I made it!

I'm finally here.The travel gods were on my side this trip. I had an extra stop over than I expected, but it just meant one more trip through security. I managed to have an empty seat next me on every flight. It was heaven. I didn't really get much sleep, but I spent the flight watching movies (21 Jump Street, The Vow (so much channing tatum), Wanderlust and Act of Valor) and NOT going through the travel books like I had planned. Everyone on all my flights and waiting in the terminals were super nice and I enjoyed talking to everyone.

So far everything has gone super smoothly (even moreso than I imagined in some cases) and I got a bank account and (if I can get it working right) my phone. I even got some tax forms filled out I didn't realize I needed to do. Its super hilly here and I'm really doubting my stick shift driving skills now. The lanes are also pretty narrow and I'm working on training my brain to look the right direction when I look to see if cars are coming. Its a tad colder than I expected, but the weather is beautiful. It was raining last night when I got in, so its nice to see it sunny today.

The guy i'm staying with picked me up with some friends and we went and grabbed a burger than he talked me through where to go and what to do (errand related). Hes working all day today, so I'm on my own, but so far I've been super productive and gotten things done easier than I expected.

The one thing that got me was the first plane ride had a bunch of american TV shows and movies, which made sense. Then on the flight from Sydney to Auckland I realized the selection hadn't changed much. We got back to his place and his flatmates were watching Modern Family. The Australian I was on the plane with was watching the Office and saying how he loved it and people on the plane were watching Big Bang Theory and How I Met Your Mother. I sat down in the shopping center across from a DVD store and their selection was all American TV shows, even Smallville and One Tree Hill. I'm excited because now I don't have to miss out on some of my favorite shows. I'm happy to know Modern Family is just as big over here. The supermarket even seems to have a lot of similar foods. I almost feel too much like I'm in the US.

Well I'm off to go for a walk to the beach and be a tourist. Have fun going to bed, my day is just starting :)