trouble with blogging...

A broken record. Not sure why that phrase came about because a truly broken record would not even play at all. However, a record that repeatedly plays the same part of the song would echo the same thought. That is where I am today. Repeating the same thought that I cannot write blog posts with regularity. My biggest problem is the lack of focus for the blogs that I have attempted to host. My thoughts vary from the newest technological interests to medicine and my work as a physician to personal life aspects involving finances or photography. Besides focus, I do not have a consistent mission or purpose in my blogging. For example, some posts are intended for the general populace and others more for technologists or even for personal interests like family. I am not sure when or if I will gain focus or purpose, but this mental exercise was well worth the time.

jxibalba

personal thoughts on goal planning

 

"If you wait to the last minute to do something, then it only takes a minute to do."

While that may sound like a fun thing to say and does hold significant truth if you really think about the quote, I believe that you will not find consistent success following that path.  I planned for this weekend to be a time of reflection and assessment primarily so that I may prepare for the numerous responsibilities requesting my attention over the next several months.  As organized as many believe I am, there is still room for improving my personal management system.  My simple goal with personal management is to increase efficiency with minimal increase in work load or time demand, thus more effortlessly accomplishing tasks, improving relaxation,  and allowing more time for the important things in life.  Sounds vague, yes, but consider the example of someone who struggles to remember that bills are paid on time, home/auto/yard maintenance are up to date preventing repairs, forgets or leaves things at various locations, and rushes from activity to activity - all the while lacking the restorative sleep necessary for the next day's responsibilities.  Even minimal structure and planning would help that individual and free them from numerous unnecessary burdens and give them more time and energy to focus on accomplishing tasks that have more value - as well as improving overall efficiency from an increased calm obtained from more time invested in hobbies and other personal interests.

I took the above photo at the Xunantunich Mayan Ruins in Belize and thought about that photo this morning while beginning to brainstorm on refining my personal management system and thought about how I need to become better at setting and accomplishing smaller tasks in order to complete the larger goal over time.  Even a few 20-30 minute blocks of time each week devoted to a goal could produce radical changes over a few weeks or months.  Think about mental, physical, and spiritual goals in both your personal and professional lives and the potential impact from setting such goals.  If you have ever walked among the Mayan Ruins or other incredibly majestic experiences, you understand the significant importance of goals, planning, and smaller accomplishments building to the final masterpiece.

Now as I read over this I realize just how much I personally have to think about...

jxibalba

first snow 2010...

It didn't take long into the new year to get some good snow here in Indiana.  After days of sub-freezing weather, we finally got precipitation and ended up with about 4-5 inches of soft-powder snow. Having only lived in areas that actually get snow for just the past 5 years (first 27 years living in Texas), I still get quite excited about snowfall. I was immediately out playing and enjoying the beauty of our transformed land.  Here are just a few pictures:

Above photo taken with iPhone just after awakening and looking out from our study window at our beautiful snow-covered front yard.  This year we actually accepted the challenge of sledding down our super-steep hill (off to the right of the photo)

 

I immediately went out shoveling and moving the snow around on our sidewalks and front and back driveways - then I got the idea to bring out my Jeep, Prowler Red, to enjoy some of the colder weather and snow.  Being originally produced in Canada back in 1990 (for sale in CA), she was thrilled to experience the cold again!

Coming home from work, I just had to stop on our street to take a picture of our home amidst the snow with the barren trees surrounding the property.

 

 

I got out to get the mail and took a picture of my Jeep about to embark on climbing up our driveway in the snow - part of the hill can be seen on the left beyond the lone tree - it was a great adventure to sled down the hill but very difficult to climb up again for another round.

I am not sure exactly when I will grow weary of the winter or the snowfall will lose its luster, but I have many years of raw Texas heat from which to recover...

jxibalba

delicious dallas food

I spent a few days of the Christmas Holiday time with my family in Dallas, TX and had a wonderful time with family and friends.  We celebrated the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and had a wonderful time doing so, especially since my brother has taken over the giving of gag gifts to really lift everyone's spirits.  However, one thing I had to do while back in Texas was to visit some food locations that have become dear to my heart but I no longer have any access to enjoy living so far north.  Here are some pictures from my adventure.

Whataburger
Whataburger is unique for me because I was never a really big fan until medical school when I spent a month in Corpus Christi, TX where the headquarters of Whataburger is located and there are literally Whataburgers on every street corner - including the very large two-story Whataburger with elevator and second-story balcony eating area overlooking the beautiful Gulf of Mexico.  Since that time, I have craved the #5 - Whataburger with bacon and cheese - and have looked for a Whataburger wherever I travel.  Their fries are literally always fresh and crisp - something that McDonalds and Wendys struggle with at times.  And who can beat opening up a small tub of ketchup instead of having to squeeze packets - the tub also holds the pepper that I like to add for just a little spice to my meal.

Jakes
Jakes is a small burger joint originally only located in Lake Highlands, Dallas, Texas (one other location now in Garland, TX) that has some magnificent burgers - especially the #1 - Double Cheeseburger with thousand island dressing on a poppy seed bun.  In the past during high school I would add tater tots with cheese and a strawberry shake to finish the meal - amazing.  Sometimes one just needs the non-chain taste of a burger from the grill and Jake's burgers are sure to treat!  Funny story about this place - we would always drive by Jakes growing up and I really thought it was just a bar from the outside and how they advertised picking up beer in the drive-through.  I am very glad I learned otherwise...

Chipotle
Chipotle is a fantastic place to indulge in unbelievable burritos.  I first fell in love with the large and loaded burrito at the best burrito place of them all - Freebirds in College Station, TX - while in college.  Since moving from TX and then from KS, I have had to find the closest burrito restaurant and that is currently Qdoba since there is one about 1 hour from my home in Indiana.  Regardless of location, I will order the fajita burrito while replaces the beans option with grilled peppers and onions (I am not a fan of Mexican beans) and has rice, mild sauce (usually a pico de gallo type), steak, sour cream, cheese, and lettuce,  Depending on my hunger I will add some chips as a side and just recently (last week) learned that I like the green Tabasco sauce as pictured above.  Freebirds, Chipotle, and Qdoba are all incredible burrito locations and they all cook their steak on grills visible to the customer - just adds to the neat experience.

As you can see, I need to fast and/or work out to save me from my Dallas food dining experience.  Thankfully, my wife and I prefer to cook at home close to 90% of the time and usually cook much healthier options that all still involve some excellent meat on the grill year-round to include steak, chicken, pork chops, tilapia, and more.

jxibalba

attacked in the garage

I know this is two "wildlife" posts in a row, but I still couldn't get over the humor in this event.  I was taking some trash out to the garage on an evening of significant rainfall and almost stepped on this little thing that was scurrying around.  Being from Texas, when I first caught a quick glance at this attacker I thought it was a scorpion and jumped back in haste.  However, upon a closer look, it was merely a crawfish trying to find some peace from the days of rainfall and thought our home may do better than his creek.

I tried to make friends thinking that maybe some day I could convince his entire clan to stop digging their holes along our yard at the creek's edge, but he saw through the thinly-veiled attempt for friendship and immediately rose to "attack."

So I left him alone and opened a garage door so he could find his way out eventually - and have no visits from him or any others of his kind since.  Now I need to dig around and find some photos and videos of the snakes that have come on our property - both big and small.

jxibalba

turtles - big and small...

More wildlife found in our yard a few months back - either a very very small turtle or a very large hand - I'll let you decide.  I was amazed to spot this little guy near our AC units while on the riding mower. I have found larger ones and even accidentally killed one of them with the mower.  With the small creek running behind our home, we seen snakes and turtles quite often during the warmer months.  I am continually and refreshingly reminded of the beauty of nature by living just outside of town surrounded by acres of woods - something I missed growing up in the heart of Dallas.  I need to make a concerted effort to take regular prayer walks like I previously have done and not take our land for granted.

Above is a larger turtle that our mini Dachshund Dexter was barking at repeatedly and had "trapped" in its shell - he was definitely acting like a true hunting dog - although his breed was designed for badgers he still did a good job with this turtle.

Above is the smaller turtle on the run - "darting" across our sidewalk back into the abyss of safety afforded by the woods.  Not a bad photo at all for my simple point and shoot Nikon Coolpix S210.  I have debated several times finally upgrading to a DSLR camera but want to make sure that I would truly put in the effort involved in photography to make it worthwhile.

jxibalba

Another Jeep!

Well, my wife and I have added yet another jeep to our family. We got her a gorgeous black 2005 Jeep Wrangler today and she is thrilled! And she looks absolutely stunning behind the wheel of her new ride. Our garage and driveway is full since we now both each own Jeep Grand Cherokees and Wranglers.  And my wife is thoroughly enjoying her new ride - it is so great to see her so extremely happy!  I have just a few plans for modifications - starting with some new larger tires to match my 1991 Jeep and will hopefully find some good Goodyear Wrangler MTRs.  Then maybe an aftermarket front bumper and some running stickers and she will be set.

Life is good.

jxibalba