Simplexity by Jeffrey Kluger

Simplexity

31st August 2011

Today is the independence day of Malaysia. Ah, time flies, I have been in Japan for around 6 months. My biggest achievement while being here was that I read many books already. This book had been in my possession for 2 or 3 years, but I have never been patience enough to finish it. Now, finally I finished it. Happy!

Since this is not a fiction, so there was no urges for the conclusion, plus there are chapters of different stories. For someone who have been reading fiction the whole time, book like this can provide a short getaway. It talks about 'simplexity' as the title suggest. However, I was confused between the complexity and simplexity as I continued to read. But, the stories were easy to follow and it was diverse. Conclusion for this book is that things that were simple can be complex, likewise, complex stuff can actually be simple. Muahaha!

The fly in the Cathedral by Brian Cathcart

30th August 2011

The Fly in the Cathedral

This book talks about the first artificial nuclear disintegration and the background when it happened. 

Although I was a science stream student back in my school days, I was never really interested with physics, especially those about nuclear science. I studied to pass the exam. However, after I finished this book, in my thought, if I have read this book earlier, I would be interested on the subject. Basically, this book didn't explain about all the formulation or theory, rather it talked about the story of 2 researchers (Douglas Cockcroft and  Ernest Thomas Sinton Walton) and how they achieved the feat competing with other foreign counterparts. And the contents include some small talks on the famous scientists, names that appeared on our textbooks.

'Fatal Voyage' by Kathy Reichs

Before I started to watch the TV drama, 'bones', I had read novels by Kathy Reichs. I was fascinated by the stories weaved by Reichs, so after I found out that 'Bones' was based on her novels, I started to watch the dramas. And I have watched all the available seasons. Hahaha!

A very interesting novel 'Fatal Voyage'

Fatal Voyage talked about a plane crash and cannibalism, a story within a story. I think a season of 'Bones' was slightly based on this book, all about cannibalism and the mystic cultures. Very engaging read. The author extensive experience on her work has contributed very well to the writing, with all the facts. Although I do not particularly understand all the jargon, it's a good way to learn more stuff. 

Fireworks show viewing in Arao (荒尾) - Greenland Theme Park

17th July 2011

Summer is the time for Hanabi shows (花火大会) in Japan. The union in my company offered a 200 yen coupon to enter a theme park to watch fireworks show. So, me and my colleague just grabbed a ticket. However, the show started on 8.30 pm, a bit late. Since the place was quite near with Yanagawa, where it is famous with Unagi rice, we decided to have lunch there before going to see the fireworks..

So, we took a train from Kumamoto station to Omuta, then took a Nishitetsu (西鉄) train to Yanagawa to have Unagi. Since the most famous shop is not near the train station, we decided to compromise a little and went to a shop near the station. It was not bad, however, still not as good as the one I had before.

Unagi rice set

the shop we have our Unagi