twin_butterfly | ExpatWoman.com
 

twin_butterfly

574
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EW GURU
Latest post on 03 August 2013 - 15:50
We also were in SG when DS was 18 months. We took the Hop-on Hop-off tour and it was fab - fee allows you a 24-hr (I think you can also extend it) unlimited number of trips and hop-ons hop-offs. Must-visits are The Raffles for afternoon tea (best to book in advance), Emerald Hill and the Botanical Gardens. Also Chinatown and Little India although we just watched from the bus :) Apart from that, a bit like Dubai ... lots of shopping malls ;) Stayed at the Marina Bay Sands which was convenient as we had a mall interconnected, a museum and a stop to the Hop-on Hop-off right outside. The hotel is nothing to write home about except for the external architecture and the views - the pool on the top floor was overcrowded, chlorine-smelling and freezing cold and the lobby is a bit like Atlantis', much too busy. Have to say that you can ask for a small fridge to keep your supplies of fruit and milk for your daughter, which they are happy to bring. If you are not BF'ing do note that the milk is very expensive (as is water actually) and I can't recall it being fresh (but UHT) so you may want to consider taking your own formula powder from here. The hotel gives you daily replenishment of complimentary water bottles. In the mall adjacent to the hotel you have a couple of small supermarkets to get your milk and fruit from for bubs. Restaurants within the hotel were non-existent but in the mall there was a superb restaurant by Wolfgang Puck (if you feel like splurging for one evening). One night we had dinner at Lau Pa Sat (old market converted into an outdoor food court) as we wanted to try the chilli crab in an authentic ambience. Not the most hygienic place and I spent the whole evening pulling out for Dettol wipes for DS (yes, my OCD was definitely showing!!) but it was a worthy experience. <em>edited by twin_butterfly on 03/08/2013</em>
574
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EW GURU
Latest post on 03 August 2013 - 15:03
One more adding to this thread: due in Feb with our second - am now 11 weeks... Had my first scan last week and it was so exciting seeing the tiny little arms and hearing her heartbeat! Also waiting to tell everyone including the family (number of different sensitive issues) until the end of the first 3 months ... hopefully back at the end of the month with good news :) Is anyone planning to have the amniocentesis or CVS test? We did not with DS and wondering what to do this time ... Congratulations to all of you Ladies!
574
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EW GURU
Latest post on 03 August 2013 - 14:56
What is in your opinion the best host site for a blog?
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EW GURU
Latest post on 03 August 2013 - 14:47
Thank you Star*fish! We did see the Cuisinart and hesitated because of the limitation to just 2 temperatures. We need one that can have a temperature as low as 40C... We precisely want it for baby number 2 now on the way :)
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EW GURU
Latest post on 03 August 2013 - 14:44
We have never used salt in our dishwasher here (have had it for over 2 years) and no problem either.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 03 August 2013 - 14:39
We drink bottled water from Al Ain and Arwa. I would never drink water straight out of the tap here - many rumours from high levels of bacteria up to corrosion from poor quality piping which can damage your kidneys. I have recently heard about reverse osmosis (RO) which apparently is a filtering system so that you can use tap water and safely drink it. I think I remember a cost of circa AED 3,000 but it lasts for life and they do the maintenance for you wherever you move in the world. Can't remember the name of the company that supplies them but maybe another EW'er will have this. ETA: Sorry don't think I answered your question. From what I understand, all water we drink in the UAE is desalinated and treated to make it potable. Unless the bottle says 'mineral water', it is not so to drink mineral you would have to buy imported waters. <em>edited by twin_butterfly on 03/08/2013</em>
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EW GURU
Latest post on 02 August 2013 - 10:35
Thank you Ladies - you are Fabulous ;)
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EW GURU
Latest post on 01 August 2013 - 15:40
Thank you BEDH! Sorry for late reply - created thread just before leaving on holiday and never had a chance to check before we left :) If anyone is heading for the US for the summer and thinks she could use the points, I have heaps of cut-outs ;)
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EW GURU
Latest post on 01 July 2013 - 13:03
Thank you Ladies! No, we live in Dubai Marina so not the same outlet as the Sharjah family which I did not know about but thankfully I don't think our case is as nasty. Mrs Pineapples, who said it was meat/fish/dairy? I have sent back a pack of (rather expensive) meat in the past, thrown away chicken, and on three different occasions also thrown away fish and prawns precisely because they smelled off. So I think my sense of smell works fine, thank you. Do you seriously think I would put my family's and my health at risk knowingly? Please ask before assuming. In this case, I am absolutely sure it was the stuffed olives I bought from the delicatessen counter. Hubby ate them before me as a snack and he felt funny straight away but I did not think it was the olives - he has lunch at work and unfortunately has a very delicate stomach. I only ate them afterwards with my meal and this morning has been less than pleasant for both of us. And I am someone with a very strong stomach - I never get stomach aches or food poisoning! Thank you once again Ladies. I shall get in touch with the suggested.
574
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EW GURU
Latest post on 22 June 2013 - 06:32
I love Infusion d'Iris by Prada. It's clean and fresh but dressy at the same time x
574
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EW GURU
Latest post on 17 May 2013 - 12:04
Should that fail, my HD is at a data recovery centre in the UK at the moment. The company handling it locally is MORE Data Recovery Services in Bur Dubai. They picked it up from home and will deliver once all done. Their telephone numbers are 04 393 0002, 800 3282, 055 755 0647. They said the charge depends on how much they manage to recover but starts at AED 500 and can be up to AED 2,000. Not cheap, I am ready to pay it as I have hours and hours of work worth in the files, but the most precious data are my son's pictures from the past 12 months. Stupid for not doing regular back-ups - lesson learnt.
574
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EW GURU
Latest post on 17 May 2013 - 12:04
Should that fail, my HD is at a data recovery centre in the UK at the moment. The company handling it locally is MORE Data Recovery Services in Bur Dubai. They picked it up from home and will deliver once all done. Their telephone numbers are 04 393 0002, 800 3282, 055 755 0647. They said the charge depends on how much they manage to recover but starts at AED 500 and can be up to AED 2,000. Not cheap, I am ready to pay it as I have hours and hours of work worth in the files, but the most precious data are my son's pictures from the past 12 months. Stupid for not doing regular back-ups - lesson learnt.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 17 May 2013 - 11:53
In Harvey Nichols you may (not guaranteed, but worth a try) find some nice dresses. Your budget should be able to get you something nice enough. Otherwise, when I got married I did try a very nice silk A-line long dress at Ralph Lauren in MOE - I can't remember the price but again, your budget is not too bad. Good luck with finding the dress you want and I hope you have a beautiful wedding.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 16 May 2013 - 09:16
Thank you Ladies for taking the time to share your views and your experiences
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EW GURU
Latest post on 14 May 2013 - 21:43
Thank you Ladies! I wanted to make sure I wasn't overreacting or being overprotective. The mother is well aware of the situation and has told the child not to do it but obviously this is not enough, as the behaviour continues.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 14 May 2013 - 19:26
My 2 YO son attends a playgroup where one of the kids is always pushing him (and others) and on occasions has hit and kicked in the stomach. Would you withdraw your toddler from this environment or would you let him face 'the real world'? He is a loving, caring and considerate toddler who loves to be around individuals his own age but simply doesn't understand violence/hostility and doesn't know how to stand up for himself when being 'bullied' (not sure if too strong a term for toddlers but this is essentially what it is) by other toddlers.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 11 May 2013 - 14:33
Thank you ladies! Checked Geant and they did not have Ednet anymore (only Flamingo and DSB) and I don't recall seeing Cosmic at Carrefour but some other funky brand :( I think I might just settle for one of the ones at Geant and keep my fingers crossed that it will work. Have read that some of the cheaper brands munch up the pouches ... Let's see how it goes.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 11 May 2013 - 14:25
We bought ours at the Organic Foods & Cafe in SZR. It's called Dr Sharp and it is natural + fluoride free. I think the formula has been designed so that the baby/tot can swallow, as DS always thinks it is yummy (strawberry flavour) and will just not spit :)
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EW GURU
Latest post on 10 May 2013 - 15:47
I just booked ours yesterday with Fly Dubai and yes half the price of Emirates! :) I called my resort about the seaplane transfers as I was worried about the same thing. They said they will have someone personally meet us at Male airport (we arrive about 6am I believe) and arrange the seaplane based on guest arrivals and plane arrivals. I even asked if we were the only ones coming on that international flight and they said yes the seaplane will be timed accordingly - not sure who they use or how it works but given that Fly Dubai will have people arriving at X time, they have transfers just after those arrival times. We are staying at the Park Hyatt and we can only do the seaplane transfers through them ($482 per person no less! - More expensive than the FD flights!) Worth checking out with your hotel. Well, wait until your LO has to start paying for flights too - we had a bit of a shock as our upcoming trip to Maldives is the first one where we start paying for DS' flights: EK almost full fare + USD 200 for a 30 min seaplane transfer to our resort, for a 2 year-old that will probably spend most of his time sitting on our laps anyway ... Sigh ... <em>edited by twin_butterfly on 10/05/2013</em>
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EW GURU
Latest post on 10 May 2013 - 15:38
** bump ** :)
574
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EW GURU
Latest post on 02 May 2013 - 22:24
Fab! Thanks TO BMAP!!! Heading over in the morning :)
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EW GURU
Latest post on 11 April 2013 - 01:03
Thank you Ladies! Coincidentally I did resort to the brown paper bags (great minds think alike, he he he ...), with a printed card thanking for coming to the party, clipped onto the bag with a mini wooden peg. Also thanks for the exact address at Dragonmart, AnC - I will keep for future reference. I don't think I would venture out there without having a shop name or number - I always find it too confusing! Did not notice the small cellophane bags in Daiso but good to know. Tavola stocks them too: AED 10 for 25 bags (10x24 cm) Mk-in-Dubai, Daiso does the brown paper bags. I like the contemporary look of them!
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EW GURU
Latest post on 07 April 2013 - 16:30
Looking for something that is not cartoon character themed and not AED 20 a bag either. Any tips in where I can find? Thanks!
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EW GURU
Latest post on 31 March 2013 - 20:40
Thanks CR. I checked Lakeland at MOE without luck. Should have made the time to go upstairs and also check Tavola but DH was rushing me as always! I did check Daiso too some time ago and they did not have it - might be worthwhile to have a look again.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 23 March 2013 - 14:49
In our family we love dogs and have them back in our home countries where they live in a house with our brother/sister - we would love to have a dog he especially as DS gets so excited at the sight of a dog, but I am sorry to say that a flat is no home for a dog, reason for us not having one in Dubai. And if you live in JBR, please be aware that dogs are not allowed in the community, despite the many dogs that are still around, after several notices and several reminders by the community management company. Sadly, their owners are so irresponsible that they will not only allow the dog to pee and do this number two in areas where there are babies and toddlers playing and using their hands on the ground BUT they won't even pick up after their own pet. I have stopped taking my son to play in the green areas because I keep on finding dog's p** on the grass! Infuriating!!!
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EW GURU
Latest post on 13 March 2013 - 01:34
No issues Ace. You are already married and they will only ask for your wedding certificate once you do the baby's birth certificate. Friends of mine got married when she was in her fourth month and they faced no issues. Congratulations on both your wedding and pregnancy! <em>edited by twin_butterfly on 13/03/2013</em>
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EW GURU
Latest post on 13 March 2013 - 01:31
I also had a CS two years ago. Delivery was at Welcare Hospital with Dr Jennifer Karsisky and she was amazing! Not very good paediatricians though at the hospital ...
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EW GURU
Latest post on 13 March 2013 - 01:16
Yes, Brainy Baby are far better and if you want to buy, far cheaper. I bought both and so ended up paying the same price for one Baby Einstein DVD as for six Brainy Baby ones :) you can probably find lots on YouTube as well and download through keepvid.com
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EW GURU
Latest post on 13 March 2013 - 01:06
I thought all antiperspirants had aluminium. I have also been searching and searching - did a thread on here a while ago too. So far have only found deodorants without aluminium. Tried Tom's of Maine which I found at Life pharmacy and it is OK although you have to apply lots and lots of it to make sure you don't miss any spots on your armpits. Also tried an organic range that the pharmacy stocks and it is not bad, but again you need to apply lots and lots.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 13 March 2013 - 00:56
Sorry, have to disagree on the shop at Times Square. Very expensive, terrible designs and nasty cheap material. We bought two door cabinet locks and had to throw away because we could not use them - once they were fitted onto the cabinet door, it took forever to open the lock again. It took me over ten minutes to do so, all while hurting my fingers because of the cheap and hard plastic they have used, and my husband took a little less but still, I am afraid we do not have the luxury of spending ten minutes each time we open the cupboards. <em>edited by twin_butterfly on 13/03/2013</em>
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EW GURU
Latest post on 10 March 2013 - 14:14
So sorry to hear you are going through this while grieving yourself. I saw this recently whilst browsing looking for other stuff. Not very much in depth but may help a little http://www.kidspot.com.au/preschool-development-grannys-gone-to-heaven--how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-death+7115+32+article.htm A bug teddy bear hug to both you and your son/s!
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EW GURU
Latest post on 10 March 2013 - 14:04
Could that be the reason why we can see a yellow cloud above The Palm from Dubai Marina? It seems like a very long distance to travel ...
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EW GURU
Latest post on 23 February 2013 - 14:37
Unfortunately tripadvisor is not a reliable source anymore, as some hotels get their friends and family to post fake reviews for them so that they can balance out the negative reviews. So it is difficult to tell which ones are actually genuine reviews. Sad but true ... <em>edited by twin_butterfly on 23/02/2013</em>
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EW GURU
Latest post on 23 February 2013 - 14:32
I don't mean to hijack the thread, Eli but I thought I would ask for opinions as my tot is non responsive when other kids push him, hit him or take toys off him - he just continues minding his business as if nothing had happened. There has been a couple of recent incidents where quite older kids would push him, and one particularly 6/7 year old hit him repeatedly on the head with the playballs in the pit. My son did not react! So I jumped and it turned out the girl was there with someone else's nanny who of course did not keep an eye on her. What do you do then? This girl is in the outdoor playground as well on most days and has been violent to other (always smaller) kids.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 23 February 2013 - 14:15
Great - thank you Ladies!
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EW GURU
Latest post on 23 February 2013 - 14:14
Amora, I think it probably depends on the salon. I go to Nail Spa at Ibn Batuta and the girls have always been discreet and quiet - no conversation unless you encourage it or initiate it. Some clients actually like the conversation, i don't - i just go in to have my nails done and have a bit of me-time away from my toddler well in his terrible two's, so i do appreciate my peace and quiet. Yesterday itself I had the most adorable girl who did everything possible to meet the requirements of a 'yours truly' perfectionist. <em>edited by twin_butterfly on 23/02/2013</em>
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EW GURU
Latest post on 11 January 2013 - 09:11
DCC, pls do talk to Taziz - i now what it is like to have a sick kid who cant sleep because of neighbours doings. A few months ago our upstairs neighbours did extensive refurbishment of their flat and i tried talking to them but they spoke no English (!). After talking to Taziz the manager arranged for the neighbours to commit to keep the work outside the nap times for DS. If it is indeed what Amelia suspects, it is their responsibility to find a solution, i.e. fix the chute, but they will probably agree to send a note to the relevant neighbours. Hope bub gets better soon xx
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EW GURU
Latest post on 11 January 2013 - 08:57
Thank you MasCar! Will go through all the steps and hopefully get rid of it TBxx
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EW GURU
Latest post on 10 January 2013 - 15:04
We were on the gate topic a couple of days ago with another EWer who needed width. How tall do you need it to be? Ours is 36 inches tall and we have it about 4 inches raised off the floor http://www.summerinfant.com/Products/Safety-Care/Security-Gates-Playard/Stylish-Secure™-Extra-Tall-Decorative-Walk-Thru-Ga.aspx. Not the prettiest to look at but it does the job (now that I have found a way to double lock it so that DS cannot open anymore!). I think we got it at Babyshop or perhaps Mothercare - sorry can't remember as it was a few months ago.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 10 January 2013 - 14:48
And yes, we have some characters in our building too who find it too mentally/ophysically challenging to open the chute door and throw the bag in it. They normally just leave them to lie open on the floor, so I have to climb over their rubbish to be able to throw mine in. I really wonder how some of these people live in their home countries ...
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EW GURU
Latest post on 10 January 2013 - 14:45
City Chick, I would address this with Taziz, the property management company. They have handled the complaints I have had quite well. I have them working on two right now: cigarette ashes from some 'charming' neighbour above us appearing on our balcony floor day after day, and mega loud noise from hotel next door that I have addressed directly with the hotel management who promised to fix it twice but are now not asnwering my calls anymore when I try and follow up.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 09 January 2013 - 16:14
Anybody else living towards all the construction work next to Amwaj JBR? Its getting a bit ridiculous now... Talk of ridiculous ... I am opposite side of the tram BUT have a 'lovely' new hotel that has just opened and their kitchen exhaust fans are facing us. They are so loud I can hear them from our living room, with our door closed, our AC on and all! If I dare opening the balcony doors, it sounds as if we were in the middle of a huge industrial site - we are not even able to hear our own TV. I know what you mean re: construction noise - it can be super annoying, but at least the construction will end one day. <em>edited by twin_butterfly on 11/01/2013</em>
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EW GURU
Latest post on 09 January 2013 - 14:02
Update on this: we used a car seat that DH bought second hand just for this trip (US brand) and which he was adamant we just take onboard despite it not meeting the standards. Nobody at EK checked or questioned anything, neither at the check-in counter nor the cabin crew (we checked in at Dubai, Brisbane and Singapore airports, and never asked once). So there you go, so much for standards!
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EW GURU
Latest post on 09 January 2013 - 13:39
Thank you Ladies for your replies. Liked the idea of the washing machine better as I can wash at lower temperature, so put them all in a washing net and into the washing machine. None of the painted pieces scratched which was a fear I had, and all are laid out drying now :) Thanks again!
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EW GURU
Latest post on 09 January 2013 - 13:27
Thanks Swissroll. I was in Mothercare yesterday and saw this, but we already have everything else they sell on the pack, except for the latches so I did not fancy paying AED 110 for just one latch. Anyhow, I have worked a way to make the one we got at Babyshop work with the gate, so in the evening DS got terribly frustrated that he could not come into the kitchen anymore (he he he ...) and we had a bit of a tantrum session. He is over it by now though :) Good luck with your gate hunting! <em>edited by twin_butterfly on 09/01/2013</em>
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EW GURU
Latest post on 09 January 2013 - 13:22
Ayda247, I saw her books some time ago at Borders in Ibn Batuta but if too far from you, I am sure Kinokuniya at Dubai Mall will also have them. In the meantime, have you checked her website? She has some recipes there. Personally I used some of the recipe ideas at http://wholesomebabyfood.momtastic.com/ http://www.101childrensfoodideas.com/ http://www.freshforkids.com.au/ http://www.homemade-baby-food-recipes.com/
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EW GURU
Latest post on 09 January 2013 - 13:22
Oops! Candice was faster than me at typing ;)
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EW GURU
Latest post on 08 January 2013 - 08:37
I do need to keep DS out of the kitchen because I use the oven a lot and also now that he can enter as he pleases, he has taken a liking for the cooker nobs! Swissroll, I think we bought our gate in Babyshop. The brand is SummerInfant, but the model we got only goes up to 1.2m wide. Have checked their website and there is one which goes up to 1.46m wide, so may be a tad narrow? Muurtje's suggestion might work, but if not, you may want to consider adding a wooden 'frame' on the wall on both ends to shorten the distance of the opening. After having done a few shops yesterday, I cannot seem to find the type of latch I am looking for (my MIL has it back in Oz and is the best option for me): has anyone seen in Dubai the latch that is in a U-shape, with the lock on the open end of the U?
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EW GURU
Latest post on 08 January 2013 - 08:16
How very refreshing to see someone who takes the time to do things properly! Their produce sounds just lovely and we are definitely trying it this week. I had also been very disappointed by Ripe, after all that marketing hype :( Thanks very much Ayzzy for sharing! xx
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EW GURU
Latest post on 07 January 2013 - 08:55
I'm angry about the bad driving too but he knew I was a woman which makes giving the middle finger worse in my book. I bet he wouldn't have done it to a local. Report him NOW before you stop feeling angry. All bad drivers should be reported but a lot of us let them get away with it. If it takes a hand gesture to get you mad enough to report their potentially murderous driving, then so be it. How many people aren't coming home tonight because some @rse missed his turning and couldn't be bothered to drive 2km up the road to do a SAFE u-turn. I used to be against reporting people for giving the finger but now I say GO FOR IT. These people don't give a rats behind for your right to live safely. Why should you care what happens to them? Totally agree - you go girl!!!