My Sense of Place

I am having a hard time answering this question; I think it's because I don't ever remember having a connection between my sense of place and outdoor educational experiences.  I've never felt a strong connection with Florida environment...I hate snakes, alligators and red ants; and I think that in SWFL the landscape is pretty boring, and ugly. The seasons don't really change in appearance, and this really bothers me!  

In the physical sense of the word, I've never really felt that SWFL is my "place"; I was born in Michigan, lived in West Virginia until the 4th grade, and I've lived here in SWFL since the 4th grade. My sense of place is somewhere where the leaves change color and the trees are tall and bushy; where the landscape involves some hills, maybe even mountains.

In the conceptual sense of the word, my sense of place is is in limbo right now; I am a married woman, who works and is a full-time student. Is my sense of place at home? At work? At school? It's a little of each, and to me, none of these are connected to educational experiences in the outdoors.  My job requires me to work inside all day, everyday; and in my entire college career, I don't remember a single significant outdoors educational experience. 

I am excited to see how this class might change my view of SWFL, and maybe even give me a sense of place right here where I've lived for 12 years.  I am interested to see how this class will connect my sense of place and outdoor experiences.