sourskittleashnut | ExpatWoman.com
 

sourskittleashnut

sourskittleashnut
984
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EW GURU
Latest post on 23 November 2015 - 16:54
You could post some details here, maybe someone here could be interested. (btw lol @ Silvstet)
sourskittleashnut
984
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 18 November 2015 - 16:39
The stars are like a reputation system, that this person posts things people like/agree with/find useful!
sourskittleashnut
984
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 18 November 2015 - 15:22
I had a dry cough for a year. I got tests for asthma, lungs x-ray, acidity checked and nothing worked. I went to a homeopath and he asked me questions about my daily diet and advised cutting out hot coffee (I used to have one cup in the morning everyday.) No medicines, nothing. I cut off coffee and the next day the cough was gone, and hasn't returned since. I've now cut out hot coffee completely, and to this day, if I do have hot coffee I start getting the cough back a few hours later. I know it sounds strange, but it could be something in your diet.
sourskittleashnut
984
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 17 November 2015 - 08:53
If someones looking for reasonable LASIK, I had it done 6 years ago by Dr Singh at Belhoul for about 7500dhs which I think is quite reasonable. Perfect results and he was recommended by a coworker. I would be wary of Groupon deals.
sourskittleashnut
984
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 17 November 2015 - 08:48
You can use Nabbesh.com for freelancers - previous employers have rated them which might help with finding someone reliable.
sourskittleashnut
984
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 17 November 2015 - 08:47
DAISO: Great for finding small items to work with, like popsicle sticks. (Dubai Mall/Oasis Centre) BOOK WORLD (KINOKUNIYA): Ive seen lots of crafts stuff for kids in boxes, like handlooms etc. (Dubai Mall)
sourskittleashnut
984
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 04 November 2015 - 14:50
I get both sides of the argument. I've seen far too many kids in Dubai neglected by their parents, being raised by nannies who usually have little to no interest in the child. These are usually mums who are too busy socialising or just cant be bothered really, which really saddens me, and that's where I would ask "Why did you even have kids?". The mums who leave their kids at daycare are usually working mums (like myself) and have legitimate reasons. Keep in mind we do live in one of the most expensive cities in the world so both parents working has become a norm.
sourskittleashnut
984
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 04 November 2015 - 13:33
Yup a lot of regulars have left (kiwispiers, the dangerous blonde). Lolacat stopped posting about Hartland school. Posts got deleted. Too many spammers. I miss the good ol' days :( (watch this thread/post get deleted)
sourskittleashnut
984
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 04 November 2015 - 10:52
Try nextdirect.ae http://ae.nextdirect.com/en/girls/swim-shop/younger-girls-swim-shop/1 If you order over a certain amount they deliver for free and only take 3 days or so! OMG sarahlou thank you for the link they have such lovely clothes! Do they ever go on sale online? I think the prices are much cheaper than in the Dubai stores right?
sourskittleashnut
984
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 04 November 2015 - 09:22
Hi Ive ordered from Home Centre (landmarkshops.com) and they delivered next day, I was happy with their service. It's free shipping for orders over AED 100. Their mattresses: http://www.landmarkshops.com/search?q=mattress
sourskittleashnut
984
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 25 October 2015 - 16:59
Is this is a special type of Aptamil 1? Generally it's quite easily avaiable. At Choithrams next to Safa Park I've seen the imported Aptamil 1, if thats the one you're looking for, it's not the Aptamil 1 sold here but straight from the UK and is more expensive too (about 100dhs the big box from what I remember, as opposed to 75dhs for the local Aptamil 1).
sourskittleashnut
984
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 25 October 2015 - 16:01
Hi, There is no waiting period for maternity anymore, even when you buy your own insurance. I got some good quotes from Pacific Prime, I was assisted by Lisa. Insurance is a safer option incase of complications. I got a good deal with Aviva insurance, which includes newborn cover too.
sourskittleashnut
984
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 25 October 2015 - 14:06
My DD is at Little Gems which is a feeder nursery to GEMS schools - they dont guarantee placement in 1 school, you give them your top choice of 3 schools and they will give your child a place in at least one of your top 3 schools. The assessments happen at the nursery which I think is great, instead of making kids go to the school. Edited to add: If you are interested in Kings Nad Al Sheba I dont think you need to worry about feeder nurseries, since they seem to have alot of availability from what I have heard,
sourskittleashnut
984
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 25 October 2015 - 08:53
We got a single activity trading license through Ajman Freezone. They do also offer an e-commerce license, but from my understanding the e-commerce trade licenses here are not very clear. Some people told me that e-commerce license means you can only sell services online or be a vendor like Groupon - not actually sell goods yourself. So it's better to get a trade license and you can sell online with it too. We are happy with them, didnt need to go to Ajman for anything, their office is in Park Place tower on Sheikh Zayed Road. They have an installment plan which is great (3,6 or 12 months).
sourskittleashnut
984
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 18 October 2015 - 16:50
Hi, You are probably better off moving to Silicon Oasis since these are the schools you have decided on. Silicon Oasis also has a villa community like Springs/Meadows (they are called Cedre Villas and Semmer Villas) and will be a much shorter commute for you to DESC and DESS. Edited to add: if you do move to Silicon Oasis, you could register both your kids in GEMS Wellington Academy in Silicon Oasis too, as a backup.
sourskittleashnut
984
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 14 October 2015 - 08:36
My DD is at Little Gems Safa and they provide meal plans, but they end at 3pm. There is also a nursery called Little Champions near Citywalk that also has meal plans and they have full days till 6pm I believe. Worth giving them a call: https://www.facebook.com/LittleChampionsNurseryDubai
sourskittleashnut
984
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 14 October 2015 - 08:22
You could try Al Safa school, I've heard very good things about it. If you're open to living in Silicon Oasis, GEMS Wellington Silicon Oasis might have spaces, their fees are reasonable and we went for a tour and really liked it. Alternatively, you could put your child in Little Gems nursery for FS1 2016, and then he/she would get priority placement for FS2 2017 in in at least 1 of 3 GEMS schools of your choice. You could then try your top choice like Wllington Intl and Jumeirah Primary School with a much higher chance of them getting in. DD is attending Safa Little Gems FS1 and is very happy.
sourskittleashnut
984
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 11 October 2015 - 09:31
Those are more closets than anything else, please get an apartment with a maids room, JBR definitely has those.
sourskittleashnut
984
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 11 October 2015 - 09:13
Sorry I hadnt seen the post asking why I thought it was best to let DD complete FS1 at nursery and then start at school. My DD is very quiet and shy, and also one of the youngest in her class because of the cut off date. When I took her for FS1 assessments last year she had just turned 2, whereas there were some kids there who had just turned 3 - a big difference in confidence and capabilities. Add to that her shyness, those kids felt like they were 5 years old compared to my 2 year old! So she's attending nursery which is still a toddler environment, much cosier and not as daunting for her as attending a big school. I'm not holding her back technically because she will start FS2 next year with the other kids in a regular school, but she gets more time to gain some confidence and be ready for the big school environment. I'm happy with our decision, I already feel like she's benefitted by being at nursery and is gaining confidence slowly but surely :)
sourskittleashnut
984
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 07 October 2015 - 12:21
Hi Jumeirah Jane, This has been a hot topic of debate on EW before, you can search old posts. Even if there is someone here who hasn't vaccinated their child, they will be highly unlikely post here since they are going to get pounced on! Best you do your research, polio drops are highly important though. MMR is the more controversial one that some mums choose to skip or delay or give in separate doses.
sourskittleashnut
984
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 04 October 2015 - 14:32
Try TARSAM in Dubai Mall, near Book World, they have these cool gadgets and unique gifts.
sourskittleashnut
984
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 01 October 2015 - 09:50
Hi Any more info on Noor Takaful? Is it worth it to get a govt health card or Noor Takaful?
sourskittleashnut
984
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 30 September 2015 - 15:17
An osteopath there told me he had left Dubai for some time and might come back to open his own clinic.
sourskittleashnut
984
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 30 September 2015 - 11:26
You can buy from Amazon.com, they ship to United Arab Emirates directly. http://www.amazon.com/Munchkin-Latch-BPA-Free-Bottle-Ounce/dp/B00I3WEXUA/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1443598057&sr=8-2&keywords=munchkin+bottles&refinements=p_n_shipping_option-bin%3A3242350011
sourskittleashnut
984
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 30 September 2015 - 10:23
bump! I would also like to know since I'm looking at getting Aviva as well!
sourskittleashnut
984
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 30 September 2015 - 10:22
If you sell through a boutique like "sauce": http://shopatsauce.com/ or online marketplaces like Little Majlis: http://www.littlemajlis.com/category/random/132/jewellery then you dont need a trade license. If you were set up your own online stores website, or a shop, then you need a license.
sourskittleashnut
984
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 29 September 2015 - 16:51
Sorry to hear you are having a tough time :( Schools are expensive, this page is useful to give you each schools fees breakdown to help you choose: http://www.expatwoman.com/dubai/monthly_faqs_school_fees_6135.aspx For jobs, the best places to look are expatwoman classifieds, bayt.com and linkedin. There is also gulftalent.com and naukrigulf.com. Good luck! edit: I just saw that you need a visa for your daughter with your sponsorship, I have sponsored my daughter but it is difficult and they require a high salary, like 12,000+, so you cant just get "any job". Dont stress, keep looking something will work out inshaAllah.
sourskittleashnut
984
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 29 September 2015 - 15:42
Hi yellowlemontree How was the assessment? Any updates? :)
sourskittleashnut
984
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 29 September 2015 - 14:32
I'd also like to know what it's like to live in DSO. - The apartments: they dont seem very appealing from the outside - are there any nice apartment buildings? - The villas: are they well maintained? Are they freehold? Or leased by DSO authority? We would be looking at renting. - Traffic: I read another post here that traffic is horrendous in the mornings, is this true? All feedback appreciated, thanks!
sourskittleashnut
984
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 22 September 2015 - 14:34
omg that was hilarious
sourskittleashnut
984
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 22 September 2015 - 13:50
This map is useful to find nurseries by area: http://www.expatechodubai.com/kids/nursery-schools/ For schools, a good reasonable-fees school close to you is Winchester, my friends daughter goes there and she's very happy with it. Fees are from 10-12,000 per year (3000-4000 a term). http://www.gemswinchesterschool-dubai.com/contents.php?pageid=4473&submenuid=3502&parentid=837&expandable=0
sourskittleashnut
984
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 22 September 2015 - 11:51
Kids start nursery at 2 years old usually. For school age, if you're going for the British system they start school at 3 years old, American system they start school at 4 years old. The nursery you choose would depend on your location and also depend on your budget as some good nurseries here charge a bomb just for regular hours.
sourskittleashnut
984
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 21 September 2015 - 13:45
I have several friends here with kids, and none of them had IVF. I understand you're upset, but perhaps a more tactfully worded post might get better responses.
sourskittleashnut
984
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 20 September 2015 - 09:30
I second Nazih, there is also one on Sheikh Zayed Road, in Blue Tower next to McDonalds - it was 700dhs last time I checked. You can also order online from lookfantastic.com, I ordered an iron from them and it arrived in perfect condition - make sure you give a correct PO Box address though, it's free Worldwide Shipping. The GHD there is 88GBP which is 500dhs. LINK: [url=http://www.lookfantastic.com/health-beauty/ghd.list'>http://www.lookfantastic.com/health-beauty/ghd.list[/url'>
sourskittleashnut
984
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 17 September 2015 - 16:29
Totally away from the 2 schools/areas you mentioned, but have you considered living in Silicon Oasis and sending your children to Welling Academy in Silicon Oasis? We went for a tour the other day and were very impressed, they have a great program to help kids who need extra attention, and we will most likely be sending our 3 year old there next year. It definitely is not a small school though! You will get a much bigger house for your budget in Silicon Oasis, newer villas, and less traffic on the drive to Downtown for your husband. The school is a 3 minute drive from the main community (Cedre and Semmer Villas). The area is far away from the main city though, which might be a positive or negative for you depending on what you prefer. Personally I think it's a welcome change from the Dubai traffic. Good luck with our move! Just FYI as I live in DSO and work near Downtown: the going rate for villas here for several months now has been in the 200-230k region and even so, few are available. As for traffic, it is atrocious, especially during school drop off times. It can take 15-20 mins just to get out of DSO and then Al Ain Rd is usually at a standstill most mornings. Also, having to navigate through the big DSO roundabout in heavy traffic is certainly not for the timid driver.... Oh no really?! that sounds horrible, thanks for sharing, you can just scrap everything in my previous post then! I'll reconsider the school too, we live on Sheikh Zayed road, def don't want to deal with that traffic every day :\
sourskittleashnut
984
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 17 September 2015 - 14:18
Totally away from the 2 schools/areas you mentioned, but have you considered living in Silicon Oasis and sending your children to Welling Academy in Silicon Oasis? We went for a tour the other day and were very impressed, they have a great program to help kids who need extra attention, and we will most likely be sending our 3 year old there next year. It definitely is not a small school though! You will get a much bigger house for your budget in Silicon Oasis, newer villas, and less traffic on the drive to Downtown for your husband. The school is a 3 minute drive from the main community (Cedre and Semmer Villas). The area is far away from the main city though, which might be a positive or negative for you depending on what you prefer. Personally I think it's a welcome change from the Dubai traffic. Good luck with our move!
sourskittleashnut
984
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 17 September 2015 - 11:02
Does anyone know where I can get Skin Food from? I've heard good things about their serums, any experience? There was a shop in Lamcy but its closed now I think. [url=http://www.thebbcreamgirl.com'>The BB Cream Girl[/url'> store doesnt have them either :,(
sourskittleashnut
984
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 15 September 2015 - 09:27
Thank you for your replies! I'm glad your son adapted well :) We went for a tour yesterday and I felt like the teachers were caring and attentive to the students. It is definitely big, but the classrooms and ambience was quite cosy in the FS and Junior section. The kids seemed happy too.
sourskittleashnut
984
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 13 September 2015 - 14:07
Contact Pacific Prime, they are very helpful and can guide you with comparing plans and benefits. There are several threads about Pacific Prime on expatwoman too. http://www.pacificprime.com/
sourskittleashnut
984
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 13 September 2015 - 09:57
Hi, Any recent reviews on this school? Particularly FS/Primary years? Thanks!
sourskittleashnut
984
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 09 September 2015 - 09:33
It was the 4th choice school for my son who needed a year 7 place. However it was the only school we got a place in. I must say I was very pleasantly proven wrong to have any negative views. The leadership team, form tutors, subject teaches have all been fantastic. My son has progressed a great deal academically. My only gripe is that they are not so strong in sports. Plus although it is a UK curriculum school only 20% are British. It changes to IB after GCSE so if wanting A levels we need to find another school. However overall we are very pleased and have now moved our younger two there as well. Both have settled well and are happy. Thanks bubby1234! Your feedback is very helpful :) DD would be starting FS2 next year and my main concern is academics and good staff support. We are going for a tour in November so hopefully that will help me decide too. Thanks :)
sourskittleashnut
984
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 07 September 2015 - 10:55
Hi, Any recent reviews on Wellington International? This thread is old, and overall I've heard good things about it, but any experienced mums here? Thanks!
sourskittleashnut
984
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 01 September 2015 - 14:38
I really wish I hadnt opened the link on my work computer (sl***y lingerie is the main big image!)
sourskittleashnut
984
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 01 September 2015 - 13:29
Was there a probation period in the contract you signed? Its usually 3 - 6 months and you can leave at any point in the probation period with no fines/penalties. I think you should be okay, just tell them due to their delayed response you have decided to take a job elsewhere.
sourskittleashnut
984
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 31 August 2015 - 16:41
Why shouldn't parents with kids get a benefit such as fees? People in companies get benefits all the time, like the previous point about health insurance - if your coworker breaks a leg and insurance pays AED10,000 for it, should you also get AED 10,000? Paying fees is an incentive to join the company, and also to support working parents. As a working mom, getting school fees paid is such a bonus. Nothing for other coworkers to get so annoyed about!
sourskittleashnut
984
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 31 August 2015 - 10:23
Any updates on this card? Is it useful?
sourskittleashnut
984
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 26 August 2015 - 14:28
This is to prevent identity theft, as well as people impersonating others. There are a lot of fake account on there, I'm glad they are doing a clean up.
sourskittleashnut
984
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 25 August 2015 - 16:45
Hi, My daughter attended FS1 at Little Gems Safa last year and she was accepted into our first choice school for this upcoming term (FS2). About halfway through the year they will give you a form asking you to list your top three preferences for schools (GEMS) and they will try to get you into your preferred school. You still have to do the registration, application and pay the fees for the schools that you apply to. So you still have to do a lot of the legwork. As far as I know, most of the children were accepted into the GEMS schools but not sure if they were accepted into the ones of their choice. We were really pleased with the program and the teachers. My daughter loved going to school there. Hope this helps. Thanks so much for your reply Woods! Makes me glad I've put her in Little Gems. Glad your daughter got into the school you wanted :)
sourskittleashnut
984
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 25 August 2015 - 09:34
Hi LaDiDa00 My daughter is starting at Little Gems FS1 programme at Safa next week inshaAllah so will let you know we get on, and when it comes to school placement for FS2! Interestingly, students who do FS1 at Little Gems get priority placement for FS2 at GEMS schools (at JPS anyways, this is what the registrar told me) - so I'm not sure if they get priority if they do nursery at Little Gems and want to join JPS or any GEMS school for FS1. I put DD in Little Gems specifically to help with FS2 placements in schools so hoping for the best! Overall I am happy with the staff and their programme, it seems very organised and like a proper FS1 structure, but will update once DD actually starts. Btw JPS is opening for registration on Sep 1st if you want to apply there.
sourskittleashnut
984
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 13 August 2015 - 15:43
Canvasjet.com I've recently used them and was very happy with the print quality. I'm a graphic designer so I'm very picky about final print colours but they were spot on.
 
 
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