simpleasabc | ExpatWoman.com
 

simpleasabc

simpleasabc
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Latest post on 29 May 2012 - 11:00
All my friends in france and Switzerland envy me for living in Dubai... Must be an English Tabloid thing Gosh, when I told my Swiss friends we might be moving to Dubai, they were absolutely horrified that we would even consider it. They all remembered a harrowing documentary about the life of construction workers in the UAE and thought we were money-grubbing, conscienceless people to even contemplate leaving Geneva for the fakery of Dubai. And now that Geneva is riddled with crime, salaries are stagnant and housing near impossible to find, they all want to flock here... interesting. No-one we know does :( Gosh, you've worried me, have things got so much worse there in the past 18 months? Dorter wants to go by herself and spend the summer there for work experience, I was doubtful about it in the first place and if what you say is true, I'm going to have to put the mockers on it now.
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 29 May 2012 - 10:26
All my friends in france and Switzerland envy me for living in Dubai... Must be an English Tabloid thing Gosh, when I told my Swiss friends we might be moving to Dubai, they were absolutely horrified that we would even consider it. They all remembered a harrowing documentary about the life of construction workers in the UAE and thought we were money-grubbing, conscienceless people to even contemplate leaving Geneva for the fakery of Dubai.
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 29 May 2012 - 10:14
Some Turkish Muslim friends of ours used to have a dog, which lived outside all year round, at home, but refuse to have one here because of the heat as they will not allow the dog inside the house for religious reasons. Could that be a factor, or is it simple ignorance of dog-welfare?
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 28 May 2012 - 21:30
Do you really have to go to Frankfurt? Hamburg is lovely..
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 28 May 2012 - 18:26
Good grief, was wearing seat-belts made compulsory in the UK only as late as 1983? I thought the campaign dated from the Seventies :\:
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 28 May 2012 - 18:07
I'm of the "clunk click with every trip" generation, so there's never been any question of not having proper belts/seats used in our cars. I was just thinking, though, Redlesley, that you really must have pitched your presentation perfectly to have had such a positive effect on Irooni's (and presumably many other) children. Congratulations :) <em>edited by simpleasabc on 28/05/2012</em>
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 27 May 2012 - 21:28
Huuuuuuunnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnngggggggggggggryyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 27 May 2012 - 21:27
Does anybody know of a cheap place to get translation done? Were told the court cant do it and we need somewhere quick and nearby. I called a few offices who said it would take a day to do but thats no good. I wonder if anyone knows.. Can you not ask your PRO to help? Sorry, no other ideas. (And am not travelling to London tomorrow but may have to later in the week, so let me know if you need me. Qatar biz via Doha cheaper than direct flights and not too bad stopover time..)
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 27 May 2012 - 20:59
According to what we, as customers of a GEMS high school, have learned, the package does not compare well with other groups in the UAE, so that IB teachers leave for a better deal, either in the UAE or elsewhere, after their first two years in the system. OTOH, they are darn good teachers with a great work ethic and GEMS seems to be a very good step on their path onwards and upwards in education. We will miss so many good teachers next year, the future is ?
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 27 May 2012 - 20:53
How old are your children, Irooni? I'll admit my daughter has been brought up to be so relaxed about schoolwork (she has a negative tendency towards stress and depression) that she's dropping off her perch currently, but seriously, it is from the age of 15/16 onwards that the grades are important, not before. The work ethic can even be changed as late as in the late teens. Don't sweat the small stuff, let your children sleep, they deserve it.
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 27 May 2012 - 19:12
Oh, really glad it looks as if it's getting sorted. Any news from the PRO at the horsepiddle?
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 27 May 2012 - 17:46
Do the witnesses have to physically come from the UK, or what?
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 27 May 2012 - 11:41
Fingers, toes and knees crossed for you. Do let us know how it goes. I'm afraid it's probably too short notice for you, but it looks as if I will be going to London tomorrow on Qatar Airways, so if it came to it and you needed someone to help you in flight, I'd be happy to do so. <em>edited by simpleasabc on 27/05/2012</em>
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 27 May 2012 - 11:09
The OP was already having a complicated pregnancy before this stress occurred. I really do hope they manage to get it sorted in the courts here. Would it be possible/a good idea to take an Arabic speaker with them when they go to the court? <em>edited by simpleasabc on 27/05/2012</em>
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 27 May 2012 - 09:37
Thanks so much for your prompt response, pinks :) And thanks to you, too, mushypeas, I'll check those out. I like Qatar and Etihad.. <em>edited by simpleasabc on 27/05/2012</em>
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 27 May 2012 - 08:07
But MiSoMa, if you just ate a Yorkshire pud dry straight from the oven of course it tasted disgusting, frozen package or not! You can't judge from that experience! The whole point of Yorkshire puddings is that they are eaten with gravy, usually from roast beef, as a starter and/or as an accompaniment to the roast meat for Sunday lunch. I'm salivating now..
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 26 May 2012 - 22:38
Am I too naive to have to have thought they baked it themselves?;) Erlenbacher is a US frozen cheesecake brand, so yes, you're too naive :)
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 26 May 2012 - 21:54
It is not your regular cheese cake Ask the nice Spinneys bakery people if you can see the ingredients on the box one day (I'm sure they'll keep you the box if you ask nicely, they're really helpful!) and work it out from there!
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 26 May 2012 - 21:51
I haven't taught since the late 90's and was trying to avoid that LOL I thought you were a Counsellor - surely there are jobs available here?
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 26 May 2012 - 21:46
Either move over with your children a year before the contract ends or take what you're offered when you return. Or move (change authorities). Anyhow, how can you be certain you would get the schools you want even if you were in place in October? <em>edited by simpleasabc on 26/05/2012</em>
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 26 May 2012 - 16:38
Try not to stress, I know it's easier said than done. With any luck, by this time next week, your marriage certificate will have been legalized to the various ministries' satisfaction.
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 26 May 2012 - 16:10
I've just looked at the airport's arrivals site, and flights from Doha seem to arrive in Terminal 1, unless, of course, they're Emirates, which arrive in Terminal 3.
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 26 May 2012 - 16:02
In case she hasn't seen this, have emailed Birchy on your behalf, though only have her work addy.
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 26 May 2012 - 12:33
PS BBC1 local time means UK time, not Dubai time - just in case :)
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 26 May 2012 - 12:30
I wonder if questions will be asked as to why a person completely unable to look after themselves was registered as some else's carer. Exactly. It's outrageous - not just the poor parenting skills, but the entire situation.
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 26 May 2012 - 11:53
It's on BBC1 at 8pm local time tonight. Or you can watch it live from this site: http://www.eurovision.tv/esctv/future/ but I'm not sure if it is watchable from here without a special thingy.
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 26 May 2012 - 11:03
didnt get wht u mean The child is obese, because the parents are lazy and feed her junk all the time! Her father died when she was young, she is the registered carer of her arthritic mother and her step-father is terminally ill. There is no one to look after her, the State expects her to care for her parents. As the Guardian report says, she should have been given support from outside, since her parents were incapable of caring for her properly, and it seems, this is not a new situation.
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 25 May 2012 - 20:05
I really miss the Copper Chimney :( Who delivers Indian to the Springs area?
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 25 May 2012 - 15:49
Have done the brunch at Al Muna MAS, and it wasn't a great experience. The food was good, but they crammed people in, so it was very uncomfortable, couldn't get out of chairs without the people behind moving. Very stuffy in there, no airflow.. Maybe just a one off but have not been back to find out. [b'>Anise at Intercon at Festival City looks a good one...[/b'> It is a very good one, wide variety of excellent food, fantastic Yorkshire Puds :)
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 25 May 2012 - 15:00
I prefer the Al Qasr one (look at this map: http://www.jumeirah.com/Global/Property/MJ/Document/Al%20Qasr%20Brunch%20Map.pdf !) to Mina A'Salam, it's really amazing, though MAS is excellent, too. Bubbalicious is next on my list to try, so I can't compare for you. Enjoy :)
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 25 May 2012 - 10:58
Ask RERA?
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 25 May 2012 - 10:55
I never click on anything about Katie Price or Snooki. Yes, Katie Price's 15 mins are up, I would say! 15 minutes too long, if you ask me ;)
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 25 May 2012 - 08:58
Amelia, LMAO-DXB, thank you both, I finally found it on Wednesday morning - as I hadn't set out to look, but just went on a whim, I didn't have your instructions with me but I had the Golden Fork restaurant in mind and got there at last :) I hadn't realized the Promenade was the other side of the road parallel with the The Walk so was looking in the wrong place at first :) The name of the building opposite the Golden Fork is The Point and the parking is in the Aurora building, you can access it from the road in between the GF and the Point. The setting is absolutely beautiful, my poached eggs weren't exceptional (am waiting to share Shakshuka some time :) ) and I had a delicious take-away of four salads. Happy to have found it. Thank you :) <em>edited by simpleasabc on 25/05/2012</em>
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 23 May 2012 - 23:47
We like the buffet at Blue Orange at the Westin. We only need to go there twice to redeem the cost of our Entertainer Fine Dining book, and as we enjoy going to many of the other restaurants in the same book, we find the initial outlay is rapidly repaid.
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 23 May 2012 - 16:25
Hope airport's not affected, husbad due back on Friday and I can't remember when he was at home last, except for the few hours last Saturday when he unpacked and re-packed..
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 23 May 2012 - 14:28
Think it depends what expat status you fall under. am not sure that any expat is entitled to use the NHS for free - i think it depends on what you choose to tell the NHS about your status......... In reality, I dont remember being asked for any proof of address, proof of employment or ID when I used to go to docs or hospitals in London. I think the govt rules are applicable, but that in reality, they arent used and that most docs wouldnt turn anyone away. I have even had emergency care while in transit in a Uk airport and wasnt asked for any ID. Id be interested to know if hugsy or any other EW has a different experience and asked by doctors? Perhaps all she needs to provide is a gas / electric bill and a relative could put one in her name now, ready for use later on. and no wonder the NHS is failing to be able to provide care for those in the UK as it is It is failing to be able provide care for those in the UK because of emphasis being put on poor management systems and complete lack of respect for doctors and nurses by those who administer the system.
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 23 May 2012 - 14:25
I was referring to the link posted by sbc79, some of which says: What if I should need hospital treatment while in the UK? Under the current Regulations, certain people who have lived in the UK who are currently working overseas are still entitled to free National Health Service (NHS) hospital treatment in England. The following groups of people would be fully exempt from charges for NHS hospital treatment in England: * anyone who at some point has lived lawfully in the UK for ten continuous years and is working abroad for a period of not more than five years; so am I reading that correctly as meaning that if we are UK citizens and have been expats for less than 5 years we can legally use the NHS when we go home temporarily, but not if we have been away for more than 5 years? That being said this would not help us with DD as she'd presumably be on a waiting list for months to be seen by a specialist. That's how I would read it, yes. Also, as has been said elsewhere, I believe you can register with any GP as a temporary patient if you are staying with a family member in the UK, but I could be wrong - certainly, when I was last back home taking my mother to the doctor, I would have been treated no questions asked, had I wanted to see a doctor in the same practice.
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 23 May 2012 - 13:50
Good luck from me, too, Hugsys. Hope the rest of your pregnancy goes well, glad there is no problem for you being treated on the NHS and have a lovely civil service. Hope to see you on here on your return with the baby. I'd love to know how the OP has got treatment on the NHS - we have had to go private with everything for my DD in the UK, including prescriptions when we had to take her back for treatment. That aside, I wish you goodluck Hugsys, and no more stress! I was referring to the link posted by sbc79, some of which says: What if I should need hospital treatment while in the UK? Under the current Regulations, certain people who have lived in the UK who are currently working overseas are still entitled to free National Health Service (NHS) hospital treatment in England. The following groups of people would be fully exempt from charges for NHS hospital treatment in England: * anyone who at some point has lived lawfully in the UK for ten continuous years and is working abroad for a period of not more than five years; * anyone who is employed in an EEA member state/Switzerland, paying compulsory UK National Insurance contributions (Class I or II) and in receipt of an E106/S1 from Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs; * anyone who is a member of Her Majesty’s United Kingdom armed forces*; * anyone who is a Crown servant employed by Her Majesty’s Government and recruited in the UK*; * anyone recruited in the UK who works for the British Council or Commonwealth War Graves Commission*; * anyone who is working in employment that is financed in part by the Government of the UK and by arrangement with the Government or a public body of some other country or territory*; * anyone working overseas as a missionary for a missionary organisation based principally in the UK* These exemptions also apply to the spouse and children (under the age of 16, or 19 if in further education) of such a person if they are living with you in the UK on a permanent basis. * These categories of exemption provide that the spouse/civil partner/dependent children are exempt from charge in their own right so that the principal exempt family member does not have to be in the UK with them at the time of their treatment. In common with those ordinarily resident in the UK, anyone who meets the criteria of ordinary residence or is exempt from charges for hospital treatment will have to pay statutory NHS charges, eg prescription charges, unless they also qualify for exemption from these, and will have to go onto waiting lists for treatment where appropriate.
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 23 May 2012 - 13:21
Good luck from me, too, Hugsys. Hope the rest of your pregnancy goes well, glad there is no problem for you being treated on the NHS and have a lovely civil service. Hope to see you on here on your return with the baby.
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 22 May 2012 - 20:54
A couple that my DH worked with were arrested and deported for getting pregnant then getting married! Dates did not tally, they knew she was pregnant before they got married! Had been here for a few years, and now fighting to come back! He was a Brit, she was from an eastern European country! They had to agree to be deported so that they could register the birth and be given a passport! But isn't OP married according to a Muslim marriage certificate? Doesn't that carry some weight here? That has REALLY freaked me out :( Even if I go back to UK, give birth there, get passports, come to Dubai to get babys residency surely they will reject it again as the civil ceremony will be just before babys birth or just after?? Its the same situation is it not? From what I've gathered, TPTB don't worry about what has happened elsewhere. If you come armed with the correct documents from elsewhere, that's fine. I think. If your marriage and baby are legit elsewhere and you have the dox to prove it, no prob. It seems that establishing the correct dox here is the problem. I could be completely wrong as I am not a Muslim and have not given birth here.
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 22 May 2012 - 20:38
A couple that my DH worked with were arrested and deported for getting pregnant then getting married! Dates did not tally, they knew she was pregnant before they got married! Had been here for a few years, and now fighting to come back! He was a Brit, she was from an eastern European country! They had to agree to be deported so that they could register the birth and be given a passport! But isn't OP married according to a Muslim marriage certificate? Doesn't that carry some weight here?
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 22 May 2012 - 07:31
What about this, where the Middleton family stayed for the Royal Wedding last year? http://www.thegoring.com/hotel.aspx Not sure if it's within your budget, but worth a look, perhaps. V close to Buck House and parks :)
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 21 May 2012 - 13:03
not idle curiosity, idle something though as I cannot remember how many days mine have off lol, so was hoping that someone would mention their school...and they did! Brilliant :)
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 21 May 2012 - 12:52
I was given one after delivery, not painful at all, particularly not compared with episiotomy ;)
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 21 May 2012 - 12:35
WIS is having two days, yesterday and today. (I think you can make that all GEMS BC schools.) Is there any particular reason you want to know, or is it just idle curiosity? <em>edited by simpleasabc on 21/05/2012</em>
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 21 May 2012 - 06:58
I don't trust anyone whose website has an apostrophe in the wrong place:\:
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 20 May 2012 - 22:47
RuthM, who or what were you in a former life? Fantastic detailed knowledge, really impressive :)
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 20 May 2012 - 22:45
Could they mean "Morning Dress" - top hat and tails for the men, very smart dresses and hats for the women, worn at both the ceremony and the reception? That would be "White Tie", the most formal form and very unusual for weddings (except maybe royal ones)... D. We had morning dress for the wedding party at our wedding, you just hire from Moss Bros, certainly nothing regal about it :)
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 20 May 2012 - 20:57
open a new pack of cereal that only he eats on the morning he is going away for 2 weeks! Or is it just my DH who does things like this! I am just stuck on the fact he fed himself!! Lucky you ... Love it, Stardust :) October, didn't you recently celebrate 21 years of marriage to this same man (Congratulations, again!)? Surely you must be used to him by now :)
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 20 May 2012 - 20:51
Toronto Five, you would have to contact them directly, but I heard the figure AED5000 and something for the hypnoband (it is four one hour sessions and 3 CDs, I believe, you can have a look on the website) and AED2,800 for the Weight Loss Hypno plan of 3 sessions and one CD which I think may be tailored to your needs, but I'm not sure. This is the lady's website: http://www.rachelfoy.com/Why-Choose-Rachel-Foy-.html Mods, I'm honestly not advertising, I've met the lady once and am interested and happy to share my experience, is all. If I decide to go with it, I will report back, good or bad. ETA: I'll only do this if I can find my old Walkman which is lying around somewhere with the Paul McK CD stuck in it .. :) <em>edited by simpleasabc on 20/05/2012</em>
 
 
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