It’s Friday again… time to feel good

So here are some videos. Apologies if it offends anyone.

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I don’t own the rights to this lyrics. It’s just a translation from a Japanese song that’s the OST of an anime I used to watch. But it’s really a nice piece of poetry.

In the endlessly far sky, there’s only the feeling of thank you
As if reaching out, I’ll spread my hands and laugh

Little and fragile pieces of life, you and I
Are holding them one by one

The light of truth will increase the brightness
Wiping away darkness, your heart will illuminate the future

Let’s promise one thing; I’m alive here
It’s great to still be so
A pure white color that seems to glare

Before long, my thoughts will someday arrive at my destiny
And find a limitless strength

I seek for the truth, even if I get battered by sadness
Even on a night in which all seems lost

Impulses are born within the quiet times
Your determined heart will change everything

Let’s promise one thing; I’m alive here
It’s great to still be so
A pure white color that seems to glare

Before long, my thoughts will someday arrive at my destiny
And find a limitless strength

Speed Reading

I just took a speed reading test here.

According to that website, I read at an average of 272 words per minute (wpm). After reading it, I took a simple comprehension test. My result was a whooping 91 percent (I got 10 out of 11 question correct).

Now, to quote that website:

If top readers read at speeds of above 1000 words per minute (wpm) with near 85% comprehension, they only represent 1% of readers. Average readers are the majority and only reach around 200 wpm with a typical comprehension of 60%. This seems surprising since most readers, actively reading work documents, newspapers, magazines, books or the contents of a computer display are practicing daily for at least one hour. With such an intense training everyone should be close to top performances.

So, if I’m just above the average 200 wpm but my comprehension is way, way above the average? What does that mean?

If I were to compute my effective wpm (ewpm) using the same technique that the website used, my ewpm shows that (272 x 0.91) it is 247. So it’s obviously, three times less than the so-called speed reader.

Reading efficiency is reading speed weighted by comprehension rate and it amounts to 200 x 60% or 120 efficient words per minute (ewpm) for the average reader and to 1000 x 85% or 850 ewpm for top readers.

But according to the website, I’m supposed to be twice more than the average reader. So, clearly I’m not an average reader. Further reading shows that I might fall in the “oral reader” who are described as those who need to supress subvocalization. Subvocalization was not discussed in that article, however, I previously read another article here, before taking that test.

It’s true though. If I’m not “quietly” reading to myself – voicing the words softly – I find my tongue moving around as if I were actually speaking. So…

To break the habit, try to be conscious of it. When you notice yourself pronouncing words to yourself, try to stop doing it.

Let’s see if I can do this…

Wish me luck!

Sources: http://www.wikihow.com/Learn-Speed-Reading, http://www.readingsoft.com/

Happy Weekend

This week’s just been drab and slow. I couldn’t wait for it to end. Not that everything’s not been going my way, I just thought that I could have done some more.

Anyway, I’m looking forward to the weekend because I’ll be watching Legion tomorrow with friends. I’m not looking forward to studying for my exam next week though. *sigh*

Here’s something for all of you. I hope you enjoy it.

AvA Resurrection

You know? I think it’s high time to revive to this one. For the past two years, this damn worm’s been abusing its way throughout society.

Well, no more mister nice birdie! It’s time for action! To arms feathery comrades! Wind up those alarm clocks. Set the digital timers! It’s time we teach that lazy worm a lesson it’ll never forget!!

AvA mobilization!!

Can’t wait for these…

Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief, Clash of the Titans, and Iron Man 2 are just thre of them!

The Five S Program: Seiri / Sorting

Seiri or sorting is the first step in the program. Basically, it is about arranging your workstation so that everything essential in daily work is within easy access/reach.

From Wikipedia:

Phase 1 – Seiri (整理) Sorting: Going through all the tools, materials, etc., in the plant and work area and keeping only essential items. Everything else is stored or discarded.

I’ve already shown an example in my previous post about this program here.

Sorting involves a short decision making when beginning this step. You have to decide which things/tools in your workstation are essential and meant for daily use, which are meant for weekly use, for monthly use, and so on and so forth. Those that are only occasionally used should be stored nearby and for easy referenced. Obviously, tools, equipment, and references that are more often used should be handy.

A very simple (and maybe silly) example is your phone. For very obvious reasons, you’d want it within arm’s reach, of course. But office supplies such as pens, notepads, reference books or guides, staplers and staple wires, etc. may also come in handy if they’re within reach.

Another good example is posting guidelines where you can easily refer to them. A good example, which I already gave out is the project framework we work on. It’s just to the left of my left-hand side monitor so I can just shift my eyes a little bit to refer to the guidelines if I need to.

Finally:

As a result of the sorting process you will eliminate (or repair) broken equipment and tools. Obsolete fixtures, molds, jigs, scrap material, waste and other unused items and materials are disposed of.

The objective of this step is to clean up the work area. Cleaning up not only makes things look nice, it makes it easier to spot maintenance needs such as an oil leak. It improves safety. It eliminates clutter and confusion. It removes tools, equipment, supplies and waste that interferes with getting the job done.

So, there you go. It’s time to sort through your workstation. Especially, as we are just beginning the new year!

Sources used:
http://www.graphicproducts.com/tutorials/five-s/index.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5S_%28methodology%29

2010

For all you fellow Capricorns out there, here’s something for us in 2010:

The process of change that began when transformational Pluto entered your sign in 2008 grows broader and deeper this year. It touches almost every area of your life and paradoxically challenges you to establish a long-term plan while remaining flexible enough to make snap decisions when circumstances call for them. Saturn, your ruling planet, is meant to guide you through a middle course of moderation, reason and compromise. It entered accommodating Libra on October 29, 2009, and will remain there for almost three years, except for a brief encore visit to earthy Virgo on April 7 to July 21. Saturn in diplomatic Libra falls in your 10th House of Career, where success depends upon your ability to understand others and temper your ambition and need for control. Meeting people halfway takes more effort than marching ahead at your own pace, yet without the support of friends, family and colleagues, you’re more likely to end up out on a limb than at the pinnacle.

More from source: http://horoscopes.aol.com/astrology/capricorn-2009-horoscope

But perhaps a little less technical, yes?

Capricorn, as the year begins, why insist on getting on with your usual work-day routines when there are other more exciting opportunities on offer? Lately, you have fallen into a comfortable rut and it will take initiative and self-confidence to pull yourself out of it.

You need something to stimulate you but this MUST be through personal choice. It won’t do to join others in what they are doing as their activities might not necessarily suit you. In fact, you might find yourself objecting to ideas that others put forward at the start of January. Some people don’t seem to be thinking plans through but you can see exactly where they will lead to – and the likely consequences don’t please you at all.

More from source: http://www.bukisa.com/articles/135941_2010-horoscope-for-capricorn

How’s that? Do you think it’ll be a good year for us?

Me? I think so. I really, really think it’s gonna be our year, folks! So repeat after me: 2010 is my year! 2010 is my year! 2010 is my year!

P.S. Don’t forget to share. =p

Happy New Year!

Hmm… what to do on the official first day of 2010? Blog? Surf the net? Hehehe…

HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYONE! Cheers to 2009 and cheers to a new 2010!!

The Five S Program

I first encountered this methodology at my first job – in a call center, no other! But since then, it has stuck with me. Maybe it’s my inherent obsessive-compulsive (OC) personality. Maybe it’s a combination of both. I really don’t care. It’s working for me.

Anyways, I noticed today that everything in my work station (even the way my PC files are organized or how my window tabs are arranged) is organized and arranged to adhere as much as possible to the Five S style (5S). I find it really helpful when I know where things are or where I placed them. For example, my calendar (calendars) is located just beside my right-hand monitor or mouse. So when I need to check on dates and months, I only have to turn my head a little bit to see. Another example is the project framework. It’s located beside my left-hand monitor where I usually have my working file on (the reference documents are on the right-hand monitor) so I can easily reference it (there is that problem of having to come closer because the print was optimized to fit one page but…).

So… what is it all about?

“A Five S program is usually a part of, and the key component of Visual Factory (Workplace) Management (VFM). And 5s and VFM are both a part of Kaizen — a system of continual improvement.”

Kaizen was created in Japan after World War II. It means “continuous improvement”. It comes from the Japanese words 改 (“kai”), which means “change” or “to correct,” and 善 (“zen”), which means “good”. The system needs to involve every employee in the company’s hierarchy. “Everyone is encouraged to come up with small improvement suggestions on a regular basis. This is not a once a month or once a year activity. It is continuous.”

“In most cases these are not ideas for major changes. Kaizen is based on making little changes on a regular basis: always improving productivity, safety and effectiveness while reducing waste.”

The other system, VFM, refers a system of visual cues communication tools that relay information visually at the time and place it is needed. “Visual controls make working areas user-friendly by answering questions; identifying equipment, materials and locations; describing actions and procedures; and providing safety warnings and precaution information.” In other words, it makes things simple by “labeling” them with the intent of imparting as much information as possible with limited resources for the benefit of the intended user without having to clutter the workplace (that’s just counter-intuitive). VFM uses correct and appropriate labels, signs, cues, indexing, etc.

So let me give you an example (see image to the left for the actual view of my “My Documents” folder). My folders are organized this way:

A_[project 1] – usually the project where I spend the most time working on.
B_[project 2] – the next most important or time-consuming project
C_[project 3] – and so on and so forth

If both projects take 50-50 of my time then I usually give them equal weights. So instead of A then B. I would put A1_[project 1] and A2_[project 2]. I always reserve “z” for Z_Archives, which is for old folders or after reorganization of my files, documents, etc. This is just an example of how I create an efficient system for documentation and filing purposes.

Next on our plate: Seiri or Sorting, the first step! I just gave an example of this above.

Sources used:
http://www.graphicproducts.com/tutorials/five-s/index.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5S_%28methodology%29

Advanced Seasons Greetings!

It’s just 9 more days before Christmas and 6 more days before I go home for a 2-week long vacation! Whee!!!

Merry Christmas everyone!