simpleasabc | ExpatWoman.com
 

simpleasabc

simpleasabc
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Latest post on 31 July 2011 - 00:28
Quick! Get the Entertainer offer of two nights for the price of one at Bab Al Shams - offer available till end September but last booking is 31st July! Otherwise, they have good offers anyway over Ramadan, not sure about Eid.
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 30 July 2011 - 18:38
Discretion is your watchword, Jags. I'm confused, this is our first Ramadan here, you can still drink alcohol after sunset in hotel bars and restaurants, right?
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 30 July 2011 - 13:44
Yep, 6 of one or half a dozen of the other, definitely :) I was also raised only to eat oysters when there is an "r" in the month, which cuts out the Northern Hemisphere loosely-termed "summer" months. Is it the opposite for the Southern Hemisphere, I wonder?
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 29 July 2011 - 12:38
Welcome to Dubai, Kpea :) I'm sorry, I'm not an expert on nurseries, but I have noticed that there is one in the Springs Town Centre area and I think there are a couple in the Lakes. Not sure if there's one at the Village (Choithrams) shopping centre. I'm afraid I've no idea of their waiting lists or reputations. Good luck :)
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 29 July 2011 - 12:19
Probably easier than it would be if they were arriving in September as by November, the no-shows will have become clear and their places will be available. Suggest your friends contact the schools in which they are interested asap, to get their children on the waiting list, at least.
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 29 July 2011 - 12:12
From what I've heard, if you're lucky enough to get offered a place there, DAA is the best option. They never even returned my phonecalls :) (Bitter, moi?)
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 29 July 2011 - 00:19
I've be In the meantime, I'm watching Florence and the Machine. Completely different genre from AW, but fantastic voice and songs and despite being troubled also, I believe has not succumbed to addiction. She's young, yet, of course, but a great performer. Hope she survives success. What??? Where did you dream that up from?? Total rubbish. Oh? Really?
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 28 July 2011 - 18:29
Thanks that helps but even on PC with the thingy it won't play ball. You can just change your country of registration, I think, without even having to put in cc details or buy anything - at least, I've done that for my iPod, a long time ago, IIRC.
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 28 July 2011 - 17:44
Google the initials of Victor Papa November.
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 28 July 2011 - 17:31
We've been Florence fans for a while but wasn't aware she's "troubled"... how ?? She says it herself. Suffers from manic depression. I'd call that troubled, wouldn't you? ETA: Sorry, self-harmed and depression, not necessarily manic. edited by simpleasabc on 28/07/2011 as i said, i wasn't aware which was why i asked... Sorry, Sue, didn't mean to be brusque.
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 28 July 2011 - 16:44
Do hope so. She seems to be able to write great songs either way.
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 28 July 2011 - 16:34
We've been Florence fans for a while but wasn't aware she's "troubled"... how ?? She says it herself. Suffers from manic depression. I'd call that troubled, wouldn't you? ETA: Sorry, self-harmed and depression, not necessarily manic. Her grandmother suffered from manic depression and committed suicide after her grandfather's death, apparently. Florence has also suffered from insomnia in the past and can be over-tired as a result, which is not much fun either. edited by simpleasabc on 28/07/2011 <em>edited by simpleasabc on 28/07/2011</em>
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 28 July 2011 - 14:53
Thanks for the info, Sage & Onion, I thought it was my computer being slow as usual - couldn't even watch You Tube last night without it going haywire..
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 28 July 2011 - 14:47
Gems Wellington International School has just changed from A levels to IB Diploma, with IGCSEs in Year 11, I believe. This is the first year they have a Diploma cohort. Have no idea of the results. Wondering about it as dorter starting there next term in Yr 12. <em>edited by simpleasabc on 28/07/2011</em>
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 28 July 2011 - 11:28
I am 52 and was lucky to be offered (and accept) a full time job a few months back, I am loving it too! The role was advertised on here! Are you still in relocation, CP, or have you moved on to pastures new? Either way, congratulations, if I haven't said so already :)
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 28 July 2011 - 10:37
Depending on how long ago you took the exams, could you not go back to the school where you took them and ask if they still have records of which board(s) they were using at the time you were there?
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 28 July 2011 - 10:34
At 55, I've given up any hope of getting remuneration for my time here. So voluntary work it will be. Someone quite recently put up a link to a volunteers' group - I meant to note it down, but didn't, of course. Does anyone else remember it, please? Was it something like "Volunteer in Dubai"? Thank you for your input.
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 28 July 2011 - 02:35
I've been looking on You Tube and unfortunately, can find very few live performances where she is not under the influence of something or other. Wow, her backing/dancing guys are quite something, I can see how they carried the performance for her when she was in Dubai, as I believe was mentioned at the time. In the meantime, I'm watching Florence and the Machine. Completely different genre from AW, but fantastic voice and songs and despite being troubled also, I believe has not succumbed to addiction. She's young, yet, of course, but a great performer. Hope she survives success.
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 27 July 2011 - 20:38
Amy's father, guilt or denial? Strange family dynamic, he was in NY driving a taxi and I believe his wife was in London? No idea what went on there, haven't perused the papers or net about this, but it seems the poor girl was ripe to get hooked on something when she met the man who became her husband and then her ex. I'm afraid this Blake bloke is the true villain, to me. The parents couldn't help. God forbid any of us, as parents, land up in a similar situation.
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 27 July 2011 - 19:00
And more!
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 27 July 2011 - 02:14
has claire left for good?? no way! Way :(
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 27 July 2011 - 01:30
Nicky, if you're an Entertainer member for this year, sign in online and look at this month's offers. You'll see Bab al Shams there, though it may be sold out by now.. You can but try, which is what I'm doing :) http://www.theentertainerme.com/
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 26 July 2011 - 21:54
Didn't Claire-who-has-left-now-but-was-wonderfully-kind-and-a-fount-of-all-useful-information-about-Dubai say that before they left, they were staying at the Al Qasar on an excellent deal? I think the Atlantis also has great deals at this time of year.
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 26 July 2011 - 21:48
cut his hair while sleeping :) Wouldn't that be too dangerous? There might be some problems caused by a sleeping scissors-wielding parent.
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 26 July 2011 - 19:51
Stayed 2 nights a few weeks ago with the Entertainer 2 for 1 offer. You can still use that till end of month. It was for our wedding anniversary. They had a beautiful cake waiting for us in the room and fresh fruit. The only downside is the restaurants, we had 2 for 1 with Timeout mag and just as well as not worth the price otherwise. If you book before the end of the month using the Entertainer two for one Voucher, you can get the deal till the end of September. I'm trying now for husbad's b'day but the week-end is v booked up, they're kindly looking into it for me.. Otherwise I'm going to book any time I can, birthday week-end or not, and just go for it, he loves it there. So much for not going there every year, this now looks like twice a year :) Oh, I actually quoted Basil to add that I agree completely about the restaurants, v expensive for what they are. Breakfast is good, though, and the bar where you can watch the sunset is lovely, too, great mint lemonade! Pool bar food not bad, either. <em>edited by simpleasabc on 26/07/2011</em>
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 26 July 2011 - 14:43
It was absolutely lovely and really luxurious, but it was definitely a pushing the boat out thing for us, on our twentieth wedding anniversary. Not something we'd do every year.. ETA: Am now saving up for Zighy Bay for the 25th anniversary ;) <em>edited by simpleasabc on 26/07/2011</em>
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 26 July 2011 - 12:25
Maybe try Nineteen at the Address at the Montgomerie Golf Club in Emirates Living?
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 26 July 2011 - 00:10
Just to add, I'd go to Zighy Bay like a shot if we could afford it! Looks amazing! http://www.zighybay.com/ But not cheap, you might get a better deal further afield.
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 25 July 2011 - 23:59
The poor innocent lives lost in Oslo is so tragic. I look back to the Tsunami and watched footage, and I still say to this day I could NEVER holiday there knowing over 250,000 died. We deal with death in all kind of different ways, its our choice to pick and choose and decide what we want to say on EW, My Cousin was abused and murdered, did it hit the headlines, no it didnt, why would it, did people care, yes ofcourse family and friends cared. We should be able to express it in our own way. I do hope Amy's family now campaign and if only to save one live from drugs it will be an achievement. So sorry to hear about your cousin, Sal, I'm sure more people than only your family cared about her death. Good point about Amy's family campaigning. It would be good if her early death could achieve something, but looking at the other members of the 27 group, I'm not so sure. Russell Brand might be able to take her death and provoke a reaction, maybe?
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 25 July 2011 - 22:40
Workingmum, I'm sorry, I've realized I've got the details wrong, my husband's new passport is ready for him but he has valid visas for other countries in his old one so he's not going to get the new one till he's travelled to the countries he needs to go to without waiting to get new visas for his new passport. I believe the current UAE residence visa remains valid, though, and the main thing is, his current passport has not been sent back to Switzerland whilst he waits for a new one to be issued, which was the point I was trying to make, rather badly..
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 25 July 2011 - 22:34
it was upsetting that the vast majority of the comments I was seeing leaned towards one persons passing (as opposed to an event that was cataclysmic in comparison). no, it is not about the person passing, it is about the talent that went wasted. extremely sad. I don't think you mean that the way it reads, at least I hope you don't - what about the wasted talent of the young lives killed in Norway? They possibly had great political futures in their own country, just because you didn't know their names doesn't mean they weren't talented. No, you can't compare the two, but for once, I agree with OS, what happened in Norway on Friday will reverberate politically round the world, Amy Winehouse's death does not have the same ramifications and don't get me wrong, I think her death is extremely sad and a waste of a great talent, but she did it to herself. Those poor children on the island did not.
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 25 July 2011 - 18:13
The gazpacho was deeelish :) Different recipe from the one I would have used (had cumin in it, v subtle), but lovely. AED22 for 400gms. Google casserole online Dubai if you're interested.
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 25 July 2011 - 17:47
Welcome to Dubai, Nessie :) I'm sure you'll be fine - once you've got everything sorted.. Could I suggest you look on the schools board for sage advice about searching for schools at this time of year. I'm afraid I can't help you as we're using the IB system for our daughter, who is older than your children, anyhow. A school which springs (huh, sorry) to mind as being within walking distance of a community with a communal pool is Dubai British School, which is in the Emirates Living (Meadows, Lakes, Springs) area, but I can't tell you much about it, I'm afraid.
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 25 July 2011 - 17:18
Thanks for the replies. Will look in both places when I next go; for the mo, have decided to try the casseroles online peeps, as I suddenly thought they might do soups as well, and they do, delivery within the hour. Yummy (I hope!). I'm being particularly lazy today as I just got back from Geneva at about 4 this morning, went to bed with the dawn chorus, a bit discombobulated (yes, even more than usual) ;) <em>edited by simpleasabc on 25/07/2011</em>
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 25 July 2011 - 16:36
I'm sorry, I can't help - just to suggest, perhaps you'll find someone who knows on the Abu Dhabi board?
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 25 July 2011 - 15:20
My husband needed a new Swiss passport because he'd run out of pages for visas, with all the travelling he does. He put in an application on line and went down to the Swiss Consulate here when they told him his new passport was ready, at which time, I believe, his old one was cancelled for travel, even though it was not out of date and he keeps it because it has his residence visa in it. At no time did he have to send away his passport and he travelled on it whilst waiting for his new one to be issued. My point is, is there any other country apart from the UK which insists on their non-UK-resident nationals being without travel dox and what, for the British, is effectively an ID card, whilst their passports are being renewed? Particularly when this ridiculous new renewal method can take 6 weeks or longer?
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 19 July 2011 - 01:23
Thanks, BFC, will wait till I get home to sort things, then. Not that we can afford new electronics stuff, being as what I pranged my hire car against a Landrover this pm whilst attempting to park on a main road. Only got basic insurance, so all to my cost..
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 18 July 2011 - 22:49
Hi, SugarBeach - thanks for your quick reply. No, I've no idea of the current prices of laptops in the UAE, but last time I looked, they were more expensive than where I am now (Switzerland). I'm just wondering if there might be a good price in the Dubai summer sales - I don't mind not having the latest one, it's just I'm using dorter's Vaio at the mo and it is brilliant compared to my PC in Dubai - not sure how much that is to do with the broadband connection here and there.. Will definitely check weight for S&S, anyhow.. ETA: Supplementary question: Given my Kindle has disappeared in Doha and shows no sign of resurfacing, would I be better off getting an iPad? Could I watch telly on it? <em>edited by simpleasabc on 18/07/2011</em>
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 14 July 2011 - 14:59
Ooh, AH, (sorry, OS) I had camel-milk chocolate with dates in the other day and liked it - couldn't taste the difference between camel-milk and ordinary milk chocolate. <em>edited by simpleasabc on 14/07/2011</em>
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 14 July 2011 - 14:51
Not sure if you still need suggestions - but i go to Version Francaise in Dubai Marina. Love them. I use a girl called Kate. And Feri is great too. My daughter went to Kate last year, just for a trim, and it was fine. More recently, she went back and asked for a specific style and had a lot more cut off than she wanted. It was a complete disaster, uneven lengths all over her head, she looked an absolute mess for a couple of months and it's only just beginning to look a bit more normal now.
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 14 July 2011 - 13:13
Thanks, emlsnre. Apparently, no Candelite store in MoE. Will check out the Camel Shop there, just in case.
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 14 July 2011 - 11:48
Thanks, Stovetop, running round like headless chicken at mo, so not sure I'll get there. OK, deep breaths, make a list. 1. Make a list..
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 14 July 2011 - 11:29
Aah, bless :) That sounds great. Result :)
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 14 July 2011 - 09:36
We've got a well-trained "special needs" almost adult dog from K9 Friends and despite all her racket and the havoc she causes, we wouldn't change her for the world. But we don't have a small child in the house and I'm not sure how she would have been with a baby.. The care the people at K9 Friends took to match her to us was fantastic and they were absolutely right, she quickly became a member of our family.
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 14 July 2011 - 09:32
I use Jacquie Lawson, but it depends on your style, some of them can be a bit precious. Not too expensive if you take out a 2-year sub. This has reminded me, husbad and I met at a Bastille Day wedding in London 22 years ago today! Off to send a card to our friends to remind them ;)
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 13 July 2011 - 23:49
Preens ;) Welcome to Meadows 9, look forward to meeting you :)
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 13 July 2011 - 22:45
This is no help to you but I'm delighted to say I have an appointment at 11 am on Saturday morning for cut, colour and highlights at my hairdresser in Geneva [url=http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php'>[img'>http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-happy105.gif[/img'>[/url'> She is about the only friend of mine there at the moment, I'm going to spend most of my time doing a taxi service for dorter.
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 13 July 2011 - 22:22
:D
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 13 July 2011 - 11:47
Sorry to hear of your troubles with your little one. All I can suggest is that you write a letter of authorisation, giving full details of your daughter and her grandmother (full names, passport numbers, addresses, where they're travelling to) and that you are allowing your daughter to travel with her grandmother. Hope you get it sorted. Failing that, call the British Consulate and ask for their advice. As they're not issuing passports, maybe they can answer other practical questions! <em>edited by simpleasabc on 13/07/2011</em>
simpleasabc
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Latest post on 13 July 2011 - 11:44
As I only have the one, I can't help about two kids.. I took mine to a creche a couple of times a week from when she was 11 months old, even though I wasn't working, as I wanted her to get used to being with other children and be socialized and at the time there was still hope she might have a sibling. She went to summer camp when she was 4, I guess, again, to have fun and be with other kids and she really enjoyed it, being an "only". My only thought, which could be entirely wrong, is that maybe your daughter is jealous of her new little brother being allowed to stay at home with Mummy whilst she is being "sent away" and she feels that she's being rejected? *You* know you're sending her to summer camp for the best possible motives, but she probably doesn't understand that and may feel her position in the family is being usurped by her younger brother?
 
 
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