Sue | ExpatWoman.com
 

Sue

Sue
173
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Latest post on 17 September 2014 - 21:39
Handwriting must continue to be a part of education as material is retained better when it is written down, as opposed to typed...http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/a-learning-secret-don-t-take-notes-with-a-laptop/
Sue
173
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 25 August 2014 - 20:23
Naiyyar, Safestway on SZR across from Dubai Mall has both of those items.
Sue
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Latest post on 25 August 2014 - 20:15
I am with Mrs Mozz on this one. H and P are awful- mindless drivel, terrible humour and grating accents. Cat Boy and G have excellent humour , keep it interesting and Geordie Bird has a great accent. Every time I hear H and P I immediately change the station. Ugh!!!
Sue
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 03 July 2014 - 12:50
Ok everyone thanks for the replies. Yes hopefully over Ramadan some of these children and their moms can go home. It is so sad. I will contact Dubai Autism Centre today. The Hamleys option is a good one too,thanks. <em>edited by Sue on 03/07/2014</em>
Sue
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 02 July 2014 - 21:25
Hi , thanks for the replies. Yes Amelia if you get a chance to ask I would like to know. That article on the kids in jail gutted me.I was thinking the chalkboard/easel could get lots of use and I would buy a bunch of chalk and markers and paper to go with it. Also have a bunch of small stuffed animals in mint condition that they might like too.
Sue
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 13 June 2014 - 08:48
Opposite of a dysfunctional doctor I guess....
Sue
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 11 June 2014 - 15:43
sarahlou123 is correct. We have a 12 year old car. We can insure it for 3rd party comprehensive but we cannot get it covered for damages/bodywork etc. Which is fine as it is getting old and it works out our insurance is really cheap!
Sue
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 11 June 2014 - 07:31
We just had Saniservice. Excellent. 6 AC units- townhouse is about 1800 square feet in size. Very thorough and smells are gone. All companies do filters and ducts in our experience and they show you nice pictures of before and after - dust removed etc, however our recurrent problem was with the very old units themselves and the drainage piping and mold smells etc, Saniservice is the only company that found the mold in the drainage systems and trays and sorted it out. We Paid 3600dhs. We will use them once a year now as the smell and allergies we have previously been dealing with were terrible. And we will probably get a cheaper company or the landlords maintenance company to do the in-between maintenance of the cooling units on the roof. Just a word of warning to those who are new to Dubai, most landlord's maintenance companies do the bare minimum- usually a rinse of the roof top cooler units, and a quick rinse of the individual AC unit filters that are in each room/bathroom and then a quick wipe of the grills in the rooms that the air comes out of. Over time this will not be enough. Also a lot of them rinse the AC filters (most of the time the filters are also not really even filters) and stick them straight back into the unit wet- further breeding mould. We insist they leave them out in the sun and then we put them back ourselves when they are bone dry (plus a bit of sunlight UV radiation doesn't hurt in terms of killing mould too!
Sue
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 25 April 2014 - 04:21
That is excellent! So when is the government going to build an ice rink like the one in Abu Dhabi?? Between figure skating and ice hockey I think it would be kept full. What about Al Nasr? Izzy- Between Al Nasr and Dubai Mall there is a MAJOR lack of ice time available, tons of kids are turned away from joining both sports because of it. We DESPERATELY need more ice in Dubai- between figure skating, Adult and kids ice hockey, it can definitely be kept busy! Please someone build another ice rink!!!!
Sue
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 21 April 2014 - 08:04
I agree men shouldn't be mollycoddled but by the same token you have to look at each situation. I know a lot of women who get on a flight the last day of school and come back the first day of school and their husbands are alone all summer in the heat. A lot of men in Dubai work crazy hours-12 hours a day, 6 days a week , only to come home and see pictures of their kids and wife having fun back home, posted on Facebook. It breeds a lot of resentment. For a lot of women it is different, and they have to shlep their kids from family to family and it is exhausting, but still from their husband's perspective, their family is not stuck in the long, lonely,hard working, hot summer Dubai experience that they have to endure. So I do not see what is wrong with a wife who actually cares about her husband, going the extra mile to make his experience at least a little nicer, to come home after 10 hours of work to a nice home cooked meal he can heat up. Now, it is a whole different thing when both partners work outside of the home, or when they husband works normal hours and the wife has her hands full with a bunch of kids at home- men should man up and help out. But the reality is a lot of men in Dubai work ridiculously hard and long hours, and a lot of women have home help and do have time to make some meals. Women's liberation is great, but when it evolves into selfishness, I have no time for it.
Sue
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 21 April 2014 - 07:40
Food onboard is becoming a joke. Last breakfast I had , inedible. Last "steak" I had was a chunk of rubber that would have removed a tooth. Gotta love the 'aloe vera' yogurt as well…who eats Aloe Vera yogurt?- must be the bulk bargain yogurt- kind of like the bright pink paint you can get 1/2 price at the hardware store lol. Ek catering is a shocker. Biryani is only reliable thing- probably because mostly rice so it is cheap for them.
Sue
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 06 February 2014 - 12:23
THANKS!!
Sue
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 06 February 2014 - 11:49
Seems to be an AWFUL lot of sirens- anyone know what is going on?
Sue
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 29 January 2014 - 07:31
Well it looks like they are going to start some developments out there so probably why- although since when do they plan ahead and put the infrastructure in before the buildings lol. What worries me though is the bicycle track- if they go to 3 lanes the road will be dangerously close to that track.
Sue
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 08 January 2014 - 15:57
Thanks Daza!
Sue
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 08 January 2014 - 13:17
My son is a Football goalie and I am struggling to find good gloves (preferably Reusch) and the long sleeved padded keeper jerseys- nothing at all the shops in DM and at MoE. Anyone ?
Sue
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 23 December 2013 - 22:54
I am bumping this as I have the same question- except I want one with weighted keys that can be attached to a computer through a usb cable etc to use online piano lessons. ??
Sue
173
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 02 December 2013 - 22:13
Do you think age at which you go is a big factor? I often hear more negative feedback from people who went at 9,10, 11 than at age 15, 16- I would be curious to hear what people think- we are wrestling with the idea for one teen who cannot get the sport opportunities here that they could back home.
Sue
173
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 13 November 2013 - 19:47
Dubai Physiotherapy and Family Medicine Clinic is close to Downtown, on beach road just beside Mercato
Sue
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 13 November 2013 - 11:08
strawberries :) :) :) Thanks for the helpful info Yes need lots of sun and very peaty/airy/ soil- not dense sandy water retaining "sweet soil" - I just use the Garden centre mixed soil and plant in long containers in full sun. Best to cover the young plants with hay or straw but I haven't had the time to source that out here (to avoid rot/slugs etc). I bought little plants last year from the souk
Sue
173
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 13 November 2013 - 11:03
One more thing Ginnee- are you planting in sun or shade? As the question varies... I agree that the climibing jasmine does well in a pot and in semi shade so a good one. Desert rose is a great one too if NOT in the shade- full sun or part shade is good - plant in very sandy soil and dont water very often- the soil should almost feel just damp or even dry when you touch the top layer- over watering causes it not to flower and if too much water it bloats up and dies- kind of like a cactus. When you get long spindly branches prune the branch 1/3 from it's base and you will encourage lots of thicker branches and ultimately flowers. Bouganveillia in a pot great too but will only look really good in full sun. In garden beds the tend to look best in your neighbour's yard as they grow up and over and the ends look great in their yard (in the full sun) and you get to look at the stems.! Dont plant in semi-shade- very little color . Also tons of thorns so a real pain to look after- either have a good gardener or keep in a pot and prune a lot. Hibiscus look lovely but always get eaten alive by those little mites- have tried all the natural rx and the only thing that works is harsh chemicals- so I gave up. I have a pesticide free garden for years and the only thing that doesn't survive is HIbiscus. If you have a gardener beware that in Dubai they will spray insecticides without knowledge of safe dose, plants for consumption etc. Best to ban it completely. Besides then you get a garden full of butterflies- it is great! edited by Sue on 13/11/2013 <em>edited by Sue on 13/11/2013</em>
Sue
173
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 13 November 2013 - 10:56
p.s if you manage to grow blackberrries would love to know - but beware they are incredibly invasive with very long runners so plant them in containers! Also b.t.w strawberries grow well here.
Sue
173
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 13 November 2013 - 10:54
Yes Ginnee you can grow herbs and tomatoes. My tomatoes were great last year until the leaf miner bug invaded them- little squiggly trails through all the leaves killed the plant- would love advice on how to deal with that. Basil grows into a woody bush (!) and actually survives the summer if moved to the shade over summer . Either start from Seed (asap) or get one of those potted basils from the veggie section of spinneys and stick it in the ground. Pinch it back regularly when flowers start or leaves get tough. This year my 3 year old bush was so thick I hacked it in half, still growing. Coriander seeds take well, salad greens , lemongrass grows like a weed. I cover my salad greens with flexible windowscreen mesh I buy from ace to keep the bugs off- otherwise in the morning the leaves are chomped in half! Also I bought a small chili pepper plant last year at the souk and it is now a 3 foot tree- also survived the summer and I have enough chili peppers at the moment for the whole neighbourhood. If you have a gardener make sure to tell him- no pesticides!! I plant in containers just to ensure now ground runoff from heaven nows what chemicals are on my pavers. Other nice thing about containers is you can move them into the shade over summer.Good luck!
Sue
173
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 26 October 2013 - 13:04
"The 2008 crash was the best thing that could have happened to Dubai. It shook the greed out of the system and restored sanity to an economy that was away in fantasyland. It made Dubai a MUCH more liveable city. What's needed now is *sustainable* growth, not another wretched short-term boom. But hey, enjoy the return of clogged roads, skyrocketing cost of living et al. If you have the emotional and financial wherewithal to hold on through the next boom, the next collapse will again see Dubai become much more liveable. edited by Madge_Gustard on 25/10/2013"- I agree Madge, brilliantly put.
Sue
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 26 October 2013 - 13:01
Going to be a nightmare.Think traffic and rents are bad now???
Sue
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 26 October 2013 - 10:05
That is excellent! So when is the government going to build an ice rink like the one in Abu Dhabi?? Between figure skating and ice hockey I think it would be kept full.
Sue
173
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 25 October 2013 - 12:39
I am sad too. I loved her prints- great for gifts- over the last 10 years I have "gifted" a number of them- and I have a framed one of the arabic men sitting on the floor drinking arabic coffee in my living room- really very lovely piece. I went there the other day and bought the last 2 they had. I don't see them for sale online unfortunately . Quite a nice artist -sad to see her go! Rents are stupid everywhere so I feel for small business owners. The girl in her shop is still looking for work if anyone needs retail help!
Sue
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 22 October 2013 - 21:56
If very sudden headache, worst of your life and severe- could be a leaking aneurysm. My sister had one. Dont mess around go to A and E.
Sue
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 October 2013 - 20:22
I agree. 4 is way too young for a high bed.
Sue
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 15 October 2013 - 08:51
Thanks Phool_Bibi - great advice!
Sue
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 14 October 2013 - 15:38
Thanks for the ideas mrsb! We are going to give some cash but I thought it would be nice to have some treat food items- I just am not sure what those would be. Are there specific Pakistani type sweets and where would I buy those? Thanks
Sue
173
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 October 2013 - 11:56
It is the almost always B vitamins. I did check my maid's bill a few times.Same with if you check the bag full of pills your maid comes home with after going for a cold- always has B vitamins, plus some multivitamins etc etc. There is a general psyche that you are not getting treatment unless something is done- and an injection is a very dramatic way to show something is being done- my maid always thought she was really sick if they gave her an injection .If they are told it is just a cold and take rest and fluids, they think the doctor is clueless. It is a bit of faith healing- alive and well in the UAE. Complete overkill but I could never talk my maid out of it. She still is appalled when I don't rush my feverish kids off to the hospital for an injection!
Sue
173
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 17 August 2013 - 07:36
Thanks for the replies!
Sue
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 August 2013 - 19:19
Waitrose Dubai Mall. How do you cook it? I tried recently and it was tough and disgusting. Do you have to remove the ribs?
Sue
173
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 August 2013 - 18:18
Hi Mamacass, That down topper sounds amazing. Where exactly is the King Koil on sir?
Sue
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 22 June 2013 - 21:10
Does anyone know the latest process - does my maid apply for an ID card first and then we go to apply for the visa, or vice versa or at the same time? And can we apply for ID card renewal online? It is constantly changing so just wondering what the process is now. Thanks
Sue
173
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 20 June 2013 - 15:43
Thank you!
Sue
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 June 2013 - 07:20
I always buy mine at Coop by Safa park
Sue
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 01 June 2013 - 17:59
Also there are a lot of maids on a local's sponsorship who work at expats houses and never actually work for the local. Again illegal but ok if you dont get caught.
Sue
173
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 01 June 2013 - 17:58
Hi Rach28 My understanding is once you sponsor a maid she must live with you and work only for you. People that have live out maids are either hiring from an agency or using someone else's maid who is doing extra work "on the side". Technically the latter is illegal and although many do it, if you get caught, enormous fines (our friends were fined 20,000 AED 6 years ago) and the maid gets deported. Now the issue about where she lives may not be an issue but I think it is (others correct me if I am wrong?)
Sue
173
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 31 May 2013 - 16:04
I am confused, you are going to sponsor her but she is going to live out? Where will she live? If you sponsor her she has to live with you as I understand it.
Sue
173
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 25 May 2013 - 06:45
If you are that particular about ingredients, I suggest buy a breadmaker and make your own. That is what we do . Spinneys has the strong wholemeal flour you will need. You can add flax, oats, whatever you want. Bread here is generally disappointing. failing that, I agree Park N Shop is your best bet.
Sue
173
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 12 May 2013 - 21:31
everest furniture are great- google them. They do a great job- in Al Quoz- although might be cheaper in Satwa.
Sue
173
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 11 May 2013 - 21:58
Get to the park right at opening time- early!!! it so pays off to be there early!!! If you have 3 or more days at Disney, then Leave around 1 -2 pm and have a swim, sleep whatever at your house/hotel, then go back after 6 pm. Most of the people with little kids will be gone although a lot will come back for the parades. Rush to the superpopular rides (info online will tell you which are popular)- and grab a fast-track ticket,for later, then go to something else . Fast track is great. If you are only there for 1-2 days you will have to go all day - it is hot and a lot of walking so wear comfortable shoes and take a hat!! If you go to Universal studios for the Harry Potter exhibit, get there at opening time and rush (!) to the Harry Potter part-the Forbidden Journey ride is ridiculously busy so go there first (again google). Universal has terrible food and rides break down continuously- Disney is far better quality overall. But that Harry Potter ride (Forbidden Journey) is incredible. Car rental is cheap in Florida. Hoop dee Doo musical dinner show is really fun (and way too much food)- need to book ahead though. Buy tickets ahead of time- lots of booths around Orlando offer discount tickets but most of them make you sit through a 2-3 hour painful sales pitch for timeshares. Do buy tickets ahead of time however as you do not want to waste time buying when those gates open- you need to be walking /running to the most popular ride (wait times without fast track tickets can easily be 2 hours at both parks). Have fun, it is a great but exhausting experience.
Sue
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 08 May 2013 - 15:47
Stephen at Dubai Physio is the acupuncturist and he is excellent . Also Shurong is really good in health care city.
Sue
173
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 05 May 2013 - 18:06
Yes I feel very sad for him. Saw his movie a few years back- he was an awesome, humble, talented little kid. His current music in no way reflects how talented he is. The "machine" kills these young stars- I think he was probably intoxicated in one way or another last night. I hope his "handlers" recognize he is going off the rails and gets him into Rehab or at least off the concert circuit. What a waste. I don't know many 19 year olds who would handle this much fame and money- just not good for anyone.
Sue
173
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 30 April 2013 - 13:16
www.kerrfit.com
Sue
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 April 2013 - 22:57
lol
Sue
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 April 2013 - 22:50
Yes we just called them and when they came we said - need to change for your gas kind of thing (their English wasnt great) and they did it right then and there.
Sue
173
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 April 2013 - 12:10
I am not sure but when we came here we had propane cylinders and we drove down to that place in Karama regularly. Eventually got sick of it so just called the gas guys here and they changed the fittings and now we use the orange bottles. It burns a bit hotter than propane but soooo much more convenient. The fittings on the bbq were able to be changed in minutes- it was no big deal.
 
 
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