Middle Earth

Well...I bet you are all surprised that I am actually blogging! I am a bit surprised myself that I am making the effort, but I already have some good stories that I am really glad I will only have to write about them once. Blogging isn't so bad after all I guess.

So I made the big move to New Zealand on the 14th of May and arrived in NZ on the morning of the 16th. The journey over started out crazy as usual. I booked my flight on two separate airlines which meant I had to go to baggage claim once I entered LA and then go to a different terminal and recheck in. I got to the United ticket desk in Austin and found out the hard way that they had aquired new baggage standards. You are now only allowed to check one bag, not two. The fee for over 50lbs is $25 and the fee for an additional bag is $100. Seeing that I had both of these violations I was looking at an extra payment that would have been more than the cost of my ticket to LA. So at the ticket desk we proceeded to empty out things in my over weight bag which basically consisted of my swimming equipment in order to eliminate that fee, but there was no way I could only check one bag since I am going to be in New Zealand for about a year. Rediculous I know!! So after that fiasco I was running late for my flight and of course the security line took forever. I was sure that I would miss my flight but fortunately I it was running late. I hoped on the plane and found that an Asian guy was in my window seat, but at this point I was just glad to be on the plane so I didn't fight it. I got to LA, changed terminals quite easily and then met up with Hannah, Evan, and Lena. It was a wonderful reunion. Brian, Hannah's dad, arrived a bit later and then we all went up to the club lounge. It was sooooo nice! The 3 hours lay over flew by and before we knew it we were on our flight. Hannah had reserved us seats right at the bulk head, which I think are the best seat in the place. We had soooo much leg room and the flight was only half full so we got to stretch out as well and get a proper sleep in. On the last leg of the flight we plotted how we would surprise the rest of the Palmer family with the arrival of Hannah and Evan. For those of you who don't know, I am living with the Palmer family while I reside in NZ and they were only expecting me and Brian, not H, E, and L. So we decided that we would use the video on my camera and pretend we were taking pictures right when we arrived. I would have them turn their backs to the entry and that way Hannah and Evan could make a grand entrance and really surprise them. So it all worked out perfectly. I got the whole thing on tape and when I figure out how to do it I will post it. Also I must say that going through NZ customs is extremely easy!! So nice and quick!!

So I have been here for about 3 days now and I am still trying to get used to the time change. It is absolutely beautiful! It actually reminds me a lot of Austin and San Diego. Hayley , Hannahs sister is a huge celebrity down here. She recently made the Olympic team for NZ swimming and people here pretty much bow down to her. Its insane. Me and the rest of the family treat her no different. I just got back from a fireside with a man who is running for Prime Minister of New Zealand. Very interesting. Hayley brought me early because she had "some gathering" to go to before hand. I was fully intending to bring a book and read for an hour but that did not happen. We arrived at the stake center and Hayley had to request that I be brought in because the "gathering" turned out to be a VIP meeting with the politician. Only famous Mormon kids were invited. I felt so out of place I cannot not even begin to explain. Everyone came over to Hayley and was so amazed with her Olympic stuff, and then I would be right next to her and she would introduce me and then they would ask what amazing thing I did to which I would reply "Um I am actually here just visiting with Hayley". The reply to this was polite, but it was so embarrassing!!! I have never felt so awkward in my life! There were a few Mormon celebrities there and I had no idea who they were but I was thrown into the mix because I was "Hayleys friend". They would even throw me into pictures with Hayley and these famous people. Then at the end of it they formed a lined with the politicians and all the other VIP Mormon kids to have an opportunity to shake hands with everyone and introduce themselves. When they made this announcement they said "Hello everyone, we are so glad you could be here. We have gathered New Zealands elite to meet with out special guests today. We have students, doctors, lawyers, and an olympic swimmer, Hayley where are you?" Hayley was not expecting this kind of attention at all and was completely thrown off at the mention of her name. Someone came up to her an ushered her to the front of the line and then at the end the politicians requested a special audience with her while they walked to the stand to give their talks. Where was I in all this? Sitting on my own when Hayley went in the reception line, and then I was pulled up to join her in all the picture taking and talking. I can't tell you how unimportant I felt at that moment. So crazy and absolutely hilarious to anyone who was watching. When Hayley was walking with the politicians I was tagging along behind and then they went through this private entrance and once again I was pulled along by Hayley who, at this point, looked just as awkward. So during the fireside Hayley had to leave early, right before the key not speaker. We were making jokes about how the guy would bring Hayley up in his talk and call her out and her not being there. When we got home Hayley got a text from a cousin who notified her that that actually happened. Hayley was horrified and I couldn't stop laughing. Oh the tough life of a celebrity!!

Well thats about it for now folks. I will try to keep you updated as much as possible but I am sure that So much will happen that it would take me hours to write it all. I am working on my accent!!!