RachelA | ExpatWoman.com
 

RachelA

1326
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 09 January 2011 - 23:48
My son has been at ISL since they opened - now in its 3rd year. He has only been in the secondary school, so I can't comment personally on primary although I know many happy parents. They are short on some facilities but I honestly feel that the quality and commitment of the teachers more than makes up for it. Have been extremely pleased with the teaching and learning.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 09 January 2011 - 16:03
With Australian and American passports, don't think you'll have much of a chance at Doha College. Also the fees at ASD end up being higher than Compass when you add in the Capital Fee. But then, the facilities at ASD are superb. Good luck!
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 09 January 2011 - 14:04
And I think there is also one in Centerpoint (Al Saad), no?
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 08 January 2011 - 21:45
Except that we're in Qatar! Thanks anyway dubai99. Sega was that quick enough? ;)
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 08 January 2011 - 13:10
I highly recommend Greg Tanner, who is also a podiatrist at Aspetar. Depending om your insurance, you might need a referral in order for it to be covered. <em>edited by RachelA on 08/01/2011</em>
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 08 January 2011 - 13:08
I was in Landmark on Wed and Boots was opened. Really looking forward to Wafi!!
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 07 January 2011 - 11:08
Even if you do fulfill the contract, the other case where you might lose your ticket home is if you are transferring to another job within Qatar and require an NOC. In my work (and I suspect many others) a part of the clearance process is telling the employer if you will have your RP canceled or transferred to another employer. If it is being canceled and there are no other pending issues, the flight tickets home will be provided. But if you are doing an internal transfer w/i Qatar, they won't. A rep of our HR department explained to me that if you request a cancellation and then leave and re-enter only to THEN request the NOC, it could very well be denied and they you have lost the chance at working in Qatar for the short-to-medium term. I'm assuming that if and when the rumored end to the NOC system ever comes, this will be a non-issue. But until then...
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 07 January 2011 - 11:02
Well sorry to tell you suzzyJ that you're going to have a keep waiting. Sega was speaking of the Lulu on the D Ring Road in Doha, Qatar. This thread is posted on the Qatar forum. Sega, glad I noticed this as I had missed it when you first posted. I haven't found LF cottage cheese here yet, and while very few things get me into the D Ring Lulu, this one definitely will! Thanks for the heads up... carathop hope I didn't keep you waiting too long!! ;)
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 06 January 2011 - 19:55
A family who left this past year - Aussie wife and American husband - had their 2 kids at ASD and were both quite happy. There are quite a few ASD families living in QIPCO which isn't too far from the Pearl, and I'm pretty sure the ASD busses go out there. Just another option to consider.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 06 January 2011 - 19:50
Good to see you're not crying over spilled milk!! :\: Sorry daga, just couldn't help myself! Have a great vacation!
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 05 January 2011 - 19:29
Last time we did it we used the photo shop at Villagio down past The One - just before Patrice Salon. But like pwb78 said, I think most of the photo shops around town can do it. Just be sure to let them know its for a US passport, since the requirements (as you know) are pretty strict.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 05 January 2011 - 19:28
Well since living here I have bought 2 MacBooks, 1 in the US (via Shop and Ship) and one here. There are no differences other than the one from here having Arabic as well as English on the keyboard. Software-wise they are identical. The face time issue on the iPhone is apparently dictated by Qtel from what I understand. I found Carrefour to have the best price for the MacBook by a few hundred QR, but I don't know if they sell Apple desktops. I would definitely check out iSpot. They have a branch in City Center, and I think one or two others but I'm not sure where. And also Office One (is that the name? doesn't sound right now that I look at it...) by the Midmac r/a. If buying in the US isn't an option, I'd say get it here. BTW Apple in the US won't ship to the US Shop and Ship address. At least they wouldn't a few years ago. They recognize it as a "freight forwarding" address and it interferes with their international authorized resellers agreement. FYI... I am a total Mac fan. Don't think you'll regret the move one bit!
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 04 January 2011 - 22:38
Okay Gina, I registered for Australia. Now just remember - if they don't score much, I know where you live!! ;)
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 04 January 2011 - 22:11
Okay, now put away your personal bias and tell me, objectively, WHICH TEAM IS GOING TO SCORE POINTS? MANY POINTS?
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 04 January 2011 - 21:50
lol Jill! So do I go with Iraq, Qatar, Australia or South Korea? I went to a Qatar/Iraq match in 2006 but can't remember who won!
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 04 January 2011 - 21:07
I know zero about soccer. Qtel is running a promo where you pick a team and for every goal they score you get 200 nojoom points. I usually use my points to buy hala credit for my son's phone, so would love to rack up a few extras during the upcoming matches. So - does anyone have a guess as to which team is likely to score? I don't care AT ALL otherwise. :\: Thanks!
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 04 January 2011 - 20:59
I'm pretty sure that main entrance is the only entrance. You first go through 1 level of security where they check your appointment notice then do a quick pat-down before letting you in. Then it's through another security with x-ray etc. where they take your phone if you have, then direct you to the main building (down a long path) and the consular offices are in there. It shouldn't be too bad really. Before renewing mine here the last place I did it was Cairo. Total and complete nightmare start to finish!
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 04 January 2011 - 14:17
I did my son's last year and we had the same experience. Make sure you've got all of the forms filled in correctly. And if it's for a minor, BOTH parents have to be present or you need a separate notarized form for the absent parent. But assuming all is in order, you submit your paperwork, pay the fee, take your receipt, then come back about 2 weeks later with the reciept. They'll send you an email letting you know when it's there. I think that the appointments are issued in blocks, and once you get there you will still need to take a number, so bring a book with you! Oh and if you've not been to the Embassy, the most annoying part is going through security. Best not to bring a phone in with you as they'll just keep it anyway. So best to leave whatever you can locked in your car and just go in with your ID and the needed documents and your wallet. The security people are not particularly friendly either.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 04 January 2011 - 14:09
I have friend who did the course at Stendon a few years ago (when it was still the old name - CHS? CSH?) and they liked it a lot.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 04 January 2011 - 14:08
Good to know! I might try to head out to the Corniche this evening!
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 03 January 2011 - 22:03
They also have a branch in The Mall, but no camera section. Clothes, makeup, perfume and shoes. I'm loving the thought of Armani jeans for a 3 month old - for more than I have ever paid for jeans in my entire life! :)
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 03 January 2011 - 20:04
One of my Qatari colleagues mentioned that she had seen them too - she had no clue why either. Sorry I missed them!
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 02 January 2011 - 21:51
Oh darn - I step away for a mere few hours and look at all the fun I missed! I agree completely with GinaM - a recommendation from a satisfied customer means something different than a self-promoting advertisement. I guess this is just the risk we run by participating in a free and open forum. But since EW-ers come through with great advice 99% of the time, I still say we win!
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 01 January 2011 - 01:50
Guess it's a little late now, but... This is our 6th NYE here, and I've never known of any fireworks. Have only seen them here on National Day, and a few times for Eid.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 01 January 2011 - 01:47
My son had a friend who was in Jeliah a couple of years ago, and from what I remember there were lots of young kids about. Hope that helps.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 01 January 2011 - 01:42
Depending on which side of town you live, there is also one in Al Wakra. I know some folks who live close to the Airport side of town who use that one - only about 15 minutes away and much calmer than the Industrial Area.