SkyKitty | ExpatWoman.com
 

SkyKitty

SkyKitty
1336
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 09 October 2011 - 11:35
Just thought of one more... Internet banking!! Well I know you can get it here, but in my case it's been a process of 'how much can the bank mess everything up to the point you just get by without it now' lol.... Been here well over a year and they somehow still can't manage to give me internet banking! I'm lucky enough that I travel regularly so I just try to take cash back with me to put in my account, or use the UAE exchange to do a transfer. 50dhs fee was fine, what I didn't realise (and they didn't tell me!) was that the Commonwealth Bank charges AUD$20 to 'receive' the money. Um, why?!
SkyKitty
1336
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 09 October 2011 - 11:20
LOL.... it'd be a 'flash-dip' instead of a flash mob.... can just imagine the looks! Not to mention the reaction, haha still, one of those funny things it'd be fun to daydream about doing when people are annoying you!!! :P
SkyKitty
1336
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 09 October 2011 - 11:11
When you say 'shipping', do you mean Fed Ex & UPS type? I sent some parcels home to Oz, and I used a little postal kiosk shop near Crowne Plaza on SZR, it was about 40dhs to send a small parcel. Not sure how big yours are but they went by weight. I don't know what kind of shipping it was or how fast, I know it wasn't super fast but the stuff got there ok. I sent some piles of photos I had printed out to my grandmother, so it would have been about just under a kilo in weight for 40dhs. It is in the building where the Subway is next to Crowne Plaza, there is a stationary shop and then the little internet cafe/typing office that does postage. I know they have a website/email address but cannot recall the name right now. If anyone knows the place I mean you can get the name then you could email for a price listing.
SkyKitty
1336
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 09 October 2011 - 11:04
I would like to save but at the moment I don't seem to- having said that I am paying off some debts at home, one of which will be clear in another few months so I can put that money into savings, or use it to pay off the remaining debt faster. Once that is gone then yes I am hoping to save money. I think I am slightly worse off here in total figures, but job security wise it's better for me here. I am not sure I would still have my job back home. I really need to get 'something grown up' in place as I am approaching my thirties and still feel 18, living from pay to pay with the only plan being to pay bills is not that great a feeling!! :(
SkyKitty
1336
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 09 October 2011 - 11:04
The only thing to watch is how much sodium is in the bottled water, apparently it can be quite high.
SkyKitty
1336
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 09 October 2011 - 10:55
Black or not the fabric seems to be a lot thinner and friends who wear them tell me it's way cooler than jeans or capri pants... what I eman is, you could wear something short underneath as no one would know... my friend in Saudi wears PJ shorts and singlet under hers
SkyKitty
1336
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 08 October 2011 - 23:50
Ha ha, so if we see a lady taking a dip in the fountains we know where Sally is!! ;) During summer I was very tempted to get an abaya and just wear shorts underneath!!!
SkyKitty
1336
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 08 October 2011 - 23:16
The malls are freeeeezziinngg cold! Then why the butt exposing shorts and boob revealing tops? :S I know right! When I see them I just want to get them a blanket ;) Went to the mall tonight & wore jeans an a light jacket, anything else would be too cold!
SkyKitty
1336
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 08 October 2011 - 23:14
Debbie I thought they still add fluoride afterwards but can't find out wither way, so, I asked the dentist if he knew anything about it.
SkyKitty
1336
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 08 October 2011 - 22:58
Sally I would agree in my own country but I find it odd that (some) women seem to dress way skimpier here than they would dare in their own homeland... how does that work?? I mean, for 99% I'm sure there's no problem but it's a sad fact if you have some other issue/trouble you usually WILL be judged by how you are dressed.... several friends have had run-ins with the police and feel that had they been dressed less respectfully it wouldn't have turned out so minor... not saying it's right but it does confuse me a little. Also that so many of the clothes here in the malls are so short!!! :/ I've taken to buying clothes when I travel as I cna't seem to find a lot that I like here that is also affordable
SkyKitty
1336
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 08 October 2011 - 22:53
I've bought some cool vintage reprints from allposters.com. They often have specials too, and they seem to have thousands of designs in lots of cetegories.
SkyKitty
1336
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 08 October 2011 - 22:52
I tend to drink bottled here, only because I don't like the taste & it made me feel a bit weird in the tummy (but that could also have been moving to a new country) At home I always used a filter on the tap water even though it was meant to be safe to drink, just because one of my relatives worked for the water authority & told me even though the water is fine, many of the pipes are not. If you are drinking from the tap, and you haven't used it for awhile, best to run it a little and not drink the very first water out (especially overnight or after a few days away) I was worried about bottled water having a bad effect on my teeth, but the dentist said as long as you are using a good toothpaste & brushing at least twice a day, bottled water isn't an issue.
SkyKitty
1336
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 08 October 2011 - 22:42
I don't get wearing a long dress that's either completely sheer, or totally strapless on top. I mean, outside of a night out or something. I see girls on the metro all the time in strapless tops/dresses and I know Dubai is tolerant but isn't it considered a bit of a no-no? I noticed even in the ladies only section they were getting lots of looks! I feel a bit weird here if I wear anything short, even if I'd wear it back home. Easier just to blend in, lol I've seengirls doing what you described with long skirts, I think they just don't realise how high up they are holding it. Do you mean when they are riding on the escalator or going up steps? <em>edited by SkyKitty on 08/10/2011</em>
SkyKitty
1336
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 08 October 2011 - 22:40
Depending on how active they are, if they visit the great wall there's a section where you get the cable car up and then take a toboggan down- it's really fun and the view is pretty cool! Silk Market is where the tourists go but I found New Merket, while having less stuff, they are nicer to you and less aggressive with the bargaining. We did great wall and Forbidden City in the same day, I think we paid about 120yuan each in a group of 7 for a van, driver & guide. I haven't done it but I heard you can take a pedicab tour to the older neighbourhoods which are traditional and will probably be demolished for developments soon. Have you checked out Trip Advisor? I usualyl go see what the 'top 10' are and see if they are what I would want to check out or if I'd prefer to do something else. I also usually google 'Best free things/best unusual things to do in XXX'
SkyKitty
1336
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 08 October 2011 - 22:33
I remember going once with a friend, we got off at 'Emirates' station (one after terminal 3) and then we walked a little bit down the road to catch a bus. It stopped on that main road that runs past Festival City, it would have been less than 5mins walk to the mall. But prob not an option with kids, but ok if you want to get a taxi back later on. Have you tried the RTA journey planner to see which bus it might be? I think it was on marrakech or casablanca road (the one near the Emirates HQ and you can see the RTA office from the bus stop) Sorry I'm terrible with streets here as I don't drive! :cool:
SkyKitty
1336
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 08 October 2011 - 19:14
Grrenish, I dont think I mentioned it specifically but my plan was of course if I will ge their shots etc I would get them their 'snip' when old enough- I wasn't planning on finding them a home unless they were neutered! And if homes couldn't be found at least they wouldn't be having more babies like you said on the other page. I would prob have to get them done one at a time thought depending on how much it is. What I mean by Im, sure they'll be ok is, they won't die. I wasn't planning to just keep feeding them indefinitely without getting their stuff done :) Mum was the first target but since she's scarpered I'll have to focus on the kittens!!! Do you know how to tell if they are desert cats or not? Tried google but still not sure!
SkyKitty
1336
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 08 October 2011 - 13:23
I meant that just feeding them and not doing anything else is beside the point for which people are presumably feeding them- to improve their quality of life. Which doesn't get better with more and more cats/dogs competing for resources and fighting amongst themselves or making each other sick. Think it came across differently than it sounded in my head is all :p I did always find it interesting how Egyptians love & adore cats and yet traditionally Arabs think it's bad luck, yet are in a similar region of the world. I wonder if it has to do with the origins of those beliefs, as in one thinks cats are/were gods and the other holds that images of people/animals is forbidden?? <em>edited by SkyKitty on 08/10/2011</em>
SkyKitty
1336
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 08 October 2011 - 10:17
well of course people shouldn't just feed them, that's beside the point then isnt it... at the very least stop them having more offspring and eventually (if people stopped dumping pets) the population would hopefully reduce over time. If it could be more controlled, like in Turkey, it might be more successful. Strays there belong to everyone , and the government or council (or whatever it is there) neuter & release them. they all seemed healthy and well looked after, certainly no "mangy" strays amongst them like here in Dubai.
SkyKitty
1336
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 08 October 2011 - 08:02
These guys will eat that too, and withing seconds!! They like the wet food but I only give that if I can watch them eat it & take away the scraps (to stop rodents coming as recommended by FF)
SkyKitty
1336
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 08 October 2011 - 07:45
Me too, I thought it was adorable, I loved the little chameleon sidekick :P
SkyKitty
1336
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 08 October 2011 - 07:44
Older thread I know but Season 2 is showing now on OSN First & First HD, Monday nights with a repeat here or there. If you go to OSNetwork.com they have an online version of the tv guide, but click on 'Schedules' then you can search by title. it will give each episode by title and date. Hope this helps!
SkyKitty
1336
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 08 October 2011 - 07:42
Best website ever for this stuff (if you can remember at least year and actor) is IMDB.com. You can even look up who did the music, SFX, wehatever.... good for those pub fights over whether this actor was in a movie and if it was Liam Neeson or that other guy who just looks like him.... you know the one!! LOL
SkyKitty
1336
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 08 October 2011 - 07:38
so if people shouldn't feed hungry animals because "it's nature" then by the same reasoning, the famine in Africa is 'natural' and people shouldn't help the hungry starving people there. Of course that's TOTAL RUBBISH!! So why is it any different for a cat? People, cat, we are all living creatures and all worth something, even if some people do not treat them like the same.
SkyKitty
1336
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 08 October 2011 - 07:36
ETA- Mum always hovered nearby and I am *sure* if she was nearby but staying back she would have come when the food came out... she looked hungry enough to. The way they eat, I am not sure the kittens know how to hunt anything.
SkyKitty
1336
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 08 October 2011 - 07:35
Marycatherine, They are just skinny and dirty but I think it's possible Mum cat either left, got sick or maybe is pregnant again (they seem to be old enough for that) so of course has sliunk off to look for hiding place... I am sure they would be ok if people kept feeding them (not too often as you say) but I really think they'd be good candidates to be homed as I'm worried someone will hurt them (they are very visible to lots of people passing and wouldn't be hard for some jerk to hurt them) also I don't see many other cats in the area. Awww now I'm doubting if I'm doing the right thing :(
SkyKitty
1336
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 08 October 2011 - 07:31
Done! So you can edit your address if you want to. Thanks again!
SkyKitty
1336
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 08 October 2011 - 06:48
Hi Kylie, thanks for your reply. FF said there is not a lot they can do at the moment, due to the large work load, and I didn't want to risk being 'stranded' with the kitties as I really can't do it long term... but, I have managed to enlist a couple of friends who live in my building to take turns in feeding when I am away... I just got back to Dubai after 3 days away and I spent the whole time worrying about them so we have decided to just do it!! I will be sacrificing my leave home with my family but I think it is worth it... as my sister said, she would never forgive me if the kitties died and I would feel terrible (our 2 cats back home are also rescues from a litter of 4 that she found) But I am sure once they are chipped & vaccinated that FF will be able to help at least with the networking to find homes- at least, I hope this is the case. I do have interest from one lady who's friends with a friend of mine she just wants to wait until they are fed up and healthy before adopting one. Would you have any tips for a newbie? I've owned cats but not really sure how it goes here- would FF be able to help me out with say, paperwork if it's needed, like to check out the potential adopter and register with DM as I've been told must be done? Thank you!!! I hope your two 'Bin Specials' find homes, they are adorable!!! Also do I need to be careful until the kittens have seen the vet, i.e. anything they can pass on to me?
SkyKitty
1336
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 08 October 2011 - 06:43
Would these places have the replacement LCD screens? Cracked mine on my HP and got quoted 900dhs!!! For a screen on a laptop that's about 4 or 5 years old... I can get them online for about USD$80 but I don't trust the shipping... If I could find one here I'd be happy, and have a video of how-to that looks quite easy to do.
SkyKitty
1336
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 07 October 2011 - 11:20
PS Yes actualyl I do mind if the fruit or veg is mouldy because a) it is not exactly cheap for me and b) I have gotten very sick from eating mouldy food! I am glad I do not have to resort to eating spoiled food just to eat, but in my personal case I can afford to eat fairly well, something which I am grateful for * do not need other people pointing out to me- believe me, I am aware of it more than ever since moving to Dubai & seeing people who have nothing compared to me (who is not super rich by my home country standards) There are things you can eat slightly spoiled, and things that can kill you. So no, I do not think it is being fussy to be choosy if my food is spoiled or not. If you can eat it and not get sick, great!
SkyKitty
1336
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 07 October 2011 - 11:17
Err, I never told anyone to leave did I?? I was just making a comparison that at home I never needed to check fruit/veg for mould, because it was rare to get it. Here, I always check because the occurrence is much more frequent. As Was mentioned earlier, this would be because everything is imported. I guess a better way of putting it would be "I miss non-imported, local & native fruit & veg" People are kind of taking comments here a bit too seriously I think. This was meant to be what do YOU miss from home? That is what I miss, I was not passing comment on whether it is 'right' or not, just pointing out the difference. As you said, the point of being an expat is to see a different lifestyle. We're comparing the lifestyle are we not?
SkyKitty
1336
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 07 October 2011 - 04:07
I didn't say I wouldn't eat it (5 second rule!) just that it struck me as a bit.... hmmm... odd to just put it back, I mean obviously some people don't care where it's been, but some people do. I certianly would want to know if it's been on the floor so I could decide what I wanted to do with it. As I have already pointed out, I didn't see it the other way about not wasting food, and someone pointed out that perspective, which I agree with, so you can stop lecturing me now.. lol... :P Yes of course I know how food is delivered to the supermarket. That's why I wash the food. But some people don't think about that kind of stuff and I guess some of them wouldn't expect that something that had fallen on the floor (which was admittedly filthy & wet) to be just put back without so much as a wipe... again, as I said, it is clearly just a different way of thinking in this area. I guess some of you might think I was being a princess, having been trained in food safety it's just not something I would do without cleaning it first, that's all! Different behaviours for different upbringings, I guess.
SkyKitty
1336
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 07 October 2011 - 04:03
I thought I saw one along the metro line near where all the car dealerships are between Dubai Mall and MOE... you know, there's a BMW, a Land Rover, Harley etc... but it could also just be my hopeless memory playing tricks on me!!! :p
SkyKitty
1336
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 07 October 2011 - 03:58
Yes I have seen that, certainly some gems in there... I'm always impressed by people's ability to speak a second language, considering I only have English and some basic phrases/greetings in a few others. I'm sure we can all agree though, that regardless of one's orgin, there are always people saying silly things that sounds funny! E.g. at work, I ask a man if he would like something to drink, a hot or cold drink, he says "coffee", I say, "with milk"? He responds with "black coffee".... I pass it to him and he says "Excuse me you forgot the milk!" LOL Not sure what he thought black coffee is then, unless here it means Arabic coffee???
SkyKitty
1336
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 07 October 2011 - 03:55
I find the comments about 'cheap books' interesting... I find the books in Dubai cheaper than back home. Recently I was in Sydney, found the book in a series I'm reading, it was $$19.95-24.95AU depending on the store! Bought the same book on my return here from Dubai Mall for 34dhs- which at the time was less than AUD$10!!! I do miss being able to walk everywhere if I want to, driving (no way will I attempt it here, I do not have the disposition for it) and I miss being able to be completely in control of my life, as there are rules in my accommodation about what I can/can't do, eg visitors have to sign in and I can't have a friend stay overnight after a night out unless they work for my company, which can be a pain sometimes. Don't get me wrong I love my job & I know there are far, far stricter employers out there. BUt sometimes it'd be nice t ohave a last-minute get together, knowing my friends can come over for an all-night DVD marathon without having to go home at midnight. Slumber parties just aren't the same here... LOL As far as food goes, it's ok here and I think I just miss the familiar brands rather than the actual items- I can usually find something to fill in. Having said that- FRESH FRUIT! I can taste the difference, and get a bit bored of constantly checking the underneath of packaged fruit etc to check if it's mouldy- something that wouldn't be allowed back home (as another poster mentioned, probably because of the less wasteful attitude towards food here)
SkyKitty
1336
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 06 October 2011 - 18:57
good point desert rose, well i thought at least he might wipe it or something before putting it back!! it was actually quite bruised, i wonder that the shops here don't have a section for stuff thats a bit 'scratch & dent' that people who want to can buy but know exactly that it might not be 'perfect' but edible... such as my local supermarket back home had, mum used to get some of the older fruit and use the ok bits for jam etc...
SkyKitty
1336
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 06 October 2011 - 18:09
Makes me wonder.... like has been mentioned a lot of people working here just have different ideas about what is 'clean'... for example, the other day I was in the supermarket, the happy fruit man was stacking shelves and an apple rolled off, it came to rest next to me so of course I picked it up & gave it to him, so he could throw it away... He happily place it on top of the pile and carried right on stacking!!! :O Needless to say I'm glad I wash the fruit & veg already but I definitely would be now if I hadn't been!
 
 
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