How exotic...

I guess I never realized just how privelaged I have been in my life. I've always known I've already accomplished and experienced more than some ever will in their entire life, but honestly that doesn't take much where I come from. What I hadn't realized is just how different my life has been than most others. I guess I always figured exotic, and amazing was more like living in Australia or South America, you know? Some place most of us north of the equator haven't been yet. Europe is so different than North America, but we still share so many similarities. And here I am visiting Houston realizing just how blessed I've been in Washington. I knew my home was beautiful and amazing, but I didn't realize just how tiny my world really is. What seems normal at home, and maybe a little more amazing in BC and Alaska, is like nothing else in this entire world. How many people see bald eagles just hanging out wild? Or have black bears and mountain lions share their trails, let alone even have trails to mountain bike or ride their horses on? I've gotten to witness orcas feeding on salmon not even ten minutes from my home. I've watched a lost orca calf swim along the beach under a full moon. I can hear the seals barking from my apartment and see them sitting on docks that the ferry passes by on the way to Seattle.
Man, I've had my head under a rock, haha.