I'm an aunt!

My sister had a baby girl yesterday (well, it was January 27th in the US, but January 28th here). I'm an aunt for the first time! I knew this would be one of the most difficult times to be here in Tonga and not in the US. I don't think I will be able to afford to go home for the next 2 years that I'm here, so I won't see the baby for almost 2 years. That's tough because I know I'm going to be an awesome aunt! I have decided that since the baby (Veronica Ann) was born on the 28th by Tonga time, I will also celebrate her birthday that day (which means she'll get an extra present from me the day after her birthday each year, confirming my place as favorite aunt!). Anyway, I wish I could be there with my sister and family now for such an awesome experience.

Not much going on with my work right now. I'm currently developing a survey for the informal sector in Tonga. That basically includes farmers, fishermen (and women), handicraft makers, street-side vendors, and those working in repair and maintainance or others who aren't tracked by the government and don't pay taxes on thier wages. Should be interesting to see who comes out of the woodwork for this one. I guess part of the goal of the survey is to figure out where these individuals need assistance and whether or not they export at all. I've pretty much finished designing the questions and answer choices for the survey and am now just waiting to move forward with visiting communities to conduct the survey. In the "waiting to move forward" time, I've become rather good at Solitaire and G-mail chat...

On the homefront, my kitten is absolutely insane, described by another PC volunteer as a "white devil." She is always running all over and biting and jumping and attacking. I've stopped being concerned with the scratch marks. However, she does still have her cute moments. She still lays on my lap and lets me pet her and sleeps with me until she gets kicked out for being too wild. Anyway, I like her quite a bit despite her psychotic behavior. She keeps me on my toes.

That's all for now that I'm willing to discuss on here...