Monday January 11, 2016 -- Made it to Auckland

Every day just gets more and more amazing! We are on day four and I feel like we've been here so long, I feel like I've known these girls forever, and I feel like we've already done so much! Oh and I feel like this is my home and I should stay foreva! (that was supposed to be a New Zealand accent) Kidding mom, I will be back :)

After about 30 hours of flights and airport time, we were so glad to make it to our lovely dorms on the 10^th floor at University Hall at the University of Auckland!

We are in a TALL orange building. The Auckland Sky tower is directly outside my window and on the other side of that is the ocean- so there are amazing views all around.  Auckland is such a funny city. Sometimes it feels like San Fran or Boston, sometimes it feels like Europe with amazing architecture and neat European buildings, sometimes it feels like an Asian city, and sometimes it feels like I am in Southern California suburbs. And this can all happen within a block. 

On Saturday we had a free day and the whole group decided to go out together and we walked all over the city. We have 21 students in the group.  It’s a great number because I feel like we can become friends with all of them and it's not too many to get everyone together. Also I feel so lucky because we have such amazing people in the group and we all get along so well. Anyways we felt like pioneer children walking and walking and walking! 

First we went to a cute farmer's market with live sax music and meat pies. On the way to that we found these beautiful greenhouses filled with flowers and beautiful plants. One of them was just filled with beautiful ferns. Then we walked and walked to Mt. Eden which was once a volcano and went on a nice little hike up to a beautiful spot that overlooked the city. That evening we had our opening social at a very nice restaurant followed by the best gelato I have ever tasted! I got the flavor Hokey Pokey... I mean just the sound of it, am I right?!

 You can see pictures arriving to NZ until this day in this vsco journal: http://jesssanne.vsco.co/journal/day-1-1-2

On Sunday we went to Auckland YSA 2nd ward & it was soo much fun! It is at 1:00 & a 30 minute bus ride. I think we doubled the ward! Their accents... heaven, I don't mind listening to anyone there. Easy to the ears. We made a ton of friends and have plans to do way fun stuff with them like paddle board and beach party BBQs.  Love the southern hemi because summer living ain’t too bad at all! We met a girl at church in Sunday school named Bethany. She is from Canada and we got to hear a little bit about her story. She is a big traveler but had never been to New Zealand before, but got the impression to move there. She got home from her travels, told her family, and packed up and moved. She is now working (a lot) and lives very close to the church. She still doesn't know why but I just thought that was an amazing example of faith. Wow. Imagine taking that big of a step in your life when you are not sure why and to a place you had never been before. I thought that was incredible. 

Today we had theee best day everrr! First it started with our very first day of class, which was about an hour long. We heard a bit more about some of the projects we are doing, divided into groups, and got our backpack full of the goods! (Mics, cameras, tripods, etc.) Then we were off! The next part of the day wasn't as great, as I was sooo frustrated as to why my phone wasn't working properly and my number wasn't even associated to my phone anymore. Anyways that was a mess and I'm still sorting that out. But then we hopped in our swimsuits, got on the bus, and headed to Takapuna beach! We stopped at an adorable lunch place called Honey. I had one of the best sandwiches I've ever tasted. Us five girls laid on the beach for a bit and then headed back to the church to meet some of the members from the ward who took us jet skiing!! Heading back to the beach with them was the first time I'd been in a backward car before. On the busses you don't really notice, but the car, that was weird for me! Way cool though. Anyways so we had heaps of fun as they say :) Afterward we headed to the market and got New Zealand chocolate (Cadbury, Whitaker, Tim Tams, Pineapple Lumps, etc.) and Soda (L&P), while the other car got dinner- fish and chips. A few of us stuck with burgers but it was way yummy! A few others from the ward came and it was sweet as to just chill at their house like normal with them like we would back home. We were so glad to have made native friends who we can hang out with and see how their lives are! Anyways we came back and made it for prayer with the group and now I am so tired. 

Oh just to report, my stomach has been feeling great! It's actually feeling normal and I'm so grateful for that. Definitely a tender mercy. 

So now that I officially feel like a sister missionary, I will sign off... Haha!

Love you all,
J