Osaka Garden: Too close to be true

Jackson Park's Osaka Japanese Garden

What do you think when you see this photo? My first time seeing this photo is from one of my friend's facebook photos, and I just cannot believe that the place is just a mile away from where I live everyday for two years near University of Chicago. Once I confirm the existence of the place, Osaka Garden, through google, it does not take too long for me to go there and see it by myself. 

Facebook Social Graph using Netvizz & Gephi

   
     Since I used Wolframalpha to analyze my facebook data (by just typing 'facebook' into it) in a minute back in 2012, I found it is really fascinating to make my own social graph using data from my own facebook account and see the connection that I have on facebook. Then, I found a blog called 'Persuasion' by Sarah Joy with a page called 'Using Netvizz & Gephi to Analyze a Facebook Network' about how to easily make a social graph using only two softwares: Netvizz and Gephi.

    - Netvizz allowed you to quickly download (if you do not have that many friends) your facebook data from the website as a gdf file.
    - Gephi will let you visualize gdf file easily with many options to change your own graph.

    I will not go into detail of how exactly to do this because you can find it extensively at the page I mentioned above. But I will tell you of what I found in my own social graph. It made me realize many friends that I used to keep in touch with and how those people are very far in connection with people that I am with now.

Social Graph for Me from Facebook Data

My first NBA game: The Bulls Game

Michael Jordan Statue in front of The Bulls Stadium

     When you talk about basketball, I always think of  The United States and NBA. Many of my friends back in Thailand followed basketball closely, but I am not one of them. I played basketball with my friends during high school for fun but I have never been good at it. I found this sport is pretty fun.

Geyser from Yellowstone National Park

Old Faithful Geyser: the first geyser in the park to receive a name

     Old Faithful Geyser is one of the biggest geyser in Yellowstone National Park, but the most fascinating about this geyser is how humans can predict with an accurate precision within 5 minutes. If you think about it, how can we predict when the water will be heated by magma underground is hot enough to erupt the next time. It is famous because of its high frequency within 90 mins. 

The largest mall in The United States: Mall of America

Me. In front of Mall of America

     I was standing in front of the largest mall in the United States. It was unbelievable enormous and I could not comprehend the purpose of this building. There was also a small amusement park inside the mall which, I think, is pretty cool and awesome.

Green River, Chicago

Green River, Chicago

     Green River is one famous thing in Chicago that I have heard many times since I came to University of Chicago. It was stunting and unbelievable to see the whole section of river turned to green for celebrating Saint's Patrick Day.

Bunker Hill, Boston, MA

Bunker Hill, Charlestown,  MA

     Boston is one of big cities that I have never really experienced until now. I have heard many good things about this city and looked forward to seeing it. Apart from many great restaurants and all great schools in Boston, one thing that I forget about this city is the American history lying behind this great city. Boston is the city where American Revolutionary War started and the United States was born here. There are so much more in this city that I have not had enough time to learn, so I wish I will have a chance to come back some time soon.

     Bunker Hill from the photo above is really similar to Washington Monument in Washington DC. I'm not quite sure which one is built first. The park ranger told us that the reason for the monument to be like this is because American did not win on this hill. They tried as hard as they could but without supplies and a good leader, they could not conquer the British troops. Not until George Washington came later and reorganized the whole military that American armies could win the war.