simpleasabc | ExpatWoman.com
 

simpleasabc

simpleasabc
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Latest post on 18 August 2011 - 11:11
I remember the excellent restaurant at the Auberge des Chasseurs in Echnevex! Jane, I have just remembered something I was told when I first moved to Geneva, which I thought was odd at the time, but understand better now: "Geneva's a great place to get away from!" It is so central that you can take a week-end break almost anywhere in Europe, you can drive to Provence, Venice, Austria, Germany.. And of course, ski-ing is only three-quarters of an hour away :)
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 18 August 2011 - 11:01
Hi, Jane, I'm a Londoner who lived in Geneva for 20 years before coming here. That, and the fact I clearly suffer from SAD, may explain why I much prefer here to Geneva. Here's an old thread I found which you may find helpful, otherwise, if there's anything more specific you want to know, I'm your woman, just ask, either on here or via email! Tartiflette has also moved from the Geneva area, but I think she's there at the moment and anyhow, I haven't seen her on EW for a while. http://www.expatwoman.com/forum/messages.aspx?TopicID=146325 Good luck with the move! Oh, Pepito, unfortunately, to the best of my knowledge, there is very little difference in cost of living over the border in "France voisine". French people travel from Annecy and beyond every day to Geneva because salaries are so much higher in Geneva than in France. Whereabouts does your friend live?
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 17 August 2011 - 16:59
I really don't get it, I don't think our Meadows house is in better or worse condition than others in our street, but we have just renewed for substantially less than the figure I think other properties in the same street have gone on the market for this week. The only difference may be that we don't have a landscaped garden. But AED45k pa difference???
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 17 August 2011 - 16:56
Supposedly "fresh". They give me goose bumps when I have to handle them. Never again! But where is better? Do they have to stick to guidelines here like they do in other countries? Fresh as in "freshly defrosted".. I'm afraid I bite the bullet and buy from the Organic Store when there are special offers on - apparently, this coming Saturday, there will be 20% discount, I was told earlier this week in The Greens.
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 17 August 2011 - 16:22
Sorry, no, I don't, though have just googled "Interflora Flower deliveries Dubai" and come up with a whole list of stores. http://www.google.com/search?q=Interflora+Flower+deliveries+Dubai&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a If you can, I would go online and find a florist in the country, if not the place, where you want the flowers delivered. If you have a credit card for the country, it'll probably be a whole lot cheaper than arranging Interflora from here..
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 17 August 2011 - 12:12
i have an excellent filing cabinet in the kitchen - 2 ft high with a swing lid.... AKA File 13. This is my favourite one. We used to "File it under Miscellaneous"..
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 17 August 2011 - 12:08
My husband did extensive research and cars like the large Toyotas and Mitsubishis seem to hold their value the best. We couldn't afford what we wanted, so have got second-hand Ford Explorers and are hoping we won't lose too much on the resale.
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 17 August 2011 - 12:00
We tend to use Star Alliance companies for airmiles and so go to Athens using Turkish Airlines, via Istanbul. Last time we did that, on the way back, we were able to have a few days' stopover in Istanbul at no extra charge, which was nice. I can't remember the details, we always get the cheapest option, which usually means travelling at night, which I dislike anyway. Quite a long wait at Istanbul Airport on the way out, I think.
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 16 August 2011 - 20:18
Fair suck of the sav, LT ;)
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 16 August 2011 - 19:35
Wasn't there an incident involving cargo planes and ink cartridges at Dubai airport? That would explain the ban. Yes, I understand that, only it's taken quite a long time to implement, and seems inconsistent. Also, only toner is included in SnS's T&C :(
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 16 August 2011 - 17:38
A little update. Strangest thing, only my order of HP cartridges from Amazon themselves got stopped. I've just received 3 others which were shipped as office supplies from a differently named Amazon subsidiary in Jersey.
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 16 August 2011 - 12:47
With hot food, however, I can see the issue - and it's not production hygiene, but what happens through transport and storage, because you can't easily ensure that it stays hot enough throughout the process to stop bacteria forming. Not even the seller can, unless they have invested in some decent kit. Heck, even some of the supermarkets fall down on temperature controlled transport and storage and we've all experienced the effects of something that was heated up, cooled, heated up again, kept luke warm for hours... On that basis, it's amazing the whole of Greece doesn't have permanent stomach upsets ;)
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 16 August 2011 - 11:36
I agree with HAK about not getting sippy-cups, and I seem to remember my dorter drinking from those fun character-driven reinforced plastic glasses made by Disney when she was your twins' age. I hope you feel better soon, maybe going to Australia will shake things up a bit for you and get you going again? Good luck with the driving test, it's a nightmare not being able to drive, particularly when you have children :)
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 16 August 2011 - 11:28
Our contract was signed end Oct/beg Nov last year and we are already in negotiation with the LL about renewal. I believe the renewal discussion was initiated by them, they just asked if we wanted to renew on the same terms and we said yes :)
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 15 August 2011 - 22:05
AussiePup, I was about to comment that prices in Meadows 9 seem to have increased - there are a couple newly for rent in our street which seem to be going for 200k to 220k (I checked the rental co's websites and guessed!), which is at least 20k more than we have signed up for, with no increase in demand, as far as I can see - there have been at least two empty houses on our street since we moved in 9 months ago.
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 15 August 2011 - 21:58
I was fetching dorter from terminal 1 early this morning and all the coffee shops were open there. DK if they are open from sunrise to sunset, though - looked like it as it seemed as if the places to sit were discreet.
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 11 August 2011 - 22:09
You can't have read the whole thread, QF2011, some people seem to have been blaming "immigrants" for these riots. I object to it. I think anyone with half a brain can see that the appalling bad behaviour is more age than race related. The people arrested and charged have ranged from an 11 year old to a 50 something person, with more adults than children in the mix. Your point is?
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 11 August 2011 - 22:00
Traditionally, Grappa is drunk from yer common or garden shot glass ;) ETA: which is of no use to you as you specifically want the flutes. Sorry. <em>edited by simpleasabc on 11/08/2011</em>
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 11 August 2011 - 21:58
Am I the only one with absolutely nothing to do this weekend? You all sound like you have very exciting lives!! To be honest, I'd happily swap with you. We are getting up early to drive a long way through desert (so what else is new) to Liwa as my husband has a thing about the Empty Quarter. I think it's too hot for exploring. The next day, we are driving to what sounds like a pleasant beach resort, miles away from anywhere, to enjoy the beach. I think it's too hot for the beach. If we'd been doing this in December, I'd be jumping with excitement, but no, we can only afford to go when there are special offers on, cos no-one else is mad enough to go during Ramadan ;)
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 11 August 2011 - 21:54
You can't have read the whole thread, QF2011, some people seem to have been blaming "immigrants" for these riots. I object to it.
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 11 August 2011 - 21:47
Maybe she thought it wouldn't reach your daughter if it didn't have the right family name on it?
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 11 August 2011 - 21:45
Thanks for bringing us the positive, from the front line, as it were, Custard Apple. As you say, most people cannot help but be impressed by the calm dignity of the father of one of the lads killed in the Birmingham hit-and-run (goodness, I do believe he's an immigrant), nor by the attitude of the Malaysian guy who was attacked by rioters pretending to help him (goodness me, also a would-be-immigrant). Actually, I didn't believe I would ever say this, but old Cameron's speech this afternoon (possibly morning in UK?) was quite impressive, too. I still think if there had been more leadership present after Mark Duggan was killed in Tottenham, things would probably not have reached this pass.
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 11 August 2011 - 19:05
A 14 year-old boy who was up in front of the court today for burglary was homeless, living on the streets. What do you suggest taking from the already dispossessed?
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 11 August 2011 - 17:09
Sorry, sugar - not suag Thanks for the clarification, Amy, I was wondering if this was some obscure Arabic ingredient I'd never heard of :)
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 10 August 2011 - 22:45
Sam, you're a star, HP364 are exactly the ones we need! Yeah! Thank you so much! Will check that out tomorrow!
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 10 August 2011 - 22:07
Huge {{{{Hugs}}}}, Grubberne. So sorry to hear of your loss. I'm sorry, I don't know of a support group here, with any luck, someone else will. Perhaps you need a couple of one to one sessions for grief counselling in the first place. The way you feel is quite normal. I can only tell you, time will heal - but don't be surprised if it does take a long, long time. That too is normal, I think.
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 10 August 2011 - 21:55
This is a tweet I received from BBC London News: Greenwich Council: will seek the eviction of any council tenants if they are found to have been engaged in criminal activities. Maybe it is 'tommyrot' I'm only asking the question. Calm down Also, given that it looks as if as many adults as young children participated in the looting, if not the rioting, it may be that whole families were involved. I agree, RedLesley, I'm not sure evicting people will help matters at all - there's no room in the prisons, even for a "short, sharp, shock" apparently, so putting them out on the street will just create a further, worse underclass, I would have thought, and not actually improve things for anyone.
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 10 August 2011 - 18:47
Conscription maybe a way forward, works in many other countries, but would the human rights lot have something to say? I wonder if you'd be so dismissive of 'the human rights lot' (not entirely sure who is meant) if your own human rights were in question? Also, there's something very strange about the fact that I'm living between two areas with bad rioting (though last night was quiet) and my local supermarket and shopping centre were looted on Monday night, and I'm not roaring 'Off with their heads!' the way people who are currently living thousands of miles away are on this thread. Can it really be that only the most reactionary British people move to Dubai, or is it something about Dubai that makes them such reactionaries? Ahem.
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 10 August 2011 - 15:48
It'll take 5 minutes to get gas cylinders delivered and installed, unless your kitchen isn't set up for gas? Otherwise, if you have a microwave oven, have a look at casseroles online and fake it ;) really?! That must be the most efficient service in the UAE! ;) I think we just see a delivery van going down the street and call the number on the side and they come and deliver immediately :) Whoever we used the first time helped with the connection and voila :)
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 10 August 2011 - 15:47
In our (limited) experience, it is after Iftar (8pm).
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 10 August 2011 - 15:16
Oh, and I forgot to say, really cheap ;)
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 10 August 2011 - 15:10
Simple you are probably right :-) i was told this about Yorkshire Pudding tins too.. haha The French say it about omelette pans, too - they should just be wiped off and lightly oiled (and they should only be used for omelettes).
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 10 August 2011 - 15:08
Does anyone know if there is anything similar to the HP Photosmart All-in-One series for sale here in the UAE (doesn't have to be HP, but would like it to print from computer, copy, scan and print photos)?
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 10 August 2011 - 14:00
If Custard Apple's friends' experiences are anything to go by, then we need a different definition of "civilization", as well. I blame Margaret Thatcher ;) :D
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 10 August 2011 - 13:57
My Nana always told me not to wash a teapot just rinse it out.... ( Not sure why) :-) Yes, mine did, too - it was for the sake of the flavour of the tea. Mind you, this was in the old-fashioned brown china pots, not yer new-fangled glass ones!
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 10 August 2011 - 13:53
Just sort out a way of your husband's company giving you an advance on his salary so that you can pay your housing cheque(s) a year in advance - you don't want to have to get a bank loan here to pay for your house.
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 10 August 2011 - 13:23
Thanks, Shamat, will give that a go.
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 10 August 2011 - 13:22
We did it to our daughter last summer, too. She understood how serious it was and has been better about keeping curfews since then, though still not good at keeping in contact.
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 10 August 2011 - 13:11
It'll take 5 minutes to get gas cylinders delivered and installed, unless your kitchen isn't set up for gas? Otherwise, if you have a microwave oven, have a look at casseroles online and fake it ;)
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 10 August 2011 - 13:08
Isn't it often only a little bit more expensive to buy a whole new printer than to buy new ink cartridges? Seems a bit excessive, since our printer is quite new and working fine, but I take your point..
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 10 August 2011 - 13:04
I find this perspective interesting and thoughtful: http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/camila-batmanghelidjh-caring-costs-ndash-but-so-do-riots-2333991.html
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 10 August 2011 - 12:57
There's a list of banned products published by Aramex, but printer ink cartridges are not on it, though printer toner *is*. They say they updated the list in May but printer ink cartridges are still not mentioned. Muurtje, that would be why we can't find the right cartridges here. We've got friends coming over from Switzerland in October, I'll just have to hope they can bring us supplies in their suitcases. Until then, what do we do, though? PI, SnS suddenly stopped provided a service they had provided before, without any warning or notice, so I've paid out the best part of 100 squid for cartridges I need now and won't get. Obviously, I wouldn't have done that if SnS had let me know of the change in status.
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 10 August 2011 - 11:59
I've seen this, which sadly hits the nail on the head for some of them: "For a bunch of people with no opportunities, this is an opportunity."
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 10 August 2011 - 11:35
The Duggan family still don't have proof which convinces them that there was any reason for their son to be shot and killed by the police, btw. Shame it is not even about that any more. Just stupid thugs. Hurting their own communities, even their own parents cant go to the shops to buy the kids dinner because they have ensured everywhere closes down. How very helpful with the economy in such a state. the irony is, they are too stupid to know what a great effect this is going to have! was it ever about that? Wasn't that just an excuse? It was a trigger for what happened in Tottenham. Since then, it's had nothing to do with it - kids noticed that people their age could riot and loot and commit arson in Tottenham without being stopped by the police, so they decided it was a good game to try in other places, to get new tellies and trainers and other stuff which otherwise they were too poor to have..
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 10 August 2011 - 11:32
The Duggan family still don't have proof which convinces them that there was any reason for their son to be shot and killed by the police, btw. Shame it is not even about that any more. Just stupid thugs. Hurting their own communities, even their own parents cant go to the shops to buy the kids dinner because they have ensured everywhere closes down. How very helpful with the economy in such a state. the irony is, they are too stupid to know what a great effect this is going to have! Something which I find interesting after many of the categorical statements which were made on the deleted threads, is that it is clear that "immigrants" are also up there standing up for their community and City - Sikhs, Buddhists and Moslems in Southall last night, the Turks in Stoke Newington the night before and that if you look at the footage from Manchester last night, the majority of looters were most definitely not from the Afro-Caribbean community, there were predominantly white kids involved. <em>edited by simpleasabc on 10/08/2011</em>
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 10 August 2011 - 11:22
Yuck. UAE is junk food central. Can't wait to get back to Switzerland in Summer. Ah, it was *you* - I was racking my brains trying to remember who it was who said I'd find nothing food-wise to compare to Switzerland in variety, quality and price, when I first came here ;) Having been back recently, I agree with you entirely on French/Swiss cuisine - the quality and value for money is brilliant compared to here, but when it comes to "international" food, I have to say, I love the variety of Arabic/Lebanese and Indian food here, which you certainly can't get in my little area of Switzerland :) Have you been home for the summer yet, or will you going back for good?
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 10 August 2011 - 11:14
The Duggan family still don't have proof which convinces them that there was any reason for their son to be shot and killed by the police, btw.
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 09 August 2011 - 21:38
It's the second one to go today and I was surprised it went on this long. Politics, i'nnit? Not allowed. In other news, a friend of mine is sitting scared in Blackheath as people were tweeting about gathering in Greenwich Park and setting fire to the Museum there. I just hope the violence dies down, it's so worrying to see such young children involved and it's set to be the "high point" of their lives as they feel effectively that they have no future. I just wanted to say, a gun was found in a sock near Mark Duggan's body, not sure even if it was his firearm at all. edited by simpleasabc on 09/08/2011 <em>edited by simpleasabc on 09/08/2011</em>
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 09 August 2011 - 15:02
*like* Now there also needs to be "grass those rioting bast7rds up" website. Erme, I believe there is already a Facebook retaliation page, though I haven't looked for it. The whole thing needs to be stopped first, before thinking about causes and consequences. <em>edited by simpleasabc on 09/08/2011</em>
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 09 August 2011 - 11:49
I've heard of butternut squash, and I think you're right, it's the one that goes stringy - in Geneva, it tends to be sold as decoration rather than cooking! Is it not also called "spaghetti squash", and aren't there American recipes where you can use it? It might even work in pumpkin soup, no?
 
 
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