Surf's Up....

... and I'm riding a long nice steady wave.

Aloha!  It's been a whirlwind since returning home for the summer and all good things.  I'm stoked on the summer.  Admittedly, I avoid using words like 'stoked' too much in Norway.  I've been told I talk like a movie.  Ha!

Yesterday I completed my lifeguard certification (First Aid, CPR and life saving) so I am ready to teaching surfing.  Novice surfers, here I come.  Let's shuffle our feet and have a grand ol' party.  8:30am tomorrow call time.  I'll be ready with lots and lots of sunscreen in tow.

My office for the summer.....  I'm working on making it permanent, but, must venture away a while longer come late August

I started working in January of this year to line up a summer internship.  Blame it on the economy, the wildcard of a candidate from Norway, the weather, whatever- nothing ended up working out.  Ok.  Plan Q, R, S.  Where am I on the list?  It's funny when things don't go as planned.  Or should I say, as we plan.  It seems that's when the most remarkable events occur.  Things one couldn't possibly 'plan'.  I've had this happen before and retrospect helps one see how letting go and going with the flow of life rewards patience and faith in the future.  It isn't easy or comfortable.

This summer is unraveling to be just so: a total unknown and complete pleasure of activities, encounters and good times together with family and friends, old and new.  It wasn't without plenty of anxieties in the winter/spring.  But, I've been renewed and affirmed.  Such as my job starting tomorrow- teaching surfing.  It's pretty much the summer job I always wanted but never thought was possible.  It was important to have 'business' jobs during undergrad summers.  After a formal 'business' opportunity was off the table for this summer- a local job was the next requirement (I'm trying to limit commandeering my Dad's car from him too much).  Restaurant or surfing?  And you know how the story goes :)

Also, upon arriving home looking at Plan Q, I hit the ground running putting notes out to contacts in renewable energies, energy in general, research, business, etc to start getting a sense of what's going on locally, statewide and then generally in the US.  Fascinating doors seem to be opening.  I'm so thankful for people's time and willingness to meet- I'm loving what I'm learning!  CA, you make me proud.  The US is the butt of many jokes in my program.  But, California is recognized by those in the international energy and natural resource community for drawing a line in the sand.

About a year ago the state upped that goal of electricity generation from renewable sources from 20% to 33% by 2020.  This is ambitious but I love that about the pioneers of the west.  Here's a look at where we are (as of 2008) courtesy of The California Energy Commission

CA's electricity generation supply mix in 2008

Ok, I leave you with something fun and groovy combining my two major focuses for the summer: surfing and natural resource/energy research.  Behold the bamboo surfboard!  I can't say I've seen one but I knew they must exist.  Thank you google search :)

Photo Courtesy of Grain Surfboards

Bamboo is a prolific plant growing at a rate of a meter or more per day.  This makes it a very attractive natural resource to use because it regenerates so quickly.  While we are on the topic of surfboards, you should check out my brothers site too- Breaks Selection.  He custom shapes boards and they are awesome!

Aloha,
lisa liv