simpleasabc

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Latest post on 13 September 2011 - 09:19

You have mail.

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Latest post on 12 September 2011 - 09:49

I've just been looking at our own DEWA bill (Meadows 9, 3 bed, home study, unused maid's room, small grassy garden, no pool). It's about AED3000, including housing fee. The water part is bad enough, at 640 it's gone down a bit from last month, but the electricity is outrageous and has been creeping up all summer. I'm hoping there'll be a pleasant change when we stop having to use the aircon, but of course, DEWA's prices increased by 15% in January anyway. Sorry not to be more help, just a bit of empathy, really.. edited by simpleasabc on 12/09/2011

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Latest post on 12 September 2011 - 09:40

I hadn't thought of the skin-colour aspect, as both ladies I saw were fair-skinned. Also, tinted glass windows..

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simpleasabc

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Latest post on 12 September 2011 - 09:10

Yesterday whilst waiting outside school for trailing teenager to deign to take her taxi, I was intrigued to see a lady wind down her car window and gesture to her children to show them where she was - her hands were covered by immaculate white gloves. Oh, I thought, um, I wonder why. Didn't think any more of it till today whilst sitting at traffic lights, I saw a lady who was wearing white fingerless gloves which looked as if they were made from towelling. Is this usual in Dubai? It's the first time I've noticed this, twice in 24 hours seems a lot to me. Would both these ladies be suffering from OCD of some sort, or is it practical to keep their hands and the steering wheel clean, or to stop the steering wheel getting sweaty, or what?

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simpleasabc

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Latest post on 12 September 2011 - 08:48

Spinneys at the Meadows Town Centre opens at 7.30 am in the morning ;) Sorry, too late now anyway :)

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Latest post on 12 September 2011 - 08:23

Snugs, is that AED1,000 for the pair?

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Latest post on 11 September 2011 - 17:40

I was doing nothing much when husbad called from the office and told me to turn telly on. We watched together for a bit, asking each other if it wasn't a strange film (like Welles' radio "War of the Worlds") and then shocked to realize it was real. I was worried because I knew a friend of mine's mother was travelling out of Boston that day. I sat glued to the telly crying till it was time to fetch dorter from school, there was supposed to be a apero at the school that evening, but I just picked her up and went home to watch again. That event politicized my daughter.

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simpleasabc

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Latest post on 11 September 2011 - 10:57

Could you not consider moving her into an American Curriculum school here, before you go?

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Latest post on 11 September 2011 - 10:38

I'm fairly sure that the IB programme is better-known in the US than is the British Curriculum. Here's a link which may help: http://www.ibo.org/country/US/index.cfm

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simpleasabc

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Latest post on 11 September 2011 - 10:09

Has 7 Days done an article about this yet? Don't they normally get a reaction?

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Latest post on 11 September 2011 - 08:42

[b'>“wear summin similar to a burqini. A top like a t shirt with sleeves and a full legged bottom.” [/b'> I use exactly the same items too as I think it wise to cover and protect the skin in the sun and water. And as hard as it apparently is for some to wrap their mental processes around the fact, obviously it goes without saying that these items are indeed swimsuit material! I would like to know if these items are made of special material to protect you from the sun's rays (can't remember the proper term), please?

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simpleasabc

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Latest post on 11 September 2011 - 08:38

Thanks very much for that, Sweet Chili, I wouldn't have known otherwise, I thought "Doc Martin" had finished.. OK, so we have "Outnumbered" on Fridays at 9.00 pm on BBC 1, (repeated and on iPlayer) Series 4, episode 3 coming up this week; "Doc Martin" on Mondays at 9.00 pm on ITV 1 (also available on ITV player), Season 5 starting tomorrow, 12th September; "Downton Abbey" on Sundays at 9.00 pm on ITV 1 (also available on ITV player), Series 2 starting 18th September. Any more for any more?

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simpleasabc

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Latest post on 10 September 2011 - 18:19

Didn't someone recommend Smiling BKK recently? I've not been, but have seen it recommended a couple of times. Quirky. http://www.timeoutdubai.com/restaurants/reviews/26077-smiling-bkk

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Latest post on 10 September 2011 - 14:02

Listen to young BM, she's a wise, wise woman :) She's right, you know, the job is wrong for you at the moment, sounds as if you're suffering from "burn-out". If you can't find a new job right away, tackle the present one from a different angle and don't let it rule your life. As I frequently tell my husband, however good at your job you are, you're not indispensable, and they'll find someone to replace you before the funeral's over, so make sure your life insurance is up to date ;) edited by simpleasabc on 10/09/2011

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Latest post on 09 September 2011 - 17:25

Welcome to Dubai! I don't know if it is any better to be with the same bank as the one your company pays your salary from? Doesn't seem to be for us, but maybe things would be even worse if we didn't use them :) Good luck with the new job, btw.

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simpleasabc

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Latest post on 09 September 2011 - 15:38

Gra, there are freebies about - Expat Shield being one for the UK. Blocked... Oh, really? Working fine for me. Probably because you already have it. Why mention the actual name on the forum? Well done, now the powers that be know exactly where to go and what to block! If you want to share info about VPN's ask people to email you for the info. Chocs01, my apologies, I misunderstood Edna's post which seemed to me to imply that the authorities were aware of named VPNs. Never had the intention of messing it up for everyone.

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Latest post on 09 September 2011 - 15:30

Hi, Brown Eyed Girl! Sorry, I've only just seen your message. I'm afraid that as we have no intention of selling at the moment, I always throw numbers of buyers away. Have you tried going down to the second-hand car place in Ras Al Khor? I think that's where those people who leave their numbers on cars come from. You could just drive round and see what price they offer you. Don't take the first one, bargain upwards and you'll get a good deal :)

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simpleasabc

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Latest post on 09 September 2011 - 11:37

Quoogle found this "First Review" of Downton Abbey, if you're interested. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/8670941/Downton-Abbey-second-series-first-review.html

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Latest post on 09 September 2011 - 11:14

We came because otherwise my husband would be jobless, the money is no different since we have to pay school fees out of taxes saved. Cost of living is more or less the same for us. I also came for the sunshine, I can get queue-jumping in mainland Europe ;)

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Latest post on 09 September 2011 - 11:05

Apparently, Series 2 of Downton Abbey will start being shown in the UK on Sunday 18th September at 9.00 pm BST. It runs for 8 episodes and there will also be a Christmas Special (!).

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Latest post on 08 September 2011 - 10:17

Do you think they'll accept my blood, as it might be full of mad cow? ;) i actually got my blood refused in Saudi for that very reason :D Oh, yes, they wouldn't have mine in Switzerland for that reason, it was a serious question!

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simpleasabc

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Latest post on 08 September 2011 - 10:16

oh yeah... it's coz Jumeirah bought that whole area and so they are rebranding it. such a shame coz i got married there... :( i bet it will be super expensive when they re-open it. Does that mean the Irish Village is closing as well, and will re-open as the Irish Souk? i didn't hear that bit.. that the IV is closing as well.. Oh, OK, I was just asking, since you said that Jumeirah had bought the whole area, I thought you meant the Irish Village was part of that area. All I can find out is that Jumeirah are opening a luxury hotel in the area. Is that what's being built next door to the Aviation Club, or do you know if it will be built where the Aviation Club actually is?

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simpleasabc

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Latest post on 08 September 2011 - 10:10

Do you think they'll accept my blood, as it might be full of mad cow? ;)

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Latest post on 08 September 2011 - 10:08

Dally, I'd really not thought about it that way, different perspective altogether :)

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Latest post on 08 September 2011 - 10:04

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Latest post on 08 September 2011 - 09:52

oooohhhh PANTS! For 5 years I have been planning on going to the Cellar for an occasion and now I'm going to miss out forever! waaahhhhh! Thats what you get for being the queen of all procrastinators I spos. :( The Laughter Factory's on there tomorrow night, with a pre-show dinner and the ticket included (just LF tickets AED 130) for AED320 a head, if that's any good for you.

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Latest post on 08 September 2011 - 09:19

Thanks for the info, Shjbelle - that'll turn it into a completely different thing, of course, what a shame. We've only been a couple of times since we arrived, but I was looking forward to going again in the winter.. Eva B., they're having a grand farewell dinner next week-end. I think we're going to have to go for a last brunch, myself :) Really love the Saffer (Saffy?) brekkie. This should give you all the info: http://www.aviationclub.ae/news/254/

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Latest post on 08 September 2011 - 09:03

I admit to being a frequent FFS and WTF user. And of course there were my first few confused days when this Aussie though DH stood for something completely different :D The two are not mutually exclusive..

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Latest post on 08 September 2011 - 09:01

Sue. Great post. Let us not forget the midwives, nurses, doctors that helped deliver LL's babies. Did you check if they had left children at home whilst they worked to help you? Are mothers allowed to do voluntary work in your world? Did someone mention breastfeeding counsellors?

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Latest post on 08 September 2011 - 08:41

And if it will be replaced by a new restaurant at the Aviation Club?

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Latest post on 08 September 2011 - 08:29

500 on Fridays and 350 the rest of the week. It includes the buffet lunch. This was the cost in March when we last went. I thought it was less than that, but then we went on a week-day during the summer, so there may have been special offers at the time. It was worth what we paid, with lunch included.

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Latest post on 08 September 2011 - 08:27

i see..I have found this site very usefull... but as far as actually paying attention to "newbies" & "oldies" i find that quite funny... I guess some people spend alot more time on here than others. Some of us (me) need to get a life :(

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Latest post on 08 September 2011 - 08:24

The last time I got whooshed was because I said about not great reviews of a particular place, who then moaned about it - you should be able to take criticism!!! And yet there were several other threads stating naming other places that were bad for one reason or another. There needs to be one rule across the board. Warnings or temporary bannings for like 24/48 hours are the way to go. Doesn't it depend on advertisers? I remember someone here having to reincarnate because she mentioned events at what I think is an exhibition centre out at the airport (begins with "M", can't be bothered to look it up). Don't know if she was thought to be trying to advertise a competitor of an EW advertiser or what.

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Latest post on 08 September 2011 - 08:20

the dolls have these weird alien type eyes that take up half their oversized heads, and this hair that goes for miles and just looking at it makes me itch. and when you change their shoes their whole lower legs come off **shudder** Are those those ghastly "Bratz" dolls, or has something superseded them? My favourite was Betty Spaghetti, but I was left to play with her by myself, dorter preferred horses :)

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simpleasabc

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Latest post on 08 September 2011 - 08:17

just a question..Do all the"oldies" actually socialise in "real life"? I man u seem almost like a roup of friends or is it just a cyber relationship? Good grief, if my friends treated me the way *some* of the people on here treat each other, they certainly wouldn't be my friends in the first place :) OTOH (that's "on the other hand", for acronym puzzlers), I'm a relative newbie (coming up for a year here on 11th September) and have met a few (select ;) ) ExpatWomen in real life and they've all been absolutely delightful :D

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Latest post on 08 September 2011 - 07:06

I met someone new to Dubai the other day who had heard so much about this forum that she has no intention of even registering since she is under the impression the natives aren't at all friendly. what an un-friendly impression:( we are all so loving and kind. Sad but true. Some have the impression there's a click and gang mentality. Clique? What clique? More of a coven, I'd have thought ;)

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simpleasabc

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Latest post on 08 September 2011 - 06:52

I met someone new to Dubai the other day who had heard so much about this forum that she has no intention of even registering since she is under the impression the natives aren't at all friendly.

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simpleasabc

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Latest post on 08 September 2011 - 06:50

So you'd be from Welsh Wales, then, Appletiser? ;)

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Latest post on 08 September 2011 - 06:30

There's a very interesting book called 'The day the world came to town' written about Newfoundland in Canada where all transatlantic aircraft were diverted to when US airspace was closed. Well worth a read. It was made into a play for BBC Radio 4, I believe. I certainly heard something based on those events on the radio a few years ago. Very good stuff. Unfortunately my download of it has gone to the great dead PC resting place in the sky..

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Latest post on 08 September 2011 - 06:28

Any update, Aroha? I wonder how many EW were to be seen in the children's aisle yesterday evening looking on the floor and under the shelves rather than the merchandise of the children's aisle! I couldn't bend very far to look, but kept an eye out just in case, afraid no luck.. Wonder if another Lil Miss picked it up and scarpered with it without saying a word?

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Latest post on 08 September 2011 - 06:24

DILLIGAF Charming ;)

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Latest post on 07 September 2011 - 21:10

IMNSHO, the H in the acronym IMHO stands for humble (and the N and the S in my own stand for not so). HTH. HAND. (Hope this helps. Have a nice day.)

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Latest post on 07 September 2011 - 14:19

I do think the world underwent a seismic shift on that day. Not necessarily for the better.. The day Dubya got voted in had to be the biggest mistake. Without his warmongering I doubt we'd be wasting human lives and money in Iraq & Afghanistan. [b'>Pregnant chads have a lot to answer for :( [/b'> edited by simpleasabc on 07/09/2011 What's going on with the quotes and fonts here? Answers are suddenly in the same colour as the quotes. Confused, who, me? edited by simpleasabc on 07/09/2011

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Latest post on 07 September 2011 - 14:04

Can I claim s*xual harassment to keepme out of jail if I do that? Prolly not, I mean it's your own fault for existing, isn't it?

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Latest post on 07 September 2011 - 13:59

Whats the video clip about can someone tell - as I dont have the offending veepee-ens. It's a documentary about twins whose "other halves" died in the Twin Towers almost 10 years ago. I found it very moving, particularly the ones whose brothers were fire-fighters. I do think the world underwent a seismic shift on that day. Not necessarily for the better..

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Latest post on 07 September 2011 - 13:56

Gra, there are freebies about - Expat Shield being one for the UK. Blocked... Oh, really? Working fine for me.

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Latest post on 07 September 2011 - 13:44

I've always felt I was very privileged not to have been obliged to carry on working at a job I hated when my daughter was born. The way things have turned out, I really wish I'd been on a different career path, with potential to return to work at something I enjoyed, but I still am happy to have been able to have (loads of) time at home with my daughter. The part-time jobs I've had since she was born have been dull, to say the least. When she goes off to lead her own life, I know there will be a huge* daughter shaped hole in my life and I have no idea what I'm going to do to fill it. Must find a job before then.. *Not saying she's huge, you understand.. edited by simpleasabc on 07/09/2011

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Latest post on 07 September 2011 - 13:28

Quite sad that so many innocents people had to die to aid the US pursuit of oil that does not belong to them! Perhaps a tad more complex than that, but point taken. Ten years on, the whole world is still reverberating with the repercussion from it, but have we learned from it?

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