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I am currently driving a Feb 08 Civic. Perfectly happy with the car except that it is going to get too small for my family. I have 3 kids now. A pair of twins aged 2.5, and a newborn (about 2 months) old now. Together with my wife and maid, I would need an MPV, unless we would want to carry the baby in our arms in the car. Before the baby came, I am using 2 car seats, 1 at the front passenger seat and the other at the back. My wife and maid is slight of built, thus they still can squeeze at the back seat together with 1 car seat. Thus, now I am thinking of getting a second hand MPV. A new car seems way too expensive now. I shortlisted 2 MPVs in my search thus far, the VW Touran and the Citroen Grand Picasso. What I like about both the cars are its relatively cheaper price and its size. I dont think I want a huge MPV as most of the time, it will just be my wife and I in the car going to work. Over the weekend, we went to Wearnes Automotive and saw this Grand Picasso which is about 2.5 years old, selling for $99k. Any advice on what are the things I should consider choosing a second hand car?

So some guests speakers are basically going through motion only (混水摸鱼)? Or the audience are not asking the "right" questions (只知其然，而不知其所以然)? You decide.. From ST Forum: http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/Story/...ory_811446.html FOR DIALOGUES TO WORK... All must play their part Published on Jun 16, 2012 THE report ('Expectations differ on dialogues'; last Saturday) raised the issue of how policymakers - parliamentarians and ministers - should respond to questions during dialogues. Some say the invited guests should be the ones answering questions and proffering solutions, while others argue that the participants should come up with the suggestions. Both notions are not mutually exclusive. The best dialogues are those where both parties discuss issues, and suggestions are heard and debated. Parliamentarians are invited to these sessions because they have the experience in government, are cognisant of socio-economic considerations, and are in constant interaction with their constituents. In some instances, they have to understand that the participants are asking questions because they do not have the answers. At the same time, participants have to understand that they are asked for their views because their opinions matter. In essence, both sides must fulfil their ends of the deal. Expectations might differ, but they can be tempered and managed if the organisers properly establish the rationale of the dialogues. My personal experiences have made me realise that there are numerous areas for improvement:

More and more of these night drivers who got special night vision it seems. Never on headlights I feel manufacturers should have in the cars the autolights as a premanent fixture. MEaning, no on/off switch. When it detects a certain level of darkness, the lights come on automatically. Case in point. Mercedes has no on switch for the lights. I cannot switch off the lights as the only option I have it so turn on the lights on a bright day. Else, get in the car, the lights come on automatically. This would really be a boon. However, still feel some wisecrack, 'want to save bulbs' idiot will go workshop disable...knn Your thoughts?

http://sg.news.yahoo.com/insurance-should-...-tommy-koh.html Insurance should cover every person who seeks coverage, whether or not they suffer from pre-existing medical conditions, chronic diseases or congenital health conditions, said Singapore

hey all... In the near future I have a two week space when I totally won't be using the car. Want to use the opportunity to do an engine overhaul. It has reached 215,000km - and is starting to burn oil. Will most likely be keeping the car for another 4 years so may as well get the stuff done now. At the same time will probably look to replace my shock absorbers (go back to stock) If I could get a little more power / torque while the mechanic is at it, this would be a bonus. BUT - not at the expense of smoothness, or noticeably noisier etc etc (and especially reliability - at the end of the day, my wife does most of the driving and it is a family car) For the overhaul - what do I ask the mechanic for that will bring the engine back to new / almost new condition without too much expense? Just so that I can sound at least part way knowledgeable when I talk to them. Also, about how much should this cost?

Hi everyone, Me being a convertible lover was just wondering, do you think that Kia should come up with a convertible? Its latest Kia Koup has an edgy and sexy design to it. With such designs, I was thinking... hmm maybe they can come up with a more contempary convertible design. What do you all think?

Hey guys, finally my car is breaking even.. Intend to change car in June period... But was wondering what should I get? Intend to get a 2nd hand car that is about 5-6 years old with the balloon scheme ie drive till end of Coe. By then in 2-3 yrs time COE should drop, then can buy new ones. Afew options to choose from with my budget.. 1) 08 Vios 2) 06/07 Mazda 3 3) 07 Nissan Latio Each got heir own good points like Mazda is gadgets, Vios is fc and Nissan is quiet.. I m not looking into modding or anything... Just driving a stock car. Which would you recommend? Anyone can also share their Fc?

Award winning teacher sexually abused students Amanda Phua | The New Paper | Fri Mar 30 2012 Pervert. Monster. The adjectives can flow but nothing quite describes what a 38-year-old primary school teacher did to three of his male pupils. The Chinese language teacher had robbed them of their innocence. The Straits Times reported that the teacher had won several school awards and had received letters of prais from parents. He also sat on the school's disciplinary committee to handle its most difficult students and had been voted 'most caring teacher' by students. However, on March 12, he pleaded guilty to two counts of sexually penetrating a minor and two counts of outraging the modesty of two other victims. He carried out the acts in 2009. Two of his victims were only eight when he acted out his desires. Another was 11. He was jailed 10 years yesterday, but the boys' suffering could last much longer. Perhaps the most apt description of the teacher is that he's unrepentent. In his mitigation, the teacher simply offered: "I hope that the court will take into consideration that I have no previous criminal record and to be lenient in sentencing." But what of the boys? It has been devastating, a victim impact statement revealed. Two years after he was abused by his teacher, one of his victims was caught inappropriately touching a fellow student last year. Oral sex The victim was only eight when the teacher performed oral sex on him twice. When asked why he touched his classmate, the boy broke down. He was later referred to a counsellor. The boy's father had revealed the incident in a victim impact statement. The father said he too was suffering. He saw a psychiatrist to deal with work and family stress, and said his financial situation was also affected because of the costs of the counsellor and psychiatrist both he and his son had been seeing. Having to keep his son's suffering a secret from his own parents "took a tremendous toll on him", deputy public prosecutor S. Sellakumaran told the court. And though they may have been young when they were abused, the vile acts will haunt them, psychiatrists told The New Paper. Dr Brian Yeo, a consultant psychiatrist at Mount Elizabeth Hospital, said victims can end up with more sexualised behaviour like touching themselves at a younger age. He added: "It's not just his sexual maturity that will be affected, but also his emotional state. In this case, the teacher had a duty of care, so the boy may also find it difficult to trust people, or to talk to people, because the person he trusted abused his position of authority." And the boys can also end up feeling guilty. "The victims may blame themselves for getting the teacher into trouble. Hence, reaction from their parents is important. "If the parents or adults around them scream, shout and blame them, they will feel guilty even when they are the victims," said Dr Yeo. Psychiatrist Adrian Wang said for some young victims, the impact is not immediate. He said: "It doesn't affect them less significantly because they grow up with the memory. And as they mature, they will think more and more about what happened to them as a child and they might feel violated. "There is a potential for it to continue to traumatise them as years go by." Dr Wang echoed Dr Yeo's concern that the abuser was someone who was supposed to protect the victims. Confusing He said: "When the protector becomes a tormentor and deceives you into doing something like this, it is very confusing for the child. They are unsure of their role in it, hence it causes guilt. "For young kids from the age of eight to 10, it causes a mixture of fear as well as disgust because they expect adults to protect him." Dr Wang said parents often blame themselves when a child is abused. He added: "Putting the accused in jail gives the family a sense that justice was done, that the accused cannot harm them anymore and that things were set right." He molested kids on school premises The teacher was jailed 10 years and ordered to be given six strokes of the cane. Seven other similar offences were taken into consideration during sentencing. The teacher enticed two of the victims, aged eight and 11, with a portable game device, then sexually abused them. The acts took place from early 2009 to July the same year. Of the four cases the accused was charged with, three took place in the primary school's computer lab and one took place in the male staff toilet. All were during curriculum time. His disturbing acts came to light only when the school's principal received two complaints from a parent and a pupil about the teacher's inappropriate touching on July 17, 2009. It is not clear if the complainants are involved in the case. Deterrent Asking for a stiff deterrent to be meted out, deputy public prosecutor S. Sellakumaran compared the case to a previous one. In the previous case, the parents of the victim allowed their child to associate with the culprit. However, said DPP Sellakumaran: "The parents of the victims in the present cases had no similar choice. "They could not decide on which teachers would be teaching their children. "Indeed, they had no reason to so decide as they were entitled to expect that all teachers in the school would uphold the unreserved trust placed in them and adhere to the highest professional and moral standards." He added that the victims in this case had no choice but to return to school.

new drivers please learn from video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAZCmaDm-2o...player_embedded

Yahoo News Link : Should foreign domestic helpers be allowed to have relationships? 19 hours ago - 2:13 | 12,031 views Yahoo! Singapore's Deborah Choo finds out what people think of foreign domestic helpers having relationships. Link : http://sg.news.yahoo.com/video/newsorigina...s-28593709.html Most peoples interviewed rejects the ideal ..............

From CNA: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/sin...1188309/1/.html Younger S'poreans should not be burdened with taxes: K Shanmugam By Dylan Loh | Posted: 11 March 2012 1825 hrs

http://newsfeed.time.com/2011/08/10/petition-calls-for-sesame-streets-bert-and-ernie-to-be-married/ Although Sesame Street

Dear drivers, When I was sending my wife to work on Sat morning. I came across this Fiat that beat 2 red lights. Should I report him/her or give him the benefit of doubt? Personally I feel that it is a bit dangerous to other road users but maybe thats just me and he beat the light just a fraction of a second after it turned red. The poll is opened and thread created for your suggestion / comments.

I hardly kick a fuss this day even I encounter countless silly driver without road manner, but this had irritated me much. from river valley road turning into hoot kiam road.

My 11 year old daughter was arrested and handcuffed for 2 hours today Dear all, I, a Singapore born and raised Chinese citizen would like to apologise to the Singapore Government and all tax paying fellow citizens for my failure to teach my children enough about the folly of stealing I am a night shift worker so I sleep in the day. At 5 pm today, I woke up and discovered my younger 11 year old daughter missing. I asked the older 13 year girl but got evasive answers. After a half hour later, I panicked and called the Police. Ten minutes after the call, they called back to inform me that my daughter had been arrested for shoplifting at a Guardian Pharmacy store and that I have to bring the elder along as well to the NPC as she was involved. My queries for answers as to the circumstances under which she was arrested were curtly declined. When I reached the NPC, I was horrified to see my daughter slumped over a table sleeping with her right hand cuffed to a railing on the wall. Sitting opposite her and typing a statement into the computer was a female uniformed Malay officer. I ascertained later she was one of two Malay arresting officers. Having been an SC before, I understand police procedures but had never seen the lack of discretion when it comes to minors as I was witnessing in my daughter's case. That female Malay officer made no eye contact with me at all for the entire duration I was in the station. Not even when she in the report room where I was. I vented my anger at the officers present about the necessity of handcuffing my daughter leaving her in such a torturous physical position to endure despite the fact that she was already in Police custody. I told them that as a minor, she is not going to be charged for her first offence. What purpose does it serve with regard to procedural safety? That she will snatch their revolvers and turn it against them? Why subject her to the same treatment for adults committing more serious crimes? A Malay SSSgt led me into an adjoining interview room and gave me a summary account of my daughter's arrest. He told me he will get my elder daughter's statement expedited so that we can go home as soon as possible. I went outside for a smoke to help calm myself down before returning. I saw then that the handcuffs on my daughter were removed. She was released for her elder sister's turn to be interviewed and for a police statement to be made. I checked her wrists and discovered abrasions on both her wrists and a contact burn mark in one. I took photographs on the spot. Earlier on, I had taken a photo while she was handcuffed to the wall railing. I want to have it printed, framed and mounted in our home so that they will never forget this episode. I was allowed to bring my younger daughter out for a quick dinner. When we returned the elder daughter had just finished her statement. She was not handcuffed. We left the NPC after I had signed both their bail bonds. We have to return to the Police Div HQ at a later date. I took my daughter to a hospital emergency department to have her wounds attended. Back home, I interrogated my children and found that it was the elder sister who has a compulsive obsession with makeup products, instigated the younger to pilfer that $11.90 pair of lipstick. My younger daughter has a timid temperament and is very vulnerable to suggestions. She is still undergoing counselling in school after she slashed herself from elbow to wrist not too long ago when she was ten years old after constant bullying in school. When they were spotted they ran and escaped but the younger, out of a sense of guilt returned to surrender the stolen item to the Malay shop assistant who detained her and called the Police. I share this story with all because I fervently hope that parents will not have to undergo the same turmoil in my heart that I feel now and that they will use my children as an example on the consequences of stealing and getting caught eventually. Once again, let me express the deep remorse I feel for the shame I had brought to the Singaporean Chinese community through my less than adequate nurturing of my children's absorption of good moral values. I also like to thank the Malay shop assistant who detained my child when she tried to return the stolen item and Guardian Pharmacy's strict non-negotiable policy to deter shoplifting and the teaching of a good lesson. Lastly, I would like to thank the Singapore Police Force and the Government for the benefit of the experience my child had gone through, that benevolence which I hope my child would repay with interest when she grows up into adulthood. She don't have a passport, she can't flee the country and not return. So please do not worry. Peace be upon all.

Each bicycle can cost up to S$1000. That will be a pretty good bike. Make it foldable. So many advantages. 1. Promote healthier lifestyle 2. Environmentally friendly 3. Will not cause traffic congestion if you designate bicycle lanes 4. Will not require additional FT to drive buses and MRT 5. Will not confuse people who are wondering why public listed firms get angbao 6. Promote mobility. Can further utilse the MRT and Bus better thru special designated cabins/space for bikes 7. Finally be able to churn out local world class atheletes and win the Tour de France

DO you think the ex-students are RIGHT or WRONG? A Bunch Of Young Lawyers Are Suing Their Law Schools Because They Don't Have Jobs By Array | Business Insider

nowadays everyday can see full page property / condo advert on newspaper... all big big ones what does this mean? to buy or to wait?? are developers panicking now and want faster get rid of their stock? or time to buy??

My wify bday is approaching, and as i proposed to her on her birthday some 2 years ago, we will be celebrating our 3rd anniversary together with her bday, and what should i plan on that special day, welcome any suggestion A little bit of information on my wify: -Age: 29/30 -Height: 168cm -Weight: 34.??kg -Likes: Romantic Setting, nice present, surprises, jogging, martial arts <She holds a black belt <Don know how many strip> in TKD...that is why i scared of her... > and keeping fit -Dislike: Horror, watching movie, boring programs.. My Budget; Not exceeding SGC1,000-1,500 <Whole day program plus gift> Sigh, my wallet gonna to have another hole [bigcry]

Sabbie, if you become a successful person I would have done my job I wish you well I cant criticise you because when i was younger I spent more than i earn now i realised that having to spend without needing to know how much i have is so important learn from other people mistake and NOT from your own have a good week end Safe bets pay off for ad agency boss 5 Feb 2012 Straits Times For six years until recently, Mr Stephen Mangham, 50, was the group chairman of Ogilvy & Mather Singapore, and busy managing 600 people. Today, he runs a 12-man outfit called Mangham Gaxiola, which he started with his former creative partner Robert Gaxiola. Small as it is, so far, it has been 'hugely rewarding and fun', he says, because the business is his and starting his own firm was something that he had thought about on and off over the past 15 years. His firm has got off to a flying start, having secured a founding client in CIMB bank. Mr Mangham graduated with a law degree from Oxford University, but chose to be in advertising. 'At university, I edited the uni newspaper, which made me think that I would enjoy working in an industry which is also about the art of persuasion and communication,' he says. 'I have never regretted the decision.' Mr Mangham and his wife Helen have four boys, aged 10, 15, 19 and 21. Q: Are you a spender or saver? I don't like to owe money, so I have always tried to make sure that I spend less than I earn. I try to strike a balance between making sure that we enjoy life now, and putting away enough for our old age. I don't spend much on myself. Most of my monthly income is spent (other than pension savings and mortgage payments), but I have saved all my bonus payments over the years. I spend the most on my family, on my kids' education, their swimming lessons, rugby lessons and so on. Four boys don't come cheap, but I wouldn't have it any other way. Q: How much do you charge to your credit cards every month? Probably about $5,000. I try to use debit cards rather than credit cards. Q: What financial planning have you done for yourself? A good chunk of our money is invested in property. I have a pension fund and some money in shares. And my wife has a trust in her name. But we also keep quite a lot on short-term deposit, just in case we need it, in Singapore and Britain. I'm quite conservative when it comes to investing. I don't like to take risks, and I have an aversion to managed unit trusts where agents take large commissions upfront. I invested in unit trusts which charge a 7 per cent fee and it hardly grew. It was because what little gains there were went to the fees. I have two life insurance policies, which are enough to look after my family should anything unfortunate happen. I have three properties in Europe and none here. First, I invest only in what I know well, which is my business. Second, I like to keep a lot of money in very safe schemes. I believe housing should be long-term investments. If you don't know where you are going to be in the next 10 years, investing in a market that you don't know very well is very risky. I don't believe in taking a blind gamble that prices will rise all the time. I know an expat who bought a property at the peak and was made redundant two months after that. Q: Moneywise, what were your growing-up years like? I am the oldest of three children. I have a brother and sister. My father was an aeronautical engineer and my mother a nurse. I had a comfortable, happy upbringing - a typical lower middle class one. Money was sometimes tight, but I never went without it. I grew up realising that you had to earn money before you could spend it. Q: How did you get interested in investing? My first investment was in an apartment in London when I was 22. It just seemed more sensible to buy my own place rather than pay someone else the rent. The apartment cost

Hey everyone! I'm thinking of selling my car. it comes with the famous $2 COE and there is no way i'll be willing to sell it for paper value, so i'm thinking of selling it myself on sgcarmart, but have no idea how i should price it. any suggestions? =) :D

Driving a Megane. Typical car load is 2 adults and 3 kids. More than enough car for my needs. However, on most weekends, will bring my parents and sometime sister. Abt 3-5 times per month.. During these outing, my kids will be sitting on my parents' laps. This arrangement use to be fine. However, my kids are growing up. Older 2 kids are over 20kg. My parents are getting old. I'll imagine it to be rather uncomfortable to have a 20+kg restless kid moving on your lap. Especially so when travelling in Megane, which is not exactly spacious. As a filial son, I'll want to get a bigger car so that all can travel in comfort. From a financial point of view, I will be selling a fully paid up car and taking loan again. I plan to drive till scrap and now still left 5 years. Really hate the idea of taking loan again. Just want to know any forummers face the same thing and what did you do?

1) A lot of unhealthy food and intoxicating drinks being served 2) Less sleep than usual 3) Many more beh kan drivers on the road 4) Endless answering of inane questions 5) Sniping between relatives to hint who is more atas (a bit like MCF)

If you are a real man, should your wife work? Do men whose wives work mean that the men are incapable of raising a family by themselves? Is it true that men whose wives have to work to share the financial burden mean that the men are useless bums? * excluding Lee Hsien Loong and his wife, who are doing it out of duty to their Lee dynasty ancestors.

bros and sis, to monitor vandalism, hit and run and other offenses, and to enable the culprits to be brought to justice, do you think that all hdb carparks shd be fitted with cctv? what do u people think?