SunDevil | ExpatWoman.com
 

SunDevil

SunDevil
774
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 14 January 2013 - 20:44
Let's see, that it has to go to a dealership here and be converted to Gulf Specs, wrong. That it has to have it's tires changed, wrong. That the body work will be terribly damaged if you ship it, wrong. That a/c's on cars that aren't Gulf Specs will never keep up with the heat here, wrong. And in the case of both of the cars we shipped here, customs charged us a duty tax on what WE said the car was valued at which we put as a very, very low number and they accepted it.
SunDevil
774
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 14 January 2013 - 20:20
Travel5, I spoke to a teacher today at my children's school about what they teach that is "American" in the elementary grades and she said while they don't teach a lot of US History or Politics, they do teach the American currency and things like measurement in yards, inches, rather than the metric system. Spelling is also as we would spell it in the states versus what the British schools teacher (colour, honour). This teacher has two children that have gone through UAS and graduated with the IB degree and are now back in the states in major universities and this teacher said both of their children already had their freshmen year of college finished before entering b/c of the IB degree they graduated with. So even though they did not receive an "American" education like some people want to call it, they were leaps ahead of their peers b/c of the IB degree and now only need to complete 3 years of college to get their Bachelors degree.
SunDevil
774
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 14 January 2013 - 20:15
I see you decided to sell your car rather than ship it but there is so much false information being typed on this thread that if someone does a search in the future on importing cars and sees this thread, they will believe all of this to be true.
SunDevil
774
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 13 January 2013 - 21:39
.Texas sounds feasible but I would love to stay someplace rainy... Depending on what part of TX, there is plenty of rain.
SunDevil
774
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 13 January 2013 - 20:46
Please don't take this wrong Travel5 but did you know that many schools in the US teach the IB/PYP curriculum? I taught 1st grade in TX at an IB/PYP school and I would take that any day over just an "American" curriculum.
SunDevil
774
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 13 January 2013 - 14:40
We are trying to get a spot (actually 2 spots - twins) for 1st grade and they basically said we should apply elsewhere because the waiting list is really long. It seems like there aren't as many choices for American curriculum. Its either ASD or DAA. I don't know what we will do if we don't get in either school. There is also Universal American (UAS) you can look into. My boys go there and I think it's a great school.
SunDevil
774
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 13 January 2013 - 14:37
I'm partial to Texas and the south but I was born and raised in Arizona and that's a nice state too. Not a lot of people have live-in help in the states but the lifestyle is completely different than here so you can't really compare the two. In the states it's so easy to grocery shop at one store so you aren't running from store to store like here and using up a lot of time. Your child's school will most likely be a neighborhood school and be within walking or biking distance so again, you aren't spending an hour in the morning and an hour in the afternoon doing the school run. There isn't a "school run" in the states. Lots of the private schools offer a Mother's Day Out (MDO) program where the littles can start as young as 18 months and go for 3-4 hours three days a week to give moms time for themselves and from there it can move into a more formal PreK program. My son went to a local church for his PreK terms even though we didn't attend church. It was an outstanding program and he went three days a week from 8:45-2:15 and we paid $230 US a month. So much more affordable than here. I have no idea how many days a fortnight is but my friends and I had people that cleaned our homes and came in once a week and we weren't by any means "wealthy" so a cleaning lady is affordable and realistic for many people in the states. Also, you will find so many high school or college kids that want and need to babysit. I had two outstanding high school seniors that I used as babysitters and they were great with my children and between the two of them I could always find a sitter for a night out.
SunDevil
774
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 13 January 2013 - 10:26
Do you mean the Lulu's by MOE? I haven't seen fabric sold there. I bought pink and white gingham in Satwa in December. It's a nice heavy weight too, not thin like it can be sometimes. They also sell it at Craftland in Jumeirah which is easy to get into with a buggy. http://www.mycraftland.com
SunDevil
774
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 12 January 2013 - 20:31
Fida is one of my favorites. I love that place and every time I go I find more and more stuff. It's almost directly across from the Post Office. There is a large parking lot with the post office on one end and a mosque on the other end. Go all the way down by the post office and Fida is across from there.
SunDevil
774
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 11 January 2013 - 22:23
Well then I guess it's official, the poor girl got a raw deal on that picture. Wonder if Kate will put that up in the family room or if it will just end up in a guest room somewhere? LOL
SunDevil
774
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 11 January 2013 - 12:58
There is a Benjamin Moore retail store opening next month. They will have Benjamin Moore Wall Tattoos! YAY! http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/for-your-home/wall-tattoos-wallpaper-alternatives Do you know where the store will be located?
SunDevil
774
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 09 January 2013 - 12:15
Not directly linked to question but I would like to add that if you go back to your home country for a holiday while being a resident here and hire a car you must use your UAE license. As the other poster put down that the home license (should but is not here) be surrendered while you hold a UAE license. If you use your home license and have an accident the insurance will be void. edited by roysie on 09/01/2013 edited by roysie on 09/01/2013 That's not the case for the USA. You can still drive on your US license while back in the country. My TX license is still very much valid back in the states. And additionally, our insurance company offers a great service that for only $5 US per year, you can continue on as a customer and when you go back to the states and need to rent a car, you are covered under that policy. And when we return to the states for good and need to get everything established again, we will be considered continuing customers with all of those years of accident free driving with them and not looked at as a new client.
SunDevil
774
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 04 January 2013 - 15:39
Keep going towards AD. Are you on the road just behind SZR? You'll see it on your left with parking in the back of the building that is half uncovered and half covered.
SunDevil
774
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 04 January 2013 - 15:37
UAS is IB. I'm not sure what you mean by "authentic". They use the same phonics I used in the states when I taught. They use the exact same leveled readers that I used in the states and they use Everyday Math just like I used in the states so I'm not sure how much more "authentic" that can get. They have celebrated all the US holidays that we celebrate in the states as well as the some of the other holidays around the world and all of them here in UAE.
SunDevil
774
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 04 January 2013 - 09:28
Our boys are at UAS Universal American and I can't say enough good things about it. I taught Kinder and 1st grade in the states for 10 years so I went in with a skeptical eye and really did my research and I have been extremely pleased with the school.
SunDevil
774
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 24 December 2012 - 14:23
Thank you for the tip! I'm using it to make a Buttermilk Blueberry Breakfast Cake. http://www.alexandracooks.com/2011/06/29/buttermilk-blueberry-breakfast-cake/
SunDevil
774
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 23 December 2012 - 16:06
My girlfriend's husband was killed in Iraq and the Westboro church came to protest his funeral. They were horrible and stood across the street yelling at my friend and her two children as they entered and left the church. Fortunately the http://www.patriotguard.org created a physical barrier between her and the protesters so she did not see the Westboro protesters. <em>edited by SunDevil on 23/12/2012</em>
SunDevil
774
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 18 December 2012 - 14:20
When we lived in the states DH and I always used Proflowers.com and I always thought their flowers were pretty and lasted a long time.
SunDevil
774
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 17 December 2012 - 11:09
I was at Green Community Choithrams yesterday morning and they had a large end cap display of them.
SunDevil
774
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 11 December 2012 - 19:08
We have several of them including the double Darth Maul. They aren't toys but the collector type. We got them at the Dubai mall in the store in between the movie theater and Kidzania, right next to Sega. I don't know the name of the store but they sell all the movie collector items.
SunDevil
774
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 11 December 2012 - 19:04
I bought mine from Lakeland last week but they don't carry the Mason brand. They are a different brand but still just as good as Mason. They had several sizes.
SunDevil
774
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 06 December 2012 - 21:10
In Ibn Battuta - on the way to the HSBC end just past Starbucks - Grand Stores ( I think? ) or the luggage store next to it - they have about 6 in the window of all sizes! edited by spongemonkey on 06/12/2012 I've been meaning to go to Ibn Battuta mall, now this just gives me the perfect reason. Thank you!
SunDevil
774
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 06 December 2012 - 21:08
I bought glitter glue at Deepa's in Satwa yesterday for 25 dhs per bottle. I don't know if it is washable though as I didn't need it to be. They had several colors and I bought silver and one gold and it was a good size bottle and I have to say it's my favorite glitter glue so far as it was easy to use and didn't glop. I should have bought more colors.
SunDevil
774
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 06 December 2012 - 21:04
Has anyone seen any watch cases around? I'd like to get DH one for Christmas and want something that holds about 6 watches. Any suggestions? Thank you!
SunDevil
774
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 27 November 2012 - 20:02
People magazine has a good account of what happened.http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20651207,00.html And Radar Online has a good account of what led up to this assault. http://www.radaronline.com/exclusives/2012/11/gabriel-aubry-assault-photos-restraining-order-olivier-martinez-surveillance
SunDevil
774
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 27 November 2012 - 17:58
From what I understand OM is a former boxer. I hope they get the security camera footage and the truth can come out.
SunDevil
774
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 26 November 2012 - 13:45
Good to know, thank you!
SunDevil
774
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 21 November 2012 - 22:37
Buy the real deal SunDevil and know you've done a good deed! www.toms.com About US$50 With free shipping until Dec 31! Yep! I have no problems spending money on the name brand. When we adopted our boys from Russia I wrote to Robeez and asked for donations to the orphanages. For each adoption they sent me 25 pairs of brand new Robeez to take to the orphanages. I just had to pay for shipping them to our home (they came in plastic baggies rather than boxes) and I carried them to Russia. From that act of kindness I've never bought anything but real Robeez for my children.
SunDevil
774
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 21 November 2012 - 20:58
Thank you!
SunDevil
774
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 21 November 2012 - 06:19
Anyone?
SunDevil
774
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 13 November 2012 - 22:26
What number do we call for Mirador security? The house two doors down is shooting off massive fireworks and have now woke the baby and my sick 4 year old who has a terrible fever and I just got him to sleep.
SunDevil
774
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 12 November 2012 - 21:23
You do NOT need a SSN to get a passport. All three of our children received their passports before their SSN arrived. We used 000-00-0000 on the application and all three were processed without a problem. And all three were done in different years and at different locations throughout the US and not one problem.
SunDevil
774
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 03 November 2012 - 16:27
Do you know about the new law re: living in AD if you work there? That's only if you work for the govt or Etihad. My DH works for a company in AD with no plans to move its employees to AD and we live in Dubai.
SunDevil
774
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 31 October 2012 - 11:59
The flyer that we got on our doors said 6-8pm.
SunDevil
774
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 30 October 2012 - 11:31
I've got another baby on the way so will need more seats for permanent use. I've checked out loads of cars and the Honda Odyssey seems great for lots of children. Easy access to all the seats, auto sliding doors and still decent boot space. I'm loathe to get a people carrier but it does seem the most practical. We have the 2010 Honda Odyssey Touring that we shipped over from the states as I can't imagine not having my minivan with 3 children 5 and under. It's great for kids, power everything, leather, rear DVD system, back up cameras, fully loaded, etc. If you are going to drive a minivan it's the way to go. <em>edited by SunDevil on 30/10/2012</em>
SunDevil
774
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 18 October 2012 - 15:00
price me out of my own home!. Ah but you have to remember it's NOT your own home and never will be unless you buy it, you're always just going to be the tenant and LL's are not going to care how much effort you've put into it - something to remember. Personally I wouldn't take the 'cousins' word for anything until you see a POA from them. I know what you mean, it's not mine legally. But the prospective buyer isn't seeing it when it was filthy dirty, no landscaping, bulletin boards glued to the wall, marks all over the walls, nothing but a light bulb hanging from the ceiling because there wasn't one single light fixture in the whole house. Now they see a gorgeous, put together home and now it's worth something.
SunDevil
774
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 18 October 2012 - 14:24
Oh and after the school run on Sunday, I'll be in the RERA office finding out what my rights are.
SunDevil
774
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 18 October 2012 - 14:23
The cousin has now cancelled the viewing (and I had a lunch date that I had to cancel because of him) and now that I've thought about it, I'm not letting them in. I want written notice of this sale. When we moved into this house it was trashed, it's one of the reasons we got such a good deal. We put in a yard and LOTS of elbow grease on this place to get it looking as good as it looks now and there is no way I'm letting someone come in here and see how great it is and want to buy it, only to become my new LL and now price me out of my own home! I spelled it all out to the cousin and he just kept telling me I'm worrying too much and this sale might not even happen but kept telling me it will all work out "inshallah".
SunDevil
774
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 18 October 2012 - 13:13
Oh I see what you are saying, no the cousin is indeed her cousin, as far as how cousins go here in UAE. He's been here with the LL on a few occasions when we have paperwork to sign but he brings her as she doesn't drive. She signs everything, not him, but they have several investment properties and he works at their business here and she works in Tanzania. But he is not on the rental agreement at all and he has not provided us with any POA. Just a random phone call saying I have a buyer to show the house to.
SunDevil
774
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 18 October 2012 - 13:07
i believe he has to give a 'written' notice. Have you received this? a phone call is not sufficient and any property company would know this so something not right. sounds like 2008/9 all over again. stick to your guns. And it has to be from LL or the person who has PoA for the property.... unless LL's cousin has this it is not valid. Yes, that's another thing, the owner is in Tanzania and the cousin here is saying someone approached the LL about selling the villa so they are going to "make her a good deal" and the cousin here is handling it. But I've never seen any POA and the LL in Tanzania is the one who signed our rental contract.
SunDevil
774
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 18 October 2012 - 13:05
No, no written notice. Just the phone call today saying he's bringing over a buyer. I told him again a few minutes ago that he has to give us one year and he said he'll do everything by the law and when the buyer agrees on the deal he'll give us one year. I kept telling him he's already broken the law by not giving us one year and he kept saying, "yes we'll do it by the law and once the deal is done I'll give you one year." I told him that next month in November it's 90 days out from our contract date and we intended to renew again for another year and he said he would tell the buyers we are not moving and in February they would change the lease to their name and our name. I explained that was nice of him but the buyers could turn around and make a new contract with us for 300,000 a year and we would fight that since he didn't give us one year notice of the sale. And again he said, "yes it will be all in accordance with the law and I will give you one year's notice." ARGH!!!
SunDevil
774
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 18 October 2012 - 11:41
I knew the LL could raise the rent although on the RERA calculator it says no rent fee due since we are within the rate. But I don't want the new LL to try to come in and massively raise the rent especially when we didn't get our 1 year notice on the sale.
SunDevil
774
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 14 September 2012 - 10:58
It must be airing in the UK before the states b/c the season premiere in the US isn't until this Sunday. What is itv?
SunDevil
774
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 12 September 2012 - 19:47
Have you heard about FHS property or [b'>[b'>MarksFalcon[/b'>[/b'>? RUN away from that company!! One of my dear friends has just been scammed by them and her DH's company is going to pursue legal action against them. She has been meaning to come on here to warn others but she is so stressed and busy right now trying to find a place literally at the last hour that she hasn't had a chance. I wish admin would let us start a list of companies that are proven scammers so we can sticky it at the top of the forum for everyone to easily find. It used to happen once in a while and now it seems like a regular occurrence.
SunDevil
774
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 12 September 2012 - 11:14
I searched all over too and couldn't find any here so I ordered mine from Babies R Us in the states and had my SIL bring it with her when she came to visit.
SunDevil
774
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 11 September 2012 - 20:15
I use the MAC Studio Fix pressed powder foundation but wear their primer underneath it. It has a SPF 50 in it and that stuff holds your makeup perfect all day and into the night. I swear by it. It outlasted Disney World in Florida on a humid, hot July day.
SunDevil
774
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 09 September 2012 - 18:39
I just texted her to let her know you are looking for her.
SunDevil
774
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 09 September 2012 - 16:13
I Better to spend the money on snacks and entertainment than the [b'>extra few inches of seat space.[/b'> Have you seen the business class on Delta? It's not a few extra inches, it's extra feet. In coach you are upright and only get to lean back just a bit. In BC the seats make into completely flat beds. It's not even a comparison. Yes we may end up at the same place at the same time, but I guarantee I'm a lot more rested in my lay flat seat than the poor soul in the back sitting upright with the baby on their lap for 15 hours.
SunDevil
774
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 08 September 2012 - 20:35
Business all the way! DH's company pays for us to fly business and that's all we've flown back and forth from the states. It's really important you know what type of plane you are on. If it's Delta and it's the DXB to ATL flight you are on a 777 and they have the lay flight seats that make into beds. The flight leaves late at night and our kids always watch some TV, eat, watch another movie and fall asleep and sleep around 9 hours. We travel with a 5, 3, and 1 year old and always gets compliments on how well the children behaved. You can also request a kid's meal which is typically nuggets and mac and cheese. Also, if it's the 777 it's a 1, 2, 1 configuration but there is a wall in between the middle seats and you have no access between the two seats. So when I travel alone I book a window for me, and an aisle for the 3 year old directly across from me, and then another aisle right behind the 3 year old for the 5 year old to sit. That way I have easy access to each child and can help them with meals and such.
SunDevil
774
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 02 September 2012 - 19:15
Get on Sheikh Zayed road heading towards Sharjah and either a) make u-turn on the flyover next to Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall, then straight till first exit (right after Safa Salik gate), you will come to small round about and you will need to turn left to service road parallel to Shk.Zayed, then just drive straight till you reach Safestway, free parking at the back or pay parking in front That's how I would go except I think you mean go RIGHT at the roundabout. And you actually don't have to even enter the r/a because there is a right turn only lane and it immediately loops you back up the slip road (so now you are going against SZR traffic) and you can either park in back like dramaqn suggested or you can basement park as well.
 
 
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