I'm Here!

Now that was a long trip! Leaving Mike in Phoenix was so much harder than I expected. Once Janice and I got to the gat I was in full excitement mode! The flight to LA was easy, but I had a little hiccup when we checked in for the NZ flight. Turns out that Air New Zealand is VERY serious aboutt the weight of their carry-ons. I was way under on my big bag, which was my original worry, but way over on my little bag. I couldn't transfer stuff from one to the other because the big one was checked through win AZ..... The guy at the gate was really nice but must have wanted to laugh out loud at me when I kept pulling things out and shoving them in my "purse"... But they ended up checking it in for free and it all arrived safely and gave us a great laugh!

I slept for about 9 of the 13 hour plane ride, which was more than I average in a night. It was perfect because then I was able to stay up all day. Except now I am blogging at 4:45 am.

We had a wonderful day. Anne Marie and Kerry have been absolutely wonderful. I am excited to spend the next 3 weeks with them! I could go on for hours about all the new things I've seen/heard/learned already today... But let me just highlight a few...

* jandals = flip flops, boot = trunk, ute = truck... And lots more.. I love learning the differences in words between out "English" language.
* gas is $7.75 a gallon (yes in U.S. dollars)
. I will never complain again!!! (ok maybe I will, but I'm just sayin')
* The word beautiful does not even begin to justify this island!
* I have tried many new foods already... Yay me!
* It is COLD!!! I mean bone chilling cold. It reminds me of down town Chicago in the dead of winter on a rainy day!
* I used a "hottie" for the first time today... (hot water bottle)

I have met so many wonderful people already. Janice and I are very lucky to have such wonderful hosts. They are already setting the bar pretty high, hopefully they will like AZ as much as we love NZ.

Oh and technology rocks! I have been able to text the hubby and kids, and talk to mike with skype (not video) all for free. Well I am going to try to get some more sleep, so I'm not a zombie tomorrow.