Wind777 | ExpatWoman.com
 

Wind777

Wind777
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 11 October 2015 - 13:07
https://www.facebook.com/partylol.dubai?fref=ts Partylol are a company who do birthday parties with French speaking entertainers. Go see their Facebook page ;) Merci bcp painauchocolat for the link ? I had a quick look at their site. Share with me if you or anybody around you had a bday organized with them pls ?
Wind777
85
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 11 October 2015 - 12:28
Hi, I would definitely recommend to get it done in Iran and not anywhere else. They are the experts. If you don't have any Iranian friend to help you, I suggest you find a way to spend some times in the country and try to get a few appointments from different sergeants and see who suits you the best! Sometimes waiting in Doctor offices can give you the opportunity to see other noses already done by that person and might help as well ? Good luck
Wind777
85
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 October 2015 - 10:12
Bonjour, Does anyone know of any "animateur" or "animatrice" with experience for running a birthday party for 8 year old girl?! I never thought it can be that difficult to find such entertainers in Dubai ? I have the place and need 1 or 2 people/ or company who can arrange and handle the games etc. IN FRENCH! Appriciate your help. Girls, can someone be of a help?? Certain FRENCH kids might not be confortable yet with English! No french speaking in this land who can organize games for few hours? Hi, did you try the company called cheeky little events? They might have French speaking "animatrice" Hi Samram, yes, a friend of mine's friend works there and unfortunately no French speaking person!
Wind777
85
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 08 October 2015 - 18:59
Bonjour, Does anyone know of any "animateur" or "animatrice" with experience for running a birthday party for 8 year old girl?! I never thought it can be that difficult to find such entertainers in Dubai ? I have the place and need 1 or 2 people/ or company who can arrange and handle the games etc. IN FRENCH! Appriciate your help. Girls, can someone be of a help?? Certain FRENCH kids might not be confortable yet with English! No french speaking in this land who can organize games for few hours?
Wind777
85
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 01 October 2015 - 13:49
Hi ladies, Can anyone tell me if I can order from Etsy and get it delivered here? I've not seen any postman delivering parcels etc here in Dubai like we used to have in Europe! Does it mean we have to forget ordering things outside of Dubai and receive it here? Do we even receive the parcels?! Should we ship things to home address or office mailbox? Etsy can be used? Many thanks
Wind777
85
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 01 October 2015 - 13:38
any good or bad, please share, I am interested in the swimming program for toddlers. or any other swim clubs you would recommend, or private instructors? For my 7 year old daughter, we are using Hamilton. She did the evaluation with Speedo & Hamilton a while back and Speedo was quite disappointing even during evaluation! ex. we had to go there twice for the test, too young instructors who couldn't handle the tests properly and got stressed by the crowed as no proper scheduling was in place! They didn't even make any notes of who is doing what having 20 forms in hand each! Then we only heard from them 2 weeks later and the level was not the right one for us! Hamilton however is doing a good job and I've seen young kids are getting trained well.
Wind777
85
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 13 September 2015 - 01:06
Could anyone recommend a good gardener who knows a bit about plants, can fix sprinklers and is reliable and trustworthy? We live in the ranches. Thanks Call Mohammad Balal: 0555367674. He will arrange and fix you with the gardener. They do a good job and I just did my grass, sprinkles etc. Tell him you got his no. from Leila, villa 25 in Saheel. Good luck
Wind777
85
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 September 2015 - 00:45
We used Kumar from Al Wahli Furniture, 050 4287963, and were very pleased with the results. He came to quote then sent his guys who did the job within the week. Frazzled, may I know how much you paid for the repainting?
Wind777
85
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 01 July 2015 - 04:43
It really is a difficult decision and I wish your daughter well. However, putting the air pollution aside the air quality in Dubai normally dips in summer due to the heat and humidity. I would suggest staying in France over the summer months and make the most of the sunshine and fresh air and plan a move here towards the end of September or October when the heat starts to drop and the air quality improves. If your husband needs to relocate could you make regular short visits so you get the best of both worlds, time in France and time in Dubai with her father? Then look at moving permanently later in the year? I wish I could do that... but she has school starting in Sep... that's why we thought of moving mid Aug in order to get the house etc to be ready for the school!! I never thought the air is that bad in Dubai! have been always thinking there is just sand in the air and that's why the sky is not clear!!
Wind777
85
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 30 June 2015 - 05:11
Thanks a lot to everyone for the advises. There is no worry on the pre existing condition and the medical coverage (checked it out few months ago). She will need to do a monthly doctor check up and a blood test. Her doctor in France introduced dr. Nidal in american hospital for the visits. Getting her separated from her dad is not really ideal as I did it for a while in the past. We are a small family of 3! Nobody could ever told me why she fell sick with Lukemia at the 1st place ? so when I flash back to the past, remember she was not very confortable with overal sinusitis/tonsils prior to her sickness and was catching cold almost every two month each time for 10 days! When in Iran, doctors were giving anti biotics each time she fell sick! And all of sudden, Lukemia! Dont know there could be a link! On top, in Iran looks like pollution gets directly in blood and can give cancer (w/o going through details) Apart from these two elements (which always make my mind busy on the cause), she has been taking a pill which is against pneumocystis infection for the past 3 years as part of treatment and will need to continue with it another 3 months even after stopping all medications next week! Meaning she is supposed to be in Dubai when all medications will be stopped and with her medical history before Lukemia, during and after, I dont know what could happen?! I will talk to her doctor again, but not sure if she will have anything useful to tell me considering the cause of her desease not yet revealed + everyone to see Dubai as paradise to live in...
Wind777
85
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 29 June 2015 - 04:39
I lived in Iran from 2010 to 2012, where my daughter fell sick with Lukemia at the age of 5 :( I moved back immediately to France at the time to start the heavy treatment. What a pain we all went through... my poor little girl :( She will finish her treatment next week (after 3 years) but will be announced fully recovered only after another 2 years time. We are supposed to be in Dubai in a month time as my husband got transfered there! and I just saw a post on how Dubai air is polluted ? I am so concerned for her health, will she be fine? Is it polluted there? Am I doing a crime bringing her to that part of the world again? God I don't know what to do...
Wind777
85
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 26 June 2015 - 04:15
Reminds me of three months ago coming back from theatre with my daughter in paris... we had to walk and check out all parking levels for half hour! and I was trying to focus and remember where parked it when she was questioning me every 2 mins : how if we cant find the car?? Let's find a taxi!! :thinking:
Wind777
85
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 26 June 2015 - 04:04
Thanks everyone for the advises. I will leave the wines in cave and dont bring them to Dubai.... After all, they should get better by time ?
Wind777
85
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 25 June 2015 - 04:48
The shipping co. will be at my place soon to pack some items to be shipped to Dubai! I have a few bottle of wines, quality olive oils, jams and some spices that i was planning to put in the shipment! Just heard from my husband that we cant do it as against the rules etc... Can someone tell me how seriouse that could be? Apart from the temperature issue, what could happen if I have them packed in my shipment (packed either by me or the shipping co.)? Thank you
Wind777
85
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 14 June 2015 - 04:47
This is just my personal opinion as I left my job not even once but few Times to follow my husband! If He is an Egyption, culturally he'll financially support you, with or without job!! So no worries for that part. Remember, never go for the option of him living in Dubai and you remaining somewhere else, it has nothing to do with trust, faite etc. I've seen many marriages falling apart by being far from each other! You seem to be young, if he is the one for you then consider giving it a try and beleive me, you can always get back to work even if you dont work for few years! If He doesnt have the same work situation in Europe, a management position in a multi co. can be a good jump and might worth trying. Either you both stay there and continue what you are doing while being happy or try a different path and expat life to see how it goes! And yes, in most expat lifestyles and moves, somebody plays the driver and the other follows which is not necessarily bad all the time...
Wind777
85
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 14 June 2015 - 03:54
Totally understand the Stress you are going through! That's why I dont consider having a full time maid with me anymore! It is simply not worth it unless we are forced to have one. Go on vacations, let her take care of the pets! Once back, either find a replacement (if really you need to have one) or maybe a cleaner for few days a week? Ask your kids to unfriend her, have a discussion with her by questioning her first followed by showing her the screenshots! Tell her she is released immediately and wish her good luck! Considering your health issues, I wouldnt recommend punishing her with internet, discussions and 2nd chances or even waiting for the contract expiry date. You won't get a proper service and respect from this person anymore! The time has come to say goodbye!
Wind777
85
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 10 June 2015 - 04:57
Thanks a lot Rawla, VictoriaM & Chilichai. We will try to ensure to get a proper maintenance, hopefully ? The rent asked for this property is 250 and I heard people usually negociate and reduce it maybe by 15, 20? What I have in mind is we Tell the LL that we accept this amount but put some conditions: Get the responsability of the pool & the garden Repaint the house before we move in (heard it's a normal practice in Dubai though?) To change the current sofas (they are a little old fashion!) Get the house & garden to be DEEPLY cleaned as it looks dirty with the current tenant inside (dont know if I can sleep on those matresses) !! Let me know what you think? This way the whole thing will be paid by our company. Should I ask for more or he will not even accept above?!
Wind777
85
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 10 June 2015 - 04:38
We've just signed a contract with a new LL and is specifically says anything under AED500 is our responsibility and anything over is his. He is however happy to go with the Maintenance Company we chose, as we recommended them to him :) We also have a separate gardener, who is entirely our responsibility ;) Thanks Geordie. Looks like you've already stupide the maintenance companies ? Which ones you recommend in case we have the chance to choose one?!
Wind777
85
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 June 2015 - 05:24
Ofcourse you have the right to organise a big ceremony for his 1st bday... I agree he will not feel & understand the whole thing but it will remain as a beautiful memory in parents mind and heart and he can enjoy the images & moments when much older ? kids start enjoying their bday parties from 4 or 5 onwards but still parents can make effort to celebrate the event year after year ? Goodluck and sorry I dont have of any addresses to share.
Wind777
85
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 June 2015 - 05:00
Well...we are actually coming!! Not a good news for increase cost of living and everything :confused:
Wind777
85
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 June 2015 - 04:54
Thanks to you all ladies for the info. & recommendations... We didn't get much from the co. HR person / we told the agent for the possibilities on the POA attest etc but dont think it will work! My husband visited few villas in Falcon, arabian ranches, the Villa etc... All junk... Either too huge with many bed rooms (it's only 3 of us!) or horribly furnished or empty etc... and beleive me, I am not into start making a house from scratch as I did it 6 times during the last 12 years in different countries!! So sick & tired of it and not having that energy level anymore... :sick: There is however a furnished villa in arabian ranches which seems to be not bad compare to others...we are thinking of making an offer... But I will need your advises on few points before that... I'll place a threads ;)
Wind777
85
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 08 June 2015 - 02:45
I'm sorry I meant 'in worst case' scenario. Most likely it has something to do with the company policy and liabilities. Have you tried asking the hr/pro if there is any other acceptable solution? Maybe someone on here will know if it's a common request, but it doesn't seem unreasonable given the LL status, perhaps he should have had an attestation of the POA on file, I am just not sure. If all else fails, hopefully you will like the one in AR and take it from there. If they will pay 250 plus bills then it's to your advantage. Edited to Add: someone just told me that a POA does need to be attested by the courts here in order for it to be binding, so it does seem like the LL should have had it done while he/she was here. Alternatively I think it can be notarized in their home country (if the agent was there as well) but even then it still has to brought to the UAE embassy there and then have it stamped or whatnot at the Foreign Affairs office here. Many Thanks to you cherpie for the valuable info. We will contact the senior HR person tomorrow to see for any possible solution. Looks like the LL didn't get it done this way! Not sure I understood correctly, if the house agent is in Dubai and LL in his home country, can he still get it done in Dubai embassy there and the document to be sent to Dubai followed by the agent here to obtain any stamp etc? I dont think LL is willing to travel to Dubai to do this!
Wind777
85
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 June 2015 - 21:35
So are you saying that your rent is paid by the company? Not a housing allowance given in your bank account? If so, then the company will be totally liable for the rent, deposit, fees, etc and any damages to the unit, maybe that's why they want to make sure it's a legitimate situation. I.e. Not a fake poa so the agency pockets the check and leaves you with no property, and a big headache for the company to recoup. Apologies if I'm not understanding correctly. Yes Cherpie, the allowance of 250 can be paid by the company OR 200 if we want it to be paid to us in our bank a/c (much less unfortunately I know! ) So you think maybe they are worried for a fake POA? I know this house agency is a big one "Edward and towers". honestly, it looks wired to expect the landlord to come to Dubai and goes to Dubai court to attest the POA that he already gave to the agency! I don't know why there shouldn't be any other way to validate this POA? like maybe going to Dubai embassy wherever he is and get it done there or...?
Wind777
85
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 June 2015 - 21:12
I would find an apartment where you are not writing a cheque to an agency, and your LL is not in the country. Did you find a nice apartment near your daughter's school? Yes I wish we could Couchpotato :( There is not many furnished places as everybody knows. My husband visited a furnished house in DSO yesterday which was real junk. He will visit another one in Arabian runches tomorrow...
Wind777
85
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 June 2015 - 21:02
Wind why are you looking at apartments with such a large budget? You need to get your money to work for you here. Take the allowance as cash to your account, rent a new villa in DSO for under 200K or a bit more and use the rest for bills/set up costs and basic new furniture. Don’t rent an apartment from a LL not in the country without being really really careful. What about maintenance? Have you also checked the LL is up to date with all bills? If you rent of DSO directly maintenance is covered and it is as safe as you can get. If you contact DS rentals they will also know of houses available to rent in DSO that belong to landlords as well as their own houses. The French school is five minutes from DSO Cedre Villas and in there are pools and lovely family communities and shopping facilities. Phase one is very established with parks and a pool. Thanks a lot Lolacat. What you are saying is so true and we thought about cashing the allowance in the beginning as well, but they are smart! The budget is 250 if the place is rented directly through the co. and it is reduced to 200 if you get it cash!! On top of that, if you go for 250, the co. pays the bills. That's why we decided to get a furnished place to get the bills paid off and don't spend money on furnitures etc... So you see, it's not easy... unless finding a place in DSO for 150?! Only in this case it worth buying furnitures, equipments etc and paying the bills I guess (break even) To answer your question for the maintenance, it was the agency who was going to take care of it as was given the full management power by the landlord. We thought we can put a full stop on the subject and focus on sth else but now looks like we are stuck again!
Wind777
85
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 June 2015 - 16:12
Try Center for Music & arts in Gold and Diamond Park, Al Quoz. They teach classical n jazz music and are one of the biggest music learning center in Dubai. Thanks sammaz. Do they have a website or any link that I can refer to? Or a tel. no? Do you know if the classes are in English or French? ?
Wind777
85
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 05 June 2015 - 04:25
http://www.justrentals.com/listing/live-in-a-hotel-brand-new-2-bhk-apartment-in-auris/308417/ Sport City is a better option. It will considerably cut travel time. Sometimes it's a bit of social suicide to live very far from school as well, as playdates will be hard to manage. The Dubai traffic is full of daily accidents, you really want to minimise the time your child is on the roads. Thanks a lot Silvstet for the link. Not so sure living in a hotel apartment for long period is a good idea though... not sure I feel home living there ? but will defenetly look at the options in Sport city ?
Wind777
85
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 05 June 2015 - 04:14
Wind, what are your reasons for wanting to be in Oceana specifically? There are so many lovely areas very close to Academic City. For your budget you can look at Falcon City, The Villa, Silicon Oasis, Al Warqah, etc. You'd get a lovely villa and be in a nice community and your daughter would be 5-10 minutes from school. The beach, malls would only be 20 minutes away. Actually I myself don't have any preferences and can live anywhere! Based on the experience living in different countries in the past, I'd rather to face minimum issues with housing, maintenance, dealing with maids, cleaners etc... So would like to get into a furnished, 3 beds clean place... Nice and easy ? hopefully! From the other hand, my husband likes to have a nice view looking outside the windows and balcony! I guess we feel less desert this way!! My daughter & him fell in love with that big pool in oceana as well! Something to admit here, those oceana buildings are almost new and furnitures not so old fashion/arab style! We're not too much into classic stuff ? makes me fee more depressed... He is going to visit a few houses in Silicon Oasis + Arabian ranches during weekend to compare with the 2 beds already visited in oceana... Sometimes making decision is painful and not straight forward in life!!
Wind777
85
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 04 June 2015 - 05:09
Thanks everyone for the feedbacks, honestly, I am scared now :-0 My husband contacted the school and they said the Journey starts from 6:30 to 7am to pick up the kids from palm! If we manage to live there, we want to take her to the last pick up point in the morning (we save about 20 mins), not yet decided for the afternoon. I think she spends about 45 mins in the bus in the morning since they usually take some margin before the class starts at 8! We are also looking at other options in closer areas to Academic city. Let me know pls if any suggestions for a furnished place not exceeding 250,000 dh per year!
Wind777
85
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 02 June 2015 - 15:11
Hi Wind777, You are still going for Oceana then despite feedback on your other thread regarding the location versus school? Hi VictoriaM, There is not much happening around Academic city where the school is! My husband & daughter like to live in Oceana to be next to the beach, big pool etc... Even not so close to school! It doesn't seem to be working and We are frustrated :( problem is the 2nd parking!! Apartment found (2beds), fit's in our housing allowence + agency found sb who rents a parking separately (still fit in budget). now, agency sAus the landlord doesn't want to include this 2nd parking in the contract (this way I dont have to pay 12000 dh of parking rent from my pocket and It goes to company) From the other hand, my husband co doesn't want to sign 2 contracts (one for apart and other for this additional parking)!! So we are in the air!! I never thought the parking goes first & more important than the apart itself in Dubai!!! I dont know if all couples living in 2 beds in Oceana having 2 parkings are renting one or there are ways not to do so?
Wind777
85
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 26 May 2015 - 04:10
Hi, Can anyone tell me which French school is the best? Is the level descent comparing with private schools in Paris? Thanks in advance
Wind777
85
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 24 May 2015 - 14:55
Thanks Basil, I"ll check them all ;)
Wind777
85
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 April 2015 - 05:47
If the hotel opens soon, i guess I can't count on using the parking area there! :( I contacted the property agent, he said Oceana parking rent is about 15,000 whereas Fairmont is 5,000! His answer on how to find a parking slot to rent in Oceana was to go and search the Oceana residence page on facebook and see... I had a quick look there but all I found was ads etc... Not useful. Any idea on how to find a slot and the fee?
Wind777
85
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 02 April 2015 - 04:20
Thanks a lot for the suggestion. Any ideas of the approximate parking space rental in Oceana? How to find one?
Wind777
85
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 01 April 2015 - 05:16
Hi, We will move to Dubai in summer and would like to live in Oceana. We should get a 2 beds apartment which comes with one parking space only. Can someone tell me if there are always parking spaces available around movenpick (guest space I suppose)? Or we will have no choice other than renting a 2nd space? If so, how much would be the cost and how? Thanks for your help.
 
 
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