Tokyo Motorshow 2009 Lexus LFA

On the last day of Oct I went to the Tokyo Motorshow 2009.
There're lots of pics to post from there, but I wanted to start it with the prime focus of the day, the Lexus LFA.



Some quick facts about the car:

- Loaded with 4.8L V10 engine.
- Only 500 units will be built.
- Price is around USD 350,000.
- Lexus' first supercar (on par with McLaren Mercedes SLR, Ferrari etc).

This Lexus LFA was the main attraction in the motorshow along with it's "cousin" Toyota FT-86 Concept. Both cars are placed at the prime location in the centre hall (the biggest) and naturally, crowded with people who wanted to have a peek at these dream cars.
Unlike other brands, Toyota do not need to hire pretty models to pose beside the cars, as the cars are sexy enough to attract people lol.

OK, front shots of the Lexus LFA.







Shots from different angles.









The 4.8L V10 engine under the hood is revealed.








Parts of Lexus LFA.

Front Lexus logo.


The "eyes".


Rear profile.


Triple-exhaust.


Rim.


Interior showing the steering.



Some parts of the Lexus LFA were being displayed at other booths as well.

The concept of the steering.



The 4.8L V10 engine.


High-tech speedometer dashboard.



The crystal concept car of Lexus LFA.






The Lexus LFA from the 24 Hours Nürburgring endurance race 2009. This is the real #14 car.











Interesting carbon-fibre bicycle project derived from the Lexus LFA.



Phew...... that sums up of the many Lexus LFA pics I took from the motorshow. It is the car which drained most of my camera's memory heh.

Anyway, here's the video presentation shown during the motorshow. Feel the energy of the car....

University Entrance Exam

A little update on one of the highlights ever since I came here to Japan.... the day I took the university's entrance exam.

There'll be on pics in this post as I didn't took any pictures eventhough I brought the camera along. Bad weather, it was rainy & cloudy....

For the past month, I've been preparing for both EJU and this university entrance exam.

As for preparing for the university entrance, first I have to deal with the application process which requires preparing documents and paying up the exam fees. It seems to be simple but surely it took some time to get everything done.

I passed up the application personally to the university 2 weeks ago, and today I went to the university again but with a different kind of feeling.

Noticed for my faculty 芸術情報学部情報表現学科 (rough translation: Department of Arts & Informations, Informations Representation Faculty), there are 16 foreign students taking the exam. While mostly are Chinese (Mainland), spotted 2 fellow Malaysians, a Malay girl and another Chinese girl. Didn't had the chance to talk to them as we're seated quite far apart.

The university exam itself is pretty straight forward.

1000 ~ 1100, paper-based test which asked about general knowledge, simple Japanese and a little Maths. The paper was much easier than previous years as they're answers to choose from instead of thinking it out by myself.

1115, the interview begins. Each candidate was being interviewed by 2 examiners for about 15 mins. I was the 2nd candidate to be interviewed. It's natural that I felt nervous bout it.

For my case, there's a younger and an elder examiner? As opposed from norm, the stricter one was the younger while the elder seems to be much friendlier.

I didn't started well when I was being thrown the first question, "Why you chose to study in this university?". Haven't really *click* into the mood so I only answered 50% from what I've memorized. Bloody nervous hahah.

Anyway, later on I'm able to speak smoother, not as tensed as the initial start. I'm glad that I'm able to answer every of the questions thrown to me later on, just hope for the best heh....
The result will be announced via mail express delivery on this coming Wednesday.

Left the interview "chamber" around 1145 and took the school bus at 1205 to the train station. Mission accomplished! :D

I'm glad that to have this burden finally ease off a little, now that I can really enjoy the coming schooldays, concentrate more on studies. Yeah~

Coming up next, JLPT level 2 test, tentative on 6th Dec. Now we're trying out the JLPT's questions. I'm surprised that JLPT's questions are much easier compared to EJU's, especially the listening part.

'til then.... gonna rest well, and then continue on my life!! :)



P/S: Actually I've forgotten to write a special post bout this blog, which is 5 years old now hahah!! Time flies~~

Busiest Moment, Now

Sorry for lack of updates here, but currently is the busiest time I had so far.

This month I had 2 major events coming up, one which thankfully is over on last Sunday (8 Nov). The other event, will be happening on this Saturday (14 Nov).

First up, I just took the EJU (Exam for Japanese University admission for international students, 日本留学試験). Location was at Tokyo University's (Asia's Top #1 university so far) Komaba campus (東京大学駒場キャンパス).

The signature clock-tower found in both Tokyo University Komaba & Hongo campus.


Inside the classroom waiting for the exam to start. Kinda surprised that even Tokyo University still stick with the old school blackboard and chalk!


To cut things short, the exam went quite OK for me. I've managed to finish up all the questions, including the essay. Nothing much to shout about, the result would be send by post on Dec 15. 'til then....

It was close to dinner time when I left the university. Decided to reward myself with a hearty dinner at Mark City, Shibuya.

和式定食


My favourite dish, sashimi! 大好きな刺身！


いくらですか？えっと、値段を問わないでください。 :P

With the EJU done, now I left the university's entrance exam, which I had an advantage to kick-start with.

Yesterday received a news from the school's office informing that I will be taking the entrance exam as a recommended student by the school, so I'm likely to be accepted by the university even though I haven't took the exam yet. *yeah!*

But anyhow, there're still things which I still need to work hard til the very end. Currently am practising the interview part, which is the crucial part as it'll be 1 against a few lecturers/officers/staffs session, said to last around 10 mins.

'til then, wait for my good news soon! :D
楽しいけど、最後まで頑張り続けよう！ :D

Random: First tree that turns red, just behind my hostel.


Self reminder: update the due-post bout Tokyo Motorshow 2009 after Sat!

Passing Up University Application

It's been awhile since I last update this blog with things happening around, and how funnily I had 3 major updates to write on things happening in the span of 2 days! As usual, it'll be accompanied with lots of pics, especially the 3rd post!

This post would be the starter for all~ :)

I've been busy lately not just because of my school lessons, but also settling my university's application.
Thankfully I had all the documentations finalised by Thursday, so I can proceed with the plan of submitting the document to the university personally.

So when I finished my class around 2:30pm rushed to the train station as the journey to the university takes slightly more than an hour and I've no time to lose. I did it the Japanese way by running all the way to the station lol.

Ticket cost 130 yen (Sugamo 巣鴨 - Ikebukuro 池袋) + 540 yen (Ikebukuro 池袋 - Kawagoe 川越), which made up 670 yen on single trip.

I didn't went to the university campus at Kami-Fukuoka (上福岡), instead this time I went to the university's main campus in Kawagoe to pass up the application.

As expected, reached the Kawagoe station after almost an hour of getting on the train. It's a norm for the Japanese to travel on train for an hour or so.

Waiting for the university's bus at the bus stand.


Good weather!


The bus took a spin and reached the university campus around 4pm. It was my first time set foot in the Kawagoe campus.
Not surprisingly, the large university compound is actually surrounded by paddy fields!
That's what I like about Saitama-ken, suburban settings with the mix of modern structures and the touch of nature.

Didn't took much pic when I reached there, as I straight away headed to the International Exchange Centre where they handle the applications.
I was a little late as they're someone else ahead of me submitting their applications as well. Judging from their speaking, one of them is a Korean and another is a Hong Kong Chinese.

Was glad that my application went smoothly, no problem at all. It was a relief as I've been working it for the past few weeks. Anyway, that's just the 1st stage, as I've a few more stages to work on before I can relax my mind over the university stuffs.

Few pics from the campus, a little dark as the sun's setting.

The main building near the entrance, shaped as a gate.



2 important building blocks I presume, but dunno what is it.


Sports hall?


Lecture block?


Cafeteria I guess, as pointed on the directory.


The campus buildings from the bus stand.


I guess you can pretty much guessed how huge the university compound is, judging from the pics. Anyway, I'm not gonna studying in this campus, but the other campus in Kami-Fukuoka which is much smaller lol....

The school bus.


Gonna rush back to school to meet with friends as we're going for dinner together (will post bout the dinner on next post).

A notice warning the passengers not to run & catch the train when the door's closing.
If you've noticed, it comes with English, Chinese & Korean text as well, though with much simpler message.


At the station waiting for the train. Luckily the coming train is a rapid-express which will go all the way to the last station at Ikebukuro. Saved up lots of traveling time too.


I've managed made it in time, reaching the school by 6:10pm while we're supposed to meet at 6:15pm.

So what's all about the dinner thingy? It's actually a simple birthday party for a friend and to hangout with friends out of the school, enjoying the Friday night heh.
More details bout the dinner on next post! :)

Typhoon again.

Tomorrow's a holiday, declared by the school.
Reason? Typhoon's coming again. As usual, strong gust of wind and heavy rain comes together with the typhoon, is like a combination.

Kinda funny, as you can see from the picture, the typhoon is like making a U-turn from Philippines towards Japan. The path of wind is pretty unpredictable huh....

Anyway, on the good side, now my university application left the interview's essay part. The rest documentations are all done, so hopefully I can pass it to the university by Thursday or Friday.

Then, if plan goes smoothly, this Saturday, Tokyo Motorshow....

Windows 7 upgrade?

Been reading lots of articles bout the newly launched Windows 7 lately, almost certainly positive reviews about it.



It's said to be a much competent OS compared to the failure Windows Vista (which I'm running currently). Many changes has been done and improvement over the known issues from the previous versions.

I curiously tested my current system whether can support Windows 7 via the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor from Microsoft.

Windows 7's system requirements are as below:
- At least 1.0 GHz processor.
- At least 1.0 GB RAM.
- At least 16 GB HDD.
- Graphic adapter that can supports Windows Aero.

My current com specs easily passed the requirements.

The rest result is pretty promising.... (click for larger pic)

Mostly no problem, all green....


A few non-compatible programs, which can be easily fixed later on.


Given the positive results, I'm a step closer to be lured to upgrade my com to Windows 7, heh.
But things aren't as easy as one would actually hoped for.

Upgrading the OS needs $$, and it isn't cheap. For my case I can opt for upgrade to Windows 7 Home Premium, but that would cost USD 120 (~RM 406). Full version of it would cost USD 200 (~RM 677). O_o

Also, If I were to get it here, I have to be very careful with the language version. If not mistaken Windows is not that flexible when it comes to the language version.
I would be horrified to mis-installed the Japanese version of Windows, which I'm totally not used to it at all.

Windows 7, looks like a promising operation system. Will be keeping an eye for further updates.....

Busy Week Update

Finally it's Friday.... be thankful of that!

Well then, it's kinda troubled to see this blog haven't been regularly updated as last time. Life in Japan should have many things to blog about, it does but currently am busy engaging with school lessons & university application so didn't really get to explore out that much. Last outing was to Ginza almost 2 weeks ago.

Life is not dull, and I can't stand boring routine life either. There must be some occasion where I can find excuse to spend a little more than usual, or sacrifice some of my time for other things.

A little update on what happened for this week....

Tuesday after school, went to the nearby sushi restaurant again to had late lunch with bunch of close friends. Main purpose was to celebrate Caphy passed her university exam.
It was her first time (my 4th visit) and see whether she can take in the raw fishes of Japan, heh.

Hamazushi's having a special offer on weekdays, 94 yen per plate instead of the sual 105 yen. Cheaper sushi YAY!!


Whenever I visit I must order these 2 plates! Top grade maguro (tuna) and well-marinated fatty salmon!


Me with the favourite sushis lol.


Don't wanna overflow this post with too much of sushi, if you're interested do read my 1st and 2nd visit to this sushi restaurant. Salivating pics....

Total kill was 12 plates of sushi. Was actually going for more (current record is 15 plates) but later the gang called for another round at a yakiniku (grill meat/BBQ) restaurant nearby, which one of my friend worked.

Kok Wai deciding on the menu....


The boss taking down the order, while Leang and Caphy wonders.


Pose...


Pei Ki & Kok Wai.


Caphy & me, posing with the kimchi.


The raw meat before being grilled.


Grilling...


May not look the best but tasted nice. If not mistaken this is the pork's intestine?


Grilling another part of the pork.


This is how the kimchi looks like after being passed around....


Some sort of stone rice where you have to mix it up fast or the rice on the bottom will be "grilled".


Danielle joined in later, eating the big bowl of noodle dish.


For that day we basically ate 2 meals all together. It was great to hang out, and to have long chat with friends.

Besides that, for the past few weeks I've been busy preparing my university's application. Not an easy process as I've to prepare the documentations, settle the registration fees, waiting my interview essay to be corrected by the teacher.

So far everything seems to be working on fine. Gonna collect the final bits of documents from the school next week. Do some final checks, and then might be submitting the application personally to the university, which means I've to go to the university's main campus further away at Kawagoe City in Saitama-ken (埼玉県川越市).

Hope things will turn out to be fine for me next week eh. :)

Here's an excerpt from the interview essay which has been approved by my teacher. Will post it up here when it's all done.

音楽家は作曲から、録音、編集まで一人するのは難しいと思います。ですから、サウンドエンジニアは音楽家にとって重要な助手です。どんなに素晴らしい音楽家もサウンドエンジニアの協力がなければ、成功できません。

It must be a tough job for a musician to do everything from composing, recording to editing. That's why sound engineer is such an important assistant for the musician.
No matter how great the musician is, he/she needs to work together with sound engineer to produce good results.

I think I would be a little relief once I'm done with my application. After that I can only concentrate on other things such as the interview practise and preparation for upcoming major exams.

The busyness is likely to end by the mid of Nov. Once I have more spare time, am likely to search for a part-time job to fill in the bank account.... :P

Oh yeah.... next weekend might be "visiting" this baby. :D

Lexus LF-A at TMS

Quick Update

IMG_3592, originally uploaded by CLF.

Currently am busy dealing with university application stuffs. In case you didn't know, I'm applying for Shobi University at Saitama-ken (埼玉県).
The university entrance exam (+ interview) falls on Nov 14, and result will be out on Nov 18.
Until the result has been announced, I bet I would resume into normal blogging routine soon.

Oh about this picture, it's the food vouchers I received from restaurant outlets, most are special service vouchers (extra side dish, more rice for free etc.). Been eating outside quite frequent lately, heh....