wickedangel_78 | ExpatWoman.com
 

wickedangel_78

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EW GURU
Latest post on 01 May 2014 - 10:19
Where I used to work if they terminated the contract they pay, if you resign you pay, they will have to provide the ticket to go back home regardless, they keep the passport during the process
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EW GURU
Latest post on 01 May 2014 - 10:11
In sharjah she needs to be 4 yrs to join kg1. At the age of 3 she can go to a nursery. Nursery fee in sharjah is 1000-2400 per month + registration fee, British nurseries are around 1400-1800 managed by British with British staff. In 2015 your daughter can go to kg1 but not before. For registration you need vaccination report, birth certificate, passport copies with residency stamped & personal photos. This is in addition to registration fee. There are no groups or classes for toddlers in sharjah, we used to take my son to dubai when he was younger, but now he goes to school we are not bothered as his school procides extra classes after school & we go for those.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 01 May 2014 - 10:01
As for commuting, I used to work close to JBR, it used to take me 1-1.5 hrs to reach work & I used to leave home at 6 am, but in 2004-2005 a salary of 15000 ++ for a single 25 yrs old female with no responsibilities (I lived with my parents, car provided by my dad) it was ok for me, but after 3 yrs I couldn't take it anymore as it was too stressful. There was no Salik all around the place & petrol was much cheaper than those days ;) My brother is surviving with 9000 per month but he lives with my family, he has 1 son but he will not send him to kg1 next year & he's saving the money to send him to kg2 the year after as kg1 & kg2 are not mandatory for primary year For us we spend 20k+ per month excluding rent. & schooling, we live a different lifestyle than my brother.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 01 May 2014 - 09:46
We live in sharjah as my husband's office is in Sharjah. Again school issue is subjective, we send my 4 yrs old to IB school in Ajman & we pay 31,000, fee iS increasing 10% for next year. There are American/ British curriculum schools in Sharjah that start from 12000 for kg1. GEMS Westminster in Sharjah is 12K+ Apartments are nice & high quality in Sharjah, for me the quality of finishing is much better than dubai , lovely views in Qasba , Majaz & lagoon area. but it is more for Arab expats , no night life, drinking is not permitted, & so on. It is easy to get your daily needs in Sharjah. I don't move out of the house for grocery shopping, there is a butcher, laundry, large supermarket, smaller grocery stores & so on around all buildings, you can order everything you need by phone, so you don't really need a car get your daily shopping If you are not looking for the flashy life in dubai (we don't party, we don't drink & so on) then sharjah is the right place for you. We go to dubai on weekends. I'm not sure how easy you can get a job, it depends on your qualification & experience. What is your daughter birth date? She can't join school if she doesn't turn 4 yrs before 31st Dec 2014. For a 1 br apt in sharjah utility is around 500 per month if you pay for the AC electricity but if it is paid by the landlord, it is not more than 250. We pay 650 per month for a 4 br apartment as the AC is paid by the landlord. You will have to pay 2% of your annual rent to the municipality every year for contract registration , there is also a deposit of 3000 for electricity connection, a deposit of 2000 for the apartment & another deposit (not sure about the amount) to get a phone & internet connection. Good luck.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 30 April 2014 - 20:15
As I mentioned earlier it depends on what you're getting in your own country at the moment compared to what you are offered. It is doable, I know families who are earning less, but I don't see a point of leaving your country if you are not offered more than what you are currently earning or at least getting a better life in terms of accommodation, schooling, etc Are you offered a medical insurance? Nothing is free here for expats.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 30 April 2014 - 18:09
If you choose to live in sharjah your husband needs at least an hour to reach his work. Rent for a new 1 br apt close to dubai is 45-47000 + 3000 commission unless you are ready to live in an old building/ far away inside sharjah then the rent now in sharjah is 30k + for 1 br apt. It is cheaper than dubai but not cheap that cheap Nursery -min 1400 per month + 1000 application fee. A decent school is 15000 (I wouldn't even consider it as a good school) + 3000 for bus + 300 application fee If you have a stable job where you are now I wouldn't move for 14000 I live in sharjah, i know many Arab expats friends who earn similar salary & they are really struggling, but they don't have another option due to the situation in their home countries. In dubai you will be looking at 45k+ for rent in a place like Rimram at dubailand which is so far away & 25k + for schooling So for me it's a big no.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 30 April 2014 - 17:11
JW mariot but it's 250 without alcohol with soft drinks, they have a package with house wine & some other drinks High quality food, with sea food as in lobster & shrimps, sushi bar, 3 restaurants, and there is a band at the bumboo lagoon if you book there <em>edited by wickedangel_78 on 30/04/2014</em>
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EW GURU
Latest post on 30 April 2014 - 16:40
I'm not sure about the cost but it's not much, just filling a form, they will cancel the visa on spot & you get a month after visa cancelation to send her home, once she exits you will get your deposit.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 30 April 2014 - 16:31
There is no maid visa for 2 years for expats, locals get 2 yrs contract I guess but they dont pay a fee unlike expats, is she on a maid's contract or employment contract?
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EW GURU
Latest post on 30 April 2014 - 09:20
I paid all paper processing fee when I was working for a semi government company as I resigned before completing 1 year, I also paid an extra month salary as I didn't give a notice, I had an emergency & had to leave, so paying all this money was fair I guess, I didn't even get any leave allowance or annual ticket, although I was there for 11 months, I don't know why it should be different for maids, it is not charity, they know the terms, it is a limited 1 year contract, i think there should be rules to protect the employer in those circumstances, it is not cheap to get maid especially if it's through an agency.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 29 April 2014 - 16:09
JW marriot Deira, 3 restaurants & a play area with food for kids. They don't have a separate room but they have designated areas for large number of guests at the bumbo lagoon or market place.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 26 April 2014 - 21:41
Active sports academy, they have classes in several places I Dubai
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EW GURU
Latest post on 25 April 2014 - 15:47
Don't use Clorox! It will become yellow, try vanish for whites, it comes in powder
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EW GURU
Latest post on 24 April 2014 - 09:26
47! I'm a people hater loooool
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EW GURU
Latest post on 23 April 2014 - 10:09
Terrorism?
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EW GURU
Latest post on 23 April 2014 - 09:27
What does he need? I got DH a backpack for the gym last year, the year before a new shaver as his was broken, maybe a nice couples massage voucher then dinner out Cuff links, tie if he wears formal clothes, a nice belt. (Hubby is into those stuff) I also got him a basket from the bodyshop once but he wasn't impressed loool. He buys me expensive stuff like watches & jewellery on my birthdays, but he doesn't expect the same on his birthdays.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 21 April 2014 - 22:13
Take one day at a time, enjoy being SAHM, study or learn a new skill you're still young, you can always start something if you put your mind into it later once your kids are older & independent I'm 35 SAHM btw who has a post grad degree, I was working for one of Dubai's largest property development companies but I decided to quit to start a family :D I don't regret it or feel that I'm missing something. I'm studying again (for fun & to learn something new) who knows I might start my own business later ;)
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EW GURU
Latest post on 21 April 2014 - 18:53
Check iherb.com , they deliver here
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EW GURU
Latest post on 21 April 2014 - 18:47
I bank with Emirates Islamic as well so thanks for the info wickedangel. We too would pay 100% each month to avoid the interest/fixed fee. I'll go into the bank and check this week. With Emirates Islamic there is an application fee, but there is no renewal fee. We have the skywards platinum one.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 21 April 2014 - 18:43
I was told that in AD the cut off date is 31st December 2010 to join FS1/KG1& they are very strict regarding it. Call British schools & ask if they are following it. Even if they are not following the new rule, your daughter should turn 3 years before 15th Sept 2014 but some schools extend it to 10-15 October.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 21 April 2014 - 18:14
It is a draw! I win AED 50 from time to time loooool, my brother wins a lot, 50s, 100s & one time a 500. I have my bonds since it started but I'm not bothered to invest more.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 21 April 2014 - 17:07
Thanks all. I'm waiting for the travel agent to get back to me to see of she used the ticket to come back. Her visa will expire on May 5th, we will report her tomorrow.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 21 April 2014 - 16:56
We're going through the same for our new maid from Nipal. She is on tourist visa, & we were told she needs to leave to Kish before getting the pink slip. I think it changed recently, my dad hired a secretary from the Philippines on a tourist visa last year, she didn't have to leave, they paid extra (I think AED 650), but now it changed for employees & maids
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EW GURU
Latest post on 21 April 2014 - 16:47
If you have some cash to spare a fixed deposit would work. I have a fixed deposit at Emirates Islamic bank & my credit card is secured by the deposit. They give you around 70-80% credit from the value of the fixed deposit. Or you can go for mashreq millionaire certificates & you can ask for a credit card with no issues. I use the credit card a lot for skyward points & I pay 100% each month to avoid paying interest/ fixed fee.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 19 April 2014 - 23:40
My son goes to Ajman academy, the majority of students are locals, I'm happy with the school, I'm an arab expat, Arab expats are minority there but it is not an issue for us, I think around 25-30% of the students are westerners. I love their interaction with parents, the school is new, this is it's second year. My son is only 4, he is highly sensitive. it took him a while to fit in, but his teachers & head of department were very understanding & helpful. He was very shy at 1st & we really struggled since he was tiny with socialisation, but since he went to school he is a different kid, he has confidence & now he is very social. We werent looking for academics when we visited schools, we wanted a school that understands my kid's temperaments & I guess we made the right choice.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 18 April 2014 - 10:54
Check the organic cafe, I think I saw it there, they have a section for juicers & blenders <em>edited by wickedangel_78 on 18/04/2014</em>
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EW GURU
Latest post on 18 April 2014 - 10:46
I wonder about this too, just yesterday I was at the zoo also known as Zara at the checkout and everyone was so gussied up like they were attending a glam event, glossy hair, fake eyelashes (!), sky high stilettos, it all looked very expensive and high maintenance. They don't have kids and school fees! I was under the impression that no one on this forum pays school fees? Or at least the majority don't? Everyone pays school fees in someway, whether it is part of their final salary or out of their in hand salary, either way the employee is paying. The majority i know have an allowance which only covers a proportion. Thanks for the clarification, we're self employed, so I have no clue about schools allowance in companies.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 18 April 2014 - 10:30
& why did I get thumbs down? Looool
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EW GURU
Latest post on 18 April 2014 - 10:26
It is a fully refundable 2 way ticket, but she already used it to travel to her country, I have a copy of her passport, her ID is with me & I have a copy of the ticket. I know that I will get the refund, but I want to know how I should start. I was told that I should report her to the police as a run away ? Daisy she is not in the country. She went to her country on vacation but she didn't come back
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EW GURU
Latest post on 17 April 2014 - 22:43
I wonder about this too, just yesterday I was at the zoo also known as Zara at the checkout and everyone was so gussied up like they were attending a glam event, glossy hair, fake eyelashes (!), sky high stilettos, it all looked very expensive and high maintenance. They don't have kids and school fees! I was under the impression that no one on this forum pays school fees? Or at least the majority don't?
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EW GURU
Latest post on 17 April 2014 - 22:36
You can't transfer her contract to dubai,unless you transfer her visa to a new sponsor working in dubai. Sorry so when DH Fujairah visa is cancelled in March next year and he is issued a Dubai visa we can't transfer/take out a new Dubai visa for the maid it has to be a new sponsor? Yes you can , sorry missed the part where you mentioned the move to dubai in March next year.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 17 April 2014 - 22:28
You can't transfer her contract to dubai,unless you transfer her visa to a new sponsor working in dubai, as long as she's not travelling to her country during her service , it doesn't matter the salary you mention in the government contract. I mentioned AED 600 on the contract of my old maid 5 yrs back, she stayed for 2 years only then she went back home for good. We hired her from here. She didn't need any papers from the polo office as she wasn't planning to come back. My current maid is under Dubai visa (sponsored by my dad) & she is through an agency, we have to fill the embassy forms when we hired her & another forms through polo office when she went on vacation & they asked for her original contract issued by the government of Dubai.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 17 April 2014 - 21:33
There are none profit organisations here but I heard that the waiting list is huge, my friend couldn't get any support from them & she had to go private & she is paying loads for support. I think it's a great idea
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EW GURU
Latest post on 17 April 2014 - 21:29
Hair colouring & cut - 200 EyebrowsThreading - 50 - 70 (tips & toes charges 35 / saloon downstairs charges 25) Mani/ pedi- 130 Massage & facial- 500 - 600 I don't wax - did IPL 7 years back :D
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EW GURU
Latest post on 17 April 2014 - 21:23
It is the same in Sharjah, you pay salary mentioned in contract x 12 months, this is why it's the norm to put a salary of AED 600 in the contract. I'm not sure If it works for all nationalities, for a maid from the Philippines the contract should mention AED 1500 even if you're paying her less. When our maid started & was still under probation she asked for AED 1100 (we hired her through agency with no experience), but her contract said AED 1500 as it's her government min requirement. She earns more than AED 1500 now but her renewed government contract & embassy papers are still AED 1500 but in Dubai it's a fixed amount of AED 5000. My advise is to check with a maids agency in Fujairah to see how you can go around it. I don't think it is an issue for the 1st 2 years if you mention AED 600 in the government contract as I think she doesn't need to register her contract unless she plans to travel to her country then comes back. If she is already here you don't need to deal with her embassy at all, you only need to do some paper work with her government if you are hiring her directly from her country & it should be done through an agency.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 16 April 2014 - 05:09
The piano class is 30 mins & drawing class is 1 hr
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EW GURU
Latest post on 16 April 2014 - 05:08
750 for 8 piano classes & I think 450 for 8 drawing classes, I don't know the fee for ballet classes , give them a call, their prices are reasonable.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 15 April 2014 - 22:13
http://furatmusiccenter.com/index.php?lang=en This is in sharjah Qasba, they have arts & music classes, my son goes there for piano classes
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EW GURU
Latest post on 15 April 2014 - 18:07
You can thumb up your own posts, I bet that member is doing it to her posts to get more stars :D
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EW GURU
Latest post on 15 April 2014 - 17:45
I use marai yoghurt. Use a whisk. 1 kgs of yoghurt 1 tbsp of corn starch & 1 whole egg & salt. whisk properly, then put it on high gas & bring to boil while whisking. Never had a separated yoghurt sauce. You only need 1 egg for any quantity & a ratio of 1tbsp of corn starch to 1 kgs of yoghurt.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 15 April 2014 - 15:16
Where I moderate we ban dups :D If you're banned you are banned for good ;) what are dups ? Be careful posting about your other forum - I know someone who has been banned from here permanently because of her connections to another forum ... Duplicate account, it's not a local forum, & has nothing to do with expats or expats life, I'm not even trying to advertise it or mention it's name here , just mentioning how things are done differently in different forums
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EW GURU
Latest post on 15 April 2014 - 09:40
Check homes r us sharjah branch, they keep furniture with minor defects & they are sold at cheap prices, I know someone who bought full house furniture from there for AED 2000 For mattress check Khanji at etihad road (close to Mercedes showroom) they have all sorts of mattresses & you can get a double for AED 350-400 <em>edited by wickedangel_78 on 15/04/2014</em>
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EW GURU
Latest post on 15 April 2014 - 09:31
Where I moderate we ban dups :D If you're banned you are banned for good ;)
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EW GURU
Latest post on 14 April 2014 - 11:01
I sent our maid to the polo office to get that paper she needs to come back from her vacation, she came back without the paper & told me that she can do it from the Philippines. Last week she contacted me & told me that we should do it from here! Anyways we were able to do it through an agency after paying extra money & we faxed it to her. She was suppose to come back on Saturday but 3 hrs after department time she sent me an SMS saying that she missed her flight as there was traffic, her house is 30 mins away from the airport, according to her she was stuck in traffic for 10 hours, I'm not buying it, I called her & told her clearly to find a way to come back & I'm not paying for a new ticket if she can't change the date of the ticket we purchased for her . I'm not doing it for her! She should be responsible of her own mess. Her residency will expire on May 5th & I honestly don't care if she doesn't come back Here is some boring maids "scandal" for the day :) As for forum moderation, I moderate a forum with 1.5 mil members, we issue infractions, then temp bans before issuing permanent bans , we don't delete threads , we lock & quote forums rules ;) Mods- I'm not complaining about the way you moderate, I'm just sharing how we do things & it's not a local forum
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EW GURU
Latest post on 13 April 2014 - 20:55
As for the enrolment, you will need passport copies of the kids with residency (it is not an issue if it's still under process, vaccination record / book (some vaccines are mandatory), father/ sponsor passport copy, photos, birth certificates, with the registration fee. I'd start contacting schools from now, I know registration in many schools is already close for 2014-2015
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EW GURU
Latest post on 13 April 2014 - 20:48
It depends where you're staying & your budget. Transportation is too expensive to sharjah if you choose a school in Dubai & live in Sharjah. If you don't have schooling allowance you should carefully choose a school based on your budget, my kid's school raised it's fees 10% for next year, the fee is still reasonable compared to similar schools in Dubai. He goes to Ajman Academy (IB school) which is closer to our place in sharjah than most of schools in sharjah. Check Victoria international school in sharjah & Australian school in Sharjah, both are good & much cheaper than schools in Dubai if you don't have a schooling allowance as part of your package. There is also the American school in Sharjah, Gems Westminster (sharjah or Dubai branch) both are reasonably priced.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 12 April 2014 - 23:58
If it's al nahda try to find a place in Dubai, I wouldn't even commute from Buhairah to al Nahda in the morning, it's a main exit to Dubai , it would take you over 1.5 hrs from umQ. Or RAK to reach al nahda every morning, either find a place in Al Nahda or in dubai good luck
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EW GURU
Latest post on 12 April 2014 - 21:01
Where are you going to work in Sharjah? Sharjah is huge, we live in Buhairah (lagoon area) in 4 bedroom 400 Sqm flat but hubby's work is 4 buildings away from our place. If your work is closer to the universities area for example commuting from Buhairah to that area is worse than commuting from dubai to that area. My kid goes to Ajman Academy which is IB school, it's closer to our place than most of the schools in sharjah & there is no traffic on our way to school. I honestly wouldn't live far away from work, commuting is a killer here, & I wouldn't worry about entertaining kids, all good schools have loads of clubs & you can always find some extra activities close to your place, Dubai is not far away from sharjah, we rarely get stuck in traffic when we go to Dubai as we choose the right time to go there when there is no traffic
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EW GURU
Latest post on 03 April 2014 - 18:54
I live in Buhairah (sharjah lagoon area), I pay AED 120, 000 for rent for a 400 sqm 4 bedrooms apartment , my son goes to Ajman Academy, there are good schools that offer IB curriculum like Victoria international school & the Australian school in sharjah. We go to dubai in the evenings only, life is not bad here, there are nice outdoor areas like al majaz waterfront & qasba for kids to play, there are parks, & sahara mall is ok, 50, 000 is a good salary to live in Sharjah, schools offer after school clubs &activities anyway, so you don't really need clubs. My kid who's 4 goes to swimming classes at school, piano classes & brain obrain abacus classes, when he's bored I take him down stairs with his bike or scooter for a walk around the lagoon.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 03 April 2014 - 14:32
OBgyn I have a mmc at 9 weeks 5 days, baby is dead in my tummy for a week now, had a scan today, I'm looking for a hospital as my gyno doesn't do D&C