"So what's the plan?"

"The sun is shining, the weather is sweet..."

Toronto has been sun-kissed for the past week and despite the ambiguity of the Year of Passion (YOP), I have returned to the waking-up-smiling state of mind. I'm not entirely sure if its the freedom and time to do yoga almost everyday, take my time to meet with friends for overdue coffees, lunches & dinner meet-ups around the city, rabbit hole my way around to incredible job opportunities, or a combination of the above which screams flexibility, but it's been wonderful. However, the gig is up - aka my rented flat is up at the end of the week, and the YOP is still TBD.

Back to Oakville (aka Mum's place) to re-group & decide? mmmmmmmm not so keen.

Fly to San Fran, California area to volunteer at the largest Sustainability focused conference in the Americas? mmmmmm yes please.

My first meeting of San Fran occurred much after Danny Tanner, DJ, Uncle Jesse and the Full House crew graced our TVs back in grade school.

Actually it was last May while taking a short hiatus from corporate Canada where I found myself in the liberal-minded mecca of San Fransisco with my favourite sibling-o-funpack: Christina (happy taco on the right) & Laura (super fries on the left) Hug.

San Fransisco's colourful neighbourhoods, authentic Latin American food, easy-going west coast style, sunny personalities, and daily nudity lived up to Cali's rep for being open-minded and free-spirited.

Visiting the uber-green campus grounds of Stanford in Palo Alto (a mere 30 minute C-train ride out of San Fran) I was blown away by the outdoor living, cycling/longboarding culture and outdoor lectures we saw take place on just a typical Monday at this progressive uni.

And like any memorable trip, there is usually at least one song that instantly evoke the memories of that trip. This time around, although so overtly cliche, we embraced it...

...and apparently the charm of this little ditty isn't restricted to non-Californians. So after 5 days of annoying the organic tofu out of each other by singing & humming this melody, you can imagine our utter disbelief when we were walking the grounds of Stanford and 2 longboarders come around the bend belting "Californiaaaaa, here we coooooome..." No joke.

Love. I love this place.

Now, it is the Year of Passion that is what brings me very south and very west of Toronto, and back to California. It's called Sustainable Brands, and is a 4-day conference with over 500 Sustainability professionals, that link up annually at this conference to learn and educate; inspire and be inspired; network and socialize with their fellow partners in crusade for sustainability in business. Held in the seaside town of Monterey...

I will exchange 20 volunteer hours throughout the 4-day conference, for an 85% discount on the $US 2,400 delegate fee. (I am a sucker for a great deal after all)

Departing this Sunday, June 5 on an 8 am flight to San Fran, the infamous Christina Hug and I will take a ride share (from the Sustainable Brands website) to Monterey down the infamous Big Sur highway 1. (And here I thought the song Big Sur was just a funny name for a funny song....Oh Vanessa...)

All the California references aside, this conference includes a gala dinner @ the Monterey Aquarium, an evening networking session on the beach (complete with bonfire) and all the leaders in the sustainability world coming together for 4 days! GAH - Amazing!

This just has all the right ingredients to make a Year of Passion cupcake, and I can't wait to take a delicious bite.

Oh right...

FOLLOW-UP from last week's post about further dream jobs:

1. Grassroots marketer position@ Patagonia in Ventura, CA (Remember that one?) I applied last week and got a quick response: "Thanks but no." Humph.

2. Yoga training in Bali + Andrew visit in Jakarta = Plan B after Sustainable Brands

New ones on this week's hit list...

3. Co-Director at The Otesha Project: Cycling for Sustainability in Melbourne Australia

What is it? `..NGO that offers bicycle tours and educational programs to engage youth about sustainable consumption. Using theatre, multimedia, and interactive workshops, Otesha (Aust.)’s creative focus provides a unique approach to understanding environmental and social justice issues, enabling youth to become role models and sustainability advocates.`

4. Harvard Green Program Coordinator at ummm, Harvard in Boston

Year of Passion...how I love thee.

xoxo

V