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Singapore Sling

Singapore Sling
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Latest post on 27 March 2011 - 17:13
Anything in the Usborne series. These books are fantastic and very current. The majority comes with links to internet sites too, so it is more than a book - it becomes an interactive experience which is fun and learning rolled into one. http://www.usborne-quicklinks.com/uk/uk_homepage.asp Click on the topics for an extensive list of the series. It also caters for a wide age range. You could pop into a bookstore and take a look at them and then order. Enjoy.
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Latest post on 25 March 2011 - 09:47
http://www.smh.com.au/world/dozens-killed-and-injured-in-burma-quake-official-20110325-1c9pm.html BBC actually reported that two quakes 7.0 each struck minutes apart. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-12852237 <em>edited by Singapore Sling on 25/03/2011</em>
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Latest post on 24 March 2011 - 17:48
LOL. Cheers Aroha - I enjoyed the exchange with you. See you on another thread!
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Latest post on 24 March 2011 - 17:43
Cripes I also enjoy discussion but it takes a few inane replies to curb me from saying any more. It drives me nuts!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 24 March 2011 - 17:30
Yes I agree with you that some people are simply just lazy. I saw that a lot amongst expatwomen in Dubai. I knew ladies who did zilch (no reading, no knitting tee hee, no nothing) and relied on others for being their entire source of entertainment. That also saps energy. I also think it is important that people go on proper holidays and travel if they can. Sadly that is not always possible or possible to the extend one would like to travel. I think the economy crippled many people. Added: apologies for boring ya :\::) <em>edited by Singapore Sling on 24/03/2011</em>
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Latest post on 24 March 2011 - 17:10
Aroha - That's an interesting point you make :) I once attended a creative writing course and the presenter asked us to list our passions. The result was quite interesting. Two distinct type of personalities emerged. One group listed quite a few passions and mentioned that they have a "passion for life" in general. The other group were totally in love with life too but said they were simply not passionate people and felt not a single passion for anything in particular. Ever. What will happen when either one of the groups are not inspired? I am passionate and am almost always hi wired. When there is nothing to feel excited about, I feel listless. And then it does end in boredom where I just experience a complete void. Maybe you have been lucky thus far not to ever have reached such a point. As a South African who lived the majority of my life on edge I DO get bored in many other societies where life is a lot smoother. <em>edited by Singapore Sling on 24/03/2011</em>
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 24 March 2011 - 16:56
'Boredom is an emotional state experienced during periods lacking activity or when individuals are uninterested in their surroundings' I don't think it can be described as a disease of the mind and soul of the sufferer aroha, everyone experiences a certain kind of boredom at some point in their live's. Dubai doesn't stimulate everyone enough to alleviate their individual boredom. My grandfather always says, only the boring are bored :) and my point would be that as an individual they lack...not their environment. It is physically impossible to have nothing to do, nothing that stimulates or excites you, where ever you may be. The world became a very small place indeed with the introduction of the interwebby (as just 1 example)...there is nothing that is not available to either learn, read, write about, discuss. The WORLD is in everyones hands and it's what you choose to do with it. if you choose to be bored, then it lacks a spiritual and emotional development neccessary to an individual to continue growing. Boredom, to my mind is bandied about too commonly...yup, I find my housework 'boring' but really I mean repetitive, uninspiring and an irritaion to be dealt with rather than enjoyed....other than the satisfaction, weird as it may be for such a domestic task, of a job well done. I beg to differ Aroha :) Why do artists feel inspired to paint some places and feel nothing for another? Same with photographers and writers. The environment has an incredibly big impact on our psyche. Why do you think employees are far more productive in certain environments. Dubai is hot, the weather for some is brutal etc etc. It DOES play a huge role on how the human feels and functions and luckily we are all different and like different environments. We are holistic beings and experience life on many complicated levels, incl our surrounds.
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Latest post on 24 March 2011 - 16:51
I absolutely agree with Jawal. I have a very low boredom threshold and after 6 years of Dubai living - I found very little inspiration in the surroundings to fuel my creative side. The result was that I did not feel intellectually stimulated and the years 6 and 7 of Dubai living was booooooooring even though I spent my time doing a post grad. That said I also get bored in other places and like Jawal said some places are infinitely more interesting than others. Why can't posters respect the fact that some find the place boring and others not? Why is there this urgent need to insult others when they voice an honest opinion? I found the place interesting for many years, but as life goes on and evolved I experienced the opposite. This doesn't mean that I go out an insult others for having either opinion. I do think the fact that the city has a majority expats vs locals gives it a distinctly different character to the majority of other places. his is experienced as positive by some and negative by others. Why don't we just respect those experiences?
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Latest post on 24 March 2011 - 16:18
As an ex Head Teacher and an educationalist of over 25 years I would have cringed if any of my colleagues had written a letter in such a way. To take the letter apart and dissect its good and bad attributes is wrong, in my opinion. One should look at the letter in its entirety and then judge it on its merits. To take the good and bad attributes apart AND to look at the letter in it's entirety is quite the right thing to do. It is referred to as [i'>Discourse Analysis[/i'> amongst researchers. From that standpoint one can literally rip both this letter and the intent in shreds. Oops editing own typo. <em>edited by Singapore Sling on 24/03/2011</em>
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Latest post on 24 March 2011 - 16:15
Does this read right to you? Dear Parents, Thank you for your support in light of the recent talk I gave to pupils in Year 8 about Alcohol. This is to update you on the situation. The allegations of alcohol use in School, which were very properly brought to the school’s attention have been taken very seriously, as it is only proper. Despite our best endeavours it has not proved possible to find any evidence to provide substantiated proof. We are taking further advice on how best to manage matters such as this. I hope that the school and parents will work together to educate the young people in our care to have the confidence to resist temptations and to stick to the right course. Alcohol education is part of the PSHCE programme which is delivered to all pupils during their time in School. In addition, the school will be very vigilant in future in our oversight of pupils to deter any pupil from breaching both the law of UAE, Dubai and our own rules. Following the talk I gave, I am arranging for an outside speaker from the British Embassy to come in and talk to all year groups about these issues and others early in the Summer term. This will further help pupils understand about being teenagers in the UAE. I am English second language, so please excuse my own grammar etc ;) The letter is poorly written IMHO and weakens the entire stance of the school. Or perhaps that is the problem, the fact that the school is not quite convinced that this is indeed a problem? The issue under discussion is a serious one yet this is not reflected in either the tone or reinforced in the way the sentences are constructed/use of words. "Alcohol use" sounds weak, it is ABUSE. I would replace "the situation", "manage matters such as this", "resist temptations", "alcohol education" with far stronger words to reinforce the seriousness of the alleged abuse of alcohol. Etc. I agree with magicbeanza that there is a lot wrong with the letter. <em>edited by Singapore Sling on 24/03/2011</em>
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Latest post on 24 March 2011 - 08:52
Yes it does need attesting in SA if she is going to be under her husbands sponsorship. Agree.
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Latest post on 24 March 2011 - 08:48
I agree and when I read the original post, I took it to be a funny way of repeating some of the downsides of living here....as someone else said, yes I know all that she refers to. Can't believe though just how shitty some of you have been about it. I agree. I was thinking that the thread starter actually opens the way for interesting discourse and discussion about how we experience cultures/countries/destinations and our place within. There is no need to be insulting to others to argue a point.
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Latest post on 22 March 2011 - 17:22
Apart from Tescos there is also the Villa Market in Chalong Bay. It is a great store similar to Spinneys/Waitrose and perhaps even better since they also stock organic for the most and very ymmy deli items. It is about the size of Waitrose in Dubai Marina Mall. Try and check whether they keep a list of stock for online ordering.
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Latest post on 18 March 2011 - 10:04
Yes yes yes! technology and media makes a massive positive difference - especially to the lifes, schooling and education of TCKs :)
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Latest post on 18 March 2011 - 09:59
Hi - I met these people in Thailand last year. They are an amazing couple and I find very honest and objective about their world trip. Take a look at their Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos experiences http://thetravellingmallorys.wordpress.com/ Another EW'er is travelling Vietnam right at this moment so she will be able to bring back lots of advise too. Some of the below I also wrote in a mail to her: We travelled Vietnam in 2008 with two kids. We flew to Hanoi for 4 nights, then Halong Bay for a day trip and back to Hanoi where we took an interal flight to HoiAn. We stayed in HoiAn for a week and experienced that whole area. From HoiAn we took an internal flight to Saigon for another 4 nights or so. Vietnam is HECTIC travelling. It is an absolute assault on the senses - it is smelly, dirty, noisy, pulluted, crowded - 90 million people ALL on scooters in a country where there are absolutely no road rules. If you want to go around the roundabout, you go whichever way you choose. Expats and travellers are not permitted to drive in Vietnam but you can rent a scooter. Wouldn't do that either! Vietnam is also interesting, something very different, some of the scenery is breathtaking and it is an experience not to be missed. It is the type of place that grow on you afterwards - through reflection. Nov/Jan/Feb/Mrch is VERY cold up north incl Hanoi. Meaning also that you freeze in hotels and restaurants, hot water frequently running out and almost zero heaters. In fact expats and travellers make lists of cafes where one can go and defrost in front of some sort of heating system. Summer is hot and humid. Add the pollution and you want to run away after 3 days in Hanoi. Down South is tropical year round. Hanoi is stunning. The city turned 1000 years old last year and is very traditional. It is distinctly different from the more international, tropical Saigon. Hanoi is close to China so took on a lot of the characteristics from that nation. Whilst the whole world is currently enjoying the Year of the Rabbit for instance, Vietnam follow their own animal system and is in the Year of the Cat. I definitely think that one HAS to see Hanoi first as Saigon doesn't quite capture the essence of Vietnam in the same way as Hanoi. This is a list of 100 coffeeshops in Hanoi http://www.facebook.com/index.php?lh=698b2e63fb46c56cd73dbb722b209a3a&#!/group.php?gid=6413866102 The best places are hidden away so you might want to take a brief look. I know that Vietnam is one of the biggest of not the biggest coffee producer in the world - I have had some of the most aweful coffee of my life in Vietnam. Best to look out for Segafredo or at least nicer restaurants as the average place sells a terrible, salty, flat tasting coffee. Everybody raves about Vietnamese food. I found it apalling, close to disgusting. Poor versions of chicken noodles/pineapple chicken, oily-oily deep fried rice rolls, dodgy seafood and ever more dodgy meat. In fact you will be walking past this: http://gijoh.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Dog-meat-in-Vietnam.jpg - grilled dog head and all. The European and other expat eateries however, are superb. You need to be armed with a list of suitable places to eat or else you might just find yourself in a dingy dodgy eatery. I had the best pizza of my life in HoiAn - a four cheese chilli number. Also great "Caribbean meats South-east Asian" type of food. Places like this is amazing http://www.greentangerinehanoi.com/index.php?lang=en I don't care what Anthony Bourdain and other travel cooks say about streetfood in Vietnam - I wouldn't touch it with a bargpole :\: It is not the refined food of say Tailand. Language is a big problem in Vietnam, however people are eager to try and help and try and understand. You will always hear: It is goos - Meaning The dish is nice/good. That said they will say that about every single dish on the menu LOL. You will be considered a walking ATM and will be ripped off. Hanoi is very traditional, quint and pretty. Holiday wise I prefer Hanoi to Saigon. To live as an expat Saigon is preferable to Hanoi. Our family is currently splitting time between Hanoi and Penang and DH just arrived back from Hanoi last night. Make sure you have proper health and other insurance. One of his employees was ripped of 600USD !!!!!! for 2 doctors consultations. Here in Penang for e.g. we only fork out between AED40 and AED50 for a doctors consultation at a Private Hospital. This is the best site to check out (similar to EW, but actually better. It has an I-phone app, google maps etc so that you can easily found your way in the maze that is Hanoi) http://newhanoian.xemzi.com/
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 17 March 2011 - 11:12
A possible option is to surf the internet and Tripadvisor for "Langkawi Homestay". Good luck, sounds like a lovely holiday idea. Also One Hotel Helang Langkawi, Malaysia.
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Latest post on 17 March 2011 - 10:44
My friend went to her and now her little one is scared of doctors, traumatised by this insensitive, hard woman. I used to go to the clinic to see another doctor and have always found Rita rude and unkind. I'd stay away. Try Gupta or Khan at Cooper. Much much better and very kind. Did you consult with her personally? Seeing a docter flying past reception and actually walking a road with them as their patient aren't the same.
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Latest post on 17 March 2011 - 10:42
We saw Dr Rita for 8 years whilst living in Dubai. She is excellent IMHO and never once precsribed antibiotics to use before results of strep throat was obtained. She specialises in infectious disease so is always aware of outbreaks and virusses/bacterial infections before many others. My kids had strep at least once a year if not more. Unfriendly? Nope never to us but then I am friendly and quick to strike rapport with a dr as I believe is is essential to have a good relationship with ones Paed and if I am not successful, then that dr is not the right one for us. The kids loved her too. She was always professional and compassionate during our visits. Her own son tragically died a year or two ago so she truely understands illness and grief on all levels possible.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 March 2011 - 17:17
In August? Hot, humid, expensive and many places closed? I love Italy though :)
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Latest post on 16 March 2011 - 16:55
Greece! Pick a Greek island and book an apartment or villa for the month. Only 4 hours flight away and you can fly Air Arabia to Athens for a next to nothing and take an internal flight/ferry to your island of choice. Greece is also more affordable than Western Europe and the love kids. I twice booked this place whilst on a very tight budget: http://www.chiossunrooms.gr/chios_sunrooms_en.htm and http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g189476-d577848-Reviews-Chios_Sun_Rooms-Chios_Northeast_Aegean_Islands.html Edit to add that best is to go away over July as August in Europe becomes silly expensive and there are also too many closed shops and restaurants due to the Europeans themselves being on holiday. Alternatively Thailand. This place is super affordable http://www.phuketsansukobungalow.com/ and http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g1215781-d1480398-Reviews-Sansuko_Ville_Bungalows-Phuket_Town_Phuket.html <em>edited by Singapore Sling on 16/03/2011</em>
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Latest post on 16 March 2011 - 15:39
To be fair- quality of many foodstuffs worldwide is nearing disgusting levels. I am reading Medium Raw by Anthony Bourdain at the moment and eeek what an eye opener especially with regard to what Americans are eating. It is not all gloomy but this type of situation is by no means unique to Spinneys/Dubai. I do agree though that chicken in Dubai for the most is an abysmal affair.
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Latest post on 15 March 2011 - 12:04
Get an online quote from Air Malaysia. You might cut airfares for the family by half.
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Latest post on 15 March 2011 - 09:03
Phone the hotels and negotiate - what you see on the net is not what you will get in Malaysia. You can start of with e-mail and then follow up with a call for an even better price ;) I suggest July as August gets more rain and monsoon winds start around September although Langkawi is pretty much the same all year round. We once booked all inclusive at Tanjung Rhu and stayed for 10 days. I still think it was one of our best holidays ever - we just wanted to chill and this hotel is great for chilling :) It is also an eco resort so if you are looking for motorised waterspots you won't find it here. They do however offer non-motorised watersports. The north if the island is also the prettiest. The resort is one of the biggest (if not the biggest) on the island and features 3 pools - one an ozone rich pool with build in bar and even build in "chairs" where you can lie back inn the water and catch a tan/read/relax. It has multiple kids pools all around the bigger pool. Another pool is romantic lagoon style with sand and then another huge one near the spa. The two big pools is right next to the beach so you can also lie on the beach and swim in the pool. All inclusive included as many ice creams/cold drinks/meals you could manage. Breakfast/Lunch/High Tea/Dinner and unlimited snacks from the bar fridge. The kids meals were really yummy and featured about 20 different dishes with interesting and more conservative dishes. The interesting onces for e.g. was chicken pie with chocolate sauce LOL. The resort has a library where parents or kids can enjoy time away from the room and out of the sun, also DVD library and a few different restaurtants. This is the type of place where one can be eother very private or enjoy a group. Rooms are huge - we booked an 80 sq/m room (bayu senja) with two LCD TV's, DVD player, hi-fi et al. The resort has cars available for rental - you really need no more than one or 2 days to explore the island. You can also catch the curtesy bus. http://www.tanjungrhu.com.my/ There is a kids club (free) and an arts and crafts hut. The kids loved the hut as they did batik, made jewelery, learned wood carving etc. Our other favourite is Bon Ton, however this is not the place for a group with kids IMHO, but do pop in for lunch or dinner. PS: I see the latest feedback on Tripadvisor mentions that it needs refurbishment. We went 2008 so my feedback relates to our experience 3 years back. <em>edited by Singapore Sling on 15/03/2011</em>
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Latest post on 14 March 2011 - 14:09
a vegemite and cheese sandwhich....sod the low carbs, had a nightmare morning out at the shops. This is my comfort food! I also like dipping said sandwhich into a home-made soup.
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Latest post on 14 March 2011 - 14:08
Hi Embo - apologies, I posted without seeing your reply so mine is directed towards the OP and not you! Yip, I can complain. I have had really interesting jobs/consultations/projects and I love what I am doing currently too. I can take my career many places and am even looking at working for the UN or the IBO after graduation, alternatuve back to tutoring at varsity or even consulting.
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Latest post on 14 March 2011 - 14:04
There are other options too - if you look at some post grads you will find quite a few really interesting ones such as Applied Ethics or Human Geographies or even a Masters in Human Resources but instead of Masters HR Sociology, a Masters HR Psychology (that combo is available), Masters in Adult Learning and Globalisation etc etc. Look at what is available on an interdisciplinary level! Cheers!
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Latest post on 14 March 2011 - 13:45
Nope. South African and I divided my formal education between SA and Europe. When I teach now, I do so at a European University. We live in Malaysia after 8 years in Dubai and SS was the first user name that crossed my mind :)
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Latest post on 14 March 2011 - 13:04
A bowl of Laksa :)
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Latest post on 14 March 2011 - 13:02
I would say that you have a few options on the table and you are not too young to switch careers! I am mid 40's and switching for the second time! Switching also entails combining previous degrees and work experience. I have degrees in political science and forensic law and my career included both working for the Legal Education component of my home country's Law Society where I was involved in training lawyers), later switching to work as HR manager (Also in Dubai) and later again Human Development (Human rights, gender issues, globalisation, families in global transition) after completing a post grad in Adult Learning (the majority of the students on this programme were ages 35-55 as work experience AND living as an expatriate were crucial to the knowledge needed to comprehend the programme). I now am concluding a post grad in Child studies (Children's rights, culture, media, children at risk etc). Meanwhile I keep on tutoring too and recently taught Gender studies to masters students. I do think that law would give you a fabulous background but ouch it is a hard route and not always universally applicable depending on what area of law you are interested in. I do find with my own situation that I should have done psychology at some stage, which I didn't. Good luck and don't let age bother you. On the contrary you will be kicking ass and the younger students really appreciate the insight an older student brings to the class! <em>edited by Singapore Sling on 14/03/2011</em>
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Latest post on 13 March 2011 - 14:51
The Daily Mail is also hugely popular and one of the top selling newspapers in the UK - what does that say? I will leave it up to you to figure out what my intention was by saying that these authors create strong female characters to hide behind in order to sell s e x, ooops no horrific, graphic rape scenes to the population. Yip, they cannot write about a strong woman, without linking her to these scenarios. You figure out the work that still needs to be done in order to raise women and children from the ashes of male dominated oppression.
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Latest post on 11 March 2011 - 16:16
to get in touche with people in japan, do not use emails to mobile or telephones. twitter seems to be the best way for now. my mail to my sister's mobile didn't get through, but twitter messages got through. We have just been able to establish contact again as well - via Facebook.
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Latest post on 11 March 2011 - 12:01
It's been upgraded to an 8.9 already. It is also half term in Malaysia and many kids in our school is from Japan. In fact DD just made contact with her friend in Tokyo and it sounds like utter chaos there with warnings for more devestating waves. She had access to FB briefly, no phones and now nothing :( Can't reach them at all.
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Latest post on 10 March 2011 - 19:02
Take them to the JAPS school fayre tomorrow! :)
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Latest post on 10 March 2011 - 18:46
I am with Blue Cow. Having stayed at both sides if the island I think East is best. It certainly is cheaper. You will pay considerably more in Patong for a drink or dinner than you would at the opposite side of the island. The Eastern side is more authentic and this is where the elephants, giant buddha, boatcruises etc are too.
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Latest post on 10 March 2011 - 18:15
Just to let you know that I recieved the below promotional e-mail from Malaysian airlines today. I am not particularly impressed with the airline (especially not when compared to Singapore) but fly it nonetheless when they have really good offers: Here's your 5-Star excuse to fly to Kuala Lumpur from AED 1,885 Book Now Book now till 31 Mar 2011 • Travel now till 31 May 2011 All-inclusive fares
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Latest post on 10 March 2011 - 06:13
Bon Ton is fantastic! The same owners have also opened Temple Tree http://www.templetree.com.my/index.html http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g298283-d1751843-Reviews-Temple_Tree_at_Bon_Ton-Langkawi_Kedah.html Whilst this is not near the beach it is still worth looking at. They don't accommodate kids ;-) http://www.thebanjaran.com/home.aspx
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Latest post on 09 March 2011 - 15:35
Yes include Halong Bay in your itenary! I sent you a mail but forgot to mention this interesting article: http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2011/01/largest-cave/jenkins-text and http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/07/090724-biggest-cave-vietnam/ Just by looking at Halong Bay and the rest of Vietnam it is easy to imagine that the biggest caves in the world are indeed located in this country. Amazing. <em>edited by Singapore Sling on 09/03/2011</em>
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Latest post on 09 March 2011 - 12:27
Which parts are you travelling? We are living with one leg in Malaysia and the other in Vietnam for the moment :)
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Latest post on 09 March 2011 - 10:45
SW she is really fantastic and her school has been around for about 20 years now. She is independant and take in a very limited nr of girls. Her classes are held at SAFA and Horison - but NOT affiliated with the schools. More than 75% of her students dance exams with distinction and I am talking about senior students. A school that trains a large number of grade 7's and 8's to the level where some of them achieve 97%!!!! :\: for RAD is phenomenal. DD is dancing grade 5 in two weeks (after we just removed a cast due to a broken wrist last week - so 5 weeks no dancing). There is no way that she would have been prepared was it not for the solid background at Dance Horisons. She only started practicing for Grade 5 mid October when we moved to Malaysia (bar 4 Grade 5 classes in Dubai) and is dancing with a pink ribbon - meaning distinction candidate. Her current teacher is an RAD examiner and she reckons Nicola is one of the best. Honestly, the ballet center is a joke. . <em>edited by Singapore Sling on 09/03/2011</em>
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Latest post on 09 March 2011 - 10:39
VIETNAM VISAS http://www.vietnam-immigration.org/infomation/apply-vietnam-visa-online-getting-vietnam-visa-at-airport.-simple-and.html?Itemid=39 http://www.easyvietnamtravel.com/Vietnam_visa_arrangement.asp All these links will lead you to the same organisaton though. Dh says he is almost 100% sure a UAE national will need to apply via AD :( Please give me a shout of there is anyting else you need to know. Whatever we have questions to, we also look at this site for help (Hanoi). It has listings of services, cafes etc + reviews + google maps attached. It even has an app for your I-phone/I-pad. I can also give you a link to Saigon if interested. Enjoy your holiday. Vietnam is a great travel destination but challenging to live in. http://newhanoian.xemzi.com/ <em>edited by Singapore Sling on 09/03/2011</em>
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Latest post on 09 March 2011 - 10:33
Dance Horizons - Owned by Aussie Nicola Trotter. [email protected] Outstanding from the way of teaching to communication. Dancers are exposed to learning terminology, choreographing and performing their own ballets and dance the exams. A few seniors go on and study dance in the UK and elsewhere too. For Dubai, she is the best.
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Latest post on 09 March 2011 - 10:26
Yeah google is easy. It is the specifics and feedback from others that you won't always find on google. Also, for e.g. what I reckon is the top ballet school in Dubai does not have a website so won't appear on google ;) PS: Ballet centre is ahem [i'>not [/i'>topclass - on the contrary and yes, I speak of experience. I am sure Kim67 amongst others will back my claim. <em>edited by Singapore Sling on 09/03/2011</em>
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Latest post on 09 March 2011 - 10:24
Smiles, the one UAEmom refers to is the third link in my long reply. Cheers!
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Latest post on 09 March 2011 - 07:24
Hey stickey - I just awarded you the price for rotten answer of the day :D You failed to check the list first before answering her :-P Smiles - see your other thread for detailed info.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 March 2011 - 07:04
Hi Smiles - I recommend either one of 2 options: Dugym or Shams. Shams follows the USA Junior Olympic Compulsory Program. Dugym follows the British Key Step gymnastics programme http://www.dugym.com/ http://www.shamsgymnastics.com/ Our experience over 2 years with Dugym and 1 year with Shams was that Shams is by far the best option between the two for serious gymnasts and moms who insist on good value for money. Dugym coaches at various locations and activities depend on what equipment is available at the location. If there are no uneven bars or trampolines, then the kids just don't learn that aspect of the programme. Shams coaches from a big, but old hall in Safa near Horison school and has all the equipment to ensure a well balanced programme. What the kids learned over 2 years with Dugym, they learned during one term with Shams. The majority of students at Dugym are little ones, when they reach ages 9+ it becomes problematic. DD by that age was in a group of 5 girls who were all newcomers so ALL the attention was focussed on teaching the other girls the basics (something as elementary as a forward roll!!!!), DD stagnated and became bored. DS on the other hand was the only boy in his group and Dugym just proceeded to include and teach him the girls programme. Sometimes there were over 20 kids in a group with only 2 or 3 coaches. I wasted sooo much money . . . The coaches are friendly and open, I cannot fault that. Since they are dependant on schools, they are also dependant on that specific school's holidays. With Shams it is a different ballgame alltogether. She offers a specific boys/girls programme, they don't do mixed classes. and when my kids started with her they were behind due to not being exposed to equipment such as the trampoline, even and uneven bars. They al;so lacked upperbody and arm strength. Within a term they mastered those and my boy walked away with 3 gold medals and my girl with 1 gold and was overall placed silver (2nd) during the competition. They work hard at Shams and her ratio of coaches are about 1 coach 3-4 kids. She also teaches adult gymnastics so that should give you an idea of her expertise. The kids even sported 6 packs after a term with Shams :D Her entire approach is different, she makes them sweat but in a nice way. All of this taken in consideration however, Shams as far as I know does not teach rythmic gymnastics. You will be looking at Dugym for that. I would say our experience indicates Dugym is good for fun and younger ages, Shams for skill and more serious gymnasts. Dugym is a money machine whereas Shams also donates the majority of her income to Amani Children's Home in Tanzania where as far as I know she build the kids a school. Gymnastics is a passion for her. The rythmic group at Dugym might be a different experience to their normal classes though. They spent more time coachin both their selective squad group and the ruthmic gymnasts. I saw the girls perform and they looked impressive enough. I also really like Susanne, even though I was disappointed with the group in general. Speak to her and Shams and see what they can offer your girl. I would also suggest attending a session at both to watch. With Dugym being able to attendaand watch depends on the school. At Jess for e.g. parents are not allowed to watch, at JAPS they are since there is a balcony area. At Shams every parent is allowed to watch. There are other options too, but I have no experience of them. Hopefully someone else will be able to give you feedback. http://www.dubai-gymnastics.com/index.php Also known as UAE gymnastics http://www.excelsportsuae.com/ Good luck! . <em>edited by Singapore Sling on 09/03/2011</em>
Singapore Sling
243
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 08 March 2011 - 20:16
Noooo! I will nonetheless send you details of the agent tomorrow, you never know. The consulate is in AD, Dubai closed. DH is currently working in Hanoi and I know early December he had to drive through to AD to take care of the milliard documents for his workvisa.
Singapore Sling
243
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 08 March 2011 - 20:12
Oh Teftee that would be great of they could sell it daily. I used to buy from Choitrams and always had to explain what I was doing with the dough. Guess they were worried that it was for a commercial enterprise even though I only bought 1kg at a time.
Singapore Sling
243
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 08 March 2011 - 20:09
You can arrange it all online and they do it within 24 hours. We have done it a couple of times now and the service is very efficient. There is more than one online agent as well, but I will be able to tell you only by tomorrow which one we use. Alternative if you do an EW search you might come up with details of an agent too. YOu will be paying an online fee which is for processing and then at the airport anther fee for the visa itself. Enjoy :)
Singapore Sling
243
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 March 2011 - 18:23
Great to hear that Coolbabe. I would imagine that this is the way PYP is taught worldwide but was also surprised recently to read on the IB website how differently schools can and do interpret the programme globally. <em>edited by Singapore Sling on 07/03/2011</em>
Singapore Sling
243
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 March 2011 - 17:58
Like I say - it is an analysis from a feminist standpoint. If you deeply analyse the rape scenes and the actions of the characters, the message is not a nice one. For example she took the revenge route rather than going to a rape crisis center. Salander had breast augmentation (2nd book) and 6 months later she could not walk past a mirror without stopping and feeling glad that she had improved the quality of her life. Now that is strange considering she is a young woman who has been repeatedly violated by men and now draw even more attention to her breasts. Exactly how did it change the quality of her life? Only a man will pen it this way . . . A women should understand that there is something wrong with the scenario. Salander is nothing but another male fantasy figure - the same as the kick boxing, ass-kicking, karate kicking heroines of other male written novels ;)
 
 
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