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SkyKitty

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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 22 December 2011 - 19:02
Not the area you'r elooking for I know but the little supermarkets all along SZR near DIFC al lsell them- so probably other little markets do too.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 20 December 2011 - 16:31
I've seen the Jamila basic doll & the doll with pram/baby in C4, and the proper version of Fulla in Hamleys and that other toy shop in MOE. Haven't seen Jamil in awhile though!!! Last time I saw him in C4 they had him parked up next to Rapunzel from Tangled so maybe he liked her better :P
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 20 December 2011 - 02:35
Haven't seen it in Dubai but likely bets would be Virgin Megastore (they have lots of novelty stuff) Geekay Games or perhaps that Tersam shop (the one with all the lava lamps, lights, fog machines and ipad accessories)
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 19 December 2011 - 01:45
Just to add I have sent some things their way or I'd offer mine. Going to have a new year spring clean out too so if you can let me know about clothes... what her age/taste is not sure anything would be suitable or not? And I always have a zillion hotel toiletries if things are a bit tight on the money front for her they can help her save i nthat area and spend it on something else she needs.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 19 December 2011 - 01:44
COuld try Helping Hands, I think they might be able to sort some things out for her.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 19 December 2011 - 01:33
A small purchase can often be used a 'test' to see if they've got a winner though. Then they skim it and replicate. SO good that you cancelled it then.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 19 December 2011 - 01:29
Yeah I do the fake call thing too "Oh just on my way... oh Idon't know, passing Downtown now... about ten minutes?? Put dinner on pls" etc etc.... The one and only time I had a real persistent 'proposer' who wouldn't shut up I told him please be quiet my boyfriend is a policeman and sometimes he follows me I don't want him to see me talking to a strange man!! that shut him up!!! LOL Weird though, I can't STOP the drivers lifting my bags for me, even the women! Shameful I know as I pack so much when away but there you have it. I always give them extra if they do. THe ladies are very very entertaining. Last one had pictures of her kids in her taxi, we had a nice conversation about them. She makes 1000 a month!!!! :/ Gave her soem extra to send them a present. II know some drivers have sob stories but I'm sure plenty of them don't see their families for years. Hers live with her mother in Kazakhstan. You do pay a bit extra for ladies' taxi (5dhs I think) but good value on a night out. A lot of them don't do nights though, only early mornings after about 4 or 5am. Am sure they have a dedicated number you can call them up on too.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 19 December 2011 - 01:21
What's wrong with jeans? I know leathers are better but surely thick fabric is better than none? See so many gorls on scooters/bikes here in skimpy shorts. SHocking. My father would kill me if I got on a bike in anything less than jeans, leather jacket (to the wrists) and helmet. Not to mention good Doc Martens/boots and gloves. Agree- majority of bikers I've known who've had accidents has been either careless driving on the part of the cars or ignorance of the riders, despite their best efforts to be seen. OP, is the bike a heavy bike (Harley etc) or a 'modern' (racing) bike? If it's distinctive it'd be pretty easy for whoever knows/lives near them to recognise if they're reading.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 18 December 2011 - 01:13
I take taxis all the time, no problem except for some drivers who want to ask you everything under the sun. If there's so much as a sniff of trouble, I whip out my phone and say I'm calling the RTA Have caught buses at night, but mainly from Dubai Mall. Always packed in peak times
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 17 December 2011 - 10:50
Oh phew not mine then. Feel bad for whoever it was though. THis time of year might be xmas-lights-related. Be careful of dodgy adaptors & wires ladies!!!
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 17 December 2011 - 10:41
Anyone know which building?!?! Have no phone reception as am overseas at the mo and I live in a high rise on SZR :( Is it the TOny Roma's side or the DIFC side, can't tell from what was posted. The one under Doha Bank? Hope not have friends living there!!! :/
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 15 December 2011 - 14:25
Karama but is easy to get lost so you could still take a cab (would prob be a minimum fare from metro to Karama PO)
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 14 December 2011 - 20:55
Also if Barrier reef is booked out try Ningaloo- other side of Oz but simply amazing. If you like to snorkel, scuba dare I say it's even better than the barrier reed. Whale sharks too! :D
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 14 December 2011 - 20:43
Lys if you have OSN I've seen Cranford & other period dramas playing on the BBC channel too
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 14 December 2011 - 20:36
Ah sorry missed the January part.... why not the Reef? Where else to be in summer but the ocean?! :P Park yourself somewhere nice close to a beach and just chill out... with some side trips as mentioned to Blue Mountains/Hunter Valley etc
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 14 December 2011 - 20:25
Yes been wondering about h@m too, will buy some os and bring back with me, but as I am a complete noob in the kitchen, I might need some advice on how best to cook it. What type of ham is best to cook, or should I just go for a roast chook instead?
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 14 December 2011 - 20:21
A big tv? New comfy sofa? A cat/dog? Or maybe he is being sneaky and it's something he already has bought but wants you to think it's not in the house....? (Lol hope she's not turning the house upside down now!)
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 14 December 2011 - 20:11
Yeah I've seen heaps in Virgin Megastore. Have spotted them occasionally in Borders as well. I'd suggest calling each store to see if they have the title you want before you drive there. Carrefour in MOE do have a small selection, I've bought Jane Austen BBC dvds from there in the past.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 13 December 2011 - 22:59
Haven't been to the one here but I found my Baush & Lomb solution in the travel sized bottles for about $1 at Daiso....
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 13 December 2011 - 22:56
Plenty of cheap flights around, you could do a few days in Melbourne or on the Great Barrier Reef. Adelaide is a nice option if you like wine- join a tour.... Could also do a couple of nights in Ayers Rock (Uluru) but depending on when you go it can get a bit expensive.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 13 December 2011 - 14:10
Greenish, my lenses are also quite expensive (if I buy them in Aus) but getting them online in the UK they seem to be the same and that is the price I paid. I do tend to go through maybe a pair a year though, but I just claim it back on my insurance. Getting cheaper prescription glasses means I can also get a nice pair of prescription sunnies too :P I think I used glasses2u which is UK site. They always seem to have specials on - but I did get them mailed to Dubai. If you find frames you like in the optician's, write the manufacturer and style number and buy them online. Friend got her D&G frames for about 70% off this way!
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 13 December 2011 - 14:04
Have seen it in rolls in some Lifco supermarkets.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 13 December 2011 - 04:48
I looooooooooooooooooove Poundland!!! Especially the 'feminine hygiene' items. These are by no means cheap in Aus but certain things seem to cost a bomb while others cheap. Poundland has some great bargains if you can overlook printing faults and the like. I once got a blusher from there (dropped mine while on hols) and I had people asking me if it was Nars!!! :) Glasses (for me at least) were NOT cheaper in Dubai. I ordered mine online from the UK and paid about AUD$75, where the stores were quoting me upwards of 800dhs!!
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 13 December 2011 - 02:25
I have both and it was never even mentioned/offered to me to do it... am considering to add the egate to the UAE ID in case I misplace the egate I don't have to stay off work until I get another... wonder if it's possible to have them both 'active' at once?? hmmm
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 10 December 2011 - 21:29
Game of Thrones for sure. Again, not everyone's cup of tea but a friend recommended it to me and I was hooked after the first episode. (There are also books too) I loved Downtown Abbey as well and I have Sons of Anarchy & Walking Dead queued up to watch. 'Luther' on the BBC is also a great one if you like police shows, but it's not your usual police drama. You'll see what I mean.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 10 December 2011 - 16:08
Ooh thanks, I forgot Ikea has a website (I never really go there lol) wonder if they will fit a generic sofa or only an Ikea one... some of the shapes look similar to mine. WIll have to measure it!
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 10 December 2011 - 16:00
I have a small table top tree with coloured lights & some small ornaments- those little gift boxes and some drums etc
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 08 December 2011 - 18:54
I've heard them compared to Game of Thrones, so if you've seen that you'll know what you're in for! Very graphic and lots of nudity & secksual stuff going on...
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 08 December 2011 - 18:52
PS I also did the counting thing with my nephew, drove him mad! We used a parents' room when available but not all malls had those. One day in my home town there was a shocking case of a little girl killed in a mall toilet. My nephew called me that afternoon when he saw it on the news and told me thank you for making him use the ladies' when small and the parent's room when older. He understood then why I made him do it! Overcautious some might say but then again I would not want to explain to my sister why something happened to him in my care :/
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 08 December 2011 - 18:50
Well the way I read it was, in the scenario given, *someone* aside from the parents knows the password, so hopefully that person either a() would be the emergency contact or b) would be known to the emergency contact. Therefore if that were to happen, someone already knows the 'password' as it would have been discussed with the kids (and changed each time used as someone suggested) You could have a contingency plan that someone with the password is also told who is the emergency contact in a 'worst case' scenario, and that they are allowed to tell the password in that extreme case (ideally both would obviously know who the other is already) I know people who have used bosses, lawyers, doctors, work friend or fellow parent/neighbour whom you know and trust. Or, you could instruct the kids in the case that they don't know the person, as someone already said to check with say, their teacher (who would know who is the emeregency contact or could even BE the emergency contact I suppose)
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 08 December 2011 - 16:25
Have the Borgias, haven't watched it yet but from what I've read, no, not a family movie. Not sure about Camelot.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 08 December 2011 - 16:23
Basilica Cistern was the best thing I saw!! Also, if you can make the trek (although it is hard to find) Kariye (Chora) Church is amazing if you like artwork. They have mosaics that are just breathtaking. I heard mixed reviews (and mostly negative) about the hamamis so didn't do one, but if anyone here has a good one I'd consider it next time. The wooden-fronted kebap shop on the main road in Sultanahmet is meant to be very good, I quite enjoyed it. If I can find my notes will post the address of a shop where there's a nice local man, he gave me some good tips on places to see and was the one who told me about Kariye Church.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 07 December 2011 - 17:44
If buying just decide which format you want... if you plan to buy all your games in Dubai then it doesn't really matter, as both PAL and NTSC are available. If you want to buy games in UK/Aus, go for PAL format. If you travel to the US and want to buy games there, go for NTSC. PAL seems to be slightly more expensive (one game I looked at was 189 for the NTSC verison and 249 for the PAL. The PAL version is the one with numbers in a box on the front of the game; NTSC uses letters. Some games are only released in one version or the other, but most popular ones come in both (Super Mario 3D Land for eg) HTH
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 07 December 2011 - 14:20
3DS will play older DS games in 2D only. The 3DS has parental controls which allow you to restrict the use of the 3D part. The 3D is only reccommended for kids bove age 6, and under supervision. It should be kay but I would keep an eye on him at first. There is a 'slider' switch that lets you control whether the image is 2D, 3D or in between. If you can try a demo one you will see what I mean. I know they have one in the Geekay Games in Dubai Mall near the Reel cinema (at least it's one of those shops) I've just bought one myself. They do say that some people may get a headache/dizziness and to take a break if this happens but for most people it should be a temporary thing once you get used to it. Again, you can switch off the 3D if this is the case.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 07 December 2011 - 11:09
No problem, I used it for myself (got sis' bf to download it as I dont have iPhone or BB) and it gave me completely different loads to what is on the portal system. THank goodness it did as it saved me from making a very bad mistake and taking a later flight. I got the last seat out right before severe weather grounded everything for the best part of a day!!
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 06 December 2011 - 21:41
This is by no means official but friends working at customs tell me they are more focused on multiple copies of the same DVDs... so if they are all separate movies then it *should* be ok. I think the most I ever took in at a time was about 40 but it depends on how they are now. I do know they are getting stricter with it so if possilbe try to split it up a bit and bring some with you as well as in your shipment. I tend to put mine in those CD folder things with all my computer discs. Just be prepared they might want to look at them if there's a bunch together as it's a common way for people to hide p*rn dvds.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 06 December 2011 - 19:03
THanks Redlesley- actually I htink he was just fussing as it had the adjustable part on the side & we checked it when the police had a free check day- they said it was ok for his height at the time. He still tries to pull that trick with me even now!!! kids... I wonder if there is anything like that here, where people can pull in somewhere (petrol station, car park near a school etc) at a given day and be checked if their car seat is properly fitted and not faulty... either free or a small donation to a charity for kids
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 06 December 2011 - 18:55
Yep, definitely a myth that once you have it that's it. I had it 4 times before I was eight!!
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 06 December 2011 - 18:54
My school always told us to make as much noise as possible if someone got a hold of us or was doing something we didn't like. When I was about 7 a guy tried to get me to go with him to his car, when I wouldn't he tried to grab me so I gave him an almighty kick and ran screaming like blue murder down the path to the front of the school... apparently the crosswalk man heard me half a block away and came running to meet me off the path... :P Later we found out this guy was wanted by the police.... So even if you think your kids might be timid, it can be a good idea to get them to try what a 'real shout' sounds like. Especially if they were shy. I was quite an- ahem- hyper child so had no problems finding my voice but shy ones might be. So, give it a whirl!!! :P As an older child, my mum told me that the word 'Fire' often gets more attention than 'help!' so to try different words until I got someone's attention. also, a big strong NO! is always good for a child to practise with you. (Though most kids know this one well, lol)
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 06 December 2011 - 18:43
My nephew always gets mad at me because I don't let him ride in the front seat of my car when I'm at home. Until he's tall enough to touch the headrest, then no. I explained why and he says "but mum lets me". TO which I say "I'm not mum and this is not mum's car- what mum does in her own car is her business!!" They now always get in my car in the back, and seatbelts on no fuss. Youngest used to put the shoulder strap under his arm, because 'it's uncomfortable'. I got him a padded seatbelt cover. Whenever he took off his seatbelt as a youngster I'd just stop the car and refuse to drive until he put it back on. In the beginning, I'd be stopping 10-12 times. But it worked!!!! :P
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 06 December 2011 - 18:41
they are not eligible, only your sister, but as mentioned you should still be able to get a wider elegibility ticket for the niece (but no ID90) Took me ages to find out the same thing as I wanted my sister & nephew/niece to come visit me here. Usually for marrieds the criteria is immediate family (so yes siblings but no to 'extended' family) but that's what the WE tickets are for. Let us know how you go, as I have not used those tickets myself yet and am curious about if they're any good or if they're better just buying a confirmed ticket on sale.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 04 December 2011 - 20:42
Like I have said before, maybe it's time to consider a 'safety house/office' program!!
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 04 December 2011 - 20:11
But I also second taking her to the Dr, yes it might scare her at first but to be honest kids that go to the doc when they are small won't be scared/embarrassed about going later on... esp when teenagers! I first had to be looked at 'there' when I was about 10 and it freaked me out no end.... especially b/c the doc was a male (no choice, he was a specialist!!) It got easier as I went along, just kinda wished I'd had to go when I was younger so it was more 'normal' if you get what I mean.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 04 December 2011 - 19:58
goes without saying, but if possible go without underpants when possible and cotton when needed. Synthetics don't help. (I guess most kid's underwear is cotton but you never know) Also, if she has been running around with a wet swimsuit on this can cause the symptoms as well, so make sure she takes it off asap after swimming
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 04 December 2011 - 19:46
Maltesers, I've trie fhtat approach in the beginning and still they b!tched & moaned about it... can't win!!!
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 03 December 2011 - 22:02
If it bothers you so much, next time they ask, you can always respond by asking them, are they genuinely interested to know how your pets are, or tdo they just want something new to laugh at? It might sound harsh but hearing it that way they might realise that they have been making fun of you! I agree, many parents go on and on about their kids but most people never say anything!!! As for Facebook, you can now group people into 'lists'; you could try to make one labelled 'cat people' and when you post an new album or photo to the wall, the arrow next to it has a drop down menu where you can choose who it's visible to. I have a couple of albums done by subjects... one person told me I posted too many pictures of that thing and I should 'get a life'! well my response to her was, I am not forcing you to look at the photos... and it's my life!!! So That album is called 'Photos of XX- if you don't like you're free to not look" (really!) and half of my friends love it and comment on it, the rest, well they can ignore it can't they! if someone is gonna unfriend me because they don't like some of my photos then I'd rather do without them tbh!!!! Just say you'd rather talk about something else as they are not pet people and you'll save that for your friends who like pets. They'll soon get the message either be nice about it or don't bring it up.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 02 December 2011 - 14:25
Oh that 40 NOL card sounds cool, I'd love to know as well! As for taxis refusing to fares... it's happened so often lately I've had a gutful. The other day the guy whinged before I'd even told him my destination, he went on and on so much and wouldn't shut up about it that I got out of the cab about 30m down the road. Next one wasn't much better, when we got to the destination I gave him the 10dhs and happily informed him that if he'd just have shut up about it and not complained I had been planning to give him 20, but as he was such a sourpuss about it he can just have 10!! and maybe next time he'll not complain!!! Seriously, if they don't like short pickups WHY GO TO THE MALL?!?! Just hang around at the airport. I've started threatening them with the RTA as well. Sick of it. A taxi is to go from A to B, not only over large distances. Some people are ill or have bulky items and cannot walk or take a bus- I get that they need to earn a minimum but that is not my problem. I don't go complain to my passengers if they do something that annoys me- I have a whinge about it later to my friends not while I'm on the job!!! so unprofessional imho
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 01 December 2011 - 12:15
PS I suppose it's too much to expect stores to actually steam clothes before hanging them. A steamer is about 500dhs for a good one, not like it's expesive investment for a clothing store...
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 01 December 2011 - 12:14
Annoying!! It's not like it's hard to fold clothes neatly but quickly either! I used to work in a shop selling v v expensove clothes and we used to wrap everything in tissue or in the case of gowns in a garment bag!!! It's just shoddy training and/or lazy attitude of staff who can't be bothered. Girl scrunched up a dress once in front of me to shove it in a too small bag, I asked her if she had a larger and was told 'no maam'. So I took the dress out of the bag and showed her how to do it properly but so it would still fit. She actually thanked me and said no one ever showed her how to fold the clothes!!! :O
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 30 November 2011 - 22:25
Mine was a lot quicker than expected... When it updated to 'held in customs' within a few hours I had an email from Aramex asking me to send pp copy & invoice... I did that late last night Dubai time and by lunch time today they had cleared the shipment from customs! So, seem to be pretty quick even with what I expect is a busier time of year. I guess that might slow up over Fri/Sat, then again the parcel got delivered on a Sat in the UK...