(Misc.) Could someone tell me, am I "normal"?

I have a few secrets. I know that's normal--everyone has secrets about themselves and their lives. So, why do people act as if they hide nothing they hope no one else finds out? Why do the simpliest secrets cause such embarrassment and shame? Why do we hide behind words like "a few secrets," when we know we keep many more than a few?

My big secret for today isn't such a big deal -- well, I don't think it is that terrible.

Except for Canada, I have never been outside the USA. I've never visited another culture, tasted the foods from their hearths, heard their artists' music coming from their radios, and never spoken heart to heart with anyone not on my soil. I've never looked someone in the eye who could easily see me as an outsider in his or her country. I've never looked upon the Atlantic ocean, imagining looking West to America, or East across the Pacific as I'd try to picture the West Coast of the USA.


I have a wish-list of places I'd love to visit (weather permitting and all -LOL):

• Well I know Alaska is in the USA, but it's so far away, it might as well be "overseas." I'd love to see a whale.
• Australia - Queensland area. I'd LOVE to visit the Australia Zoo. I wish Steve Irwin was still alive. He was the only person I thought had an over abundance of enthusiasm! I'd like to meet (big) Bob, Terri, Wes, Bindi, and (lil) Bob. I'd like to feed a crocodile--uh, as long as it's still a BABY croc.
• The western coast of central America supposedly has 70-degree weather year round. I'd love to experience unchanging weather--well, relatively unchanging per the barometer.
• Ireland - Doesn't everyone wish to visit the Emerald isle?
• Germany - I think everyone MUST visit a concentration camp. We must never forget the tortures Nazi Germany did to human beings.
• Inca ruins - I feel such a pull to that part of history--who knows why!

These places aren't necessarily country-specific, but hold my fancy...

• If it was ever possible, I'd love to have the skills and courage to be lowered into the deepest ocean spot, Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench 35,840 feet) below sea level. See a 3D Flyover of the deepest spot in the ocean.
• I'd need even more skills, I think, to drop into deep caves. (I hate the thought of being buried alive or drowning... so these first two locations bring tons of anxiety-no pun intended!)
• I'd like to try to find Nessie, the Loch Ness Monster.
• Big Foot can come sit at my camp fire as long as he/she poses for my camera and doesn't hit or bite. I wonder what first word Big Foot would teach ME? The first word I'd try teaching--- FRIEND!
• Haunted houses fascinate me. I'd like to spend the night in a certified haunted building.
• A weekend spent in a 1700s fort (replica) would certainly hold many lessons for me. Besides history, there'd be plenty for humility, patience, gratitude, honor, perseverence...
• In my hometown and the city where I live now have many multi-story old frame buildings that used to house department stores on the first floors, and offices or storage above. I'd like the keys to every room and be allowed to roam where I please.
• If there's a barn, warehouse, old house full of OLD stuff, I'd like permission to explore and take away whatever objects and photographs I'd want.
• I want to live in a lighthouse. Not sure how long I'd stay, so don't write up the lease!
• I want the best metal detector and ground penetrating radar so I can visit the lands of my ancestors... Wonder if I could find graves (maybe theirs?).

So, okay, I've never been out of the USA. But I certainly keep an active imagination as I plan going to all these other spots! Certainly other people have never been overseas, too. You? Please tell me I'm normal !

Judith