simpleasabc | ExpatWoman.com
 

simpleasabc

simpleasabc
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Latest post on 09 August 2011 - 11:44
The type of pumpkin I use to roast is the same as is used for Jack-o'Lanterns at Hallowe'en, if that's any help - the big round orange ones. Haven't noticed them here, maybe they're available fresh cut up in slices, not whole?
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 08 August 2011 - 17:34
Amalzd, my husband is going to an Iftar buffet tomorrow night in Abu Dhabi, I will ask him to report back. Otherwise, the only Iftar meal we are planning to go to will be at the SMCCU, at the end of the month. Something to do with Swiss and Canadian business associations meeting up and all the families can go too to learn about Ramadan. I'm really looking forward to it, finally having the chance to talk to real live Emiratis :) Is Jallab made of dates, or is it our imagination? Gosh, the Maward was really dark and had no scent of roses at all.
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 08 August 2011 - 17:17
A question, if I may? What are the "traditional" drinks you have with Iftar? We have tasted a couple and couldn't catch their names. One was reddish and had pine-nuts floating in it, might have been date juice watered down? Another was deeper red and we were told it came from the petals of a flower. Very sweet and didn't particularly taste of anything.
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 08 August 2011 - 17:15
Only a very few vouchers in the Entertainer Fine Dining book seem to be valid for buffet style meals, most of them specify that they're valid for a "main course" only. Not sure if the other Entertainer books are the same?
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 08 August 2011 - 17:12
This time last year, most of the car companies had really good deals on for new cars for Ramadan. I suggest you have a think about what you want, narrow down the brands, maybe, and then go comparison shopping :)
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 08 August 2011 - 12:07
Interesting point, abby_n_christina. We rarely do packages, but that's because we're using up airmiles or the company is paying for part of it, so we always book flight and hotel separately. We usually uses Turkish Airlines to go to Istanbul, they are often the best rate from here. I hesitate to recommend the hotel we've stayed in in Istanbul, because, though quite pleasant, a refurbished Ottoman house in the Sultanahmet area, I find it over-priced for what it is, though the breakfast on the balcony overlooking the sea was excellent the first time we went (when it was also much better value) ;) I've read a few rave reviews of it on Trip Advisor recently, but can't believe it's the same place as people think the rooms are big and the brekky good and the people pleasant. After our last visit, all I can agree with is that the people are pleasant and the hotel is well-situated.
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 07 August 2011 - 22:56
Ah. I know Greece well, but have not yet visited Jordan, so can't make the comparison.
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 07 August 2011 - 22:39
I haven't been to Antalya, but I thought it was more of a beach resort, and a completely different kettle of fish from Istanbul?
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 07 August 2011 - 19:57
Basic rule of renting in Dubai, tenant pays for EVERYTHING.
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 07 August 2011 - 19:50
Bubble, here's the link to the site, in case you don't have it: http://www.shopandship.com/ship/about.aspx Unfortunately, the one-off joining fee has gone up to USD 45 since I joined - and I know other people got a cheaper deal as a special offer at Christmas, I think. If you don't already have an SnS account and don't particularly want one, you could order your Kindle from Amazon and use my SnS account and get it delivered to me. That way you wouldn't incur the costs of opening an account just for a Kindle. Email me if you'd like to do that. <em>edited by simpleasabc on 07/08/2011</em>
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 07 August 2011 - 18:55
I would stay in the Sultanahmet area if I were you, lots of lovely little hotels to choose from and walkable distance to most things: http://www.turkeytravelplanner.com/go/Istanbul/Sights/Sultanahmet/ Or, you could do worse than search for Istanbul on EW, there are plenty of recommendations to be had :) Don't know if lastminute.com are doing any good, special, deals?
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 07 August 2011 - 18:51
I bought my Kindle from Amazon, using Shop and Ship. I can't remember how much extra I had to pay for delivery to my doorstep (it goes on weight per lb), but a Wireless 3G one cost me GBP149, including VAT. I'll just plug Shop and Ship again, having in the past hour bought some HP printer cartridges online from Amazon UK as we can't find the ones we want here.
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 07 August 2011 - 17:30
We used to enjoy Duckworth and Daisy on the school run, (particularly "Are you Smarter than Daisy?" ;) ) but things have definitely deteriorated since Duckworth left. I also used to like Accalia when she did the mid-morning show, but you're right, the Breakfast Show doesn't suit her. Haven't found anything to replace it, so just stocked up the ipod and plugged it in. (Could this be part of the reason my computer has completely crashed, I wonder?) <em>edited by simpleasabc on 07/08/2011</em>
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 07 August 2011 - 17:22
So pleased to hear that you are reunited with your kindle, was wondering about that...hope the process wasn't too painful and frustrating. It's quite a long story, but as it was all my fault in the first place, I'm just delighted to have it back in my clammy little hands :)
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 07 August 2011 - 10:45
His hair wasn't that long. It was neat. My MIL now thinks that it would be better for us only to call once a week as the kids were upset and cried after we skyped last night. My daughter actually had her bags packed and wanted to come home *******&%!!!***&&&!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!$$$$$$$$$****** How much longer will they be staying with them? Have you been Skypeing every day, so far? You can't do that to children, if they want to talk to their parents and you have the option there, it's cruel to stop them. As kavsmum says, your MIL may not realize it, but she has shot herself in the foot behaving like this, because now what are the chances of her having her grandchildren to herself ever again till they're adults? NONE, I would say :(
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 05 August 2011 - 16:25
Gosh, I've never seen that before :) I can't work out what you're supposed to scan it with, at all, and no idea how to use apps anyway.. There's a link to the recipes from the programme at the bottom right of the iplayer screen on the BBC iplayer page, though. Aren't you piling on the agony watching food programmes when you're fasting, PI?
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 05 August 2011 - 16:14
SueR, I appreciate your support, but I'm afraid many of the factors you mention don't apply to our circumstances. Thank you for the suggestions, though. We have been finding with my mother, who is in the UK, that unless the elderly person has been sectioned, (or so it seems to us) they are allowed to make their own decisions and Social Services and other bodies will not help or interfere if the elderly person refuses to cooperate with them. Thanks for the pointers, Abaddon, but I just needed to vent last night, my husband will carry on doing what he's doing because he's a Greek only child and it's his mother. Also, mostly, his money - terrible thing to say, but part of the reason I stopped working when I was in a job I really disliked was because I was fed up with my hard-earned money going ma-in-law's way.. I've been fighting this battle since my father-in-law died 17 years ago, my husband is equally p*ssed off nowadays but refuses to put his mother in the street and is unable to get her to curb her excesses, she is extremely stubborn and just does what she likes, borrowing from elsewhere if we don't stump up. Over the years, we've found several solutions to her debt problems, but she has refused to accept them, thus leaving us in deeper dooh-dah. As her credit cards are on his accounts, if you see what I mean, we have no option but to be liable. He did that so that if ever there was a medical emergency, the doctors would be paid. She has abused his kindness by calling an ambulance to take her to a private room in a private hospital whenever she feels ill, or fancies a change of scenery, more likely, without her doctor's say-so. Of course, had he been the type who would see his mother in the street, I wouldn't have married him - I take heart that at least she's not living with us - although then, at least, we could have saved some money ;) That's enough of my mother-in-law, she'll outlive us all anyway and then have to take responsibility for her debts, and ours :D
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 05 August 2011 - 14:38
Thanks, emlsnre, you can remove your email addy now.
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 05 August 2011 - 14:19
I'm fairly sure it was upgraded to SP3. The disc I have, which doesn't seem to be recognized as the original set-up CD-ROM, says SP1a, but I know it was upgraded to at least SP2 and thinking again, I'm almost certain it had SP3.
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 05 August 2011 - 00:09
RebeccaS, that is the same question I am asking but husbad won't risk anything bad happening to her, he's afraid she'll be dumped in the street and left to die. Or they could take her flat away from her (my favourite option), pay her debts and leave her the rest of the mortgage to live off. This is in Greece, where social security is minimal and as you know, the country's finances are in a mess, so heaven help her.. However I'm sounding about this, Derien, I do understand how you feel about your ma-in-law and your son's hair, that sort of behaviour is just not on. But believe me, mothers-in-law can do much, much worse :)
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 04 August 2011 - 23:16
Sorry to sound unsympathetic, but I've just found out that my mother-in-law has been summonsed to court for non-payment of thousands of euros on her credit cards, which she'd lied to us about paying off the minimum monthly amount and we're going to have to pay it all off ourselves. Your son's hair will grow back, we'll never get the tens of thousands of euros of our money my mother-in-law has spent over the last 20 years back, in fact we are in debt because of her.. Oh that is aweful, I'm so sorry to hear that. My problems are trival next to yours Oh, Derien, I'm so sorry to sound unsympathetic, I should be used to my ma-in-law and her expectation that we will bail her out every time she gets into a financial mess, but, yet again, just when I thought we were finally getting into the black financially, we're faced with yet another huge debt of hers.. We're 55, we should be on an even keel financially and we're just not and it's so annoying. At least she's got her health ;) (She's nearly 90 and bedridden.)
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 04 August 2011 - 23:13
My husband's package is such that the non-paid income tax in our home country is supposed to cover education. It doesn't. Don't do it.
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 04 August 2011 - 23:11
Sorry to sound unsympathetic, but I've just found out that my mother-in-law has been summonsed to court for non-payment of thousands of euros on her credit cards, which she'd lied to us about paying off the minimum monthly amount and we're going to have to pay it all off ourselves. Your son's hair will grow back, we'll never get the tens of thousands of euros of our money my mother-in-law has spent over the last 20 years back, in fact we are in debt because of her..
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 04 August 2011 - 18:34
Wow, CP, whilst I absolutely agree with what you say, though I don't have your experience to have advised it with any confidence myself, may I ask if you've not been having too good a day? I don't think I've ever seen you so vehement :)
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 04 August 2011 - 14:20
Know what you mean, AussiePup. See if you can find some authoritative research, one way or another, on the net, perhaps, before you make a decision? I think there is a certain distance from pylons which may be considered safe, but I can't find reference to it at the moment. 250 metres rings a bell, but I could be completely wrong.
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 04 August 2011 - 12:17
Yes, there are two pools in nearby Springs 14 which peeps from Meadows 9 are able to use.
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 04 August 2011 - 10:45
Good luck with the move and have a great time in Jordan and then Singapore, Lemondrops. They call Singapore the Switzerland of the East, for some reason. Make of that what you will ;)
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 03 August 2011 - 23:09
Moonbeam, it sounds as if your Firefox profile has been corrupted. If you can be bothered, you could create a new FF profile and then import all your important stuff from your old profile: http://kb.mozillazine.org/Creating_a_new_Firefox_profile_on_Windows
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 03 August 2011 - 18:10
I've just tried Google Chrome, because I do find FireFox clunky with all the add-ons I have - but GoogleChrome took half an hour to install, is huge and then refused to import my passwords from FF - so I'm back to FF now :) I've heard of a browser called Iron, anyone know about it?
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 03 August 2011 - 17:06
I love it here, apart from the pylons :) It's the only place I've lived in in Dubai, so nothing to compare it with here. It's peaceful, mostly the only sound is birds singing. Some nice lakes to take the dog for walks round when it's cooler. Not far from the Town Centre complex.. I will say, it's a bit far out, I always forget to add on an extra 10 mins to every journey just for getting on to the SZR..
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 03 August 2011 - 16:10
Dhs 0.01 per second. Better than a slap in the face with a wet kipper :) Soon mounts up :) Thanks, amalz :)
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 03 August 2011 - 14:33
I found this in Time Out, it's not so much the question as the answer which is interesting in the context of PI's query: Quote: "How much weight does the average person put on after Ramadan once their metabolism has all but shut down?" Ian It really depends on the diet one chooses to have during Ramadan. Most people plan their diet to include a lot of nutritional value in the form of fresh salads, enough proteins and carbohydrates as well as lots of water and dedicating time to exercise. The intention of observing Ramadan is to learn empathy for the less fortunate and patience – not to spend your nights feasting on rich and fatty foods. UQ.
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 03 August 2011 - 13:29
Good luck, and congratulations on the new baby :) Xronia Pola :D
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 03 August 2011 - 13:10
When we asked at Easter, it was still only in Arabic, apparently.
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 03 August 2011 - 12:58
Two EE's Female, One E male :-) Thanks for clearing that up Sarah. We have all made typo's at some stage so I will give YC the benefit of the doubt. What's the name of that law, Cyclone T? ;) Murphy's? S*d's? :D
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 02 August 2011 - 18:17
There's always the old favourite: http://www.spleck.net/smack_the_penguin/index.html
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 02 August 2011 - 17:17
Not mindless but addictive none the less http://www.freerice.com/ Oooh, thanks, Wuffles, that's a good one :)
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 02 August 2011 - 17:13
Winding up other posters on EW? ;) Oh, not that sort of mindless game :D What's "Angry Birds", Granola? Spider Solitaire is my mindless game of choice.
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 02 August 2011 - 15:43
Just to add, don't forget to add about AED10k on to the cost of the annual rent for the first year, for security deposit and agent's commission..
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 02 August 2011 - 14:40
"Bump" is when someone bumps the topic up to the top of the list so that people who start reading the forum later in the day don't miss it. Yes, I hope they find that poor puppy very soon..
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 02 August 2011 - 00:50
Doesn't really matter if you put a sweet filling into a pastry case with no sugar in it.
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 02 August 2011 - 00:49
I've been thinking about this since my earlier response and am just wondering - why would you want to travel without your child? She's part of your life now, you're responsible for her. Whatever you've been through recently, and I'm sorry for all your troubles, you can't just decide that you need me time and leave your child behind. You're a parent now. In the words of someone or other on here, in the nicest possible way, suck it up, Princess :) ETA: Sorry, just re-read your original post and you don't even want to leave her behind. So, don't :) <em>edited by simpleasabc on 02/08/2011</em>
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 01 August 2011 - 20:07
Yeah, all well and good, but you need to find the right FB page first :)
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 01 August 2011 - 18:27
I'm looking at the page in the latest Time Out saying "Iftars & Suhoors", Under Dhs100 at this very moment.. Maybe you're looking online and they're more expensive there? I've just seen Chutney's for AED85 - and you get a 20% discount if you "like" them on FB. <em>edited by simpleasabc on 01/08/2011</em>
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 01 August 2011 - 18:14
Why don't you just bring your DD along? I'm sure there will be lots of families traveling and it really won't be that bad. Just bring a stroller and a diaper bag and your DD may enjoy it as much as you. And who better to snuggle up to at night than a little baby when you are having a rough time? *like*...and it is a great time to do this when your LO can not walk! Agreed. Also, I'm racking my brains to think of a place in Athens where an infant would not be allowed. Greeks tend to welcome the presence of babes in arms and children of all ages, they go everywhere "en famille" and children stay up as late as their parents in the summer holiday months. Honestly, take her with you, you'll have fun :)
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 01 August 2011 - 14:51
I think you'll find Ramadan in Cairo and the Turkish part of Cyprus - no idea whether it is as strictly enforced there as it is here, though. In the Greek part of Cyprus, I've heard really good things about this place, near Paphos: http://www.aphroditehills.com/cyprus_hotel Though I think it's quite expensive, but maybe you could get a good deal, worth it for your anniversary? We stayed at the Sheraton in Limassol 20 odd years ago and it was nice there, don't know what it's like now..
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 01 August 2011 - 14:18
The latest Time Out lists all the Iftar meals available, I think and some of them mention "international" cuisine (I wonder what Paul's 4 course Iftar menu will be like, for example?), but most are described as "traditional Arabic", with the odd Indian restaurant thrown in.
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 01 August 2011 - 13:29
Does it show with English sub-titles?
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 01 August 2011 - 11:52
Thanks for the info, Stovetop.
simpleasabc
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 01 August 2011 - 11:46
Is it only Du customers who are finding it blocked, or is it Etisalat as well?
 
 
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