from WB lagoon area? If west bay lagoon is a super huge compund would all the mini compunds within them have access to the same facilities? I see rents vary depending on house style and compunds within the WB lagoon My husband is getting $11 k allowance for rent...not much I think But I think we will have to contribute some from our end, Is it worth it or can we get a decent place in a Decent compund for kids not necessarily in the WB lagoon area? Also Gina can I ask which school your son goes to? And your thoughts of the school? Also if kids venture out at 4 am which what a lot off ppl have told me...what time do they sleep...coz school starts pretty early ? Lastly, has anyone heard of the English modern school? If none of my first options work out what are anyone's thoughts on this school please and how far would it from the pearl ? Thanks again :) This helps so much raahat

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Latest post on 17 May 2012 - 06:55

Thanks guys for your responses Thks lalala If west bay lagoon is a super huge compund would all the mini compunds within them have access to the same facilities? I see rents vary depending on house style and compunds within the WB lagoon My husband last night he will be working in the pearl area so not sure then how far this would be from WB lagoon area? Hey ausgirl how long have you been in Doha? And over it or enjoying it? My husband is getting $11 k allowance for rent...not much I think But I think we will have to contribute some from our end, Is it worth it or can we get a decent kolace Ina. Decent compund for kids not necessarily in the WB lagoon area? Thanks again

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Latest post on 16 May 2012 - 17:30

Thanks dottymom Can I ask another question? I know that my sister in law who has just moved to Saudi..her kids go in the school bus which picks them at compound...is that common in Doha? If yes is there a reason u woudnlt do it? Maybe to stay in touch with teachers? Thanks againOh and in relation to compounds..what about al fardaan gardens v? Seems really huge with lots of facilities...any similar compounds anyone can recommend please...where lots of kids activities in the compund? Many thanks all :)

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Latest post on 16 May 2012 - 17:24

Thanks again LALALA Yes I am aware the Doha is mainly a construction site And yes we do drive our kids around to parks too so I am ok with that So west bay is diff from west bay lagoon? How so...I don't know where he will be working but he has jus test back saying 5-10 min drive but again as u say..it could be west bay or west bay lagoon or that roundabout thing...will know more when he gets back LALALA cam I ask what age your chilled are and which school they go to? I would def prefer to drive around less Sorry guys .....last post Unrelated to coffee..having said that ausgirl u well deserve it and if we do end up c,oing to Qatar I would love to crash the coffee meet as well ;) could talk shoes and massages all day...

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Latest post on 16 May 2012 - 11:26

hi guys Sorry to barge this post I need to know, living in Westbay How far is it from most schools such as Sherborne Doha college Park house Asd Yes I am aware of the wait lists on these schools and have no hope but am trying to find diff areas of living to while researching schools Also do you find lots of free open spaces for kids to bike or run around in Because we on gold coast in Australia we Have been lucky with open spaces and tonnes of parks and beaches My husband is currently there for five days talking to a prospective comany and learning about doha, and while he says he likes Doha he says his main concern is our kids r used to being outside I know that we can probable enrol them in organized activates after school, but will that be expensive? Also another question, if it's super hit during the day time and school starts around 7-8 in the morning and finishes around 2pm , do kids actually do much in the evening...wouldn't they need to go to bed early for school in the morning? I see somewhere that someone has mentioned lots of parks and lagoon in Westbay area dn that why they choose to live there, but does that mean they are driving 2 hours a day to and from schools? So just rough idea on the above schools and how far they might be from west bay area? Any good similar schools I can start harrassing AROUND the west bay area? Lastly roughly what would be the rents Ina compund in west bay near parks Not an apartment but a villa please? I do apologise for gate crashing this post once again!

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Latest post on 16 May 2012 - 11:23

hi guys Sorry to barge this post LALALA u remember me from my other post... I need to know, living in Westbay How far is it from most schools such as Sherborne Doha college Park house Asd Yes I am aware of the wait lists on these schools and have no hope but am trying to find diff areas of living to while researching schools Also do you find lots of free open spaces for kids to bike or run around in Because we on gold coast in Australia we Have been lucky with open spaces and tonnes of parks and beaches My husband is currently there for five days talking to a prospective comany and learning about doha, and while he says he likes Doha he says his main concern is our kids r used to being outside Is see somewhere that someone has mentioned lots of parks and lagoon in Westbay area dn that why they choose to live there, but does that mean they are driving 2 hours a day to and from schools? So just rough idea on the above schools and how far they might be from west bay area? Any good similar schools I can start harrassing AROUND the west bay area? Lastly roughly what would be the rents Ina compund in west bay near parks Not an apartment but a villa please? I do apologise for gate crashing this post once again!

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Latest post on 16 May 2012 - 11:18

hi guys Sorry to barge this post LALALA u remember me from my other post... I need to know, living in Westbay How far is it from most schools such as Sherborne Doha college Park house Asd Yes I am aware of the wait lists on these schools and have no hope but am trying to find diff areas of living to while researching schools Also do you find lots of free open spaces for kids to bike or run around in Because we on gold coast in Australia we Have been lucky with open spaces and tonnes of parks and beaches My husband is currently there for five days talking to a prospective comany and learning about doha, and while he says he likes Doha he says his main concern is our kids r used to being outside Is see somewhere that someone has mentioned lots of parks and lagoon in Westbay area dn that why they choose to live there, but does that mean they are driving 2 hours a day to and from schools? So just rough idea on the above schools and how far they might be from west bay area? Any good similar schools I can start harrassing AROUND the west bay area? Lastly roughly what would be the rents Ina compund in west bay near parks Not an apartment but a villa please? I do apologise for gate crashing this post once again!

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Latest post on 15 May 2012 - 11:12

Lol sorry guys I know how ditzy my request sounds, I am a chartered accountant and a CPA by the way so am quite practical but have had a few diff issues happen last year and my child's prev school which led me onto a hunt for the right school But now this (damn) opportunity my husband has ;) And so my motherly instincts have gone into overdrive I tend to do overdo things to the point of craziness So while it works in my professional life It drives my husband up the wall in these matters So stand back and laugh I laugh with you :) I have already looked knott eh statics of all the schools - the main ones And ppl saying they can't get in for 2 years etc Read all forums to death and have called schools including Dess which have said no passport don't bother So had british Montessori by the way And looked into classroom sizes teachers etc everything But can't get an idea of moms point of view from these stats And my husband who just landed there this morning won't see things the way I do LALALA FYI I grew up in Singapore so full concrete I know where you are coming from about that And coz my husband grew in Kenya he thinks I am being crazy Lol Sorry guys Will the typical route I guess Thanks agin for bringing me back downl to earth :)

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Latest post on 14 May 2012 - 04:28

Thanks Dan Lou I am becoming very aware of the wait lists and the luck with which a spot might be available...I have made it my mission to keep in regular touch with my short listed schools which I guess are the same schools on everyone lists.. However was looking for personal experience in terms of schools with a wholistic approach with rife of activities and (Is this asking too much.) a natural environment with tress and sand pists and natural playing equipemnt....rather than fake playing equipemnts and fake grass I don't mean to offend anyone here.... Funny that you emntioedn ISL of all the schools I have contacting and emailing, sherborne, Doha college, Montessori Acs etc, ISL I haven't had luck reaching or emailing Another question If we r being offerned an allowance of 30k Qatar per child, shd we negotiate a better school allowance or better house allowance and pay extra for school from our pockkets or pay extra house form our pockets? Or it doesn't make a diff Thks again...

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Latest post on 13 May 2012 - 15:34

We are planning a move from Australia to Qatar and are now worried about schools and the type of education that will be available for our two boys aged 5 and 7. I would really appreciate your input as to which schools you would recommend for primary kids in ...going to grade 3 and grade 1... My two boys are extremely bright yet learned in completely different ways... One..the 7 year old learns very academically...the 5 year old is extremely hands on yet top of the class in maths and science We also would appreciate - though this can be organized after school - arabic studies I would like a school that is academic yet has realizes the importance of learning through exploring building and experimental activities... Please please help We are planning to move to Doha but this whole school business is stressing me out due to all the issues with long waiting lists I have just gone through the process of interviewing and assessing 12 schools here on the Gold Coast last year before changing schools and finding the right school and it seems that I am now going through this yet again trying to find a school which will nurture the strengths of both my boys. We are from Australia so we do not really worry whether there is an American or British curriculum at this stage Many many thanks Raahat

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