August 7, 2005: Headlines: COS - Tonga: Married Couples: Planet Tonga: Ofa McGinley says: I came to the USA after marrying my husband who was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Tonga from 1998-2000
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August 7, 2005: Headlines: COS - Tonga: Married Couples: Planet Tonga: Ofa McGinley says: I came to the USA after marrying my husband who was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Tonga from 1998-2000
Ofa McGinley says: I came to the USA after marrying my husband who was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Tonga from 1998-2000
I really love DC it is a very exciting city with a lot going on. Being that it is the capital city of the United States and that my husban works on Capital Hill we get to see a lot of the people you see on the news and making the news. Plus, living here has been a real education for me. Everywhere you go in this city it is history lesson. It has really opened my eyes and I was very happy when I recieved my US citizenship earlier this year.
Ofa McGinley says: I came to the USA after marrying my husband who was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Tonga from 1998-2000
Planet Tonga: hello ofa.
(15:25:45) Ofa McGinley: Hello
(15:27:20) Planet Tonga: please tell us about yourself, family, etc.
(15:29:45) Ofa McGinley: My full name is Ofa ki Timaru McGinley (Kaifoto) I was born in the village of Mu'a on Tongatapu. My mother is from Uiha and my Father is from Lifuka in Ha'apai. I have 2 brothers and 4 sisters
(15:30:11) Planet Tonga: Where do you live now?
(15:32:33) Ofa McGinley: I currently live in Washington D.C. USA on Capital Hill with my husband, Stephen, and our two year old daughter Fiona
(15:33:42) Planet Tonga: So what takes you to Washingtong D.C. How long have you been living there?
(15:36:59) Ofa McGinley: I came to the USA after marrying my husband who was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Tonga from 1998-2000. We returned to his home city of Philadelphia then we moved to Pittsburgh were he went to grad school. Afterwards he got a job working for the goverment with National Aeronautica and Space Administraion (NASA). We have been here for two years now.
(15:44:52) Planet Tonga: So do you like it in DC? Are there many Tongans or Polynesians there?
(15:49:40) Ofa McGinley: I really love DC it is a very exciting city with a lot going on. Being that it is the capital city of the United States and that my husban works on Capital Hill we get to see a lot of the people you see on the news and making the news. Plus, living here has been a real education for me. Everywhere you go in this city it is history lesson. It has really opened my eyes and I was very happy when I recieved my US citizenship earlier this year.
(15:51:01) Planet Tonga: So who are some of the famous people that you have met?
(14:04:43) Ofa McGinley: Okay now I remember but I think i was beginng by trying to answer the second part of your last question. Here it goes, no there are not many Polynesians or Tongans in DC but I did manage to meet a Kiwi/Tongan last week through the help of the PT Directory, Other then that i think the only Polynesians in the are are the Representatives in Congress from Hawaii and American Samoa. As for famous people, most of them are politicians but only a few are probably nationally recognized such as Senetors John McCain and Hillary Clinton
(14:06:02) Ofa McGinley: Sorry for the spelling errors, I hope you will do a grammer check
(14:08:38) Planet Tonga: How about celebrities?
(14:10:26) Ofa McGinley: James Cameron (from the photo I sent you). Buzz Aldrin (one of the first men to walk on the moon) that is about it
(14:13:08) Planet Tonga: So do you work or just stay at home with the kids?
(14:16:55) Ofa McGinley: Just stay home with the kids>:P To answer your question I take care of my daughter and another child. I quit my job working so that I could stay home with my daughter. It was a big decsion but i believe I made the right choice
(14:21:51) Planet Tonga: Don't get me wrong. I agree staying at home is a big job. I know this for a fact.
(14:23:02) Planet Tonga: So how often do you visit PT?
(14:23:49) Planet Tonga: Which section do you visit most?
(14:24:16) Ofa McGinley: Daily, to see for the news stories
(14:24:46) Planet Tonga: How did you first hear of PT and how long have you been visiting?
(14:26:04) Ofa McGinley: I first heard about it through my husband. When we came to the States, he did some searches on the web and found PT. It has been a great resource
(14:29:08) Planet Tonga: Any suggestions for improving the site.
(14:32:04) Ofa McGinley: I would love to see more updated content, sometimes stuff stays on there for months. I think this random chat idea is great. You should really encourage Tongans from all over the world to write so we can read about and share one anothers adventures
(14:37:04) Planet Tonga: Do you currently have anything to share. Like something you wrote....an aritcle, essay, etc.
(14:39:24) Ofa McGinley: I do not currently, but maybe I can write something about my recent trip to Ireland
(14:40:52) Planet Tonga: You can also have your husband share some of his experience in Tonga while in the peace corp.
(14:41:37) Ofa McGinley: I will ask him, I am sure he will be more then glad to
(14:43:51) Planet Tonga: Well, it was very nice chatting with you. Please let us know of any events in the DC area that might benefit our people.
(14:44:19) Planet Tonga: This chat is being captured and will be online in the near future along with your photo.
(14:45:43) Ofa McGinley: malo ofa'atu
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Story Source: Planet Tonga
This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Tonga; Married Couples
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