AHHH! I'm just so exited to start presenting as a team with my mom.
"Mother and Daughter Out to Save the World"
I learned SO much during today's traing, even things that will help me with my personal life, business life, website & blog development, leadership, SIFE & political activism. THIS is my passion. How is my attitude different from our awful experience with the bus system? Because this is the meat of why we are in San Fran. I cannot wait to start implementing these techniques, resources and tools in my life! Tomorrow is out last day of training and then we are sent off into the world to empower others. After the training tomorrow, my mother and I are going into San Fran to see some more sights. I will be tired because I'm staying up late (once again) to work on projects! But that is ok, it's all worthwhile.
We had a delicious and filling breakfast this morning, despite having to wake up early. The training was long and tiresome but I soaked in all the information! Former Vice President Al Gore was hilarious and motivational. He is a great public speaker and presenter. It was an amazing opportunity to be in the same room as him! Lunch was EXCELLENT- so props to the chefs. The best snack so far was the bag of nuts. I grabbed an extra for the plane ride! After a short nap following the training, we went down to the lobby for dessert and drinks (water for me!) and watched Kathy Mattea, her brother and friend perform a great concert.
Now is time for rest as tomorrow approaches fast! We leave Friday morning...I cannot believe this trip is almost over! I really am not ready to go back to work and start a new semester at school, but I am ready to start presenting!!
Night!
Pictures to come soon.

Today was the first of three days for the Climate Reality Project Leadership Corps North American Training 2012. I slept in, ate breakfast, then got ready for the training. After I registered, I recieved a tote, binder with slide information, patch and namecard holder. My mom had already registered because she is a mentor, and had already attended her mentor meeting this morning when I was sleeping. After gathering all my goodies, we went across the street to view the bay for a few minutes before heading back inside for the training to commence. The view of the bay was BEAUTIFUL and the breeze was extremely enjoyable. We ended up chatting with a gentleman from Sweeden who was also here for the training. Back inside, we took our seats at table 77 (7 is my lucky number, so two must mean im going to be double lucky!) and waited for the training to begin while meeting and talking with the other trainees at our table. I won't go into detail about the training session, but it was very powerful and pumped me up for tomorrow. I took some great notes today and will tomorrow as well. My Life. My Passion. My S4U.
After the training, my mom, 2 other trainees and I went out to dinner at Max's next to our hotel. It was delicious! We spent more time talking Climate Change and politics than eating though.
My Life. My Passion. My S4U.
Night all!

Pictures to come later.

Today was an awesome day. It started off slow because momma slept in and didn't know if she wanted to go anywhere. After my brunch of leftover pizza and cereal and discussion of what we wanted to do about seeing the sights, she decided that we were going to go to the Golden Gate Bridge and finish our sightseeing on Thurdsay evening. We can't stay an extra day because the plane ticket would be too expensive (honestly that whole ordeal would have been a mess.) But then, after I got ready, she kept debating if she wanted to go or not because she didn't want to get sicker. So, we decided to take a cab to the bridge which is very expensive but we had to make a sacrifice somewhere and take 1 bus and the BART and shuttle back to our hotel. All 4 were a success. The bridge was barely visible due to the fog but lovely all the same. Our spirits were high as we photographed, ate a snack and visited the gift shop (where we verified our bus information). We saw beautiful flowers, a man ski-sailing, a boat on the Bay and we could even see the other side enshrined in a halo of light. It was cold and windy so we did not spend too much time there. We rode the bus to Civic Center BART Station and attempted to purchase our tickets. Some lady came up and gave us a BART card with $10 on it for a $10 bill. She said we could add or subtract from it. The BART servic employee came over frusrated explaining that we couldn't add or subtract from it and that she had wanted the money for drugs, so he gave us a voucher so we could ride. The BART was packed with commuters and young adults. It was very interesting to watch the people get on and off, all in their own worlds. Today made me wish I could take mass transit all the time back home, that is how great of a public transit expereince I had today, compared to yesterday. Finally, we reached the SFO Station, caught our shuttle and arrived at our hotel. We purchased room service for dinner, a very elegant SF Seafood Mac n Cheese with clams, prawns, crab and fish. It was delicious!! I tried clams for the first time and liked them. After that, my mom and I chatted and she fell asleep. I am not tired and cannot sleep because the training starts tomorrow! Today was such a nice, peaceful and no-stress day. This morning, I was ready to go home because of yesterday and mom getting sick. I kept a positive attitude for as long as I could, but eventually all the emotions built up and I was a Debbie Downer. Tomorrow should be alot of fun, and Thursday is the rest of our sightseeing. I hope everything goes well! Momma said that either she plans too much or not enough for trips, and that when she does plan everything out, some things don't work out. I told her I'd rather have things planned and have to change them then not have any plans at all. You live and you learn, right?
Oh and my camera died today...and guess who forgot their camera charger? Now I have to search for and purchase a camera charger & superglue for my bag before Wednesday...Think Positive!!

So the day started off on a bad note. The first thing that went wrong was the coffee...said my mom. The coffee was fine. We ended up finishing getting ready later than we thought. We made it downstaires and started to ask the concierge what bus we should take to get to the Golden Gate Bridge, to Golden Gate Park, then to Haight-Ashbury and back to the BART station. This did not go well. My mom got frustrated that the concierge was practically cluless about where to go and had to print everthing off the computer becuse there were no handouts or information on what bus to take available. Finally, after about an hour, we had all our information and went on our way. We caught the Hotel Courtesy Shuttle the second we walked out of the hotel and proceeded to the airport. We followed the couple in front of us to the BART station, purchased our tickets, and made our way to the platform to wait for the BART. In just a few moments it arrived and we got on. The BART is very noisy but moves quickly. The concierges estimated 20 minutes of travel was probably closer to 40. We got off at our destination, Powell Station. The platform was crowded with people and we made our way above ground where we were greeted with all the sights and smells of downtown San Francisco. I have to admit, some of the people were very strange. After wandering about like lost puppies for a few minutes, we decided to sit down and look at our map to deicde where to grab a quick lunch. We then a Visitor's Center and went there for assistance, From the lady's advice, we went to Lori's, a 50's diner close to where we were. We both got a veggieburger with fries. At some point we changed our plans and decided to go to Haight-Ashbury first since the shops closed at 7. We proceeded to wait for the bus, got on and were on our way. We got off too early and had to walk up several steep blocks of hlls to enter the Haight district. Then we had to walk even farther to come to the famous intersection. We spent some time walking up the street and back down, looking at a few shops along the way, taking pictures and buying a few souviniers. My mother has Planter's Fasceitus, so she cannot stand at all or walk for long periods of time. We were very cold and she was tired, so we attempted to catch a bus to the Golden Gate Bridge. This is where more trouble began. We were told so many conflicting ways to get there, told wrong directions, waited on the wrong bus and almost got on the wrong bus twice. We finally ended up meeting this lady who told us she was going the same way were were and she would help us. Her help was very appreciated and we could not have gotten back wthout it. We got off on the stop she told us to, and walked accross the street to wait on the bus. We had just missed it and the wait time was an hour. My mom becoame very frustrated because she was huting and tired and honestly, I wanted to go home too. The whole day had been way to much for both of us, emotionally and physically. I however, was trying to keep a postitve attitude. By this time, it was dusk and freezing. We discussed taking a taxi to the bridge, but then just decided to go back to the hotel. We went accross the street to catch the bus that would take us back to the BART. After a long bus ride, we arrived at the station, almost took the wrong BART, waited 20 minutes on the right one and then we arrived back at the airport where we caught the shuttle back to our hotel. Upon arriving in our room, my mom fell asleep while I tried to find dinner. 3 of the pizza places I tried to order form either didn't answer their phone or were closed. Finally, I ordered and waited about an hour for the pizza. When my mom started eating, she claimed she didn't feel well. We think she has come down with something. She was chilling, her face was red and she wasn't hungry, but her face wasn't hot I could't tell if she had a fever. We discussed taking her to an emergency room because the hotel doesn't have a thermometer available for guest use. However, after a while she started feeling a bit better, took some ibuprofen, and is now snoring and very much asleep. We had alot of plans for doing more in the city tomorrow, but we don't know if we are going to be able to if she doesn't feel better. So we might have to stay an extra day to do those things because our training starts on Tuesday. So far, this trip is almost comparable to "The Trip from Hell" as my dad called it, when we all went to California when I was in 6th grade. Almost none of our plans have worked out and there have been many issues along the way. I just hope tomorrow is better. I miss home. Even I am starting to get frustrated over this trip and honestly at this point I'm ready for the training so we can go home. It's sad, because I should be having fun. Well off to bed, wish us luck for tomorrow!

So I had applied to be trained by Al Gore for the Climate Reality Project as a presenter and I found out (yesterday now) that I have been accepted and will be attending the training in San Fransisco in August! I am so exited to have this amazing opportunity! Of course I will update while I am there! Don't know what the Climate Reality Project is? Visit www.climaterealityproject.org or click here.

The following ways to go green are among the first steps you can take toward
greener living. Most of these ideas are simple to implement, cost little to no
money and can have a huge impact on the environment and our natural resources. 

Go through this list one at a time, see what you're already doing and what
you can implement.

Stop Junk Mail:
Put an end to incessant mailers and waste and save 69 lbs of junk mail
sent to your home each year. Opt for e-newsletters, online catalogs and
paperless billing whenever possible. Learn how to stop receiving junk mail, as
well as ideas on what to do with all that junk mail you've already received
below.
Read More: How to Stop Receiving Junk Mail

Drink Tap Water:
Nearly 30 billion plastic water bottles are sold annually
in the U.S. with less than 20% of them being recycled (which still wastes
unnecssary energy). Ironically, many bottled water companies use municipal water
sources - that's right, tap water. Save how to save resources and money by
drinking from the tap or home filtration system instead.
Read More: Choosing a Safe Stainless Steel Water Bottles

Reducing Waste:
Reducing the amount of waste you bring in and the amount
of trash that goes to the landfill is an important part of any green lifestyle.
But there's a lot more to it than just recycling plastic
or throwing your trash in a bin. Although nearly everything in our site covers
ways to go green by reducing waste, we have a collection of ideas below.
Read More: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.

Conserve Energy:
From oil to natural gas, energy is getting harder to
produce and more costly. It accounts for 21.3 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide
each year and over 90% of all greenhouse gasses. Do your part to conserve energy
and save money (you could reduce your bills by 50%) by reading the articles
linked on the ways to go green below.
Read More: 138+ Energy Saving, Cooling and Heating Tips

Conserve Water:
An estimated 50% of all household water usage is wasted.
It goes down the drain while we wait for it to warm up or evaporates too
quickly. In an era when our fresh water supply is diminishing due to pollution
and drought, it's important to conserve all the water we can, as well as learn
about and put to use greywater recycling practices.
Read More: 108+ Ways To Conserve or Recycle Water

Green Your Transportation:
Bicycling, walking, carpooling or riding the bus
are the best ways to commute sustainably. Inflating your car tires, driving
slower and combining trips will help you save gas when driving is necessary. And
for long distance travel, take the train or purchase carbon offsets which invest
your money into alternative energies.
Read More: Save Money AND Travel Greener


Eat Organic, Locally-Grown Foods:
With food being a huge part of our
existence, this is one of the most important ways to go green. Most of our meals
come from a minimum of 1,500 miles away. Some of what ends up on our plate has
traveled around the world to reach you. And way too much of it is unhealthy for
us.
Read More: Advantages of and Tips for Healthy Eating

Go Chemical-Free:
Forego toxic chemicals and choose sustainable
options. You'll not only limit disposable containers, and save money; you'll
create a healthy living environment for your family.
Read More: Natural Household Cleaners
Read More: Organic Pesticides
Read More: Organic Gardening.

Natural Personal Care:
Simplify your personal care with natural products. Take
sink baths to reduce water, use organic products or no products at all, opt for
an easy to manage haircut (or learn to cut it yourself at home). Also remember
that healthy food leads to healthy skin and body.
Read More: Natural and Organic Personal Care

Raise Healthy, Conscious Children:
Raising our kids to be healthy and aware of
the environment is simple and can be fun. Model with your actions and talk about
the choices you make. Don't nag or lecture, but instead make it interesting and
interactive. Breastfeeding, healthy care and good relationsips more ways to go
green.
Read More: Simple Living Tips for Families (and Pets)

Support Locally-Owned Businesses:
Small businesses are more likely to
support other businesses within the community, care for their environment and
conduct business in an environmentally-responsible way. They also work harder
for your business, contribute more to charitable causes, create more jobs, limit
outsourcing and keep money circulating within a community. Sustainable
communities rely on locally-owned businesses to prevail. And locally-owned
businesses rely on you to succeed. Sacrifice a slightly higher price tag and get
more than what you pay for.
Read More: Why You Should Think Global, Act Local

Continue to Educate Yourself:
As you're practicing these ways to go green
you'll likely spark a lot of conversations. Get familiar with the reasons why
green living matters.
Read More: Why Go Green?
Read More: Green Living Books
Read More: Green Living DVDs

Educate Others:
The biggest influence you can have on others is through
your actions and your attitude. Be open and honest about your choices, but
without judgment. Work the topic into conversations without overdoing it. Let
your example be inspiration and keep the lines of communication open so that
friends or family will have a seasoned pro to turn to when they are looking for
ways to go green.

Reconnect Within Your Community:
We live within a very disconnected generation. We're
overscheduled and rushed and have among the lowest life satisfaction in the
world. But those living a sustainable lifestyle often say the opposite while
giving credit to the interconnectedness of their lives. Make time to care for
yourself and find enjoyment in your life. Make talking and laughing with loved
ones a priority. Volunteer and help those in need. Be a part of your community.
And rediscover the wonders of the world by enjoying nature walks, planting trees
or organizing neighborhood cleanups.

Contact Your Representatives:
Write or call your local city officials and ask
them what your city or town is doing to go green. Do the same for state and
federal leaders, demanding they hear you out on the environmental issues that
matter most. Remain in contact with them, attend local or state meetings and
vote with your conscience. Encourage others to do the same.

Invest in Solar energy and Carbon Offsets:
Even the greenest lifestyle still has an impact.
Lessen yours by easily switching to solar
energy or investing in carbon offsets. The money you spend
to go solar quicks pays itself back in rebates and monthly refunds and
purchasing these credits will be invested into alternative energies or other
sustainable ventures.

http://www.sustainablebabysteps.com/ways-to-go-green.html

I decided to start my venture during the summer when I would not have school. I am starting the business for my SIFE project and also for my personal growth. I has already done some research with recipies, and am continuing to find more and more. If you have any recipies let me know! I also need ideas for names for the business. Since it is a green/natural product, an eco or green name is required. You can view the progress of the supplies under Products.