tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-388938272024-02-28T08:12:54.008-05:00Europe Here I Come!!!My blog for my trip to Munich and Prague in May of 2007.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02773608804710148728noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38893827.post-33145248039210782242007-05-31T08:15:00.000-05:002007-05-31T08:17:17.505-05:00My last postI think this will be my last post : ( I have my pictures uploaded and so I'm not sure what else I would write about. If you want to view my pictures, go to MelissaDaul.com and click on pictures and then follow the Europe Link. They're all there. I hope everyone enjoyed reading my blog. This trip was so amazing and I am so glad I got to share the experience with such amazing people! <br /><br />signing off...mAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02773608804710148728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38893827.post-63826086339253028632007-05-28T08:45:00.001-05:002007-05-28T08:51:21.190-05:00Happy Memorial DayIt is strange to blog on a laptop and not the blackberry. Since I am officially home, in my apartment, I thought I would throw out another post to say I am home safe and sound. Thanks to everyone who read my blog and commented. It was nice to have some notes from home. <br /><br />Tomorrow is back to work, but today is laundry, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">separating</span> things out and probably napping a bit. Life will go back to boring, but that will be okay for a while. I need to get back in the swing.<br /><br />I'll put another post on here once my pictures are posted. That might take a while!!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02773608804710148728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38893827.post-9715273635557615962007-05-27T17:48:00.000-05:002007-05-27T18:01:32.601-05:00back in the big bad usaWe are on the bus back to oshkosh. The group has been downsized to 18 ppl. We are supposed to get back to the lot at 9, which makes for a late night for this tired traveller. Some ppl are talking about going out in Oshkosh but I might have to play the old lady card and head up the fox to see morgan. I bet he misses me. I am pretty stoked that all my baggage made it back. I was a bit concerned about that. Next step will be to see if the crystal is intact. If that is the case then the trip will be a 100% successful!<br /><br />Okay, time to chat with my travel buddies!<br /><br />Signing off...mAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02773608804710148728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38893827.post-53922714672236745542007-05-27T02:10:00.000-05:002007-05-27T02:17:24.171-05:00leaving on a jet plane...We are sitting in the Prague airport, waiting for our flight to Zurich. I am really sad to leave. I am excited to go home, sleep in my bed, and not eat out every meal, and see Morgan. The trip was so great and we had such a cohesive group. Now it is back to the grind. Hopefully I will have a chance to come back but at least I know that I made the most out of the trip. We are already planning some reunions this summer. I can not wait!!<br />Okay, we will board soon.<br /><br />Signing off...mAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02773608804710148728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38893827.post-54075471101082548442007-05-26T12:13:00.000-05:002007-05-26T12:26:06.254-05:00hanging out at the top of the hillWe took a little trip to the prague castle today. Our small group (jesse, jenny, robbie and me) decided against the tour and just bummed around at the top of the hill. We stumbled upon a great resturant that served the most awesome milkshakes ever. The atmosphere was amazing and we had so much fun just sitting and enjoying our snack. After that we hit up a park, which was a nice break from tourist mode. Now we are going to Jama for dinner, since it is Robbie's b-day he chose the location of dinner. We'll probably have a few drinks after to celebrate our last night in Prague. I wil probay post something tomorrow at the airport about being sad that I am leaving tomorrow. But now I am on my way to eat.<br /><br />Signing off....mAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02773608804710148728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38893827.post-72415799556552743952007-05-25T21:17:00.000-05:002007-05-25T21:22:45.694-05:00clubbing it up Prague styleWe all wanted to go out tonight as tomorrow is the only day we had absolutely only day we did not have to get up early. So our tour guide took us out to the clubs, one that is mostly locals. Needless to say, we all sweat out a few pounds on the dance floor. It was so much fun, we hated to leave, but since it is now 4 am and the birds are chirping, it was probably a good idea. The club played american and czech music, and drinks were cheap. All but two ppl from our group came with, so it was a great time. Even the older grad students (who pointed out they could be some of our parents) were busting the moves.<br /><br />Tomorrow will be our last day. Better get some sleep so we can make the most of it.<br /><br />Signing off...mAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02773608804710148728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38893827.post-76212551049559072282007-05-25T05:27:00.001-05:002007-05-25T15:06:51.454-05:00our last fun night out!!Tonight we had our farewell dinner. It was a great italian place. We had a great time, everyone enjoying talking to our new friends :)<br />Tonight is the last night that we can actually go out. Right now we are playing beer pong in Nick, Todd and Peter's room. Good stuff! We are going out to a pub and then to the disco tech! Should be a good time!!! Okay, time to kick Jesse and Nick's ass in beer pong. Lorna and I are on a roll!!<br /><br />Signing off...mAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02773608804710148728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38893827.post-14512113869559889792007-05-25T05:27:00.000-05:002007-05-25T05:32:32.037-05:00the last professional events!We had our last professional event today. It was interesting to hear the perspective of a professor in the CR. He spoke as to the state of the EU and the future. <br />Now we have some free time and tonight is the farewell dinner. Tomorrow is free time so I think we are hitting up the castle. I have a few more shopping duties to hit up and then I am good to go. My crew is ready to go, so I have to jet!<br /><br />Signing off...mAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02773608804710148728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38893827.post-43394163563647796882007-05-24T06:24:00.001-05:002007-05-24T16:13:57.476-05:00it is time to say goodnight.We went to thermo king today. It was interesting to see what goes into the heating and cooling systems of a bus. After we got back into the city we went bumming and I got jocelyn something super cool. Haha you don't get to know until I come back! Then Beth, Lorian, Jenny and I had some good greek food and came back to the hotel. It is already after 11 so I thought I should get some sleep. Tomorrow we are going out to celebrate robbie's b-day and just hang out. In the morning is our last professional visit. I will be so sad to leave, but I will be excited to get home and see my family and friends and Morgandorfer! <br />I should go to bed! Czech you all later! Haha, I am funny :)<br /><br />Signing off...mAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02773608804710148728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38893827.post-11605389723962720712007-05-24T06:24:00.000-05:002007-05-24T06:29:17.553-05:00holy crystalWe just toured a crystal factory. Holy man, that was so interesting! The Bohemian Glassworks factory turns out over 5000 designs a year. I really enjoyed watching the glass blowing and hand cutting. We hit up the store, as a group we spent 3500 dollars at the store. Craziness. <br />Now on to ThermoKing. Hard to believe there are only a few days left.<br /><br />Signing off...mAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02773608804710148728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38893827.post-84231667331650979102007-05-23T06:11:00.001-05:002007-05-23T15:41:54.237-05:00another action packed adventureToday after O2 we visited KPMG. The speaker was an Aussie and he told us about ex-pat oppurtunities in the Czech Republic. It was really interesting. Fergus (I had to get that name in somehow) has been here for 5 years. <br />After that, Nick, Jesse, Peter, Lorian, Beth, Jenny and I went to do some shopping, but got distracted by the large tower near the castle. It was a hell of a hike up (which could of been avoided had we realized there was a tram), but a beautiful view. We were at the top of Prague. <br />Afterwards, we had dinner at the Italian place by our hotel. Very good. <br />Tomorrow is the crystal factory and glassworks. It is also thermo king. I am stoked. I love the professional events. Such a great way to network. I have some great business cards now : )<br />Okay time to sleep!<br /><br />Signing off...mAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02773608804710148728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38893827.post-10066463108418922282007-05-23T06:11:00.000-05:002007-05-23T06:16:28.762-05:00another visitWe went to O2 today, which has about 38% of the market share for the Czech cell phone market. It was interesting to hear how they are transitioning ppl into mobile service from the traditional land lines. <br />It is about 1:15 now. We are leaving in a few minutes to go to KPMG, which is a consulting firm. I believe tonight is free. Tomorrow we have Bohemia glassworks and another manufacturing firm. <br /><br />It is really warm, upper 70s to 80s. With all the walking you have to do a lot of water drinking, but everyone is holding up well. Hard to believe that the time here is on the downslide. I wish I could stay much longer! Although I am sure Morgan misses me!<br /><br />Okay, better go meet the group.<br /><br />Signing off...mAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02773608804710148728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38893827.post-46597506743293682032007-05-22T10:32:00.003-05:002007-05-22T15:03:33.496-05:00prague by boatWe went on a dinner cruise tonight. It was beautiful. The tour was two hours long, just eating and drinking on the boat. I really enjoyed it. Our group did some more bonding, shocking. We all get along really well. <br /><br />Since I got a mass e-mail from Kara today, I can finally say congrats to her and Simon on their impending parenthood! <br /><br />Now, a favor, someone needs to email me and tell me who wins dancing with the stars. I am dorky, I can't help it. <br /><br />Okay, I need a serious shower! <br />Signing off...mAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02773608804710148728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38893827.post-72811399367280793832007-05-22T10:32:00.002-05:002007-05-22T15:02:10.332-05:00prague by boatWe went on a diner cruise tonight. It was beautiful. The tour was two hours long, just eating and drinking on the boat. I really enjoyed it. Our group did some more bonding, shocking. We all get along really well. <br /><br />Since I got a mass e-mail from Kara today, I guess I can finally say congrats to her and Simon on their impending parenthood! <br /><br />Now, a favor, someone needs to email me and tell me who wins dancing with the stars. I am dorky, I can't help it. <br /><br />Okay, I need a serious shower! <br />Signing off...mAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02773608804710148728noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38893827.post-12166647984050343992007-05-22T10:32:00.001-05:002007-05-22T10:46:25.270-05:00Czech it out....That was kind of lame, but that is okay.we just took a walking tour of Prague. It is a beautiful city filled with so much history. Our tour guide was so knowledgeable and was able to tell us a lot about the landmarks and history. We stood in the spot where the velvet revolution came to a head. It was pretty amazing. <br />Tonight we are going on a dinner tour on the river. Should be interesting. Hope I don't get motion sick. <br />Okay, time to get ready. <br /><br />Signing off...mAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02773608804710148728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38893827.post-39325262406239066842007-05-21T16:57:00.000-05:002007-05-21T17:05:35.062-05:00is more beer possible?Apparently so. We went to the pilsner brewery, which is the original pilsner. Anything you see that is pils is a knock off, or so they told us on the tour. The beer was great. They still brew some the way the firt batch was brewed in the 1800s. That is the stuff we got to try, straight out of the oak barrel in the basement. It was a nice tour. <br />We left pilsen and went to Prague. We got in late and didn't get to see much, but we are staying right off the main square in old town and have a great view of some amazing buildings. A few of us got dinner at a place that had czech food. It was really good. <br />Now it is creeping up on midnight and I need sleep! <br /><br />Goodnight! <br /><br />Signing off...mAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02773608804710148728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38893827.post-8230175789064706122007-05-21T04:53:00.000-05:002007-05-21T04:59:21.041-05:00on the road again...We are in a bus right now going from Munich to Prague. This morning we went to MAN. They manufacture huge trucks and coach buses. The tour of the factory was very interesting. I thought it was interesting that there were no saftey glasses available, escpecially since the union presence is large in the country. Next stop is the brewery in the Czech Republic.<br />Okay, that is all I have. Back to the bus ride!<br /><br />Signing off...mAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02773608804710148728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38893827.post-29207431687695362922007-05-20T12:52:00.000-05:002007-05-20T13:09:37.990-05:00soooo tiredSo Füssen and the castle (which I won't even try to spell out) were great. It was so cool to be in the Alps and see the beautiful mountains. The castle tour was so interesting. I took so many pictures becuase it was so inspiring. The king who built it, who died before the completion, spent over 6Million duetch marks to build it. The bed alone took fourteen carvers four years to complete. Amazing.<br /><br />I am actually typing this from a internet cafe. We ventured out, before what will be an early night, and since no one else is done yet, i thought it would be easier to blog on here. It would be, if the z and y weren't in each other's places. The @ sign took me a bit to find as well. Interesting.<br /><br />Tonight we are taking it easy, kind of like i planned to last night. Right, that didn't work so well. Tomorrow is busy with a visit to MAN manufacturing and the Pilsner brewery as well as the transfer to Prague which I am hoping is just as amazing as Munich. I have had so much fun in this city. It has an energy that I can't get enough of. There is just so much life around you and everyone has been so nice and so friendly. Plus, the city is in such a great location. A four hour train ride (which, by the way, this trip reconfirmed my love for riding the train) and you can be in Verona, Switzerland, or Austria). It is about 7 hours to Paris. Not too shabby! I am also amazed at the amazing cleanliness. I have been in few other big cities that were so clean.<br /><br />I think that is all I have to write for now. I am hoping everyone is done so I can go pack and go to sleep. It is 8:10 now and I plan on being sleeping by 9! It may take me longer than that to pack, but as soon as that last piece is in the suitcase, I am out! All this day tripping around Bavaria has got me awfully worn out.<br /><br />good night!<br /><br />signing off....mAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02773608804710148728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38893827.post-84557832785098466472007-05-20T00:49:00.000-05:002007-05-20T00:59:00.640-05:006 am comes really early these days...It is already almost 8. We are on a train going to some castles that I am not even going to try to spell. Last night I was planning on going to bed early. After we went to dinner at the beer garden (which was awesome because there weren't many tourists) we had a few drinks. I guess I could be more specific...I had 3.5 liters. I feel good this morning...so don't worry mom. We had so much fun there. Ppl were laughing and dancing and singing. There were fire breathers and other street performers. Our group has a lot of fun together. We hit up the hotel bar on the way back. Guenther even joined us for a brew and told ne if I moved to munich he would not only teach me german, but also be my friend :)<br />Ok, the train conversation is getting good! <br /><br />Signing off...mAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02773608804710148728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38893827.post-28872229476751906432007-05-19T09:13:00.000-05:002007-05-19T09:54:01.354-05:00when you know the notes to sing...Salzburg is beautiful. We are hanging out in a park after a busy day of seeing sights of the sound of music, the castle and the beautiful gardens that are in the city. The train is taking us back to Munich, then dinner and an early night! I am tired from all the excitement! <br />The train ride was wonderful! It is by far my favorite form of transportation. <br /><br />I took a ton of pictures. Can't wait to bore you all with them!<br /><br />Signing off...mAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02773608804710148728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38893827.post-80810799787473093232007-05-18T13:05:00.003-05:002007-05-18T23:36:26.593-05:00it is really early in MunichI woke up at 5:55 and could not fall back asleep. Not so hot since I got to sleep at like 1. Oh well, we have like 2 hours on the train to Austria. <br />I realized my first travel hardship this morning...blisters. Between my toes from my Keen flip flops. Damn. At least I can wear something else today and let them heal, but it still sucks!!<br />I can not wait to get my pictures on to my computer and see if they turned out! I think I have some good ones!!! <br />Ok, I should get ready for breakfeast. <br /><br />Signing off...mAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02773608804710148728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38893827.post-8497516429064579052007-05-18T13:05:00.002-05:002007-05-18T23:09:18.061-05:00are you all getting sick of reading about beer?We went to, where else, the beer garden tonight. Very fun, escpecially the swiss guys who kept saying to Kaia "I love you". <br />I have to apologize for all my misspellings. No spell check reminds me how much I am dependant on technology.<br /><br />Ok...time for bed. It is 12:34.<br /><br />Good night<br /><br />Signing off...mAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02773608804710148728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38893827.post-10933818016650225332007-05-18T13:05:00.000-05:002007-05-18T13:28:17.313-05:00long long walks and surfing in the park...After the intel presentation and trip back to the hotel, we hit the tow with Guenther. Only 9 of us went on an add'l guided tour. We hit up the '72 olympic games grounds. We even went up in the tower, about 230 meters above Munich. So cool! I even took a picture hugging a tree for Lexi! <br />Then we walked through the Olympic village. After a short subway ride and walking through some of the Munich city streets, we hit up the english gardens. They span over 3 km. There were ppl everywhere just chilling, just hanging out, even some nudists (which were old men, so not exactly appealing). When we got over to the bridge there were ppl surfing from the current created under the bridge. It was neat. <br />Although I wasn't going to mention beer because I think my mom is worrying, but I do have to say that today we had an excellent brew at a beer garden at the olympic village with our schnitzel and potato salad. It was such a beautiful location, in the village on the grounds, up the hill created by the ruins from WWII. We are in a resturant now, having dinner and radler, which is beer and sprite mixed and is really quoite excellent. <br />Tomorrow is austria. The hills are alive w/the sound of music!<br />Food is here.<br /><br />Signing off...mAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02773608804710148728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38893827.post-23521227517533010132007-05-17T10:39:00.001-05:002007-05-17T16:20:11.056-05:00more beer!!That title probably scares my mom, but we were in a group in the hotel bar. Since we have to get up early, everyone decided to just have a few drinks in the bar. Since Jenny and I had made friends last night with the bartender and waitress, we thought it was a good idea! <br /><br />Right now it is 11:21 pm. I am almost ready to wind down, get some sleep!<br /><br />We went to dinner with Guenther at a nice resturant that I can't remember the name of anymore...but it was good. The group is great and really cohesive. It is probably hard to believe that even though we have known each other such a short time, it feels like I have known these ppl for much longer. Hopefully it continues to go well. Traveling with fun ppl makes a good group makes a huge difference.<br /><br />Tomorrow is intel. I am stoked for that. Then more viewing of Munich. Woohoo!<br /><br />Signing off...mAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02773608804710148728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38893827.post-80378859389455455642007-05-17T10:39:00.000-05:002007-05-17T10:51:31.002-05:00gotta luv the beer gardens!Today we went on a guided walking tour of Munich, after our first presentation. It was so interesting to see the sites through the eyes of a born and bred local. Guenther, our guide, showed us many of the sites of old Munich, along with the beer garden! The waiter asked me what I wanted, so I asked for their standard dark. When he asked me size, I asked what the options were. The options available to me were tourist or Bavarian (the state we are in). Never one to back down from a challenge...I got the Bavarian. That was a liter, which is a lot of beer!!! It was delicious though, and went well with the pretzels they served. Tonight we're going to dinner with the tour guide and then we're hitting another beer garden. While in Munich you should do as they do, right? <br /><br />Tomorrow we have an early meeting at Intel which should me amazing. Then the rest of the day is free. I am fairly excited to bum around the city (which is very safe mom) and get some more pics. Rest assure, I did get a picture of me with my big mug. Can you say Christmas card??<br /><br />Okay, it is 5:45 pm and I should get ready for dinner!<br /><br />Signing off...mAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02773608804710148728noreply@blogger.com1