Week 1: January 3-January 9
Sunday January 3rd
I flew from Phoenix to Los Angeles at 3:25 pm. I eventually got my luggage and was told how to get to the international terminal by bus. While I was on the bus my mom called me and told me that I have left my camera battery and charger in Arizona. So, I just used my phone as my camera…it was pretty lame.
Then, once I got to the international terminal, I walked for HOURS, ok, maybe just 30 minutes, but when you are lugging around 2 VERY large suitcases and a heavy backpack, it seems like forever…
I finally found the Air New Zealand desk, and got checked into my flight, and dropped off the luggage! Then I went through the security line (the 2nd one of the day), and found my gate, changed my money, and then bought a disposable camera (16 dollars=ripoff).
Oh well, I called my family to let them know I made it to the gate, fond my fellow co-horters (other BYU study abroad participants) and then we boarded the plane. By 7:30 the plane was ready to rumble.
Monday January 4th
We were on the plane…so it kind of didn’t happen…I think. I have not yet mastered this time-traveling stuff. I think I will by the end of this trip.
Tuesday: January 5th
We arrived in New Zealand at 4 am-ish. We went through customs and they checked our passports. When they were doing the final check of our luggage through the x-ray machine, they stopped my luggage. I had some “big Sexy Hair” product (that I was going to give to Sam Gardner (a girl on the trip that had forgotten it in the states)) it had an odd shape to it. I guess you could say it looked like a grenade. I have decided that this is why I was stopped, and why they searched my luggage.
After being stopped, I went through the zig-zaggety door of glory, which brought me into New Zealand, well the part I could see. Paea (Paya) Haraki, and Nga Jonassen were waiting for Lauren Eddington, Amanda Schieffer, Megan Harris, and I with flower Lei’I neckclaces. Then we all piled into Sam’s (a man from their ward) car. We barely fit everybody and their luggage into the car, but we made it.
After being dropped off at Paea’s house, we unpacked our stuff and got to know Paea. She let us use her dail-up internet to send an e-mil home to or families letting them know that we were safely in New Zealand.
Then Nga came and took us to the mall, I bought some Hangers I also went to Harvey Norman’s to see if they had Panasonic Camera Battery, and it was 100 NZD, which is like 72 USD. I decided it would be better if my mom could ship it to me.
Then we came back to Paea’s, and Megan took a rest, and I played UNO with Cooper (Paea’s 10 year old Son/Grandson)
So, I also talked to Paea, and even walked to a post office drop off area with her, it was about a 30 minute walk (roundtrip). On the way back to her house, Paea found some Cups and Saucers in a box, on the side of the road, and picked them up. She said that people will leave things in a box on the side of the road if they don’t want it, and it is up for grabs.
Then we went back to her place, and I took a rest for about 2 hours, it was needed. Paea made Bacon (ham steaks). Salad with tomato quarters and boiled eggs cut in half, with a potato salad with tomato bits. It was good. Then we played some more UNO with Cooper, he is a pretty intense UNO player.
Wednesday January 6th
Megan and I got up early (6:30) and took a walk around the area for about 30 minutes. We ate some breakfast, and then Nga picked us up and took us to school. We just had the Assessment class today. It was from 10-3, and was interesting. After school, Paea picked us up in Nga’s car and took us home. Then Megan and I had an adventure. We found the bus and took it to the mall/library. So, I used me Henderson Library card, and checked my e-mail. It was a good day. Then we came home and had dinner. Paea made Sizzlers (sausages with cheese in the middle), mashed poatoes, green beans, tomatoes and bread. It was pretty good. Then we played UNO with Cooper, and drank some Ovaltine. It was interesting, not quite what I expected.
Thursday January 7th
School. Library. Bus. Dinner (Hamburger with a fired egg on it). Tongan Wedding. Dancing at a Tongan Wedding. Eating at a Tongan Wedding. Sleeping, because I had so much fun at the Tongan Wedding.
Friday January 8th
At school we ate some cookies today (that are native to this part of the world), and graded them. This was by far the best assessment I have ever done. After class we caught the buss, and it took us to the Mall/Library area. After taking care of some business in the Library, we went home. That night we watched the “Other Side of Heaven”, and wouldn’t you know it...Nga (The other Host mom) was in the movie! She was Gossip #1. So, I basically know a movie star.
Saturday January 9th
Today we went to Orewas Beach with the Young Single Adults (YSA) from the Lincoln Ward. It was beautiful. Yeah, I love the beach. It is confirmed. Also, I learned how to play RUGBY!! Well, touch rugby. Any time they would give me the ball, I would stop, look around and ask them what to do. They would say…RUN, RUN, RUN! Or PASS IT, PASS IT, PASS IT!! It was pretty funny.
**Editor's Note**
I will post pictures to facebook, and I will try to summarize the activities I am doing, via this most excellent blog.
