Slap me

I just went on a crazy cleaning spree!! This is exactly what I should not be doing right now. Right now, at almost 8pm Thursday night, I should not be getting worked up about the apartment. I need to be relaxing. Why? Because after 6 glorious days off, I go back to work tomorrow. Up at 4am to face another 12 hour shift, and then do it all over again on Saturday. Truly though, I had some awesome days off, so I am not complaining. But at this hour? I need to be winding down, not up, got me?

I suppose I should discuss what I did today, since this is a blog of my life, no?

I had one goal in mind today and that was to swim. I have been neglecting the swim portion of my triathlon training. Why? Because I SUCK. I hate to say it because just 7 weeks ago, I would have said the same thing about running, and now I can run 25 minutes straight without stopping. But alas, I have not put the time and commitment into swimming like I should have, so as a result, it gives me anxiety. The pool that I decided to swim at is 50meters x 25yards. This morning they had the short lanes open, so it would be a 25yard length. My goal was to just swim for 30 minutes and practice my technique. Let's just say I need work. I get over halfway through the 25yards and lose focus, panic, and consume way too much oxygen in the process, leaving me breathless. At least I know what to work on, right?

I definitely need to swim at least two times per week. And it's on my calendar now. No excuses.

After my swim, I waited for Mirza to finish studying, and then we made our way to Weedon Island Preserve.  Apparently this area was inhabited by humans before the pyramids! It is an archaeological area and giant park with mangroves, hiking trails, tons and tons of wildlife, and a great place to go kayaking or canoeing!

I confess, the past few years I have been knockin' Florida, saying it sucks, there is nothing to do...nothing but rednecks, Disney, buildings, pavement, tourist destinations, blabla whine, whine. But I deserve to be slapped upside the head for my lack of creativity and motivation to actively search out and explore my surroundings. If you've been reading this blog even for just the past couple of weeks, you have seen some of the amazing parks I have visited. All for free. Shame on me!!!

I digress...

As you might know, it is HOT here in good 'ol Pinellas County, Fl., but we ventured out anyway because we're two lovers on a mission for "something to do." (what do you want to do? I dunno, what do you want to do? i dunno, there is NOTHING TO DO! <--ever have that convo?)

The cultural and natural history center is amazing. I cannot believe they do not charge for this. Maybe I'm a geek  (or a 5th grader at heart....hey, last week I was called a 60-70 year old for wanting to bird watch?), but it's full of little education information about the park, environment, archeology, preservation, native americans who habited the area, etc.
My pictures inside of the center do not do justice, and I apologize for the lack of quality.

I never knew so much history is right in my backyard...

Pinellas County...

The center was truly awesome and we did not even come close to looking at everything and reading it all. We were eager to get outdoors, to be honest.

I wanted to go on the hiking trails since we've been on a lot of cement/boardwalks lately, but we somehow veered off and got onto a 2.5 mile boardwalk...

We were surrounded by green. Trying to capture the depth of everything was not easy with my crappy digital.

We finally made it off the boardwalk and happily because it was mostly open and the sun was beating on us. I'm pretty sure the heat index was well over 100 today. And Mirza did not apply sunscreen, silly boy.

I tried to convince him that we should hike on one of the little trails, but he just wasn't up for it. He assured me that we could come back anytime.

If you look close, you will see a racoon above!

I think y'all get the picture.

There's still so much to see!!! I want to go back now.

On the way home, we stopped at our favorite bakery and got the last loaf of Sundried Tomato bread, ate pieces in the car, and then scarfed down some food...

And now I must sleep. 2 long days ahead of me...

Question: Do you make sure the kitchen is clean before going to bed or do you leave it for the morning? I'm always trying to make sure it is spotless when I wake up, but sometimes I just get lazy...and regret it in the morning. Any tips? It is spotless right now!

I'm also wondering, do you prefer to see a lot of photos on blogs (like above) or just a snippet! I personally love to take 253234 photos, so it is hard to choose which ones to post. Hope it isn't overloaded!