The Expat Woman

The first thing Delia did after the epidural began to wear off was to get on the internet (she chose the American Hospital for the birth of her third child, DS2, purely because it had WiFi) and log on to her beloved Expat Women website.  Deeliciousmama (as she is known amongst the forum’s dedicated users) was struggling to decide on the name of her newborn and naturally turned to her respected readers for their views on her top 10 choices.  It was an inspired idea and got more views than her post on predictions for Kate Middleton’s wedding dress.

For Deeliciousmama, the forum is her lifeline.  There’s nothing she loves more than logging on with a glass of wine and sharing her views on the daily threads that come pouring in…  her many, many views.  In fact, she could probably boast a large percentage of the nearly 800,000 posts on the forum.  Whether it’s predictions on the weather, suggestions on where to buy a mini throne for DD or even rants about packers in Spinneys, she has shared her boundless knowledge of everything that is Dubai life with countless fortunate readers.  But Delia counts herself lucky too; her fellow members were invaluable when suggesting ways to tackle DH’s terrible IBS and as for their comments on whether she should have a tummy tuck or a gastric band post child number three – well, let’s just say she didn’t go with that surgeon on the Beach Road after reading about Glammagal’s experiences!  That was one time she was pleased the forum didn’t allow pictures.

Not all of her encounters via the oracle that is EW have been positive however.  In fact, she finally managed to get one member - her nemesis, Dubaidiva - banned after a series of mocking responses to her posts.  Delia thought it quite a reasonable question but for some reason her post asking whether it was acceptable to serve Pop tarts to any religions attending DD’s 6th birthday had Dubaidiva LHAO.  There was no need to be snide.  A quick email from Delia to the moderators, without any smileys whatsoever, suggesting that Dubaidiva was intolerant to cultural sensitivities, IYKWIM, made sure that she could post no more.

Her latest glory came at the Expat Women Christmas fair, where she won a full turkey dinner.  She could barely stop herself boasting about it the next day on the web and was slightly piqued by DH’s rather exasperated comment that the forum didn’t need to know everything about her life.  Delia was outraged.  At least she didn’t post about her DS leaping into bed with the maid!  (Although it was a fascinating read and Deeliciousmama was thoroughly disappointed when the post, along with her wise words, was removed)  And anyway, she needed to log on to check the latest thoughts on whether DS2 should be circumcised or not.