My last post

I 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!

signing off...m

Happy Memorial Day

It 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.

Tomorrow is back to work, but today is laundry, separating 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.

I'll put another post on here once my pictures are posted. That might take a while!!

back in the big bad usa

We 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!

Okay, time to chat with my travel buddies!

Signing off...m

leaving 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!!
Okay, we will board soon.

Signing off...m

hanging out at the top of the hill

We 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.

Signing off....m

clubbing it up Prague style

We 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.

Tomorrow will be our last day. Better get some sleep so we can make the most of it.

Signing off...m

our 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 :)
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!!

Signing off...m

the 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.
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!

Signing off...m

it 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!
I should go to bed! Czech you all later! Haha, I am funny :)

Signing off...m

holy crystal

We 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.
Now on to ThermoKing. Hard to believe there are only a few days left.

Signing off...m

another action packed adventure

Today 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.
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.
Afterwards, we had dinner at the Italian place by our hotel. Very good.
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 : )
Okay time to sleep!

Signing off...m

another visit

We 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.
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.

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!

Okay, better go meet the group.

Signing off...m