simpleasabc | ExpatWoman.com
 

simpleasabc

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Latest post on 07 February 2012 - 09:30
Dorter was complaining of a headache and nausea yesterday, was up much of the night with diarrhea and is now trying to sleep, still feeling rotten, if that's any help? Either my cooking or Spinn's produce, who knows?
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Latest post on 06 February 2012 - 23:49
I'm sorry if I've got the name wrong, I thought Posh Paws was in Al Quoz, but I'm happy to be corrected.
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Latest post on 06 February 2012 - 23:42
No, it's a grooming and kennels place in Al Quoz, to the best of my knowledge/Alzheimer's Lite memory.
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 06 February 2012 - 23:04
Yes. It seemed fine but our dog returned infested with fleas, so not so good. Prefer Woof for grooming, though not left dog there for any length of time.
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Latest post on 06 February 2012 - 22:54
I've also heard that here's worth the splurge, it looks amazing, I'd love to go: http://www.sixsenses.com/sixsenseszighybay/ ETA: [b'>And[/b'> it involves border crossings, so that's all right ;) <em>edited by simpleasabc on 06/02/2012</em>
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 06 February 2012 - 22:41
So many nice hotels in Dubai. You really do feel like a tourist even though you are only a short drive from home. I told dh I'd prefer to have a luxurious weekend once a month in Dubai than an annual holiday! [i'>I feel the same, AR, but boodly husbad only thinks it counts as a holiday if you cross a border. What about the border from Meadows to Jumeirah? I cry - but apparently, it doesn't count, as no passports involved. [/i'> <em>edited by simpleasabc on 06/02/2012</em>
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 06 February 2012 - 22:03
What about one of the hotels on the Palm? The rates may be a bit lower in March. We've had a few weekends in the Zabeel Saray and the One & Only. Both gorgeous and it was great arriving there in our own car after a 20 min drive! The rooms and facilities are wonderful and they both have kids' clubs. I think it's better to enjoy a really luxurious time on the Palm putting the money you'd spend on airfares into the hotel. The Meridien at Fujariah is also nice and has a great kid's club. Ooh, yes, what a good idea - the Al Qasr at the Madinat is another place I'd love to stay!
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Latest post on 06 February 2012 - 21:47
Do you have to go far? I'd love a week or two at Bab al Shams, myself - no hassle of planes with little ones and just a three-quarters of an hour drive away from Dubai.
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 02 February 2012 - 17:55
i just google-translated the phrase and it actually said "Let's Present the Art" which to me is a different use of the word present.... present as in show rather than gift... just a thought... From my rusty Italian, the word for gift is regalo..
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Latest post on 02 February 2012 - 17:53
What about "Let's treat ourselves to Art"? I was afraid it sounded too "literally translated" from Italian into English, but if you tell me it sounds original English it is ok! Oh, I don't know, I haven't been speaking "native" English for the past 20 years, only been speaking it to French speakers up till coming here last year!
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Latest post on 02 February 2012 - 17:45
What about "Let's treat ourselves to Art"? Oh, no, "Art to Art" much better! <em>edited by simpleasabc on 02/02/2012</em>
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Latest post on 02 February 2012 - 17:34
Has no one been watching Season 5 of Gossip Girl? This is FANTASTIC news for DiD! What a better way to kick up sales than to stir up some controversy surrounding the book making people think they simply have to buy it to find out what all the fuss is about. Next there will be a story saying how bad it is, giving reasons why it should be banned full stop, then when sales really drop they'll actually ban it and make it a 'buy online' only thing. It's gunna get more controversial from here to up sales. I was going to say something like that, but decided to restrain my inner cynic as I'm not in Dubai at the mo!
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Latest post on 02 February 2012 - 17:33
and its really not worth the bother - just didn't translate from blog to paperback Yes, I think part of the enjoyment of reading it online came from the Dickensian episodic aspect :)
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 02 February 2012 - 17:16
Forgive me my naivete...we've just moved and from somewhere there were "designated DH holidays". That too in a country where DH rights were very well protected. So I was just wondering what the system here is... Hey, Sadubai, welcome! Don't worry about asking a naive question - the only problem with your post is that normally on here, DH is used to designate a short-for-RichardHead (or even Dear Husband or Darling Husband), and not a Domestic Helper, so some confusion could arise. I don't have a live in maid but as I understand it, you can do more or less what you like.
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Latest post on 02 February 2012 - 16:33
ROFL!!!!! Sooo funny!! shouldn't that be PMSL!! Brilliant, all of it :)
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Latest post on 02 February 2012 - 14:41
Muesli Bar, I was expecting an ode from you on this thread ;)
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 02 February 2012 - 01:14
OP, cut your coat according to your cloth. Plenty single income families live on less. Plenty double income families live on less. Do your research, investigate costs of everything. Buy Me A Pony did some interesting research on costs which should be available on here somewhere if you do a search. The UAE is the sort of place where you can have people living on opposite ends of the scale. FInd your niche on the scale and slot in. Welcome. :) But after BMAP did all that research, didn't she get hit with a surprise 20k DEWA bill? Dubai is not the type of place where you want to be living on the financial edge. Not all of us have the same misfortune as BMAP's family did, landing up in a villa which has been poorly maintained and nobody noticed the water leakage problem until after BMAP got her first DEWA bill. That doesn't detract from the usefulness of BMAP's spread sheet, which would apply in most people's normal circumstances here. Well worth OP studying it.
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 28 January 2012 - 10:13
Done, Sandy Dogg, how stupid of me, I'm sorry, I hadn't realized that, but of course,, it makes complete sense. Hope the OP got there all right, anyway. As an aside, does anyone know if there is a Dubai Municipality dog pound on SZR near Wellington International School?
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 27 January 2012 - 23:33
SAS, hope you've found lovely new horizons, more than satisfactory :) Best of luck:)
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Latest post on 27 January 2012 - 22:56
is this taking shoes off a cultural thing ? '>? It is also cultural I think... from memory, when growing up we always took our shoes off when visiting guests and they too when visiting our home, I still ask if people want me to remove my shoes, but don't care if people keep their shoes on in my house, and don't ask them to remove them either, if they want to though thats fine too... Where did you grow up, SAS? Hey simpleasabc! how are you? NZ but my father and many of his friends are eastern european. I'm OK, though, as you know, totally unsatisfactory :( Huge family problems so have to go to London for a bit. Hopefully won't need to return via a funeral in Athens.. And you? Did you go home for the hols? Ah, so we're thinking it may be Eastern European as well as Asian?
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Latest post on 27 January 2012 - 22:53
Everytime I'm in a house where it is mandatory to remove shoes, I get grossed out by looking at people's barefeet, and think that the barefeet of people wearing sandals all day or runners without socks - must be more disgusting and dirty than the shoes themselves. Of course, to each his own, but I don't want my babies crawling where your potentially athlete's foot ridden, fungus crawling feet have just been. ETA: And I certainly don't want to share a slipper with you! Yuck! edited by glenfiddich on 27/01/2012 LOL! your post cracked me up! Crikey, I empathized so much I'm still feeling sick!
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Latest post on 27 January 2012 - 22:43
is this taking shoes off a cultural thing ? '>? It is also cultural I think... from memory, when growing up we always took our shoes off when visiting guests and they too when visiting our home, I still ask if people want me to remove my shoes, but don't care if people keep their shoes on in my house, and don't ask them to remove them either, if they want to though thats fine too... Where did you grow up, SAS?
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Latest post on 27 January 2012 - 22:34
It is really difficult to get to if you don't already know how. I wish I could help, but it's hit and miss as far as I'm concerned. Somewhere in the Jebel Ali Free Zone, near the Green Community Roundabout, but not obvious.. Call them before you leave and ask for step by step instructions again. If my husband gets back in time and is not too sleepy, I'll get him to send you a map. Where are you coming from?
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 27 January 2012 - 22:28
simpleabc, was that before or after my initial post? I stand by my last post, ask your guests to remove their footwear. At that point, the OP has an issue to address. My original comment was nothing to do with your post, Mary Catherine, I was just wondering aloud about the worries expressed here about the hygiene for babies crawling on dirty floors. I prefer people not to remove their shoes in my house, but that is my Londoner upbringing. I was very uncomfortable to be asked to remove my shoes when I lived in Geneva, but did as required when offered slippers in exchange for shoes.
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 27 January 2012 - 22:13
OP didn't mention babies, nor did I. It's your home, your rules. Just ask people to remove their outdoor shoes. OP mentioned the carpets no mention of children - children were irrelevant from the get go. You want people to remove their "outdoor" shoes. Ask them to do so. If they won't - then you've got an issue, and another question for here. In her second post, OP did mention babies. Quote: Mary Catherine, it's not my carpets, it's the dirt shoes bring inside. When i step on a spit outside i automatically think of my baby crawling on the floor my shoes would contaminate! so, friends' company or spit-free floor? i prefer the second. UQ
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Latest post on 27 January 2012 - 21:54
Coke would be a much better option is that coke light or coke zero?? PMSL !!! Sniffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffff...
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Latest post on 27 January 2012 - 21:51
This is terrible, we went to Koh Samui for our honeymoon nearly 21 years ago and I *think* we went here: http://www.tongsaibay.co.th/en/04-services-facilities/03-activitie/index.php though it's changed a bit since then.. Otherwise, I think I'd choose this if we were going now: http://www.abercrombiekent.co.uk/thailand/kohsamui/library.cfm (To situate ourselves, we were lucky enough to stay at the Oriental in Bangkok and in a similar quality place on Koh Samui, due to staff discount!)
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Latest post on 27 January 2012 - 20:16
Don't you think this preciousness about babies and dirt might be one of the reasons that children seem to be less resistant to everyday illness than they used to be? Don't worry, a little dirt is good for you, unless your child was born to live in a bubble, and that is an awful malady I wouldn't wish on anyone. Damage to lovely carpets is a different matter, but honestly, keeping your house spit and dust free won't help your toddler in the long run. The world is a dirty place, get your children used to it!
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 26 January 2012 - 20:48
Isn't it for students who want to go to university but not study the traditional academic subjects? http://www.btecnationaldiploma.org/
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 26 January 2012 - 16:09
It's not because it's dry it's been cancelled/postponed it's because as well as serving alcohol, holding of entertainment and parties is forbidden as it's a Holy occasion. You'd think the organisers would be aware that this might happen here and be savvy enough not to book entertainers for a possible Islamic Holiday, wouldn't you?
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Latest post on 26 January 2012 - 13:00
sorry I searched on here but can not find a thread... I mean how/at what point you can pay for shipping with credit card to get 10% discount? can I pay for it online (I can not find option to pay online for my parcel?) or can I physicly go to Aramex office collect parcel and pay for it with cc to get the discount? so confusing...I called Aramex to ask this but got two different answers from two different people in space of 10 minutes so confused how to do it. TIA This has just happened to me - I got an S&S activity update on Tuesday evening, yesterday I checked online and there was no option to pay by credit card, this morning I checked again and paid by visa online and got the discount. I believe I saw someone else had said there's a v small window whereby you can pay by cc, so once you get the email telling you your parcel is on its way from your Aramex mail box, start checking your S&S shipping details from time to time. Sorry, don't know why I said Visa, only have Mastercard.. <em>edited by simpleasabc on 26/01/2012</em>
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Latest post on 26 January 2012 - 10:55
So, Irooni, how did you and your husband sleep on your new mattress? I've got to go away for a bit and I'm dreading sleeping on a different mattress, I know my back will pack in!
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 26 January 2012 - 10:02
Enjoy :) It's the week-end :)
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Latest post on 26 January 2012 - 10:01
Aww, bless, Ginnee - you really are having a "rough trot" as I believe the Australians say. Just to say I hope the antibiotics work and you start feeling better and your DH finds a job soon. Maybe it was this illness which was making you feel so bad, and not depression? Are you also trying to cope with two little girls, or is that someone else?
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Latest post on 25 January 2012 - 09:58
Yummy, hungry nooww, Cymraes :)
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Latest post on 25 January 2012 - 09:18
Thank you ladies for the feedback! one more thing to ask about: do you know anything, have you enrolled your kids there, or heard something about the school called "Nibras" if am spelling it right! we found space there for our boy and that's why we are considering the move! any suggestions? TIA I think it depends on the age of your child. Apparently, better in primary than secondary. Also, I understand that the final exams taken are from the Lebanese SAT curriculum, so not the same as American curriculum. Have known a fair few people who changed from Nibras when their children were 14 or 15, partly because they felt their children would not get recognized qualifications at the end.
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 25 January 2012 - 08:42
Here's one I made earlier, Twin Butterfly: Parsnip and Orange Soup SERVES 4 10 ml (2 tsp.) olive oil 1 small onion, skinned and chopped 350 g (12 oz) parsnips, peeled and chopped finely grated rind of 1/2 orange juice of 1 orange 600 ml (1 pint) chicken stock pepper, to taste 1. Heat the oil in a large non-stick saucepan and cook the onion and parsnips for 5-8 minutes until the onion is soft. Add the orange rind, orange juice, stock and pepper. Cover and cook for about 10 minutes until the parsnips are tender. 2. Allow to cool slightly, then puree the soup in a blender or food processor. Return to the pan and reheat for serving. Mascarpone and Lime torte 200g ginger (or other) biscuits, crushed 50g butter, melted 2 x 250g tubs mascarpone cheese 40g icing sugar, sifted finely grated zest and juice of 2 limes (or 1 lemon or 1 orange) Mix biscuits and butter and press into 18cm/7in spring-sided or loose-bottomed cake tin Beat everything else together (can add 1-2 tablespoons fruit liqueur) and spread over biscuit base. Chill for 30 mins. That's it! Can decorate with lime slices or grated chocolate or melted chocolate drizzled over (I never bother with that stuff - it's delicious as is.) Bon app :)
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 25 January 2012 - 00:00
Lots of lovely suggestions so far. For dessert you could do a non--baked cheesecake. You can prepare it in advance too as it needs to sit overnight in the fridge. Oooh, you've reminded me, I've got a recipe for a mascarpone and lime, lemon or orange "cheesecake" which takes max 10 mins to prepare and only needs half an hour in the fridge and it is WONDERFUL!
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 24 January 2012 - 22:03
Well, you can easily make a lovely spicy carrot soup as a starter, or parsnip and orange soup, or leek and potato soup, or smoked salmon roulade, or hard boiled eggs with mayonnaise and anchovies, or just a lovely dressed up salad. For mains, there are any number of casserole dishes which you would normally cook in the oven, which can be left to simmer gently for hours on the stovetop. Normandy chicken, beef bourguignon, braised lamb shanks all spring to mind. Or, why not go retro and do a beef fondue for a change? New potatoes in butter and parsley or rice, and glazed carrots would go nicely with all of those. Pud - do an Eton Mess or Bombe Favourite with raspberry coulis, using bought meringue shells (no one will ever know) or buy something from a nice patisserie. Or a chocolate or lemon mousse? Syllabub? Zabaglione? <em>edited by simpleasabc on 24/01/2012</em>
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Latest post on 24 January 2012 - 21:54
If it ain't broke, don't fix it. alt.possessive.its.has.no.apostrophe "It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.”
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 24 January 2012 - 19:08
I haven't been, but have read about "La Petite Maison" and its menu looks quite seafood heavy: http://www.lpmdubai.ae/menus/main-course/ Also, would love to go to "Table 9", which replaced "Verre": http://www.lpmdubai.ae/menus/main-course/ Ever since I was brought a Kir full of ice as an aperitif, I've been a bit wary of "Aquarium". It is very quiet, the food is good, but expensive for what it is, but of course, you say that everywhere in Dubai :)
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Latest post on 24 January 2012 - 15:47
What's UMF? What you say when you see the price? According to this, it doesn't seem to stand for anything, in particular: http://benefitofmanukahoney.com/2011/01/the-viability-of-manuka-honeys-rating-systems/ <em>edited by simpleasabc on 24/01/2012</em>
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Latest post on 24 January 2012 - 13:43
I'm possibly digressing, but curious. I've heard a lot about businesses opened by ex-pats being obliged by law to set up with the help/sponsorship of a local who owns 51% of the company. Is this true and would it apply in Lost's case, or is that something completely different?
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Latest post on 24 January 2012 - 10:53
Nah, living in Geneva had already done it to me.
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Latest post on 23 January 2012 - 10:22
Pah. I'm going back to bed. It's the only place I can get warm, apart from in the car with the heating on instead of aircon!
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Latest post on 23 January 2012 - 10:19
Oh, it's just SNAFU, SD. If it's not our daughter, it's my mother. If it's not my mother, it's his mother. At the moment, it's all three.
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Latest post on 23 January 2012 - 10:13
Ooops, sorry SD, have spoken to husbad but completely slipped my mind to ask him about Jet Airways as we are having yet another family crisis. Lurching from one trauma to the next..
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 22 January 2012 - 20:57
The book by Mark Haddon, "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time" is very enlightening on this subject, though not specifically about Asperger.
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 22 January 2012 - 19:12
I have a feeling my husband's flown with them internally in India. If so, I think he said they were fine. I'll ask him when he lands in Mumbai later tonight :)
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Latest post on 22 January 2012 - 00:07
Possibly dry from 6pm 3rd to 7pm 4th - but I'm no expert.