A quick trip to London

9/4 - I went to London for a job interview last week. Rather than writing about it, I created a video blog. Obviously, my strength in communication comes from writing, not speaking. 

Some clarity has come as a result of the trek to London, because the idea of going back to California feels right. My time in Cherbourg is up, and I've achieved what I needed to achieve. 

Island hopping in Oslo, vibrant sunsets and a happy country

27/3 - How does one describe Oslo and the country of Norway?

According to the World Happiness Report, Norway replaced Denmark at the top of the list this year, closely followed by Iceland and Switzerland. Some of the things that made these Scandinavians so happy were their caring, freedom, generosity, honesty, income, health and good governance.

It came across as a hugely progressive, futuristic city. Downtown is designed around providing footpaths for people. Vehicle and foot traffic have been separated to some extent, as the highways are a snaking system of curvy and smooth underground tunnels.

On and off ramps are spiraling underground tunnels, like an adventure ride at a theme park. Roads entering the city are subjected to an electronic toll and the air feels and tastes fresh and clear because of so many totally-electric Tesla-brand cars (a machine that sells for around 100k USD) using the streets. If someone owns an electric car, they're given free charging and parking within the city. 

Compared to other cities, Oslo isn't huge; it's a little bigger than Sacramento. But its skyline features the 1952 Olympic ski jump which overlooks the city, and steeper-than-they-look mountains which surround the city.

Blond and blue-eyed locals seem to smile more here, despite the fact Oslo is one of the world's most expensive cities. According to The Telegraph newspaper, it comes in as the 11th most expensive city in the world; It was No. 1 in 2014. A half pint of beer from a local brewery costs about $10 USD. The currency is the Norwegian Kroner, and the exchange rate is about nine Kroner to one dollar.

It's so expensive because there are high taxes for many things. For example, you pay tax when taking a taxi, about $10 USD, and that's just to get in the cab. The people who earn the most money are taxed roughly 50 percent. Speeding tickets, given out when cameras on the highhway catch a driver going 10 kph over the limit, are steep and harsh, around $1,000 USD.

Because of the high taxes, Norwegians are known to cross into Sweden, which is about an hour away from Oslo, to buy in bulk because the prices are much lower. There is a large shopping center about 10 minutes across the border into Sweden, and one can see Norwegians load up large shopping carts with multiples of everything, including sugary drinks and candy.

Besides a handful of newer skyscrapers and the new opera house, Oslo is not an architecturally stunning metropolis. But what it lacks in terms of a skyline, it makes up for in practicality and stunning natural beauty. 

It may just be a case of the grass is greener on the other side, but sunsets here seem to be shockingly vibrant. It's like Mother Nature approves of Oslo so much that she smiles each night and gently caresses the city and surrounding mountains with strokes of yellow, orange, red, pink and purple. People, no matter where they come from, stand transfixed by the nightly spectacle.

So, I sit here on the island of Hovedøya, by myself, with a perfect view of the city and surrounding islands. It was just a six-minute ferry ride, but I have successfully found solitude within a capital city. The sounds of traffic and construction have faded into the distance, and have been replaced by the squawks of seagulls, chirps of birds high in the trees and the dull moan of the occasional boat.

I shed my jacket, shirt, shoes and socks, rolled up the bottom of my pants and soaked up the warmth of the sun on my own little spot on this planet at this moment of time. This was my holy-shit-I'm-doing-this moment, something that was absolutely free yet invariably a moment of my own.

I meditated on this spot for 10 minutes, focusing on my breathing. I felt the warmth of the sun, listened to the birds and splashes of water. I felt the slight breeze greet my face and chest, and the hard rock against my ankle. The slightest of bluish-purple hues enveloped the world.

28/3 - The adventure on the islands of Oslofjord was one of my favorite times of the three days in Norway because it let me explore out in nature and in solitude. 

After hiking around Hovedøya in total solitude and chatting with a Filipino woman named Janice, the ferry unexpectedly set off for the other islands in the chain, much to my pleasure. 

The boat made six stops in all, but I decided to hop off on the island of Lindøya where I had one hour before the ferry returned. This island is home to a miniature neighborhood of red, green and yellow summer cabins. As I walked between the structures, I was struck by the apparent lack of other humans in the general vicinity. Curtains were drawn and the only sound of footsteps came from my own. 

As I explored a small, private dock complete with the smallest lighthouse I've ever seen, expecting to hear a voice warning me to back away, I found a rickety garden bench at the foot of one crooked and faded dock, along with a small coffee table. I took a seat, put up my feet and had an unobstructed view of Oslofjord.

I was speechless at the sight of the setting sun and its reflection in the water, straight ahead of me. I was also amazed that I had a portion of a Scandinavian island, in early spring, with a beautiful view all to myself. I never expected to find myself in that spot, but it's funny how traveling goes sometimes.

My maiden voyage into Norway was a success, despite the fact I've once again missed my ultimate goal: the Northern Lights. I will visit Oslo in the future but the next time I will head farther north, into the icy, rugged, jaw-dropping arctic Norwegian mountains, for a chance to catch a glimpse of one of the most spectacular natural events.

Until next time.

A purpose in France, future plans and Poole

3/11 - In my last post, I wrote that Cherbourg already feels like home.

I wish to recant that statement.

The language barrier here is real. It's no joke. Because I'm unable to communicate in French besides short, simple statements, it's difficult to meet people. As a result I've spent a lot of time by myself, simply thinking. It does get lonely here because of that. But, If there has been one good thing about this move, it has allowed me to slow down, step back and reflect.

In the months leading up to the move (and in the first week here), my reasons for making this jump didn't take much thought: I have the opportunity, so why not? That is, and was, painfully shortsided. Typical of my life, I didn't think things through. Dazzled by the chance to live in another country like a child entranced by a gift wrapped in shiny wrapping paper, I didn't think about what I wanted to accomplish. I didn't set any goals.

During my walk up the hill which overlooks the city earlier this week, there was a moment where I wondered about why I'm even here. What's the point? Is there something I'm working towards? I felt like I was spinning my wheels, stagnating. But then later that day, I finally realized what I should have a month ago:

I am here to learn French. That's the purpose of this whole adventure. Nothing else.

Because I am here to learn French, it dawned on me recently that I should be throwing my full effort into this. Every particle of my being should strive to learn French. In the words of Eric Thomas, when I want to succeed as bad as I want to breathe, that's when I'll succeed.

Unfortunately, I have never reached that point. It has been typical of me to take things in my life for granted: jobs, friendship, education, opportunities, health; I noticed today I have taken Bleacher Report for granted too, because I'm rushing through edits, thus missing glaring mistakes.

I have been a stereotypical millenial in that I have been handed things, and at times I feel entitled. I don't quite understand what it means to put in a full day of hard work, and then some more. This has obviously held me back, and I now second-guess myself.

No more. I cannot, no, I will not accept mediocrity from myself anymore.

I am supposed to be here, because this is where I am. It should be no other way. But, I can't help but think there is another reason for me to be here, but one that has yet to reveal itself. In time, however, I will understand...

Anyway...I am being too hard on myself again. This is an incredible opportunity to live in France. Within the past week, the trees have been losing their leaves and the air is fresh, crisp and cool. I sat down at a cafe today, ordered an espresso and watched people walk by. While listening to a steady hip-hop beat, I suddenly smiled to myself. I am doing something fantastic. I live in France. It can't all be bad.

In other news, I have set up a time when I will travel to Paris for a week in January for private tutoring with Marie-Amance's father Philippe, who is Canadian. We will study for an average of three hours per day, speak nothing but French and take excursions inside the city to practice. He already knows I have studied Spanish and German extensively, but he warned me that French will be more difficult than any of the languages I have been exposed to.

I have also finalized a visit to country No. 18: Portugal! I'll fly to Lisbon for a couple of days in December; the trip will be similar to when I explored Chicago in March. Short, but exciting. And, it's stupid not to take advantage of a round trip flight for $42.

I am still swimming several days out of the week, but that fantastic pool does get crowded at times; today the lane in which I swam had four other swimmers.

Since drinking four beers during my first night, I have yet to consume any more alcohol. I don't need to! It's kind of a nice feeling, and I am losing weight.

My time in Cherbourg has exposed me to one other first: using shaving cream for my face. I didn't know shaving could be so painless...

4/11 - I arrived in Poole yesterday via the ferry. This is home! Everything is familiar, right down to the deli in the harbor where I ate lunch, had a coffee and waited for the rain to settle down. 

While sipping on my latte and reading about the latest chapter of the Brexit nonsense in this country from The Telegraph newspaper, while also listening to British accents, I had to smile to myself again. I seem to gravitate towards places where I have lived in the past and have deep connections. For me, there is comfort, safety and familiarity in these places.

I could bore you with the description of an afternoon and evening of meeting up with old friends inside Bournemouth Square and some deep conversation, but the more prudent story is simply the ride back to Poole on the bus. While in the middle of the ride back to Poole, I felt a moment of nostalgia. When I lived there, the busses were my lifeline. How sweet and appropriate that I got the chance to ride them again!

5/11 - I'm back on the ferry to Cherbourg. There's nothing more to say except for one thing. Home isn't only 5,000-plus miles away in California; It's also a short ferry ride across the English Channel.

Until next time.