Good neighborhood, Ducati thoughts and a trip to Ireland for Christmas

11/11 - I've lived in this new house in a nice part of Porterville for a couple of weeks now. The neighborhood is quiet and safe, and I don't have to worry so much about someone bashing a stone through my back window but not taking anything (like what happened last summer). I'm fully established in town now.

This neighborhood is perfectly safe for an after-dinner walk through the streets after 10 p.m. Ideas seem to come much easier when you just start walking; I guess my mind in particular starts revving when I walk. As I walked, I thought about what I do every day: the mediocrity of this town, how it's best feature by far is its proximity to national parks. I want to do something else giant with my life, and that opportunity isn't found in Porterville.

But then immediately after that I realized I need to think positive. If I dislike this place so much, why not make it a better place for someone else, if I'm so dissatisfied with it? After all, my No. 1 desire is to do something to make my environment a better place for other people. That's part of the reason why I want to join the Coast Guard. With that in mind, I'm going to start looking for volunteer opportunities within the city. I need to stop whining about my own issues with this place and put my energy into helping my fellow human being.

There are no immanent trips planned for myself, though I did learn the Grand Canyon is exactly 600 miles away from Porterville. But the Kenya trip won't be for another six weeks, and I'm still trying to decide how I'll get to LAX. However, that seems to be figured out as well, as I'll Couchsurf with a friend in Los Angeles for a night before they give me a lift to the airport.

I'm getting more and more comfortable with the Ducati. I'm learning about its behaviors and how to ride it. I have a routine when coming up to stops now, so as to stop the engine from stalling on me. I'm also not nearly as afraid of it as much anymore - I'm becoming one with this machine.

But looking back at my childhood and teenage years, I never thought I'd ride a motorcycle of my own, much less a superbike. The people who rode motorcycles to school were on another level of cool; they were people I couldn't compete with. Three years after learning to ride a motorcycle in that CHP safety class, I'm confident in saying riding is one of the most thrilling things I can think of. Pulling on the throttle and feeling the engine rumble inches below the seat brings out a side of you that does not reveal itself otherwise. That feeling certainly brings a smile to my face every time I ride, like this weekend's mini lap around Lake Success and through Frazier Valley.

This bike is incredible. The sound it makes is enthralling. It shifts so quickly and smoothly. The riding stance, at first incredibly awkward because of how aggressive and forward-leaning it is, is now normal. And of course, I love riding because it gives you entry into the club of fellow motorcycle riders on the road. Whenever fellow bikers pass each other, they always wave or acknowledge the other in some way.

Call me a fanatic. I wrote the same way in the summer after I finished that epic trip through Wales. I felt so envious of all of the bikers who came to Poole every Tuesday evening. The difference now is I have what I wanted.

5/12 - It's been a while since I last blogged. This house I'm living in is great, and my roommate is pretty cool too. The neighborhood is peaceful and safe, so I don't have much to complain about. 

But the guy I'm renting from is a little strange. He disappears for weeks on end and we have no idea what's going on. It's a week into December and he still hasn't collected the rent yet. You have to wonder what is going through this man's head. He's also incredibly lucky there are cool people living there who won't trash the place, otherwise he'd be up the creek without a paddle. 

I visited the Coast Guard recruiter in Fresno last week. While my heart condition and student loans are a couple of knocks against me, they know who I am now. The application process will be a lengthy one as well. I'm looking forward to see where this leads. 

Felix, Rosa, Alex and Nuria Facetimed me from Spain again. I love talking to them! Nuria hasn't changed a bit, as she said my beard looks ugly. I showed them my room, the house, the backyard and the Ducati. Alex wants me to come to La Almunia for a few weeks and then fly back with me to California for a few weeks. 

Maybe. 

This second go round in Porterville is better than what I made it out to be. I'm meeting new people and making the most out of it.

13/12 - A rather large change in plans is necessary. I won't be going to Kenya anymore because Stella stopped responding to my messages. I think she doesn't have the heart to tell me her family can't or don't want to host me, so she's dealing with it by ignoring the issue. Visiting Kenya without a host isn't the smartest idea in my opinion, so that trip is off the table. I'm not mad, just disappointed by her attitude.

Though unfortunate, this presents another opportunity. My flight both ways includes layovers in Dublin, Ireland, so I just thought I'd stay in Ireland for those 10 days and do a WorkAway. The fun with traveling is its unpredictability and how fast you can adapt. I have about a week to find a host in Ireland, and I've sent out a few messages tonight. It's an exciting prospect, and hopefully my friends can meet up with me. Whatever happens, I just might visit my 16th country of 2015, only it's one I never expected until a few days ago. 

Scams, goodbyes and calls from Spain

17/8 - It's still dissertation time. But this week, I've put my head down and focused only on being on campus so I can complete it. It's one of those things that is so repulsive you just get down and do it, like shoveling down a gag-inducing food. You hate it, but at the same time you know it's healthy, so you eat it quickly without really tasting it.

And one strange thing I experienced today was the fact the most difficult part of the dissertation, doing the experiments and calculating the results, actually becomes fun once it comes to writing down the results. Luckily, I hope it's all downhill from here, as there are just 5,000 words left. Getting it done by Monday is my goal.

Lately I've been watching videos of color-blind people using special sunglasses to see real color for the first time. It's amazing how overwhelmed they are. I would like to say I had that feeling of euphoria for two straight months this summer, but I didn't see vivid color for the first time or hear a loved-one's voice for the first time. The feeling of incredible adventure is separate from the ecstasy of realizing one of your five basic senses is working properly for the first time in your life; it's more emotional, like Stella seeing snow for the first time in February.

19/8 - Another day, another grind. I've been in this computer lab all week, slowly putting the dissertation together. Especially yesterday, I was exhausted, my brain fried and eyes smoking. It'll all be worth it though. I'm so close to finishing, and yet, here I am, blogging. Stop procrastinating!

Luckily, the monotony was broken this morning with a Facetime call from Felix, Alex and Nuria from La Almunia. It was great to speak to everyone again. It was a conversation between friends in different countries, and there was a noticeable difference speaking to them now compared to before I went to Spain. It was more natural. Nuria was exactly how I remember, as she stuck her face in the middle of the camera while showing off her bikini tops and making silly faces, thus blocking out the other two. They showed me a pair of coins I apparently left at their house, and because of those they asked me to come to their house to pick up what is mine.

Ha, I see what you did there!

Remember that motorcycle I wanted to buy last week, how it seemed like a deal too good to be true through a shady online character not offering much information of substance? Well, the bike is mine. Since the person said the bike is in possession of Ebay, I emailed them and they gave me the VIN number and reassured me the bike is real. Plus, if I want my money back, I get it back no problem; that convinced me to make this deal. And if nothing else, I can flip this bike for $4,000 profit. So I'm looking forward to going back to California and riding this 2008 Honda CBR1000RR.

But don't worry, I won't be drag racing a Lamborghini at 190 mph. This is something that needs massive respect. I understand how powerful this bike (or superbike) is and that I need to be careful. It's a machine designed for the race track, such as Leguna Seca. None of that for me. This bike will be used for commuting and the occasional adventure like the one in June, only this time the trip will go through the Sequoia National Park. Imagine the insane giggling going on in my helmet during that trip!

P.S. If I did somehow get into a drag race with a Lamborghini with this bike, I'd easily win.

20/8 - This time in England has been 11 months of firsts. Today, we'll add another first: That motorcycle I was gushing about was a scam. I was scammed; Luckily, I didn't lose any money. However, my money is now kind of spread out, and it'll be tough to reunite it again. There are lessons from this. While I thought I was skeptical and did my due diligence, I didn't do enough. What I should have done from the outset was contact Ebay through a live chat.

This shook me. I feel so naive and stupid for believing this, and it makes me not want to buy anything online again. I think the worst part is how ironic it is. While exchanging emails with this person (or entity) I said I've been scammed before and vowed to never let it happen again.

*Facepalm

So I should look back on this with positivity. I was lucky that I didn't lose anything. Stupid mind of a kid!

21/8 - Last night was a goodbye party in Corfe House. We are going our separate ways very soon, but I'm not sad. This has been a fantastic year filled with great people who are life-long friends and great memories, exactly the reason I came to England in the first place. I accomplished what I wanted to do. The party was great, and the night included a cruise in the harbor during the fireworks show drinking wine. And you know it was a good night when pictures surface the morning after showing someone in particular walking down the street with a traffic cone over their face.

My dissertation is written up, but it needs revising. It passed 16,000 words today. However, I'm going to be revising while traveling. Again. Until the next post.