I was never able to finish my dinner as a kid. A lot of times this meant I'd have to sit at the table for long periods of time until I did eat everything. And that usually included frequent trips to the bathroom to flush the extra, unwanted food. My parents, like most, offered up examples of starving kids in far off places as motivation for me to eat up.

Yet, I couldn't helping thinking that my surplus would be put to much better use in their empty stomachs than my overly full one. Unsurprisingly my parents ignored my pleas to send my leftovers to Ethiopia and when images of small children with bloated bellies in Africa came on the television my mom stopped letting me watch because it made me too sad.

More than sad, I wanted to do something. Like any empathetic little girl, I wanted to help hungry people. But there never seemed a concrete way. At least not one that I was aware of.

In high school I became a vegetarian when I found out how wasteful meat production was/still is.

In college I took an interest in community food security and helped propose a farmers market that still exists near my alma mater.

But I still wonder how to help hungry people, besides giving food to folks in my own community. I wrestle with the politics that keep some people hungry, though there's enough to go around.

So you can imagine how elated I felt to read this Op-Ed by Nicholas D. Kristof in the New York Times today. Reading Beatrice's story and leaning first-hand how the donation of a single goat to her family not only allowed them to thrive but also enabled her to become the first person in her west Ugandan village to earn a college degree in the United States, is truly inspirational.

Even better, Kristof links to GlobalGiving as a way to make your own donation. This organization, which allows you to donate to causes all over the world, is remarkable. When I chose organizations to give to earlier this year I knew they were onto something. We ended up giving their gift cards out in our gifts bags at a big party in Arlington in January and they were a hit.

I hope you'll consider taking a look for yourself.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a few goats to buy.

Following my escape from the itchy dress worn in this photo, I headed out into the Boston night bound for my hotel. The distance between the prom venue and my accommodations was about a mile, which I'd walked earlier that afternoon. Thinking I might see something new and maybe stumble upon an eatery open past midnight I took a slightly different route back. In fairly short order I found myself traversing a darkened bridge alone and heard Eric's voice in my head telling me that things are really only dangerous when no one else is around. At that point I hailed a cab.

Inside the car I asked the driver to take me somewhere so I could fetch some food to bring back to my room. He deposited me at a diner and waited outside. A few minutes later I re-emerged with a grilled cheese and tomato sandwich in hand. The windows were down as we headed to the hotel and the crisp air felt good on my skin. Just then a dance remix version of Leona Lewis' "Bleeding Love" came on. I love this song! Apparently I wasn't alone as the driver turned it on full blast as we drove, both of us belting out the lyrics.

It was the closest thing to dancing with my boys at The Bar that I could get while still in a taxi in Boston. Best cab ride ever!

I think I need to buy myself a t-shirt or mug with "HELL, YES!" on it. I'm pretty sure they had them in the gift shop but I never found out because they were closing when we tried to go inside. There are so many things to say "HELL, YES!" about, how come we don't do it more often?

At the moment I'm on the third floor of the sweetest house in Melrose pondering openness, fearlessness, and optimism. Hanging out with kids will do that to you. Makes me glad that finding a hotel in Boston was so difficult for tonight. This was definitely the precise place for me to be. In a home, especially considering that it's been so long since I've spent even 24 hours in my own home, eating dinner with family.

Looking at the calendar it appears I may be back in DC for just about two weeks solidly beginning on Saturday. Lots of packing's ahead but as Eric dutifully reminds me at every opportunity, "All we need are boxes."

I once remember someone telling me that it was a good thing to be leaving San Francisco while I still loved it. Much better than leaving when I had already grown tired of the place, unfettered by its many charms.

When I left San Francisco, the city still had a strong hold on my heart. More than a year later, it still does though I admit it is waning some. Also, I know that a trip back to SF is never too distant a possibility. That helps a lot.

And while I never expected to live a long time in DC, I am surprised by the nostalgic feelings overcoming me as I prepare myself to leave it after having lived here less than a year and half. We sat last night pondering the things we’d miss, over happy hour-priced Korean beer and mandu. Would it be our nearby market or the easily accessible queso and frozen margaritas?

I know I will miss riding my bike to Georgetown. And while I’m sure it will also bring great freedom, I will miss owning and driving my car. When I bought it several years ago it was my dream car. And after negotiating for five hours to come to an acceptable price, it felt like an accomplishment, mostly because I did it on my own.

I’ve discovered that it takes at least a year to even begin to see the seedlings of a friendship begin to sprout. And just as was the case when I left San Francisco, I am leaving behind the small, and in some cases not yet born, children of my friends. I will have to now keep up with them through pictures (of which I know there will be many!) and occasional visits.

Despite the slightly melancholic nature of this post, I should state emphatically that I am overwhelmed with excitement at the prospect of my upcoming move. It arrived out of the blue and without warning, and ironically just as I was beginning to accept and really like DC. But nothing is forever, and change is the only thing we can count on so here I come, New York!

My experience at Hook was less than impressive. Still, after watching Sex and the City we decided to give Barton Seaver's fast casual sustainable seafood joint a try. The boys I had in tow were a chorus of nay-sayers about the lack of beer (in its place? $4 lemonades). A seafood shack with no beer? Strange indeed.

Regardless, Tackle Box is absolutely worth a try. It's a good addition to the DC food scene.

If I've learned anything on this visit to San Diego it's that I need to live near the coast. I can't think of anything more beautiful than staring out upon the ocean. Except maybe staring out upon the ocean while sipping a lemonade cocktail, noshing on a caesar salad and working with some speedy wifi on a MacBook Pro.

The election's final results may not be in until tomorrow but it's off to the Castro tonight for celebrations. I left San Francisco for San Diego yesterday morning but I've instructed everyone to shower Sean with love and frozen cosmos in my absence!

Sean's mom is here from New York to join in on the festivities. Like all of us, she is very proud of Sean.

The party was just paid a visit by John Russo, Oakland City Attorney.

Time for another slice of pie, I think.

As is always the case with tense political situations, comfort food was in order. Our possibilities in downtown Oakland after 10:00PM were limited so Anthony and I ran out and bought pies from Nation's. We're gathered 'round on couches in the lobby tucking into strawberry cheesecake, chocolate creme and cherry pies.

When in doubts, eat sweet.

Precincts Reported: 17

Precincts Reported: 5
Now, only 36 to go!

Go Sean Sullivan!

I'm live blogging from Sean Sullivan's election returns party at the Washington Inn in Oakland, California. We're anxiously awaiting the results for Councilmember, District 3. So far none of the precincts are reporting. It may be a long night. . .

Though the summer solstice is still almost a month off, this weekend definitely tempted me to take the summer clothing off of the top shelf of the closet. Mind you, I never owned "summer clothing" until moving to DC. Unless you count the few items I bought at a Gap Outlet in Missouri that summer I spent doing research for my thesis at Mizzou. . .

While I'm not at all looking forward to the oppressive humidity I am ready to break out my popsicle molds and try my hand at some new flavors. I'm especially inspired by a grapefruit and Tupelo honey martini I had in Atlanta the other night. And wouldn't a Greek yogurt and honey popsicle be amazing; particularly if I could figure out how to get it more creamy than icy?

A lifelong PC user, I finally made the big switch (and with a great degree of reluctance, I might add) to a Mac. And if I knew then what I know now, I’d probably have switched a long time ago. In about a day’s time I was able to relearn most of the key board shortcuts I was afraid I’d have to abandon in the platform switch.

But probably best of all, is how much easier this MacBook Pro travels than my former laptop. Travel is a big part of life these days. I’ve become a much more efficient packer, learned that a nice smelling candle can make all the difference in making a non-descript hotel room feel somewhat like home, and seen a lot of remarkable sights. Added bonus: the chance to drop in and see friends who live far away.

Train travel is much preferable to plane travel but unfortunately only one of the primary cities I visit is easily accessible by train.

Priceline.com has given me a mixed bag with regard to hotel rooms but I think I’ve found the sweet spot in terms of making bids (4 stars, $125/night, if you’re curious). Virgin America is by far the winner in plane travel. Their in-flight digital media experience, RED, keeps me sane and occupied on my long, cross-country flights.

Most interesting person I've sat next to on a plane? The President of Emory University. He'll be a tough one to top. I asked him endless questions and he had some really entertaining answers. Best anecdote from the conversation: Let others close the window of opportunity for you.

Give me another month or so and I think I’ll have sussed out advance planning of the perfect in-flight meal, how to pack (but not overpack) the right amount of clothing as well as the proper accessories, and manage to get in a proper work-out while on the road.

Being back in San Francisco is extraordinary. Everything tastes better: cream puffs, every bite of produce, vegan Thai iced tea, French hot dogs. The sun has been out a whole lot and I've been seeing a great many of my friends and getting a real chance to catch up.

Oh, my, how absence makes the heart grow fonder.

I finally made it to Oakland to meet Kai. And he is every bit as exuberant and charming as I gathered from pictures. I love his inquisitiveness; the ways his eyes dart everywhere, looking at the world full of wonder. He was amenable to me holding him at dinner on Thursday night so I walked him all over Dona Tomas finding things for him to look at. Yesterday I joined him and Brooke on a walk to Peet's (the most diverse and friendly Peet's I have ever seen, I might add) and then on to Dimond Park. I know this Park well because I used to come here with Oren and Aviva when they were younger. My stay with Kai and Brooke was too short, for sure but we had a lot of fun with the time we had!

I have now returned to my beloved San Francisco.

I got to see Rhona not once, but twice on my travels around Orange County. We did our usual reminiscing about the s'mores we subsisted on in high school and how glad we are to not be living in Las Vegas.

Our 10 year high school reunion is coming up this summer in the desert. You're more likely to find us at a bonfire on the beach, though.

Mom picked me up at LAX on Sunday and we headed directly to the ocean after dropping my stuff in Long Beach. As we ate lunch I marveled at the fresh sea air and how relaxed everyone around us was: flips flops, tank tops, laid back. I've missed California.

Leading up to Spring Fling the weather was warm, nearing summer-like temperatures. Then, as we got closer, the rain began. It positively poured almost the entire day prior to the event. When I woke up Tuesday morning I hoped against hope for sun. By late afternoon, the sky was looking more promising. And once the first guests started to stream in the sky was bright.

Riding through the city on my bike all day...

I hopped on my bike yesterday for the first time since that confident city cycling class this winter. I rode to Georgetown at a meandering pace, early for a breakfast meeting. It was the only quiet moment I'd end up having all day.

It seems that I am not the only one who likes to look at Ryan's tattoos! This picture has more views than any other in my Flickr photostream.

Well, I am glad something finally edged out the foot fetish shot. Seriously, if you don't believe in the power of tags let that picture be your shining example.

It's been raining quite a lot today. To me it comes as a welcome change from the previous two days which both 80+ degree temperatures. This week I made art out of recyclable materials in Atlanta and ate ice cream in Philadelphia.

Looks like more travel's in the cards once May arrives. I'm glad because I could definitely use a little more California in my life.