Due Dec 2007 on the wind down?

[suey2]

has this worked?

I definitely see what you mean.

In terms of clothing, you would certainly be expected (i think) to dress conservatively, perhaps more so than here. Gernally I would think legs covered and sleeves (not necessarily long sleeves but not vests IYSWIM). When I visit Turkey I dress a little more conservatively even in Istanbul, but when we visit my dads home town i am mindful that most people wear a headscarf etc so have to take clothes esp for this place. I can email my friend and get some more info if you like.... she is from Lahore, but still very cosmopolitan.

I think most of the world these days have pampers etc especially places like islamabad being the capital and karachi is a large city.

Wow claraq - how exciting!! Have only been there in passing (i..e through the airport) but know lots of Pakistanis in this country who make it sound like a really fascinating place.

What does your DH do? Does this mean you won't be working for the next three years or could you find something there too? Think it will be great for your dc's - my family lived in east Africa and papua New Guinea when we were little and it was a fantastic introduction to the world. They will be bilingual as well I suppose... ooh I am quite !

I had a friend who went to Pakistan last year and she told me about how she panicked bought excessive amounts of SMA, Pampers and baby food, only to find that they stocked it all there. However, I can recall she stayed in an affluent area, and the same might not readily available in all areas. Also as for dress - I've been told that dress code is very relaxed - mixture of Western and Eastern, in the big towns and cities - although short skits, low cut tops are a big no-no. Not sure what life will be like for a Western woman - depends what is availble in the location you stay in and what you make of things.

and most importantly you'll still have mumsnet out there

mimicake - so sweet of u to remember. closing date was 11th Sept, but on the form it did say it can take up to 4 weeks after the closing date for them to send a response out, so we'll see. As the days go on, keep feeling a little dishearted. It would be nice to be short - listed, as least I know I have the skills etc to potentially take me up to the next level.....

Claraq - how very exciting for you! I really like the way cosmopolitan Indian/Pakistani ladies dress. Not sure if i'm generalising, but i like the jeans and lots of pretty fabrics on top mix.

Did anyone see Michael Palin last night? On the telly i mean. He was in Istanbul. I really would love to visit. It looks totally brill. He visited a belly dancing class and ohmygod the outfits and the girls were so attractive. I'd like to dress like that everyday, and look like them. In fact, dressing like a gorgeous Turkish belly dancer would cheer me right up today.

Now that would be a good place to go for a short bit of travelling wouldn't it with a smallish child? Lots of culture, not toooo far away from home. What say you Mixedmama?

OK i've def cheered up now i am dreaming of outfits and future travel.

Thanks for all the advice etc.

MotherofZ - I guess we will be living in the the more affluent areas so hopefully will have access to all the pampers, wipes etc that we need. Glad to know I am not the only one who panicked though! As for clothes, luckily there is a lot of suitable stuff around at the moment, long tops, dresses that can be worn over trousers etc. And wearing loose clothing will be nice when I am trying to hide post-pregnancy tum!

Mixedmama - thanks for your offer to contact your friend. I think I had better wait until we find out if we are actually going first, will be very disappointed now if it's all called off!

Skidaddle - DH will be attached to British High Commission, he works for a Government agency dealing with various law enforcement issues. I used to work for the Foreign Office which is why we were both in Jamaica, where we met. I also spent quite a lot of time overseas as a child and agree it is good for LO's to spend time in another culture. Expecially as here in the UK I live in such a white town she might otherwise not meet anyone with a different skin colour from her.

Not sure if I will work out there or not. Would like to think I do something once this baby is old enough but not too sure what the opportunities will be. Still can always take up golf!

neuro - in my very very biased opinion.... it would be brilliant. I was surprised at the success of that dancer actullay she is very famous from the 90's. I loved how she expalined that all Turkish girls (and boys actually) can belly dance as it is in the blood, made me laugh. I love belly dancing to the point of obsession. i actually got offered a job in a restaurant in a restuarant after dancing with the dancer and won a competition..... love it.

Claraq - certainly too good an opportunity to see something different.

Actually Dh and I have been discussing going to Bangladesh for a holiday once the kids are a little older as I doubt it is something we will do too often so want them to be able to appreciate it.

why Bangladesh MM - is your Dh's family from there?

Makes me want to go to India - used to go every year as my dad has a house there but keep getting bloody pregnant!! Dh has never been there and is really keen to see where half my family comes from, especially as my dad chews his ear off about how wonderful India is every time we see him. Oh all this talk of travel and here we are in grey rainy England

Remember you saying a while ago claraq that you were sad that you wouldn't be able to travel like you used to now that you have children - and now this opportunity falls in your lap - it will be fantastic!

Yeah DH family from there originally. Quite pleased actually as i wouldnt want to go with his family (as you all know) but obviously dont mind visiting family there. But DH basically said we wont see family as they will cast the evil eye on me ???? thought I was the only superstitious one in our house and they will want money... instead we will do some tourist things. then he said actually would rather go to India (which if i am honest so would I) so we said perhaps a long trip with a week or so in bangladesh. Weird. Been stressing myself about going as i really cant stand them and he says he doesnt really want to go anyway.

Right so Mixedmama is off to Bangladesh, Skidaddle to India, Neuro to Turkey and me to Pakistan. Should we rename ourselves the Asian branch of Mumsnet??

Oooooh I am meant to be having a lie down to make up for waking at 3.40am and not being able to get back to sleep this morning but am hoping my DH will call with more news....

Skid - where about in India are your family from? My mum's side is from India. Went about 3 years ago to visit in-laws - such a beautiful country, but so much poverty. It's strange because in India, even though people don't have much, they seem to be happy with whatever they have - saying that what they own is a a blessing.

MM - what is all this evil eye stuff?

Hehe, claraq - you're already on the plane aren't you! Loving that you're already picking your outfits before you know for sure whether you're going.

I caught the end of Michael Palin (literally last 5 minutes) and Turkey looked amazing! Those weird little cave mountain houses - I've never seen anything like it. Don't know too much about Pakistan but I would love to go to India!

motherofZ - family is from kerala right down in the south which is quite different from most people's idea of India (e.g. Delhi, Calcutta) - very lush and green and (they claim) a matriarchal society and very very high rates of literacy and a bit of a marxist leaning as well so just my cup of tea really. Have been to the north as well though and found it completely fascinating and beautiful. It's such an amazing country - makes me so sad that I used to be ashamed of that side of my 'roots' (for want of a better word) but think that was to do with horrible racist little sh*ts at school calling me paki

sorry to forgot to ask MotherofZ - whereabouts is your mum's family from?

Insywinsy - I get paranoid about bump size! I thought I had quite a small neat bump then it "exploded" a week or two ago and looks huge to me now! I'm happy to share my not-so-vital statistics if anyone else is!

I am normally a size 14 and am 26 weeks - bust-waist-hips measurements are 42-39-41.

Lizzer - it's not me it's DD2 that's the model! Boden was OK - nice sunny afternoon in a lovely house, no freebies though! The kids do get paid, but I've only once had a freebie - a leotard from Woollies as they had to adjust it to fit her by cutting out a bit of the elastic at the waist. Here she is in M&S: pink hoodie

Lizzer - there is a place in Oxfordshire called trade secret that sells off end-of-line M&S & Laura Ashley furniture at reduced prices - don't know if that would be any good? Don't know what it's like myself but I read about it in a magazine the other day.

Neuro What an awful weekend, big hugs from me to you. Have you thought about contacting your local paper? Don't know if you'd rather not have the publicity, but you never know, the local bike store might give you a free bike? And if by any chance the scumbag who nicked your bike can read, they might feel bad for a nanosecond. Hope your brother's mate recovers OK.

re older siblings DD2 is really excited about the baby now - being 4, she can really understand more about it. She likes to put her cheek against my tummy when the baby is active so she can feel it wriggle - and she talks to it as well; this morning I was brushing her teeth and she went up close to my tummy and said "hello baby, mummy's going to brush my teeth now then I'm getting dressed" Cute or what?! She thinks it's very funny that the baby is upside down, and kisses my tummy giggling, "I'm kissing baby's bottom!"

Evil eye - basically (well in Turkey anyway - and we are evil eye mad) in fact example is better.

When I was little and we went to Turkey people would comment that I have blue eyes (in the days before everyone seemed to have blue eyes in Turkey), basically praising me without praising God for giving me the eyes. So if they praise they should say Maasallah. If they dont then it is almost said in envy and then i get ill and have all kinds of old women praying over me etc.

Altho I think Turkey is most militant abotu Evil Eye.... I never send DS anywhere without his evil eye pinned to his shoulder.

housemum - your dd is gorgeous and I love all her babychat to your tummy!

Housemum - so cute. Ahhhh.

Thanks Housemum. i'd imagine the local paper would laugh me off the phone at yet another stolen bike, but it's a nice idea.

Mixedmama - most of the women, well and the men now i now think about it, all had blue eyes. So pretty. Lucky you and your erm, God given eyes!!!!

I have an evil eye little bowl that i use to burn incense.

Where can I get an evil eye from? I would like to give it to my old boss (although he is now in the Gambia so I might have to send it by email?)....