simpleasabc | ExpatWoman.com
 

simpleasabc

simpleasabc
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Latest post on 29 June 2013 - 08:51
Salamander, the very question that was puzzling me, too. Under what circumstances would a (potential?) employee disclose such information? Hardly discreet.
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 29 June 2013 - 00:49
Isn't the UAE unusual amongst Muslim countries in that it expects its non-Muslim guests to fast (at least in public) alongside the Muslims? I believe in other Muslim countries, it is not considered disrespectful or Haram for non-Muslims to eat and drink in public, but is a test of the faith and strength of Muslims to be able to withstand the temptation of watching others eat and drink during daylight hours? Much like Lent for Christians? If everyone is legally obliged to fast, where is the sacrifice? edited by simpleasabc on 29/06/2013 <em>edited by simpleasabc on 29/06/2013</em>
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 28 June 2013 - 13:21
If you have a car accident, big or small, you have to remain on the spot where the accident occurred and dial 999 for the police. Then wait until they arrive at the scene so they can make a report. This even if only your car and an inanimate object are involved, or if someone scratches/dents your car in a car-park whilst you're shopping. Depending on the circumstances, you may even be fined. I am ready to be corrected on this, but I think this is because authorised dealer garages will not repair your car unless you have the police report for insurance purposes. If the accident is minor and the cars can be driven then they advise you to go to the nearest police station to where the accident took place. My friend and I were involved in a bump and this is what the police told us? and yes garages will repair without a police report ;-) Whereas when I rang 999 I was told to return to the "scene of the crime" and call the police from there. The police report is necessary for claiming against insurance.
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 27 June 2013 - 22:25
Why are you annoyed that the teachers were having drinks after school? Not denying them, of course, it's the fact that I tried to reach the school literally within 5 minutes of DD walking out of the gate - and absolutely no one answered the phone from there and constantly trying one hour later. That's Admin, not teaching staff.
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 27 June 2013 - 21:05
My apologies if this news has already been posted, just remembered reading it whilst I was in London last week: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/ofsted-chief-says-private-schools-are-marooned-on-an-island-of-privilege-8669035.html
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 27 June 2013 - 20:58
It's the entrance by the hotel whose name escapes me..Parking opposite, three minute walk to SR Hall from the main doors. ETA: Possibly right next to Novotel? <em>edited by simpleasabc on 27/06/2013</em>
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 27 June 2013 - 11:20
Mrs_B, I really feel for you and I think in your shoes, I would just hang all the expense she has cost you and cancel her return ticket now, if that is possible in your circumstances. As someone suggested below, see if you can go through an agency like Howdra or Explorer as though it may be more expensive, it seems you will have more peace of mind. In the meantime, if you need a friendly helping hand, you could do worse than look for the Facebook group "The Fairy Godmothers Club Support Page".
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 27 June 2013 - 11:04
We love the "Traiteur" restaurant at the Park Hyatt and are looking forward to trying its Old Widow brunch before Ramadan :)
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 26 June 2013 - 21:20
I always like Latitude at JBH - a lot quieter and less variety than Al Qasr or Westin (as far as I know, not been to Bubbalicious yet), but still fun. Is Yalumba fully booked, too? The one at the Dubai Marina Yacht Club is v good, but not as lively and I gather the Talk at the Movenpick on the Walk is good and fun, with jazz. I want to try Traiteur at the Park Hyatt, though I believe it is not on a par with the others for variety or entertainment value.
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 21 June 2013 - 09:49
How about an IPhone? 1 year-olds love to play on those. It will keep the baby busy for hours. This being Dubai an'all, and in the absence of an irony smiley, I'm rather afraid this was not written in jest..
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 19 June 2013 - 00:55
Shannon B, you ROCK :D
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 16 June 2013 - 14:24
Are you planning to drive yourself to Abu Dhabi whilst having contractions every 5 minutes? Is your doctor aware of this situation?
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 16 June 2013 - 12:08
It's probably very sad that I'm more interested in this story, also jaw-dropping (to me): http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/nigella-lawson-attacked-husband-see-1955564
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 13 June 2013 - 12:55
I'm sorry to hear your "friend" has treated you like this, but I would advise you to walk away now before it gets any worse, accept there will be no gratuity and start again having learned from the experience.
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 06 June 2013 - 10:50
How terrible, Divalicious. Obviously I don't get the role of an HR department :(
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 06 June 2013 - 09:58
Hi Ginnee, please be careful, Kish Island is known to be a dangerous place for ladies, especially since she is alone. Every now and again you hear of something bad that has happened. I hope you get her out of there soon! She must be so scared. Good luck x you are right, i was in hr till recently and had employees who had to exit to kish, not safe at all Sorry, divalicious, but if you were aware that it was unsafe, why did you allow the employees to exit to Kish?
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 06 June 2013 - 09:40
I don't get why she has no money...must have missed an episode !! lol Please, Pikachu, bear in mind this is Real Life, not a soap.
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 05 June 2013 - 23:29
See here, http://www.dubailand.gov.ae/english/Tashjee/RulesandRegulations/Law%2026.pdf, Article 28. Possibly amended later, but only to a sitting tenant's advantage. Definitely not only 30 days notice, more like 12 months from the new landlord's purchase. Ask RERA.
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 05 June 2013 - 16:39
I pay VAT on anything to do with my UK property, as well. If I were you, I'd be changing my Financial Adviser roundabout now!
simpleasabc
5400
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 05 June 2013 - 15:55
Google is your friend: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_4361.html
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 05 June 2013 - 15:35
Direct flights from Dubai to Athens take around 5 hours. The trouble is, I think that to go anywhere other than Athens from here, you have to get a connecting flight, which may mean a lot of hanging around at the airport. Or you could decide to spend a couple of nights in Athens and then travel onwards to an island or elsewhere on the mainland, using internal flights, of course. I believe Emirates is the only airline which flies direct from Dubai to Athens and any cheaper flight will go via somewhere else and thus take longer and you still have to go via Athens for the islands! <em>edited by simpleasabc on 05/06/2013</em>
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 05 June 2013 - 12:27
I would add, if there are underage children involved, would it not be possible to lodge a document detailing the temporary guardians who are to look after the children until the permanent guardians under your home country will arrive to help, with your consulate? Unless you have substantial assets here, I think a making a Will is unnecessary.
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 05 June 2013 - 12:04
We don't have property here and keep our assets, apart from a minimal amount for our usual monthly expenses, elsewhere. No need for a will for us here. <em>edited by simpleasabc on 05/06/2013</em>
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 05 June 2013 - 09:18
I put "Western Union on Kish Island" into google and got this: http://www.moneytake.net/swift_codes_branches_1321_kish_island.html
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 04 June 2013 - 15:41
Try this link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/171879439626299/ You need to get in touch with Andrea Guy, who organizes it.
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 02 June 2013 - 12:39
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2334483/No-10-rocked-secret-love-affair-Stunned-PM-holds-crisis-talks-fears-tryst-blow-political-agenda-water.html I saw on a satirical blog that it was a secret love affair between David Cameron and himself, but that, of course, is not so secret!
simpleasabc
5400
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 02 June 2013 - 10:43
Put the biscuits in the bin, underneath coffee grounds.
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 02 June 2013 - 10:42
I think I noticed one in the MoE the other day, or maybe the Dubai Mall, or maybe both. Quoogle is your friend: http://www.pandora.net/en-ae/stores Looks as if it was the Dubai Mall, not the MoE. ETA: Oh, no, MoE too, as well as lots of other places, if you look at the whole list there :) <em>edited by simpleasabc on 02/06/2013</em>
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 02 June 2013 - 01:23
I believe only psychiatrists are allowed to prescribe medication for psychological/psychiatric problems.
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 02 June 2013 - 01:21
Think yourself lucky nothing worse has happened, pay the fine and remember to transfer the money earlier next time. :)
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 01 June 2013 - 13:38
You can't keep topping up the mortgage on your UK house from your own money, if he won't sell it's his responsibility to pay the balance. Not sure what you mean about his refusing to transfer it to his name, if it's in your name, you can do with it what you like, surely, including sell it? Anyhow, you can leave the tenants there for the moment, which in effect renders you homeless, take all you can home with you on 1st July and leave him/his company to tie up loose ends here after that. Good luck, I think I see you are deciding to do what is right for you and eventually will be right for your girls, but it looks as if the hardest thing for you has been to make the decision to go back to the UK.
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 01 June 2013 - 12:15
I think you would need more than attested certificates to be able to work here - I believe if you are "self-employed" here you need to register for a licence, which is a costly process, to the best of my understanding. I'm sure someone with more knowledge about these things than I have will be along to advise soon.
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 01 June 2013 - 10:45
Hi, there, Chickadee2! I don't know if you are aware, but some people both in government and private sectors, who work in Abu Dhabi and live in Dubai, are being obliged (by law, I believe, though I'm a bit hazy on the ins and outs of it all) to move to the Emirate in which they work by September this year - ie, they and their family are no longer allowed to live in Dubai if they work in Abu Dhabi. Please check that this is not going to be implemented by your husband's company a short way down the line, so you do not have the double hassle of finding a place to live and a school only to be torn away from it to find housing and schooling in AD. I would think the Marina/Jebel Ali end of town would be better for a commute. We live in The Meadows and one of our neighbours does the trip to AD every day, leaving at the crack of sparrow's f*rt and rarely returning before 6.30pm. Good luck - at least you already have experience of the ME, which is one up on many moving to Dubai :)
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 31 May 2013 - 16:51
If he would still have a job here if he refused the one in Malaysia, and he knows all this about you and the children, why on earth is he even considering Malaysia? If it doesn't go on for longer than 6 months, what would he do then?
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 31 May 2013 - 15:55
Thanks to Wuffles and PPM for enlightening me, it had never occurred to me that books might be used for decoration!! In answer to the original question, the book I've read recently that I most enjoyed was "Gone Girl". Wondering why blondie007 felt let down?
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 31 May 2013 - 15:52
Not much to contribute, but I agree with Pikachu and Itsonlyme. Lolacat is brilliantly positive and possibly more helpful in the long run, I think. I'm afraid if I were you, I'd be out of here with my children by now, and I know what I think DH stands for, and it's not an endearment.
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 31 May 2013 - 00:09
We've been to tailors in Satwa who opened at 4pm on a Friday.
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 31 May 2013 - 00:05
Out of curiosity, what else do you do with your books but read them? Use them as doorstoppers? Throw them at people? Stand on them to reach things too high for you?
simpleasabc
5400
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 30 May 2013 - 09:56
Please stop panic-mongering. There is nothing you can do about it, short of leaving the country.
simpleasabc
5400
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 29 May 2013 - 21:21
We've been told we can't get a car repaired (under the insurance?) without a police report.
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 29 May 2013 - 20:47
There's a very good selection of Tempur pillows at the Pharmacy in the big Al Wasl Road Spinneys in Umm Suqueim. There is also a Tempur shop along the SZR somewhere. Google would be your friend.
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 29 May 2013 - 20:35
I can only speak from my own experience (and that of my DD). Someone damaged my car, didn't wait around to tell me and I didn't notice the damage until I got home. DH took it to Jaffiliya police station near the Trade Centre Roundabout for them to inspect. They then provided an accident report form for the insurance company from the information he gave them as to where the accident occurred which, I think, cost 120. DD has had the same experience. Maybe that's because you didn't know where the accident happened? Anyway, good to know, thanks for adding that information.
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 29 May 2013 - 20:21
Apparently, from what I understand, it depends on the individual university's interpretation of these requirements: http://www.sfengland.slc.co.uk/full-time-study/new-students/are-you-eligible.aspx
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 29 May 2013 - 20:11
If you have a car accident, big or small, you have to remain on the spot where the accident occurred and dial 999 for the police. Then wait until they arrive at the scene so they can make a report. This even if only your car and an inanimate object are involved, or if someone scratches/dents your car in a car-park whilst you're shopping. Depending on the circumstances, you may even be fined. I am ready to be corrected on this, but I think this is because authorised dealer garages will not repair your car unless you have the police report for insurance purposes.
simpleasabc
5400
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 29 May 2013 - 16:44
Sorry, I've not watched it, just glimpsed something saying "Arabian Court" (I thought) and assumed IBM. Am no Mall expert :)
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 29 May 2013 - 09:45
Get your friend to have a look at the Rental Calculator here, putting in the Tenancy Contract Expiry Date as the last day of June: http://www.dubailand.gov.ae/english/Tanzeem/Rentals/Rental_Increase_Calculator.aspx
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 29 May 2013 - 09:39
You're kidding, MG :) I haven't watched The Apprentice for ages, and had forgotten that, if I ever knew it.. But with smart phones and tablets and things, nowadays it's the obvious thing for people to do, even for those with limited techy ability like myself. Anyhow, in this case, I'm sure they wanted to "showcase" IBM rather than the souks. (I've not watched the whole of this, so if someone *did* get to the souk, fair enough!)
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 29 May 2013 - 09:03
Just had a peek, what on earth were they doing trying to get a bargain crisp white Kandoura at Ibn Battuta Mall?!! You're saying that from a position of local knowledge, though. If you're not familiar with Dubai, how are you supposed to know that you shouldn't bother looking in a mall for something like that? They should have asked EW :D
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 29 May 2013 - 07:56
Just saw it was on last night which is a pain. I'd wanted to record it on filmon cos when we watch it using VPN it buffers and stops/starts. Just watch the you tube link I posted, then, no VPN necessary and no buffering.
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 29 May 2013 - 07:33
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7anSBO2v6Y Just had a peek, what on earth were they doing trying to get a bargain crisp white Kandoura at Ibn Battuta Mall?!! <em>edited by simpleasabc on 29/05/2013</em>
 
 
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