Singapore Sling | ExpatWoman.com
 

Singapore Sling

Singapore Sling
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 March 2011 - 17:32
An international (PYP/IB) non-profit, private school in Malaysia. Sorry about it not being in the UAE :( It is simply fantastic and exactly what we have been looking for ito learning.
Singapore Sling
243
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 March 2011 - 16:21
Enjoy your holiday - there is another thread with good recommendations too.
Singapore Sling
243
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 March 2011 - 16:14
I am curious to know who will be attending the event. Will it only be Brits or do you think other nationalities will be celebrating too?
Singapore Sling
243
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 March 2011 - 15:33
All the wonderful nougats and other sweets and dried fruits available at Wafi gourmet.
Singapore Sling
243
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 March 2011 - 15:21
I agree with this too.
Singapore Sling
243
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 March 2011 - 15:20
We holiday a tad differently to the norm since DH publishes street journalism and travel photography and I enjoy cooking and photography too and our trips are often planned around these activities. We normally end up staying in small guesthouses/bungalows/boutique hotels and live amongst the locals who teach me their kitchen secrets and give us access to places/people that is not always that easy to reach. We also like resorts but where Thailand is concerned other posters will be giving you better advice. We stayed here the last summer http://www.phuketsansukobungalow.com/ and about 7 years ago here http://www.novotelphuket.com/ We prefer the eastern side of Phuket. The bungalows are probably the best value for money we have ever come across, the town is really nice and so is the Ao Yon beach - a little gem IMHO. <em>edited by Singapore Sling on 07/03/2011</em>
Singapore Sling
243
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 March 2011 - 14:55
Finally a voice of reason. I was wondering why nobody thought the prices were not quite value for money . . .
Singapore Sling
243
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 March 2011 - 14:53
We did this when DS was 14 months - 3 nights Bangkok and 7 nights Phuket. If I do it again I will do 4 nights Bangkok, 6 nights Phuket. Have been back afterwords and we are still not quite done with Bangkok.
Singapore Sling
243
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 March 2011 - 14:48
Nope, it's all done at school. The kids follow the PYP and there are 6 Units of Inquiry (different topics) through the school year - basically two units per term. They go on 1-4 different field trips per unit (yes, they are out and about a lot) and produce many smaller projects at school (brochures, models, displays, books etc). The Unit is concluded with a summative assessment during which they have to produce a big, final project and exibit/share/display/act/read their project to parents/other classes/assembly etc. They do not do anything at home and I am continuously amazed by the standard of the projects produced at school.
Singapore Sling
243
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 March 2011 - 07:35
Not refering to your DD BUT tell your mom it could be anything from bruised kidneys to whiplash, concussion, etc and not all injuries always show up on scans. Edit to add - or those mentioned by Chocs. <em>edited by Singapore Sling on 07/03/2011</em>
Singapore Sling
243
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 March 2011 - 07:32
I enjoyed and disliked the books simultaneously. From a feminist standpoint I have a real problem with writers (incl Patterson and Koontz) who write explicitly about s e x crime/rape and get away with it by balancing it with strong female characters. And in this case not only strong but boob-obsessed babe-magnets . . . That sucks. I honestly think it’s time to call the authors of rape novels to account.
Singapore Sling
243
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 March 2011 - 07:27
Goodness no, she HAS to go back to the hospital :(
Singapore Sling
243
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 March 2011 - 06:35
We relocated to Dubai during April and then by July took a nice holiday to Turkey all those years ago. I would recommend coming over during April, get settled and go on holiday if you can to break up the long summer holiday and by the time it is Ramadan, you already know a bit more about the society. PS: This is the best book that you can possibly get hold of in order to learn more about the UAE as well as the neighbouring countries http://www.amazon.com/Understanding-Arabs-Guide-Westerners-Interact/dp/1877864153
Singapore Sling
243
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 March 2011 - 06:31
Labels are for soup cans ;) That said, a good quality product often comes with a label. One has to be smart about the labels though. E.g. sunglasses - many of the top labels also have some of the worst quality lenses possibly fitted. Am I materialistic? I would hope there is difference between just buying for the sake of buying vs buying a good quality product/label bacause it will last and I like it. Who doesn't like the feel good factor when out shopping and acquiring something really nice? Yip I am a snob when it comes to buying something nice :\: I do think an even more interesting question would be: [i'>would you consider yourself living in a disposable society?/ Do you realise how disposable society has become?[/i'> Quality of products have fallen dramatically with manufacturers producing products following "Planned Obsolescence" - consumers products are made to last a shorter period than before and the minute something is launched, versions 2 and 3 are already in production. Do people still repair broken irons, vacuum cleaners, hairdryers? Probably not. This realisation hit me square between the eyes since living in Penang. My experience thus far is that everything, literally everything is repaired and not merely replaced here and the realisation of how disposable Dubai living over 8 years became for us at least, was a sobering one. The maid is probably still walking smiling and repairing all the "cast off's" . . .
Singapore Sling
243
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 March 2011 - 06:03
Sit in the car with the car running while someone fills the gas tank :) running ??? :\: Ooops no, you can't do that :\:
Singapore Sling
243
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 March 2011 - 05:56
I would think catching up/not having to catch up will also depend on the nursery and primary combo in question. Some nurseries do a lot of preparation for their 3/4 year olds whilst others believe in play. Some nursery teachers are qualified some are expat women looking to occupy their time. Some primaries focus more on play in the Early years than academics, even at Primary level some teachers are qualified and some not. If you are interested in a well rounded school with emphasis on academics such as JAPS, it will be better to enter the kids at Reception, age 4. One of my kids did Reception at Safa and the other one at JAPS - it was two completely different experiences and in our experience JAPS was more consistent, structured, organised and academic than SAFA by yards. Why on earth BritCur kids have to start school at age of 4 in Dubai boggles the mind anyway. During the Reception year at primary, the children get to know one another very well, bond, integrate and the class functions like the living system it is. Entering such a class at Year 1 level means that the kid is faced with new academics to master, a system to slot into, little daily dynamics of the group etc etc. That can be stressful too. That said,if you have a well rounded, curious, smart kid - it won't be a problem. Kids are highly adaptable and what we worry about doesn't bother them in the least.
Singapore Sling
243
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 18 February 2011 - 12:35
I don't have a recipe to share but nothing beats a chocolate brandy cake. Yum!
Singapore Sling
243
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 18 February 2011 - 12:33
News biscuit is hilarious! The French language is a hoax - wikileaks. I just splurted my coffee on the screen, I am laughing and laughing. Thank you for posting this link Sue.
Singapore Sling
243
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 17 February 2011 - 21:28
I think that as long as you cannot see my undies when I bend over, it should be ok. http://yourblog777.blogspot.com/2008/07/fern-britton-bottom-flashing-white.html
Singapore Sling
243
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 17 February 2011 - 21:04
Do you think it is acceptable for me to go to the malls with a sleeveless dress on and how short can I go in length? I love my minis, and want to make the most of my time with decent looking legs. What do [i'>you [/i'>think?
Singapore Sling
243
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 17 February 2011 - 20:55
http://www.scribd.com/ Click on explore and enjoy. I can't remember who put the link up here, but wow, what a great find! I have used it for one week now and love it. Do you enjoy making cards etc? It is possible to waste many hours on http://www.befunky.com/ I also enjoy this on http://www.ted.com/ TED is a small nonprofit devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading. It started out (in 1984) as a conference bringing together people from three worlds: Technology, Entertainment, Design. <em>edited by Singapore Sling on 17/02/2011</em>
Singapore Sling
243
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 17 February 2011 - 20:39
I *liked* National Geographic on FB and have to admit that they keep it up to date and there are so much to read and look at on all the links they provide daily. Are you interested in chatsites/blogs/websites/sites for women?
Singapore Sling
243
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 17 February 2011 - 18:01
Go out to dragonmart, they have a whole section of dedicated shops. The majority is of terrible quality however. You could also try all the decor shops in MoE as well as the ones in SZR between interchanges 2-4.
Singapore Sling
243
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 17 February 2011 - 16:58
I-phone!!! Or wait for the second generation thinner I-pad 2 with ports, dual cameras, anti-glare screen etc etc.
Singapore Sling
243
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 17 February 2011 - 15:34
I also disagree with Izzy. The whole region is going through a spirit of revolution with Egyptian and Tunisian regimes already toppled, the dynamics this time around is affected by external as well as internal dynamics. <em>edited by Singapore Sling on 17/02/2011</em>
Singapore Sling
243
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 17 February 2011 - 15:15
Press reports that one journo was savagely beaten and two others dead in Bahrain :(
Singapore Sling
243
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 17 February 2011 - 14:16
He he he he :):\:
Singapore Sling
243
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 17 February 2011 - 11:01
Labourers have protested before, taking to SZR to make their voices heard. followed by deportation? Some but not all. It is illegal as we know but that doesn't mean they or any other group won't do so again.
Singapore Sling
243
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 17 February 2011 - 10:46
Labourers have protested before, taking to SZR to make their voices heard.
Singapore Sling
243
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 17 February 2011 - 10:44
Or that you as an employer are not taken advantage of. Ours slept out once a week and we never realised that she was babysitting and sleeping at another family rather than taking time of and relax. It was only when boss 2 phoned and I overheard a conversation that we realised what she was up to.
Singapore Sling
243
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 17 February 2011 - 10:39
Oh it looks better and better. I am such a sucker for nice packaging too. I love Nars and currently use a lovely lippy and brow pencil from Nars.
Singapore Sling
243
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 17 February 2011 - 10:33
Since my face is symmetrical I am trying to understand why my eyebrows are threaded into 2 different shapes every now and then :( The differences are so obvious, how is it possible that they don't see it?
Singapore Sling
243
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 17 February 2011 - 10:27
I wouldn't dismiss problems anywhere. Especially not in coutries where the locals are outrageously outranked by foreigners and where the loss of identity and the impact of the recession IS creating tension . . .
Singapore Sling
243
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 17 February 2011 - 10:25
Sounds good :) Have you tried the Benetint lip stain?
Singapore Sling
243
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 17 February 2011 - 09:47
Irooni take an eyetest, drink isotonic, ditch the coffee and ciggies and if the headache remains fire the maid and make an appointment to see the GP ;)
Singapore Sling
243
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 17 February 2011 - 09:36
I always buy the same old same old and would like to try something fun and new. Would you recommend Benefit?
Singapore Sling
243
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 17 February 2011 - 09:30
I agree that they don't make any mispresentations unlike many other schools. We also moved our kids to a different school and argued like you did regarding Horizon being a sisterschool. That said if I had the choice between the 2 sister schools upon enrolment I have no doubt that we would have chosen Horizon. Both schools make their premisses available to outside groups for some extra-curricular activities unrelated to the school and we spent time over the past years at both premises even after we left Safa. Like I said before, the differences are tangible. I have a personal dislike for stale environments featuring glossy paint. Others might not feel the same and that is also OK.
Singapore Sling
243
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 17 February 2011 - 08:52
We found that with children it is better to settle for longer periods of at least 5 years at a time and to break it in chunks according to their ages - preschool/primary school/secondary school. A period of 5 years also provides for ample time to start, settle, assimilate the new culture and wrap up without having to rush through life. It reflects better on the CV too. Life is however not always so simply planned. I find going home for holidays too stressful and feel that ones own little retreat is a haven and comes in handy during times like the recession as it also acts as plan B. Albertina if you don't mind me asking where is home and in which countries have you lived before? <em>edited by Singapore Sling on 17/02/2011</em>
Singapore Sling
243
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 17 February 2011 - 07:15
Now that we have decent playgrounds and sportsfields, I know what the children were robbed off at Safa ;) They spend so much time at school and a decent playground and grass makes all the difference. We did not think it was cool when the Reception kids had to sit on the flaming hot concrete, lined up in rows, after breaktime, singing songs before they could enter classrooms. In my books that is just wrong. Not to mention that the little patches of sand that exist here and there is used by the cats, never replaced with fresh sand and the children play in the gunk? I am not sure whether you have any other experiences with other schools in Dubai? Flow of space and proper areas to play, hide, seek, skip, kick ball, run etc are very important in childhood. Girls most often socialise in spaces underutilised by boys (they like the nooks and crannies) and boys prefer a field.
Singapore Sling
243
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 17 February 2011 - 07:02
I doubt we will ever settle down and we have realised the value of having a holiday apartment/cottage/bungalow where one can return to and decorate as your own.
Singapore Sling
243
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 17 February 2011 - 06:58
The case of the Bidoon (stateless peoples) is incredibly sad. They are people who have lived as tribes among the Arabs since about the 50's before the emirates even became a state. Many of them are from Iran but speak arabic and all their customs and traiditions are Emirati. It is reported that there live more than 100 000 Bidoon in the UAE alone. They have no documents, are trapped here, treated with little respect and can't even travel beyond the borders of the UAE.
Singapore Sling
243
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 15 February 2011 - 05:20
Horizon. It not only has better facilities, but is also stocked with resources that you won't find at Safa. School environments (look, feel corporate identity and image) has a massive impact on children and staff alike and should not be ignored IMHO. There are tangible diferences between the two schools and even on performance level Horizon excels above Safa. There is not even grass to play on for the kids at Safa. Going to Safa Park once a year for sport hardly overcomes the problem of not having a decent playground and sportsfields. Our children went to Safa and we moved them to a different school precisely because Safa is not matching the standards of international private schooling we feel comfortable with. I understand that some schools offer great buildings and environments and poor education, however the schools under discussion is Horizon and Safa and Horizon is by yards the better option between the two. <em>edited by Singapore Sling on 15/02/2011</em>
Singapore Sling
243
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 15 February 2011 - 05:14
I suggest something totally different since the space is visible from the kitchen and entertaining areas too. Possible colours: combination of cappuccino/coffeecolours + aqua blue for walls and bring in orange and white into the decorations. These are funky, cool, mature and kiddies like all rolled in one. It also suits both the desert and the sea. See this as an example for the colour, not the decor (random blog) http://cappuccinocottage.blogspot.com/2010/09/blue-and-brown-bonanza.html I would then add a funky clock from Alessi (see Tavola) and some comix/cartoon prints. Think retro chic. Tin-tin maybe. You could even get hold of the Freeze Character prints. You could also print some pop-art pics at the canvas stalls in the malla and include family pics. Forget butterflies and bees ;-) <em>edited by Singapore Sling on 15/02/2011</em>
 
 
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