Sunday, May 12, 2013

Summer Camps In Dubai 2013


There are always lots of Summer Camps in Dubai for the kids and here we will have a round up of the best ones for you- you can get your kids to a camp for art, crafts, swimming, football, drama, dance, singing, multi sports and so much more... helping to keep them busy, stimulated and having a great summer break. There's more to come and we'll add them in as we get them!

To visit the latest page on our ExpatWoman website click here... www.expatwoman.com/dubai/monthly_families_Summer_Camps_In_Dubai

CPI Education, Weight Loss Summer Camp and Residential Summer School & Camp. To find out more, Click here or visit www.cpieducation.com


CPI Weight Loss Summer Camp

CPI Summer School

 Other Summer Activities

Salon Educators Academy Youth Programme
for ages 14-16 & 16+. A great way to see if a career in hairdressing is for you. Tiffany Towers, JLT. Telephone: 04 452 8433.
Salon Educators Summer Camp

The School of Culinary and Finishing Arts, teach cooking and culinary skills to both kids and adults. Located in JLT, Call SCAFA today 04 3794044 to find out more or book your place.
SCAFA Summer Cooking Classes

 Sporting Activities

Sports Life Swimming Club
offers swimming lessons from baby swim programs and learn to swim classes, through to our Elite swimming squad and adult learn to swim including open water swimming. Summer Camp 2013 Schedule coming soon, call Gerrie van Beek, Club Manager 050 6257522 for more information.
Sports Life Swimming Club 


 Nurseries

Inspire Nursery Umm Suqeim
, Summer Camp 2013, language, arts, music, movement & dance, sports, splash pool and more for children aged 6 months to 4 years. Call today for more info: 04 395-5473
Inspire Nursery 


Jumierah International Nurseries for year round programmes including Spring, Summer & Winter holidays. Located in Al Wasl, Al Safa and now open in Southridge, downtown next to Burj Khalifa. www.jinspire.com

Kiddy Planet Nursery - Umm Suqueim & Al Quoz, Nursery Day Care for Summer - 23 June - 22 August 2013. Ages 2-6 years, call today to reserve your place.
Kiddy Planet Dubai

Kidville Summer Camp, Mirdif and JBR. Gym, music, arts and Crafts, enrichment and more. Call today for more info. JBR 04 440 1220 or Mirdif on 04 236 3648

Kidville Summer Camp 2013

Little Panda's Early Learning Center. 23rd to 29th August 2013. Register before 16th May and receive one week free! Easily accessible day care for children +3 months to -5years. Telephone 04 344 6371.

Little Pandas Summer Camp 2013


Super Kids Nursery / Day Care Summer School in Mirdif - Dubai. Pretend Play, Summer Olympics, Music and Dance plus lots of fun. What's more, Pay for three weeks and receive the forth free. Telephone: 04 2881949.
Superkids Nursery

Willow Children's Nursery, Jumeirah. A summer of great surprises, starting with activities such as Swimming lessons, Monkeynastix, Cookery, Arts & Crafts, Music & Movement & lots more. Telephone: 050 4725890.



Willow Nursery

Handy Oman Websites & Blogs

Oman Websites & Blogs

Here we take a look at some great Muscat and Oman blogs, websites, news sites, facebook pages and others you may find interesting. Blogs are especially great to find out what expat life in Muscat and Oman will be like. Some of the bloggers below have been blogging for years and their archives are packed full of really useful information. There's also links to Oman based news websites so you can see what's happening on a daily basis... enjoy!

Useful & Interesting Blogs


Muscat Mutterings
This blog is primarily about life & news in the Sultanate of Oman. Mr Sythe is a Western expatriate who has been living in the Sultanate of Oman for 5 years and started the blog Muscat Mutterings on the 26th July 2009. The blog is jam packed full of really useful information about life in Muscat and has had over 10 million views!

www.muscatmutterings.com

How To Live Like An Omani Princess
This blog is [now] a combinination of the stories and experiences of three women into the character of one [so no one can mouth one or the other]. It tells life like it is around the sultanate and has some really thought provoking content. get a cup of tea or coffee and enjoy the read!

howtolivelikeanomaniprincess.blogspot.ae

Andy In Oman

My name is Andrew Brown, but most of my friends call me Andy. I’m a Canadian who has been teaching English overseas since July, 1995. (Wow! More than 17 years!) I am currently teaching at the university level in Oman and loving it! I have been living in Oman for more than 5 years now. The 1st year I lived in Ibri and for the past 4.5 years in the capital city, Muscat. My wife and I (we met here in church in Oman!) LOVE living in Oman and find life in Muscat to be a daily adventure.

andyinoman.com
Dhofari Gucci

Dhofar is the Southern province in the Sultanate of Oman. Salalah is the capital city of Dhofar (in fact, the only city). Salalah is unique in many ways. After a week or so of posts, you'll begin to know why. As a Salalahtarian, I have insider's input. If you follow my blog, you'll begin to appreciate (if not already) the richness of our amazing little town. Salalah is very special, and very different.If you're wondering why I'm fluent in English, it's because I spent several years studying abroad. However, I am a Salalah girl through and through. . I have a lot of positive (and rather amusing) things to write about.

dhofarigucci.blogspot.ae

Duncan Adventures

My name is Heather, I am 24 years old, a Sagittarius and I can write with my feet. Too much information yeah?! Born in Glasgow and raised in Aberdeenshire I never thought that I would live outside the UK and I never really wanted to, that was until I met the man I wanted to marry. The main aim for starting my blog was to keep friends & family back home updated with our adventures through stories and pictures. Unfortunately the majority of my loved ones have not been very supportive through all these changes in my life so the blog hasn't quite reached them yet but i'll keep trying in the hope that it somehow breaks the ice. But the good news is that the blog is now reaching new audiences and I am excited to be receiving emails from people in Canada, Chicago and Ireland thanking me for writing posts that are helping them in their plan to move to Muscat. It is good to know that my ramblings are helping in some way or another.

theduncanadventures2.blogspot.ae

A Nomad in the Land of Nizwa

The blog of an American English teacher in Oman. "I am a nomad, a pilgrim, a vagabond, a wanderer. I discovered the art of living and working abroad, and now I’m hopelessly addicted. I love this world, full of surprises and adventures, and I love exploring as many nooks and crannies of it as I possibly can. I hope I can do this for a long time to come. I love pushing myself outside of my comfort zone. I come to this adventure late in life, and I figure I better do my wandering now before there is no time left! I have a yearning to make my life as interesting and rich as possible in this second half of my life."

catbirdinoman.wordpress.com

Handy Websites


Black And White Oman
Black And White Oman is a fortnightly magazine in Oman filled with lots of news and information. It has an online magazine version that can be read to find out what's happening in Oman and get the latest news and views. The rpint copy of the magazine can be picked up at many points in Oman for free and is released on the 7th and 21st of a month.

www.blackandwhiteoman.com

Times Of Oman
Times of Oman is the oldest and the leading English daily newspaper published in the Sultanate of Oman. Times of Oman has an overarching goal of providing reliable news along with information and entertainment.Times of Oman is the only newspaper in the Sultanate to have an online e-paper timesofoman.com which has a huge readership.

www.timesofoman.com
Knowledge Oman
KnowledgeOman.com is a platform that specifically connects people in the community to create, share and promote knowledge through online-based and community driven initiatives. The platform was launched in April 2008 as a mission to solidify the vision of the country's ruler, His Majesty the Sultan Qaboos of Oman. The vision is to transform Oman into a knowledge based society. This generates wealth of knowledge and builds the nation which is the corner-stone of success today.

knowledgeoman.com/en
The Wave Community
If you are living on The Wave there is a community website all for you. The Wave Community website wants to connect, exchange information and share experiences and ideas about the residential project "The Wave".

www.thewavecommunity.com
To find out more about life in Oman visit our website www.expatwoman.com/oman

Beaches in Oman

Al Bandar Beach OmanIt’s no wonder that tourists from the Gulf and the world over flock to Oman for a weekend getaway or a beach holiday. It is one of those few remaining untainted countries where the beaches lie in their natural state, with many a shore still unexplored. The coastline is dotted with islands that make a great reprieve from civilization or a place to let your adventurous spirit really come alive. The Omani coastline spans for 1,700km with very few parts of the beach being private, in fact the only areas of the beach that are private belong to beach resorts, or those that are attached to military or official property. The marine life is vast and is great for families with children to snorkel and explore.

Oman is very tourist friendly and the Omani nationals are some of the nicest people that you will ever meet. That is why it is important to show respect with regards to their conservative culture. It is important to cover up when you are out and about on the town. The general rule for men and women is to keep knees and elbows covered. Even if you are going to the beach, do not wear shorts and a string top on your way there. 


If you are going to a private beach that is attached to a hotel or resort it is acceptable for women to wear a two piece swim suit, so long as it is not too revealing (no thongs or tiny tops). Men should wear swimming shorts as opposed to the much preferred European speedo. On a public beach it is advisable to cover up more, no two pieces for the ladies and men should also be conservative. If you are unsure of the beach attire then look around you and see how the other swimmers are dressed.

Be aware of the signs around the beaches as some are open only to families, this means that single men or bachelors are not allowed onto the particular beach at all. It is important to be aware of these little quirks when out and about on Omani beaches. If you are a group of women buy a parasol so that you can angle it away from prying eyes if you are particularly bothered by passersby that may stare and ogle, it is all part of the experience when you are a western woman on the beach.

Exploring the Sultanate’s beaches can be whatever you want it to be. It can be relaxing, fun, adventurous and heartwarming (especially when you see a dolphin or a turtle close by). Here we take a look at some of Oman’s beaches where people can swim, play and picnic to their heart’s content:


Aviation Beach, or Shell Beach
True to its name, this beach is abundant with starfish and shells that lay scattered along the shoreline. If you are a collector of sea shells and the like than this beach is for you. It is located near the Civil Aviation Club in Al Azaiba, however one needs a four wheel drive to access the water’s edge

Qurum Beach
Qurum Beach is one of the longest beaches in Oman and the coast line spans four kilometers at low tide making it a perfect beach for those that enjoy a long walk with their feet in the water. This is also one of the most popular beaches due to its close proximity to shopping malls and many hotels can be found here. Halfway along this beach, around the Intercontinental hotel your inner wild child can emerge as you can rent a jet ski in this area and have a blast with it in the water. If you are contented with relaxing there are numerous chairs and beach loungers available for you to soak up the sun. The beach is dotted with palm trees that create a bit of protection from the Omani sun, it also makes perfect cover for a family picnic. Qurum beach is one of those places where residents and tourists mingle and have a lot of fun in the sun.

Al Bandar Beach OmanBandar Jissah
Bandar Jissah is a rocky and secluded bay located a short drive out of Muscat, on the way to Al Bustan. It is one of those secluded beaches where families can explore the rocky shore when the tide is low. It is also one of the best places to catch a “fisherman’s taxi” for a couple of rials and take an exhilarating ride out to sea where you can be left to your own amusement at a secluded beach or taken around the interesting rock formations close by. If you have kids this there is a snack shop and playground that will, no doubt keep them entertained.

Marjan Beach
Marjan beach tends to quite quiet during the daylight hours, however this beach is perfect for the novice snorkeler and those who want to see some colourful marine life without venturing too far out to sea. The coast offers dazzling coral reefs, sea cucumbers, Nemos (clown fish) among others. This beach is also great for tourists to see the fisherman at their best spearing cuttlefish for the freshest seafood one can eat. Marjan is also a great beach for taking it all in and unwinding.

Ras Al Hadd Beach
This beach has been proclaimed a turtle reserve by the Omani government and is one of the premiere beaches to watch turtles lay their eggs when they migrate to the Omani coast for their seasonal frolic. This beach is located 60 km outside the city of Sur and is said to have had human activity for millennia. It also seems to be the hub of marine life activity with some of the best snorkeling to be found here.

Al Sawadi Beach
Al Sawadi beach has the reputation for introducing the wonders of snorkeling to the rest of Oman as its corals are rated as some of the world’s best. This is a great beach for taking a relaxing stroll and collecting the exotic and interesting sea shells that are regurgitated by the sea each day. This beach is located about an hour and a half drive from Muscat and many uninhibited islands are visible from its coastline, these islands are accessible by boat. The island beaches are a perfect place for a lazy afternoon picnic.

Al Bustan Beach

This beach is named after the sprawling Al Bustan Palace Hotel that shadows its shores. It overlooks the mountains surrounding Muscat. This gives the beach a feeling of privacy, and somehow tends to make you forget that you are in the desert as the mountains look so cool and inviting.

Flamingos in OmanDhofar Beaches
Dhofar has some of the most beautiful beaches that are often flecked with the bright pink of the flamingoes that like to flock there. Lagoons and caves make up a large part of the landscape here. Furthermore these beaches are great for water-sports enthusiasts who enjoy a bit of water skiing and diving. The beaches are made easily accessible to the public by well paved roads and other transportation services.

To find out more about life in Oman visit our website www.expatwoman.com/oman

Thursday, May 2, 2013

British Embassy- Latest UAE Updates

Here we feature the latest changes and updates to procedures from the British Embassy in the UAE...

CHANGES TO NOTARIAL AND DOCUMENTARY SERVICES
- 30.4.13

The British Embassies in Abu Dhabi and Dubai are making important changes to their notarial and documentary services. From 1 May, customers wanting to come to either Embassy for a notarial service will need to make an online appointment first. Customers will also be able to apply for some services such as a Consular Birth Registration by post. These changes will commence on 1 May 2013 and affect both the Embassy in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. For information on how to book an appointment and to learn more about the services we provide, visit our website: https://www.gov.uk/notarial-and-documentary-services-guide-for-the-united-arab-emirates.

Following customer feedback and the launch of the new Consular Strategy, we are introducing important changes to how we deliver notarial and documentary services. These changes will result in a more efficient, customer friendly service and staff will be able to spend more time helping the most vulnerable people and the most serious cases.

Using an online system called ClickBook, customers will need to say which Embassy you would like to go to (Abu Dhabi or Dubai), register your details, choose the service you require and the book the time you want to come. You will then receive an email from us notifying you of the documents you need to bring. If you are happy, you can then confirm the appointment.

This will mean less time queuing and a quicker, faster service at the counter. For customers who are not able to book online, or if you have any concerns or questions, you can contact us on +971 43094444 or email us at consular.uae@fco.gov.uk

For more news from the British Embassy visit our FAQS>>

Try Something New - Quilting


QuiltingWhen I had first moved to the USA, I struggled to meet new friends, it was school summer holidays, and all the school-mum type things were on hold for the break. I got really fed up, and one day went for a browse in the fabric store, the shop assistant said she had just the thing… Quilt In A Day. It was a book actually, (Eleanor Burns) with step by step instructions on how to make a very easy log cabin quilt, made using strips of fabric, machine sewn together alternately. I was very taken with the history or folklore of Log Cabin quilts

During the 19th century when Americans were traveling to the western portion of the United States a new family would arrive at a settlement, and all the menfolk would build a house for this family, whilst the women would piece together a quilt. The Log Cabin design came to be a cherished part of daily life. It represents home, warmth, love and security. The centre square traditionally is red or yellow, and is a representation of the
hearth of this log cabin home that was being built on the prairie. You then make up the quilt using three light colours and three dark colours, the light ones representing the lighter things in life, the births, the marriages, the happiness in that home, while the dark strips indicate the darker side of living, the hardship involved in the farming and prairie life, the deaths, illness and sorrow. Together these simple fabric strips are stitched in a precise manner to form a complete picture to those who understand what the materials represent. According to the experts the earliest example of an American Log Cabin quilt that still exists was originally created in 1869.

With all that in mind, I spend the next 10 days making my first ever quilt, (I think that if you were to be completely organized with your supplies, and had some small amount of experience, you would indeed be able to make a Quilt in A Day), I had decided in that same spirit of the early settlers, I would gift my quilt to the first person who would be getting a present from our family, turned out to be my daughter’s best friend having
her 12th birthday. My next quilt became a labour of love, my husband had been sick for a long time, and we were particularly thankful for a colleague of his, who was having a baby, each afternoon, I would get my hubby to get up out of bed, and help me with cutting my sewn strips. I like home made gifts, and there is such a special pleasure in giving someone a present. The next two or three quilts were also gifts, I would have to
say that my quilting is far less than perfect, however all have been made with love. The Amish communities in America make hand sewn quilts, so very beautiful, intricate and amazing, each quilt is deliberately made to include a mistake, the Amish say that only God is perfect. My quilts have all had mistakes in them… a square on upsides down, or whole side back to front… none of my errors have been on purpose.

Quilts can be made with any fabric really, but in order for your quilt to last a long time, and be able to be washed etc., it makes sense to make one using all the same fabrics (to eliminate any pieces stretching or wearing thin before the rest). Typically to start off its best to use cotton, we are very lucky here in the UAE that we are able to buy cotton in hundreds of colours and patterns… and cheap. Any of the fabric shops here have a
multitude of cottons to choose from, I will add, that it is best to wash and iron the cotton before you cut it for your quilt, so that if there is any shrinkage it will happen before you make it into a quilt. You of course do not need to Quilt in A Day, you can just make it up as you go along, buy the fabric that takes your eye, and wing it from there. I have given some detail below about the actual process, but there is a wealth of information and video tutorials etc., online if you Google. All that you need really to get started is fabric, scissors, needle and thread, and a few safety pins, however if you get the quilting bug, you will most likely want a cutting mat and a rotary blade.

I just did a search on Expat Woman forum on the word Quilting… and there seem to be lots of EW Quilters… who knew??

Some Basic Information

Quilting can be done by hand, or by sewing machine, (expert quilters can use a specialist longarm quilting machine).

QuiltingThe process of quilting uses a needle and thread to join two or more layers of material to make a quilt. Typical quilting is done with 3 layers: the top fabric or quilt top, batting or insulating material and backing material. The quilter's hand or sewing machine passes the needle and thread through all layers and then brings the needle back up. The process is repeated across the entire area where quilting is wanted, these stitches can be purely
functional or decorative and elaborate, done primarily to secure the layers to each other, to add design to the finished quilt, and to trap air within the quilted sections, making the quilt warm. Quilting is done to create bedspreads, art quilt wall hangings, clothing, and a variety of fabric items.. cushion covers, tote bags, soft toys.

Hand quilting … using a needle and thread to sew a running stitch by hand across the entire area to be quilted. This binds the layers together. Machine quilting is the process of using a home sewing machine or a longarm machine to sew the layers together. With the home sewing machine, the layers are tacked together before quilting. This involves laying the top, batting, and backing out on a flat surface and either pinning (using large safety pins) or tacking the layers together.

Piecing: Sewing small pieces of cloth into patterns, called blocks, that are then sewn together to make a finished quilt top. These blocks may be sewn together, edge to edge, or separated by strips of cloth called sashing.

Borders: Typically strips of fabric of various widths added to the perimeter of the pieced blocks to complete the quilt top. Note: borders may also be made up of simple or patterned blocks that are stitched together into a row, before being added to the quilt top.

Layering: Placing the quilt top over the batting and the backing.

Quilting: Stitching through all three layers of the quilt (the quilt top, the batting, and the quilt back). Quilting is usually completed by starting from the middle, and moving outward toward the edges of the quilt.

Binding: Long fabric strips cut on the bias that are attached to the borders of the quilt. Binding is typically machine sewn to the front side of the edge of the quilt, folded over twice, and hand sewn to the back side of the quilt.

By Joyce Milne for expatwoman.com
 
For more Home & Interiors ideas visit our website>> 

UK Driving Licence- Residency Requirement

For all of us who go back to the UK in the summer break, and hire a car, (or even drive your own or someone else’s car) this is important.

uk driving licenceAlthough you may have annually used your UK licence to rent a car, and had no problems with the car hire company, you are using your UK licence illegally. It is not the responsibility of the car hire company to give you this information, your licence carries a valid date, and is registered to a UK address, and that is really the only information they register. HOWEVER…. There is a residency requirement to use the UK licence, and living abroad, we do not meet it.

If, in the event of an incident, whether you are involved in a collision, or road traffic offence, and you have used your UK Licence, you have committed fraud. And although you could argue that either way, you hold a current valid licence in any case – from here, the car hire company or more importantly the insurance company, could hold you accountable.

You must use your UAE driving licence to hire a car in the UK, and the insurance company for either your own or friends car need to be made aware of these details.

I tried today, to find this information in the DVLA website, and ended up ringing them to get confirmation of this (0044 300 790 6801). They confirmed that this is indeed the case, within one year of your leaving the UK to reside abroad, you can still use the UK licence. Once that first year is up, you are no longer meeting the residency requirement to legally use your UK Driving Licence.


By Joyce M for EW

To find out more about driving in Dubai visit our website>>

How Clean Is Your Car? Not the shiny outside… the potentially grubby inside?

That’s got you thinking hasn’t it!

I’m writing this even though my hands are in agony to raise awareness for this issue. I’m having a severe allergic reaction to my car steering wheel, caused by the heat of the sun degrading the chemicals in the steering wheel which has now presented itself as a painful, swollen, itchy condition on the palms of my hands!

car interiorAfter realising the only thing that could have caused this reaction on both hands in the same place, I did a bit of googling and found that it is quite a common problem but also one that is easily solved. I went to the doctor’s and after a process of elimination she concurred that this is the source of the irritation. If you think about what the interior temps of cars must get up too it’s no wonder that degeneration of the interior components can happen and start to release irritants.

Cars in the Middle East are extreme environments for plastics, as extreme air temperatures of 88C and dash temperatures of up to 120C can increase the concentration of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC's) and break other chemicals down into more toxic substances, according to HealthyStuff.org.

Some car manufacturers are taking this issue to the next level and producing allergen free cars as well. For example, Volvo in 2009, changed all the leather used in its car interiors to the type that has been tanned not using any chrome in the process as this can cause contact eczema and rashes in peple who are allergic to it.

Ford engineers tested more than 100 materials and components on the new Fusion and other Ford vehicles for allergy issues. Engineers avoid – or minimize – materials such as natural latex, hexavalent chromium and nickel, which can produce an allergic reaction in some people. Components requiring allergen testing include common high-touch areas such as the seats, steering wheel, armrests, door handles and shifters.


WebMD says more than half of all Americans test positive to one or more allergens. Allergies have been increasing for the past three decades across all age, gender and racial groups, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Ford seeks to reduce the irritation of allergens – associated with seasonal weather and possibly rash-inducing materials – by rigorously testing its vehicles and installing cabin air filters that prevent airborne particles such as dust, spores, fungus and pollen from entering the vehicle.

From dust to hexavalent chromium (a chemical sometimes found in dyes, paints and plastics), natural latex to pollen, almost any material or substance can be a potential allergen. Ford testers make sure dyes and formaldehyde are strictly limited to levels that are acceptable even for clothing.

Disturbingly, that “new car smell” that people like is actually chemicals seeping from the various components of your car interior! The chemicals that off-gas from parts such as the steering wheel, dashboard, armrests and seats and can contribute to a variety of acute and long-term health concerns.

If you can't afford to get a new allergen- free car, there are a few things that you can do to keep your car “healthy” inside.

• Make sure you wash and hoover the interior of the car regularly- at least once a week. Use mild cleaning agents. Include hoovering the seats as well as the floor as dust mites can live in the upholstery.

• Antibacterial solutions can help clean a normal car and disinfect it, removing all fungus and bacteria.
• Damp dust the dashboard and wipe off your windows regularly.

• Use a steering wheel cover made of more natural products and change every year for a new one.

• Wear thin gloves whilst driving so that you aren’t coming into direct skin contact with any of the parts that may affect you.

• If you can’t park in a covered space make sure you use a sun shield to reflect some of the sun’s rays away from the interior of your car.

• Don’t leave rubbish in your car- always clear it out at the end of every journey- especially food waste… imagine the horrors that could start breeding in your car if you left that in for too long!

• If you purchase a new car, leave the windows rolled down a bit for the first few days if you can…. So that the “new car smell” fumes being given off have time to escape and not become an irritant.

Hopefully this reaction I am suffering should clear up in a week but it has been extremely uncomfortable, painful and not something I would want to go through ever again. Hopefully this article will help prevent someone going through what I have and we can all have nice, clean and healthy car interiors!

Here’s the link to the “healthy car” surveys that HealthStuff.org have been doing since 2006 so you can see where your car brands comes in on the healthiness scale…

www.healthystuff.org/release.021512.cars.php


To find out more about motoring in Dubai visit our Driving In Dubai section >> full of tips on Dubai's roads, how to get a driving licence, buying a car, paying Salik, paying your traffic fines and so much more.

Sunday, April 21, 2013

Coping With The Terrible Twos


Terrible TwosNo one looks forward to the terrible twos, a developmental stage that usually begins sometime in the toddler years. Although many parents don't expect the terrible twos to start until their toddler is two years old, it can strike as early as 18 months and as late as 30 months (and because it’s less an age thing, than a stage of development, you may be dealing with it when you least expect it). If your child has been cooperative up until now, it may come as a shock, that your compliant little person becomes a ‘free thinker’, and challenges you in a variety of ways….on a daily basis.

While the terrible twos can be difficult for parents and caregivers to navigate, keep in mind that 2-year-olds are undergoing major motor, intellectual, social and emotional changes. The terrible twos typically occur when toddlers begin to struggle between their reliance on adults and their desire for independence. Their vocabularies are growing, they're eager to do things on their own, and they're beginning to discover that they're expected to follow certain rules.

Look for new signs of assertiveness from your toddler, because most 2-year-olds still aren't able to move as swiftly as they'd like, or clearly communicate their needs or control their feelings. this can lead to frustration and misbehavior — in other words, the terrible twos.

Characterized by toddlers being negative about most things and often saying 'no', the terrible twos may also find your toddler having frequent mood changes. He may insist on doing exactly what you've told him to do or not to do, or throw himself down on the floor in a fit of temper if he doesn't get his way. This can also be the reason why your toddler frequently gets frustrated and resorts to hitting, biting, and temper tantrums when he doesn't get his way. His demands may alternately frustrate and amuse you. At times, for example, he'll likely ask for something that he doesn't even want, just to see if he has enough power to get it.

To help you cope with this normal stage in your child's development, you should always remember that your child isn't trying to be defiant or rebellious on purpose, he is just trying to express his growing independence and doesn't have the language skills to easily express his needs. By learning more about this normal stage in your child's development, can make it easier to get through it and make sure that you aren't contributing to more battles than are necessary.

Though you may be tempted to cry and throw yourself on the floor too, the best thing to do during a temper episode is keep your cool, sometimes all that is required from you is to give him a hug and a few minutes of your undivided attention, sometimes he may benefit from the distraction technique — offer him another activity or toy. 



Expect that you'll occasionally lose patience with each other.. it can often be as frustrating for your child, as it is for you. Try to limit your use of the word "no."

Have a regular routine for meals, naps, bedtime, etc. and try to stick to them each day


Offer limited choices only, like 'would you like juice or milk for your drink’? and not just 'what do you want to drink?' This helps your toddler feel like he is making some decisions and has power over things, but he isn't able to choose unacceptable alternatives. 


Learn to set limits about things and don't be surprised when your toddler tries to test those limits to see what he can get away with.

Try to limit your use of the word "no”, you are after all, teaching him how to behave, by your own example

Don't give in to tantrums, make it clear that this behaviour is not what you want to see, and will not give him his desired outcome.

Time out for toddlersBegin to use time-out and taking away privileges as discipline techniques, but remember time out has to be ‘age appropriate’, three whole minutes is a long time for a two year old, the fact that having to sit on the stair, or sofa or wherever you choose, is consequence enough in most cases, and can soon be a deterrent, but you must be prepared to enforce it, it, and sit him back down if he wants leave before the time is up. The use of a kitchen timer is a great tool. Press stop, if you have to sit him back down, and press start again once he is there.

If you're in a public place or at someone's house, pick him up and take him someplace where the two of you can sit calmly until the behaviour subsides. You can be pretty sure you’ll be able to outwit a two-year-old. So even if you’re not entirely clear about what’s troubling him you have a great shot at distracting him.

You must be consistent, two year olds are clever, and will soon cotton on that if he holds out, you will give in. So say what you mean, and follow through.

Remember to reward and praise good behaviour. This is really important, your little child will begin understand what makes you happy !

What To Do During An Earthquake Or Tremor


The recent tremors in the UAE have highlighted that we should be prepared what to do in the event of a tremor or earthquake in the region. You may have come from a place that doesn't have earthquakes and have not a clue what to do- here are some great guidelines and safety tips for you to follow.

IN the UAE we are close to the active plates in Iran so there have been tremors felt in the region although they are quite rare- it's better to know what to do in advance!


drop cover hold on

Immediate Things to Do During an Earthquake

• Drop, cover, and hold on! Move only a few steps to a nearby safe place. Most injured persons in
earthquakes move more than five feet during the shaking. It is very dangerous to try to leave a building during an earthquake because objects can fall on you. Many fatalities occur when people run outside of buildings, only to be killed by falling debris from collapsing walls.

• If you are in bed, hold on and stay there, protecting your head with a pillow. You are less likely to be injured staying where you are. Broken glass on the floor has caused injury to those who have rolled to the floor or tried to get to doorways.

• If you are outdoors, find a clear spot away from buildings, trees, streetlights, and power lines. Drop to the ground and stay there until the shaking stops. Injuries can occur from falling trees, street-lights and power lines, or building debris.

• If you are in a vehicle, pull over to a clear location, stop and stay there with your seatbelt fastened until the shaking has stopped. Trees, power lines, poles, street signs, and other overhead items may fall during earthquakes. Stopping will help reduce your risk, and a hard-topped vehicle will help protect you from flying or falling objects. Once the shaking has stopped, proceed with caution. Avoid bridges or ramps that might have been damaged by the quake.

• Stay indoors until the shaking stops and you are sure it is safe to exit. More injuries happen when people move during the shaking of an earthquake. After the shaking has stopped, if you go outside, move quickly away from the building to prevent injury from falling debris.

• Stay away from windows. Windows can shatter with such force that you can be injured several feet away.

• In a high-rise building, expect the fire alarms and sprinklers to go off during a quake. Earthquakes frequently cause fire alarm and fire sprinkler systems to go off even if there is no fire. Check for and extinguish small fires, and, if exiting, use the stairs.

What to Do After an Earthquake


• Check yourself for injuries. Often people tend to others without checking their own injuries. You will be better able to care for others if you are not injured or if you have received first aid for your injuries.

• Protect yourself from further danger by putting on long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, sturdy shoes, and work gloves. This will protect you from further injury by broken objects.

• After you have taken care of yourself, help injured or trapped persons. If you have it in your area, base emergency, then give first aid when appropriate. Don't try to move seriously injured people unless they are in immediate danger of further injury.

• Look for and extinguish small fires. Eliminate fire hazards. Putting out small fires quickly, using
available resources, will prevent them from spreading. Fire is the most common hazard following
earthquakes.

• Leave the gas on at the main valve, unless you smell gas or think its leaking. It may be weeks or
months before professionals can turn gas back on using the correct procedures. Explosions have
caused injury and death when homeowners have improperly turned their gas back on by themselves.

• Clean up spilled medicines, bleaches, gasoline, or other flammable liquids immediately. Avoid the hazard of a chemical emergency.

• Open closet and cabinet doors cautiously. Contents may have shifted during the shaking of an
earthquake and could fall, creating further damage or injury.

• Inspect your home for damage. Get everyone out if your home is unsafe. Aftershocks following
earthquakes can cause further damage to unstable buildings. If your home has experienced damage, get out before aftershocks happen.

• Help neighbours who may require special assistance. Elderly people and people with disabilities may require additional assistance. People who care for them or who have large families may need additional assistance in emergency situations.

• Listen to a portable, battery-operated radio (or television) for updated emergency information and
instructions. If the electricity is out, this may be your main source of information. Local radio and local officials provide the most appropriate advice for your particular situation.

• Expect aftershocks. Each time you feel one, drop, cover, and hold on! Aftershocks frequently occur minutes, days, weeks, and even months following an earthquake.

• Watch out for fallen power lines or broken gas lines, and stay out of damaged areas. Hazards caused by earthquakes are often difficult to see, and you could be easily injured.

• Stay out of damaged buildings. If you are away from home, return only when authorities say it is safe. Damaged buildings may be destroyed by aftershocks following the main quake.

Other Guidelines


• Use battery-powered lanterns or flashlights to inspect your home. Kerosene lanterns, torches, candles, and matches may tip over or ignite flammables inside.

• Take pictures of the damage, both to the house and its contents, for insurance claims.

• Avoid smoking inside buildings. Smoking in confined areas can cause fires.

• When entering buildings, use extreme caution. Building damage may have occurred where you least expect it. Carefully watch every step you take. Examine walls, floor, doors, staircases, and windows to make sure that the building is not in danger of collapsing.

• Check for gas leaks. If you smell gas or hear a blowing or hissing noise, open a window and quickly leave the building. Turn off the gas, using the outside main valve if you can, and call the gas company from a neighbour’s home. If you turn off the gas for any reason, it must be turned back on by a professional.

• Look for electrical system damage. If you see sparks or broken or frayed wires, or if you smell burning insulation, turn off the electricity at the main fuse box or circuit breaker. If you have to step in water to get to the fuse box or circuit breaker, call an electrician first for advice.

• Check for sewage and water line damage. If you suspect sewage lines are damaged, avoid using the toilets and call a plumber. If water pipes are damaged, contact the water company and avoid using water from the tap. You can obtain safe water from undamaged water heaters or by melting ice cubes.

• Watch for loose plaster, dry wall, and ceilings that could fall.

• Use the telephone only to report life-threatening emergencies. Telephone lines are frequently
overwhelmed in disaster situations. They need to be clear for emergency calls to get through.

• Watch animals closely. Leash dogs and place them in a fenced yard. The behaviour of pets may
change dramatically after an earthquake. Normally quiet and friendly cats and dogs may become
aggressive or defensive.

Image courtesy of
www.dropcoverholdon.org

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Gardens By The Bay Singapore: we visited the Super Trees & more!


We were lucky enough to get to visit Singapore's latest tourist attraction Gardens By The Bay and see the spectacular Super Trees!

The gardens are in between the coast and Marina Bay Sands and are well worth a visit if you are travelling to Singapore. They are easily reached by the MRT metro system- you get off at the Bay Front station and they are a short walk away. Entrance to the gardens themselves is free- you only pay to go up into the Super Trees and walk on the walkway bridge and to enter the two domes- The Flower Dome & The Cloud Forest Dome. It was $5 to go on the walkway and $28 to gain entrance to the two domes. Top tip- if you travelled with Singapore Airlines and present your boarding card stub you get 10% discount.

super tree grove

We headed straight for the Super Tree Grove and went up onto the OCBC Skyway- if you're scared of heights this is not for you! The walkway is suspended and bounces a bit but the views are well worth it! You can stay up there as long as you want and access is by a lift up one of the Super Tree trunks.

If you fancy dining or having a cup of tea the middle Super Tree has a restaurant called Indochine at the top- it's a minimum spend of $10 to get up there which covers the cost of a soft drink. We really enjoyed relaxing up there and also visited their rooftop bar for amazing unobstructed views of the Singapore skyline including the Singapore Flyer.

Another top tip is to wear sun tan lotion, bring water and maybe a hat as Singapore is quite hot and we ended up spending about 5 hours in The Gardens, although there are lots of shaded areas. You can buy water there as well or fill up your empty bottle at any of the drinking water stations. The whole gardens are smoke- free and never, ever litter or you could be fined!

super trees waterfall
The Super Tree Walkway The Amazing Indoor Waterfall

We then wandered through The Gardens towards the domes where you can buy tickets to access them. We headed first to The Cloud Forest dome- and as the the doors opened were met with the sight of the world's largest indoor waterfall! A complete bonus was it was very cool and misty in there- a great respite from the midday sun! We wandered around the bottom of the indoor mountain and then headed up to the top of it where you then meander your way down. There's loads of plants and art installations to look at on the way down and also there are look out points with the waterfall flowing down so you feel like you are in the actual waterfall! There's a very interesting display of stalactites and stalagmites and beautiful giant amethyst rocks.

We headed off for lunch next- there's loads of choice there from a mid price food court to standalone pricier restaurants. We plumped for Italian from the food court in the end!

After we had regained our energy we headed to the Flower Dome which is a very impressive building packed full of flowers, plants and trees from the different regions of the world. We really liked their Easter display of a secret garden with eggs and other decorations hidden through out. The Baobab tree grove and cactus collection were particularly impressive.

flower dome

Then it was time to leave... we were surprised we had stayed there so long and the 5 hours had passed so quickly! We did a quick shop for souvenirs in the gift shop before heading back to the metro station to head off to Orchard Road and more shopping!

We would highly recommend a visit here and you can get some amazing photographs as well as have a lovely morning or afternoon of wandering- we wished we could have stayed till after dark as they also have an amazing light show around the Super Tree Grove but the rest of Singapore was calling!

the super trees

You can find out more about Gardens By The Bay on their website www.gardensbythebay.com.sg

Garden Hours

Bay South Outdoor Gardens:
Opens 5:00 AM - 2:00 AM daily

Cooled Conservatories & OCBC Skyway:
Opens 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM daily
Last ticket sale at 8:00 PM daily
Last admission at 8:30 PM daily

Garden Cruiser
Monday* - Friday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM (Last ride)
*Service begins at 12:00 PM every first Monday of the month
Saturday, Sunday, eve of and on PH
9:30 AM - 4:00 PM (Last ride)

Getting to Gardens by the Bay is easy. Whether you’re driving or coming by public transport

Gardens' Address:
18 Marina Gardens Drive
Singapore 018953

MRT & Bus

Via the Circle Line:
Alight at Bayfront MRT Station (CE1)
Take Exit B and follow the underground linkway
Exit and cross the Dragonfly Bridge or Meadow Bridge into Gardens by the Bay

Via the North South / Circle Line:
Alight at Marina Bay MRT Station (NS27/CE2)
Take Exit A and hop onto bus service 400
Alight 4 stops later at the bus stop along Marina Gardens Drive
To Read More Of Our Travel Stories Visit