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sandfly

sandfly
504
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EW GURU
Latest post on 09 May 2012 - 20:11
Hi everyone, As was stated last night... If an official from this group would like to contact us through the proper channels we are more than happy to put this information on the site, as we do for many groups and charities... This was also advised in previous communication. When the information needs to be updated an email can be sent to us and pages are very quick to update.... Not a problem at all. If someone would like to email the details through to [email protected] and it will all be dealt with very quickly. EW Admin probably being dumb here, but what group? I thought it was just BFC's list??
sandfly
504
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EW GURU
Latest post on 08 May 2012 - 22:10
And I really wish all the schools etc would not call themselves British curriculum. All the SATS tests etc (which were supposedly never designed to test the children, but the schools - but of course, very predictably, are now used to label kids) are *English*; they are at least a little bit more sane in Scotland. (mutter mutter) (IB parent) Both our schools call it the English Curriculum or "national curriculum of England" to be exact... Oh good, there are some that know what they are doing then!
sandfly
504
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EW GURU
Latest post on 08 May 2012 - 21:04
And I really wish all the schools etc would not call themselves British curriculum. All the SATS tests etc (which were supposedly never designed to test the children, but the schools - but of course, very predictably, are now used to label kids) are *English*; they are at least a little bit more sane in Scotland. (mutter mutter) (IB parent)
sandfly
504
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EW GURU
Latest post on 08 May 2012 - 20:59
it might, couldn't hurt to try (especially if you know someone you can borrow one from) but am pretty sure you mean a humidifier (puts moisture into the air) not a dehumidifier (takes it out). If I'm wrong, no, I don't think it would help, I think you need to make the air more moist if anything.
sandfly
504
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EW GURU
Latest post on 08 May 2012 - 20:57
Hi, my two girls are due to start Safa in September. Having read the new school report, only 20% of the parents replied to the questionaire and 40% of teachers. This seems to show a lack of interest and is very worrying. Are current pupils leaving the school? - hence the poor response. If anybody has kids in Safa currently please do reply. Thanks. look at some of the other reports - the numbers are not that unusual. It may have more to do with other things (eg people's views of the KHDA or the inspection system) as much as with their involvement in the school. (however I don't know anyone at Safa, sorry)
sandfly
504
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EW GURU
Latest post on 07 May 2012 - 15:04
You are right. In the context it was actually pretty funny :) :)
sandfly
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EW GURU
Latest post on 07 May 2012 - 14:29
That stated I would still compare now the benefit of trying to learn one of the world's most difficult languages at age 6 with the benefit of her being taught in and learning to [b'>read and write English as best as possible[/b'>. . :) hahaha http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2006-01-11/features/0601100366_1_phrase-cambridge-university-press-grammatical Really? How very sad...... ah, we can all google if we want to: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Is_As_best_as_possible_a_correct_grammar And we all make mistakes and use less than perfect English. It was only amusing in the context of the particular sentence.... I don't normally comment on such things!
sandfly
504
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EW GURU
Latest post on 07 May 2012 - 13:47
I agree with almost everything you said but would argue that a mother in her spare time is the perfect teaching assistant! [b'>Where do you think the ones in the school right now come from? [/b'>They are paid 4,000dhs a month with no benefits in the TOP schools here. :( I think that was her point.... she wants two qualified teachers per class, not a teacher and a bored mother. (ETA, not sure I agree with her, but your question above seemed to miss the point of her post) edited by sandfly on 07/05/2012 I know teachers at a top school that "may" be able to get that 400dhs a month raise they have been hoping for. Two qualified teachers in a school? That would be glorious but would just be too cost prohibitive and I have never seen it happen anywhere in the world? Another thought is also that teachers are too territorial and it would be hard to be taught by two "alphas" in the classroom. As far as teaching assistants I have rarely if ever in all the schools here that I have been inside of have I seen those positions mostly filled by "bored mothers!" They are usually filled with women from 3rd world countries who will accept a low pay for little thanks. I would suggest that a lot of them (like nurses compared to doctors) are the ones doing the cart load of work. In schools they are the ones giving the majority hugs and the cuddles to your little ones. They are the ones that know "little Peter doesn't like strawberry milk. He prefers chocolate." These women are VERY valuable! edited by americanfamily3 on 07/05/2012 hmm mostly mums in my school. However - never had TAs in my day, they seem like a great idea, and I do struggle with why you would need 2 qualified teachers for 18 kids; nevertheless that was what the post to which you were replying actually said. Interesting to suggest teachers and doctors don't do much work - do you not think it might be more appropriate to suggest that the work they do is of a different nature to that done by TAs and nurses?
sandfly
504
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EW GURU
Latest post on 07 May 2012 - 13:44
That stated I would still compare now the benefit of trying to learn one of the world's most difficult languages at age 6 with the benefit of her being taught in and learning to [b'>read and write English as best as possible[/b'>. . :)
sandfly
504
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EW GURU
Latest post on 07 May 2012 - 13:18
I agree with almost everything you said but would argue that a mother in her spare time is the perfect teaching assistant! [b'>Where do you think the ones in the school right now come from? [/b'>They are paid 4,000dhs a month with no benefits in the TOP schools here. :( I think that was her point.... she wants two qualified teachers per class, not a teacher and a bored mother. (ETA, not sure I agree with her, but your question above seemed to miss the point of her post) <em>edited by sandfly on 07/05/2012</em>
sandfly
504
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EW GURU
Latest post on 07 May 2012 - 11:53
but if they're about to turn off they can't overtake and they're not undertaking - just turning off... can't say really, i wasn't there....i always adjust my speed to my own needs rather than expecting other road users to... he was doing it for a while - plenty of time for him to overtake - and there were lorries to the right of her, which suggests that there was a further lane to the right not being used for turning off. Basically as long as you are going faster than the people to the right of you, and there are empty lanes to the left of you, I can't see that anyone can claim you are holding up traffic.
sandfly
504
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EW GURU
Latest post on 07 May 2012 - 11:28
Em2san i think you misunderstood my post, I was in the second slowest lane, and he could have just moved into the third lane and overtaken me sensibly. I am not brave enough to be in the 5th or 6th lane. Yes have him in his full glory as clear as day. I wasn't taken pictures, the camera runs video automatically so there was no wreckless driving on my side. I understand in AD that they are encouraging people to take such footage in order to get people. If I knew he had no family here I wouldn't hesitate in handing it over. The inside two lanes are generally for people turning, or preparing to turn off so are best avoided..was he wanting to turn off and frustrated at your slow speed ?? Not condoning his behaviour but why could you not have moved across ?? You said yourself there were 4 clear lanes to choose from... Also, if you think you need to be "brave" to utilise the whole road then maybe you need to be working on your confidence - as JD says, you need to be able to keep up with the flow of traffic... Sue do you actually have a driving licence???? that is a scary comment. LOL !! which bit ? the idea that you should move to the left to let someone 'undertake' you rather than them moving to the left and overtaking in the normal manner!
sandfly
504
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EW GURU
Latest post on 07 May 2012 - 11:24
Em2san i think you misunderstood my post, I was in the second slowest lane, and he could have just moved into the third lane and overtaken me sensibly. I am not brave enough to be in the 5th or 6th lane. Yes have him in his full glory as clear as day. I wasn't taken pictures, the camera runs video automatically so there was no wreckless driving on my side. I understand in AD that they are encouraging people to take such footage in order to get people. If I knew he had no family here I wouldn't hesitate in handing it over. The inside two lanes are generally for people turning, or preparing to turn off so are best avoided..was he wanting to turn off and frustrated at your slow speed ?? Not condoning his behaviour but why could you not have moved across ?? You said yourself there were 4 clear lanes to choose from... Also, if you think you need to be "brave" to utilise the whole road then maybe you need to be working on your confidence - as JD says, you need to be able to keep up with the flow of traffic... Sue do you actually have a driving licence???? that is a scary comment.
sandfly
504
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EW GURU
Latest post on 06 May 2012 - 22:37
I'm sorry that your daughter had to see that bit of rudeness. But from my understanding, one is not supposed to overtake from the right, so you should have changed lanes to the third lane and allowed the Ford that was tail-gating you to continue on the "fast-er" lane. she was in the second lane and couldn't move to the first because of the lorries.... there is no way she is talking about second from the left! as she points out herself, she couldn't move over, he presumably couldn't therefore have been 'undertaking', and there were plenty of other lanes for him to move into. wysiwyg, if you did get a photo of the hand signals and of his licence plate, take them to the police (though not sure what the rules on taking photos while driving are)
sandfly
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EW GURU
Latest post on 04 May 2012 - 20:50
I'm not sure that either the US or the UK is exactly thriving at the moment, and I don't really see what it adds to anything to start throwing stones at each other. As I see the systems (a little out of date, as have not had much exposure to either recently) the US system keeps things broader for longer than most systems; the English system (which I think is what you are talking about) does specialise more than most. The advantage is presumably of more education in the things you don't choose to specialise in. The disadvantage is that if you want to do something such as medicine or law it will take you a lot longer in the US (and as a result you will end up with a lot more debt...) as you have to go to college and do a first degree, then go to medical school or law school for another several years. I know the friend I had at university who was going back to the US to go to med school was very envious of my siblings who were going to come out of the 'system' far more quickly than she did. There certainly were (absolutely no idea if this is still the case) subjects where you had to have been to college in the US to get to the level of an A level student in the UK - that isn't a criticism, it is probably an inevitable result of having the broader education in high school. So ultimately as I see it there are pluses and minuses to both; and probably which is better in a particular case is going to depend on the child concerned. (the use of language in reading books is a side issue; I have the reverse problem of having to explain to mine what a flashlight is.....)
sandfly
504
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EW GURU
Latest post on 03 May 2012 - 16:47
These are sand fly bites and you probably need to go to a hospital / clinic for treatment. They will get worse and will not clear up without medical attention and a course of antiboitics. We were bitten by them in Dibba area some time ago and needed hospital care. yes, sandfly bites can be nasty.... :)
sandfly
504
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EW GURU
Latest post on 03 May 2012 - 12:09
here is some more information on Steiner: &lt;&lt;Maria, the thing which makes Steiner schools different fom other faith schools, is that they hide their belief. As far as I'm concerned, the two HUGE wrongs with their system is this deceipt, and the fact that anthroposophy is based on a belief of evolution which places races in a hiersrchical order, giving some races higher qualities than others.&gt;&gt; http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/education/713603-waldorf-steiner/AllOnOnePage http://www.waldorfcritics.org/
sandfly
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EW GURU
Latest post on 30 April 2012 - 20:46
I can def. recommend Arabian Nights. We've done a few tours with them, and each driver we had, was great. Camp is good, food is good (from BBQ). I've always paid Dhs 180 per adult, and children (I think) Dhs120 (or 100, not sure anymore). They also have vouchers in the entertainer book, but as we had used them a few times before, I just asked if they could give me the price above instead of using vouchers. I have also done a desert safari with Desert Adventures (not sure about company name, might be desert rangers ? They also had vouchers in the entertainer in 2009....long time ago). But I wasn't too impressed with the driver we had....felt a bit unsafe while dune bashing. But then again, that is nearly 3 years ago, so not the most recent experience. have used and enjoyed both Arabian Adventures (if you want lots of people at the desert camp) and Gulf Ventures (slightly more luxurious, smaller scale, driver was great and took us around gently instead of following the crowd, as 85 year old MIL was in the car; everyone was very attentive to her and she loved it)
sandfly
504
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EW GURU
Latest post on 30 April 2012 - 20:36
I have never had trouble with my Etisalat phone in the UK; and it seems to work with a bunch of different providers (driving round hilly bits of Scotland I keep getting 'welcome to Vodafone' 'Welcome to 02' etc. texts as the phone switches from one to another). However, I think that actually the problems are random, so no guarantee against them.
sandfly
504
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EW GURU
Latest post on 28 April 2012 - 22:35
getting bored of answering this question; you could try doing a search...... The UAE does not have the same kind of 'notary publics' as other legal systems; the notaries here are attached to the court, they are basically in one place and you have to go there; I think they are now somewhere in Al Barsha but am sure that if you search on here you will find details. Depending what you want to have done, you may be able to go to the relevant embassy, or use another kind of professional; for example as an English solicitor there are a bunch of things I can do (certifying copies of documents etc) for use in some jurisdictions - what do the instructions you have actually say?
sandfly
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EW GURU
Latest post on 27 April 2012 - 21:12
that is utterly bizarre. What was she afraid of; cockroaches breeding in it or something? People can be really very weird - her loss, though.
sandfly
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EW GURU
Latest post on 21 April 2012 - 22:48
or call the airline and check; it is unlikely to be a check in requirement as such, more that the first use of the ticket needs to be with the cc holder present (cc fraud is huge with airlines, but the risk is really with the initial flight, not every leg of a journey)
sandfly
504
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EW GURU
Latest post on 20 April 2012 - 22:22
Thanks MonkeyFace, what about appliances from here like a treadmill/tv? An adapter should suffice right? Any electrical items bought in Dubai will work fine in Australia, it's the same mains voltage as here, they just use a differently-shaped plug. As far as electricity is concerned it makes no difference if you buy a computer here or in Australia. Computers, like all items of consumer electronics, are designed to work anywhere in the world. except the US.....
sandfly
504
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EW GURU
Latest post on 20 April 2012 - 13:13
I have heard horrendous things about Greenfields. If you go to the desert speak forum you will see what I mean. There are several Raffles schools. I beleive the West Campus is the better one. I was intrigued by this as the only Greenfield parent I know is happy with the school - I can't find any interesting posts at all on the school in desert speak; searched GCS and Greenfield - can you give me a clue as to how to find??
sandfly
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EW GURU
Latest post on 17 April 2012 - 23:00
have to admit I don't know what the security guards do. I don't live there, but when I do visit I just drive in, they have never bothered to stop me like they do in AR or whatever - either they are just for decoration or they only stop people who look a certain way? They do stop people... Rox, they may, but I pop in there not infrequently and have never been stopped.
sandfly
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EW GURU
Latest post on 17 April 2012 - 22:47
have to admit I don't know what the security guards do. I don't live there, but when I do visit I just drive in, they have never bothered to stop me like they do in AR or whatever - either they are just for decoration or they only stop people who look a certain way?
sandfly
504
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EW GURU
Latest post on 17 April 2012 - 22:21
if you don't want to be carrying it - yes. (sorry!)
sandfly
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EW GURU
Latest post on 17 April 2012 - 20:22
Tephi, I don't think it matters matters as to where the Notary is from. That said, the embassy does the notary by filling out the the usually "predesigned" form, signs, stamps and embosses. The local notary here will affiix a rather large sticker (9cm x 15 cm) on the backside of the document which is printed in Arabic, signed etc. There is also a small square stamp affixed which shows the date and clearly says Notary Public on it. This small square stamp is also stamped on each page. Downside, you need to take a number and wait . So, in my opinion, I would think that either place will serve you no matter where the document is intended for. I just know the Embassy is quite expensive and the Dubai Court's only charged 60 dhs per document. (I was a Notary for years.) I hope this helps. For the documents I work with which need to be notarised, the notary has to be from the same country as the document is needed for; or, after having been notarised, the document needs to be 'legalised' - basically, you go to a ministry (Min of Justice here, straight to foreign office in UK), where they add another stamp saying the notary is a valid notary; then you go to the embassy of the country you need the document for to get another stamp saying that the ministry stamp(s) is/are genuine, then you may have one more step in the country of final use. However, there are countries where notarisation is needed for far more documents, and is less 'controlled', usually these are things where a notary would not be required in the UK but maybe a solicitor (or commissioner for oaths, which an English solicitor is automatically) would do. In those cases there isn't the same degree of checking. But again that is country specific, and document specific - if something actually needs to be notarised in the UK, and the notary is not just one of many options, I would not be inclined to assume that any old notary from anywhere would be enough without the extra hassle. If it is for the US where notaries seem to be much more common, I might be more relaxed. In any case it never has to do with your nationality, only the country where the document is required. (English qualified solicitor here, never been a notary - and of all the random places I have needed to get things notarised for, I can't recall ever doing so for the US)
sandfly
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EW GURU
Latest post on 17 April 2012 - 11:09
sandfly, i dont think I have time to get personal trainner since I am working 5 days a week and prefer to spend time with the boys once I got home and during weekend. So my only excercise is an 30 - 45 mins walking daily. ! Walking isn't going to do a whole lot for you either in terms of cardiovascular fitness or calorie burn. Obviously it is better than nothing.... However, I work 5 days a week and like to spend as much time with my kids as I can; I see my trainer after they are in bed. If you can't do that, you could try a DVD or similar - or something like Jillian Michael's 'shred' DVD (discussed on here before) gives you 20 minute workouts; would take less time than your walk and do more for you overall. The thing is that you need to push yourself; you won't get the results from just doing easy things.
sandfly
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EW GURU
Latest post on 16 April 2012 - 23:34
As long as they don't take our much needed half terms away, I am happy. I think September 20 is fab! I am overjoyed to have all this time with my children. Cause what I am getting now is nowhere near enough. 10 days less here and there won't make or break Aristotle. edited by Irooni on 16/04/2012 it isn't Sep 20 it is Sep 9, sorry to disappoint (see page 1 of the thread)
sandfly
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EW GURU
Latest post on 16 April 2012 - 23:27
could have just had it; rechargeable batteries don't last for ever. here is apple itself on the subject: http://www.apple.com/batteries/ipad.html - it does say you can replace them (ps if they are any cheaper in the UK, should be passing through LHR next week)
sandfly
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EW GURU
Latest post on 16 April 2012 - 23:20
Does anyone know of a notary in the UAE, either someone living here or have a visitor coming in that might provide these services at some point soon (month or few months)? I think you might be asking the wrong question. UAE notaries are all basically part of the court system and you have to go to their office (which I cannot for the life of me remember where it is; I know where it used to be.....) if you want something notarised for UAE purposes. And I am pretty sure it has to be in Arabic, or at least in dual languages - certainly all of the documents which I deal with do; there may be the odd exception. If you want notarial services for a document to be used in another country, your options are going to depend on the country concerned - for example, it may be that the relevant embassy can do whatever it is. So to get a useful answer, you probably need to expand a bit on what you need and for where. Sorry not to be of more help.
sandfly
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EW GURU
Latest post on 16 April 2012 - 17:41
Also a bit wierd that they have shut the airport and suspended all flights. slight overkill or is this normal practice? you wouldn't want to be taking off or landing on a runway where there is a plane which is about to explode.... which is the worst case scenario conceivable when there is smoke. 99.9% of the time it doesn't explode, but that is why they suspend flights and get the passengers off asap, without waiting to taxi to gate or anything, and have fire engines at the ready. That makes sense! All looks ok now..wonder what caused the fire in the cabin? Poor Airbus are not having a good time of it. I flew on the airbus last year and it was amazing...such a smooth flight. at least it isn't an A380, that would be giving Airbus executives nervous breakdowns..!!
sandfly
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EW GURU
Latest post on 16 April 2012 - 17:37
I agree with every one else on the second opinion and high regard for Dr. Loubser. I am amazed that a doctor would diagnose anorexia in a three year old. In fact, if you google "failure to thrive" anorexia is not listed at all in the possible causes. It sounds like you will want to prepare yourself for your DD's hospitalization, though. At least until they figure out the true cause and get her consuming adequate calories. Example website with good information: [url=http://www.hopkinschildrens.org/tpl_rlinks_nav1up.aspx?id=5112'>Johns Hopkins[/url'> but as various people have said, if he only said 'anorexia' and not 'anorexia nervosa', all it means is that she is not eating. It isn't a diagnosis as such. How did he say it, AusJor - did he specifically say he thought it was an eating disorder or could he just have been using medical jargon inappropriately?
sandfly
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EW GURU
Latest post on 16 April 2012 - 17:22
Also a bit wierd that they have shut the airport and suspended all flights. slight overkill or is this normal practice? you wouldn't want to be taking off or landing on a runway where there is a plane which is about to explode.... which is the worst case scenario conceivable when there is smoke. 99.9% of the time it doesn't explode, but that is why they suspend flights and get the passengers off asap, without waiting to taxi to gate or anything, and have fire engines at the ready.
sandfly
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EW GURU
Latest post on 16 April 2012 - 17:19
think Gatwick has re-opened I don't think they shut it, they just suspended flights, This is not so very different from saying flights which were supposed to take off or land there will be delayed, as they have to wait until after the suspension. Obviously if the suspension lasts a long time, some of the flights in the air will have to divert instead - but, from airport's point of view flights are suspended, from passenger's point of view flights are delayed (or diverted) and chaos is caused - just different vocabulary.
sandfly
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EW GURU
Latest post on 16 April 2012 - 17:10
Goldeelocks, I did my diet (slimming programm with helbalife), lost almost 10 kg in three months, cm size smaller (arm, legs, hips) but the belly remains there..... :-) wow good for you, 10kg is a good loss. Fat doesn't reduce in the same place at the same time...with you obviously the tummy is last to go, with others it might be bum or legs or (the lucky ones) boobs! So I'd say you probably need to diet a bit more combined with cardio and a good "core" program which any good trainer can give you. Good luck. Alot of my friends did the Body for Life. Healthy eating combined with cardio and weights.. The transformations were amazing plus it isnt some faddy lose alot quickly then gain it all back even quicker. It is written by a well respected Doctor in the US and they have a book for both Male and Female :-) or look at http://www.12wbt.com - or get a personal trainer (I never worked as hard on my own as I do when I'm being pushed)
sandfly
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EW GURU
Latest post on 16 April 2012 - 16:12
oh ok sounds like he was just an idiot.... would still leave his use of that phrase out of any complaint you write. Trying to be funny and failing is very irritating though....
sandfly
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EW GURU
Latest post on 16 April 2012 - 16:02
Spongemonkey and HesterPB are you saying having a VPN doesn't work with DU? I am looking at how to watch Aussie TV and use Skype when we move to Dubai. NO I am not saying that. Once you have a VPN on your machine, you can use ti with either Du or Etisalat to watch TV from the UK. What I am saying is that Du has blocked access to certain VPN sites so that you cannot even get on the site to purchase the VPN. I have a continuous renewal on mine so it is not a problem. Etisalat does not block this particular site. There are many VPN sites out there so suggest you google Best VPNs or similar and check a few out. Skype works, chat within FB etc all work without a VPN. anyway if Aussie TV works the same as eg UK tv (that you have to be 'in the country' to watch it on line) you would need an Aussie VPN to watch it, presumably? I did discover when I started that not all VPNs are equal.... any old VPN can get you round local limitations (like downloading skype) but you need a country specific one for things like BBC iPlayer.
sandfly
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EW GURU
Latest post on 16 April 2012 - 14:57
It is dreadful that these people go on scamming others. Good you posted this. I looked into the link you provided and that poor guy was scammed out of $6,000. Luckily Magyera that you did not part with any money for deposit. Hope these guys are caught. They are also using a reputable University name. I have dealt with Liverpool University online and they [b'>are genuine[/b'>.. Never heard of MUST university. Sounds like these possibly illiterate guys googled online education and saw the english term MUST join... Please readers keep away from MUST University. They are a total SCAM. where does it say MUST was using Liverpool's name? I think the post about Liverpool is completely unconnected, other than also being about a university
sandfly
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EW GURU
Latest post on 16 April 2012 - 14:28
so my friends and i went to this presentation held by a liverpool rep last nigth. what a joke. first of all, the presentation was not held by a uni professor, but instead by a 3rd party rep. this guy just wasted 2 hours of our lives. from talking in slang like "believe you me" (wtf), to racist comments on black people, filipinos, other asians, to using a tone and language one would use with 18-20 year old school kids (the room had only professionals in jobs for years) and most importantly not providing any info whatsoever on the actual courses, the whole presentation was off on all levels. im actually contemplating writing a complaint email directly to the uni, so they know what sort of people run around the world representing them. Magyera, I wouldn't hvae said 'believe you me' is slang, particularly - certainly not inappropriate in a business context though it sounds fuddy duddy to me (possibly only because of who I've most often heard using it) - why does it bother you? The rest does sound bad, but if you do email Liverpool I wouldn't mention the believe you me thing, they are likely to think you're overreacting. of course not. see, had he done a good presentation, the believe you me part would have been perceived as funny by those who haven’t heard this expression before. but because the whole presentation was so bad and inappropriate on a number of occasions, his attempts to be funny came across as lame. I don’t think the level of education provided by the uni has anything to do with this clown, but it does make you think they made some bad choices when appointing who will represent and introduce them to potential students sorry, not 'funny' but 'fuddy duddy' ie old fashioned. It isn't funny at all but is a fairly standard expression in British English.
sandfly
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EW GURU
Latest post on 16 April 2012 - 14:05
Hi there, Does anybocy knows how to reduce belly size? I had C-section three times no abit hesitate doing cardio exercise. Thanks Why the hesitation? I've had two sections and it hasn't made any difference to any cardio.... if one of your sections was in the last 6 weeks or so, you would want to be cautious of ab exercises; likewise if your ab muscles have separated (can you feel a gap? you can google how to check). Basically it seems to come down to: lose weight (diet and cardio etc) and tone up muscles (ab/core strengthening exercises - with good technique).
sandfly
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EW GURU
Latest post on 16 April 2012 - 13:57
so my friends and i went to this presentation held by a liverpool rep last nigth. what a joke. first of all, the presentation was not held by a uni professor, but instead by a 3rd party rep. this guy just wasted 2 hours of our lives. from talking in slang like "believe you me" (wtf), to racist comments on black people, filipinos, other asians, to using a tone and language one would use with 18-20 year old school kids (the room had only professionals in jobs for years) and most importantly not providing any info whatsoever on the actual courses, the whole presentation was off on all levels. im actually contemplating writing a complaint email directly to the uni, so they know what sort of people run around the world representing them. Magyera, I wouldn't hvae said 'believe you me' is slang, particularly - certainly not inappropriate in a business context though it sounds fuddy duddy to me (possibly only because of who I've most often heard using it) - why does it bother you? The rest does sound bad, but if you do email Liverpool I wouldn't mention the believe you me thing, they are likely to think you're overreacting.
sandfly
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Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 15 April 2012 - 22:53
That's a shame, given that important external exams take place in May and June, it seems wrong to extend the New Year holidays and then extend the summer term to July. Not enough preparation time for students taking important exams. the term dates look pretty close to the ones I had in the couple of years I was at boarding school (though the Christmas and Easter holidays were both longer), and we managed with May/June exams.... And I am sure that English state schools in those days all had terms running on into July - we in Scotland finished at the end of June, and there were a couple of weeks difference (we had to go back mid August though). I really do think 3 weeks in December is unreasonably long for those who have to take the IB Diploma in May and who won't be going to school for at least a month after their exams have finished. edited by simpleasabc on 15/04/2012 maybe, but if they are at IB Diploma level, shouldn't they be studying during the holidays anyway? The Scottish Highers are in May - and we had 4 weeks each at Christmas and Easter. Those only doing highers and not also A levels got to go on an outward bound sort of thing after the exams... maybe their parents should have complained and insisted the terms were changed instead?
sandfly
504
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 15 April 2012 - 22:25
That's a shame, given that important external exams take place in May and June, it seems wrong to extend the New Year holidays and then extend the summer term to July. Not enough preparation time for students taking important exams. the term dates look pretty close to the ones I had in the couple of years I was at boarding school (though the Christmas and Easter holidays were both longer), and we managed with May/June exams.... And I am sure that English state schools in those days all had terms running on into July - we in Scotland finished at the end of June, and there were a couple of weeks difference (we had to go back mid August though).
sandfly
504
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 15 April 2012 - 22:03
Hi Neno... I hope you are doing well today. Just wanted to say that I also understand how you can feel down and sad, and have no idea why... and be unable to pull yourself "out of it" as they say. Additionally I also prefer natural methods to treating depression versus synthetic medications. If you ever need someone to talk to, feel free to email me. Just for the avoidance of doubt, nobody is saying rush to medications - but if you do end up taking that route, please, please, please, go to a professional, and don't try to treat yourself with 'natural' alternatives. 'Natural' medication can be just as powerful, is less controlled and there is less information around on side effects - fine, if you are basically healthy and trying to kick a cold or something, a bit more alarming if you are dealing with something serious. A chemical is a chemical whether it is labelled with the name of a plant or the scientific name of a drug - aspirin originated in willow bark, digitalis in fox gloves. At least if produced by one of the wicked big pharmacy corporations, the active ingredient is clean, pure and properly measured - if you start sucking willow bark for a headache, you are taking a rather unnecessary risk. Anyway. If you mean non-medication natural methods, more power to you - and it sounds as if neno is getting things under control. But true depression (which is crippling... it isn't just 'feeling down'), when it is caused by a chemical imbalance, may well not respond to any of the good ideas usually put forward; counselling, psychotherapy, exercise, etc, at least until the initial imbalance has been sorted out. The only reason I am banging on about this is that there really does seem to be a stigma; and there needn't be; it isn't an admission of failure, it is accepting that something is wrong and that you need a crutch/a plaster cast on the broken arm/etc, in order to put things in a position to heal. Neno may very well not need antyhing like that - as I said in my other post, nobody can tell by words on a message board whether she does - she may just be going through a normal human reaction to difficult life circumstances. Whatever it is, Neno, I hope you find a way through and wish you lots of happiness. <em>edited by sandfly on 15/04/2012</em>
sandfly
504
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 14 April 2012 - 21:53
Do not take your kids to this if they still believe in the Easter Bunny! Miss 6 said "Mum, are you really the Easter Bunny?" right after :( That being said it's quite a nice film but a lot of dialogue, a bit grief intensive and overall quite long (2hours4mins) and for me there wasn't enough of the animals. Totally agree! it's a nice book.... must take it back to the library :)
sandfly
504
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 14 April 2012 - 21:52
Think my husband needs glasses....went to a restaurant yesterday. He couldn't read the menu properly....we were sitting outside, not much light. I had no trouble but he. Any ideas were to find a good doc? Should be europ./western if possible..in Marina Area prefered? is he in his 40s? if so absolutely normal, and you don't need a good doc, just a regular eye test (probably in one of the opticians in the malls) - and bingo, reading glasses. If not, can't help, though have had other very good eye doctor experiences at Moorfields and at the American.
sandfly
504
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 14 April 2012 - 20:11
Neno - go and see a medical doctor; preferably a psychiatrist, and talk about medication. Psychologists are not supposed to prescribe medication, they are not medically qualified, and as such their advice on the topic may not be entirely accurate. Not all antidepressants work the same way, so they do not all have the same side effects; and what causes side effects for one person does not necessarily cause them in another. If you need to deal with a chemical imbalance, either for a while or to give you a leg up while you get to the bottom of what is causing your issues, you would be far better to get on and deal with it, working with a professional to find the right medication for you - which is not necessarily one which will cause weight gain. Depression itself can mess with your weight - lack of will to do anything = decrease in 'exercise' (formal or informal) and often deterioration in quality of diet - either eating too much/the wrong things or not bothering to eat.... None of us can tell from words on a message board whether medication would help you; but if your psychologist has suggested it, I think you owe it to yourself to go and discuss it with an appropriate professional. If it was your child needing help, you would get it for them - don't treat yourself less well. Good luck.
sandfly
504
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 14 April 2012 - 19:59
Why is the cabin in Emirates so hot? After asking 5 times on a 17 hr flight, I gave up. completely off topic but having been complaining recently (and not so recently, it is a bit of a bugbear) about the temperature in various Fitness First gyms, I found out the other day that having turned the thermostats down in one they had loads of complaints, mostly from people who were convinced that if they were sweating and it was anything other than very warm, they would get ill. I don't understand this at all - but clearly there are different views as to what is an acceptable temperature (and I still think 24 is way too hot for a gym)
 
 
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