Hello New Zealand

I AM HERE! My flight from LAX to New Zealand could not have been any better. I got a window seat as well as an empty seat next to me. I watched some Ashton Kutcher movie, took a Benadryl, and slept the rest of the way. I arrived in Aukland early but got out of security late. First the trained beagle they have sniffed my bag so the lady had to look through it. Then they Xrayed my bag and decided my boots might be evil so I had to take them out and show them they were normal, well meaning rain boots (known here as gum boots which caused much confusion because I could not figure out what the lady was talking about). I walked out into the greeting area and found my host family. The two boys were holding up a sign that said Heather Norris on it. They were adorable. We then got into the car and headed "home." My room is awesome, really big. I unpacked and took a shower and then me and the family had breakfast. Then I was given a tour of Devonport which is the village we live in. Yes you heard me right, village. It is perfect. Everything is a 15 minute walk away and it is impossible to get lost. If I wanted to actually go into the city, Aukland, all I would have to do is hop on the ferry. There are also like 5 used bookstores and an equal amount of cute coffee shops. I am in heaven. Carolyn, my "host mother" said that if I was really into nightlife I was in the wrong place. HAHAHA! The school I am working at is at the base of a dormant volcanoe and has the most amazing view. After a wander around town we got fish and chips and ate on the beach. Which is when it started raining. We rented a movie and all of us sat in the living room and watched it projected up on the living room wall. It was a perfect first day. I slept for 12 hours last night and am still a bit tired but not bad. Today I will probably go wander around the village if it stops raining long enough. This thing will just let me download one picture at a time so I will put up the rest when I have more time. This view is a 15 minute walk from my house. Love you guys!