Howdy OzyOs,
Just wanting to wish you the best of luck as you prepare to head to Dubai. It must be so exciting! Hope you keep us all updated when you get some free-time, it will be so interesting to hear what life over there will be like. I know you will succeed.
Also wanted to let you know I had my blood test- and yep, wasnt too bad!

Had my mum with me though so doing it all over again in Dubai will be interesting
Re: photos,
totally agree- keep them simple. i would also recommend paying the money and getting them done professionally- they can fiddle around with lighting, posing, etc. photos are the only thing they see of you to base their decision so i think they're a good investment.