Simple Living

Took the weekend to visit Houston.  Was more to enjoy a nice drive on I-40 and eat at a few places in H-town.  Enjoyed some Cuban food at Cafe Piquet and I’m liking the Ropa Vieja (shredded beef). Stopped both ways at Madisonville Buc-ees.  Overall, a simple, short and fun getaway.  Also found a really nice shoulder bag at Buc-ees that reminds me of the Lululemon version.

Quick Review: IASS Lounge at Narita Terminal 1 Worth It If It's Free If you have complimentary access, the IASS Lounge at Narita Airport’s Terminal 1 is a decent place to relax for a couple of hours. It’s nothing fancy, but it does the job—especially when you're just looking for a quiet space to recharge before your flight. What’s Included One standout perk: they offer a free can of Asahi beer, which is a nice touch. The drink machines are surprisingly good, with a variety of options, and the lounge has its own dedicated Wi-Fi network, which worked well during my stay. Comfort and Atmosphere The chairs are on the firm side, so don’t expect to catch a nap here. Still, it feels like a more secure and calm environment compared to the general terminal seating, making it a good spot to relax, scroll your phone, or catch up on some reading. Surprisingly Good Tomato Juice The biggest surprise? The tomato juice. I wasn’t expecting much, but it ended up being my favorite drink t...

Comparing Zipair to ANA and JAL: Is It Worth the Savings? Why I Chose Zipair This Time For my return trip, I booked a flight on Zipair to see how it stacks up against ANA. Whether it's the right choice really depends on your travel style and priorities. Fares and Value Zipair’s fares are typically cheaper, which is appealing—especially for budget-conscious travelers. But if you're flying solo like I was, basic economy on ANA or JAL can also be quite affordable. Personally, unless the savings are more than $150, I’d still choose ANA or JAL over Zipair in basic economy. What to Expect on Zipair That’s not to say there’s anything wrong with Zipair. The experience is clean, simple, and efficient—but it’s also very no-frills. Nearly everything is à la carte—from water and coffee to meals—so you’ll need to pre-purchase food or bring your own onboard. That’s easy enough if you're departing from Japan, but much less practical from LAX, where buying food can be pricey. One An...

Japan’s Canned Highballs: A Surprisingly Delicious Upgrade Why Highballs in Japan Just Hit Different I’ve always enjoyed a classic Scotch & Soda, but Japan elevates this simple cocktail into something much more refined—and readily accessible. Whether picked up at a konbini (convenience store) or ordered at an izakaya, canned highballs are a staple of Japanese drinking culture. They’re crisp, refreshing, and often better than what you'd expect from a cocktail bar back home. Canned Highballs I Tried During my trip, I made it a mission to try a variety of canned highballs. Here are my top picks and thoughts: Suntory Kaku Best value. Clean, crisp, and well-balanced—this was the clear standout. It’s a major step up from my old college go-to, Jack & Coke. Black Nikka A great option if you prefer something with a touch of smokiness. Still smooth and easy-drinking, especially over ice. Suntory Strong Zero Lemon A bit more like a soda than a traditional highball, but r...

Planning My Next Adventure: Hawaii & Japan I’m gearing up for another exciting trip to Hawaii and Japan , this time for two weeks of relaxation, exploration, and re-discovery. Having visited both destinations multiple times, this trip will be more about unwinding and exploring new places, rather than the usual tourist checklist. What makes this year even better is that the prices are surprisingly affordable, and the exchange rates are favorable—meaning it’s actually more budget-friendly than my 2023 trip. Here’s my itinerary for the next two weeks:   Planned Itinerary: Honolulu (4 days) Osaka (4.5 days) Tokyo (6.5 days) Total: 15 days   Honolulu – 4 Days I’ll be flying into Honolulu (HNL) on a Delta Boeing 767-300 . I’ve been to Hawaii several times, but there’s something about the islands that always feels like home. I’m staying at the Hilton Hawaiian Village , my go-to spot for its relaxed atmosphere and great discount rates. It’s the perfect place to ease i...

Riding the Shinkansen: Osaka to Tokyo in Style During my 2025 trip to Japan, I had the chance to ride the iconic Shinkansen bullet train on the popular Osaka to Tokyo route. I opted for the fastest service, the Nozomi , and made the journey from Shin-Osaka Station to Tokyo Station in just 2.5 hours —smooth, fast, and impressively punctual. Train vs. Plane: Why the Shinkansen Wins While it’s technically cheaper to fly , the Shinkansen offers unbeatable convenience. There’s no airport hassle , no long check-ins or security lines—just a quick boarding process and a seamless connection to Tokyo’s local subway system. For travelers who value efficiency, the train is a clear winner Tips for a Better Ride Book in advance for a window seat—especially if you want a view of Mount Fuji or just a bit more comfort. Same-day tickets are usually available, though they may not offer the best seat options. A minor downside: the change in elevation caused some ear popping, so it’s something to...

Flying the ANA Airbus A380: A Jumbo Jet Built for Vacation A Rare Bird in the Skies I recently had the chance to fly aboard ANA’s Airbus A380, a double-decker jumbo jet that’s become something of a unicorn in modern aviation. ANA operates this aircraft exclusively on the Narita (NRT) to Honolulu (HNL) route, and if you’re heading to Hawaii, it’s absolutely worth trying at least once. Spacious, smooth, and strikingly quiet for its size, the A380 offers a unique experience tailored for leisure travel. Comfort and Cabin Experience The flight was every bit as comfortable as you’d expect from ANA, with service that met the airline’s consistently high standards. The aircraft layout felt thoughtfully designed for relaxation—whether you’re in economy, premium economy, or business class, there’s a sense of space that smaller widebodies just can’t match. If you’ve flown ANA’s 787 or 777 aircraft, the service and seat experience will feel familiar. The key difference here is the novelty and...

Switching to Suica: Getting Ready for Japan Transit & Convenience As I gear up for my upcoming trip to Japan, I’ve officially made the switch to Suica for my IC transit card. It’s a super convenient option—Suica is widely accepted in both Tokyo and Osaka , covering trains, buses, vending machines, and even many konbini (convenience stores). I still have a bit of a balance left on my old Pasmo card, so I plan to use it up on a few konbini purchases before retiring it. Nothing goes to waste in Japan!   Topping Up: Suica Balance & Payment Tips The  maximum balance you can load onto a Suica card is ¥20,000 (about $138 USD , based on an exchange rate of ¥145 to $1).  I topped mine up using my U.S. debit Mastercard , and—no surprise—my bank flagged it as potential fraud. Luckily, a quick text confirmation cleared things up. Once approved, my next reload went through without any issues. If you're topping up with a foreign card, keep an eye out for similar alerts...

Rediscovering the Joy of a Tablet: My Experience with the iPad 8th Generation Lately, I’ve found myself appreciating the value of having a tablet again. After spending so much time switching between screens on my iPhone 16, I realized how much I missed having a larger display. Luckily, I was gifted an 8th generation Apple iPad, and it’s turned out to be exactly what I needed. A Perfect Balance of Portability and Usability The iPad 8th Gen hits that sweet spot—big enough to comfortably browse apps, stream content, and read, yet compact enough to carry around with ease. I no longer have to squint at my phone when reading articles or navigating apps. The 10.2-inch Retina display is a major upgrade for my eyes and my workflow. Streaming Made Better One of my favorite uses for the iPad so far is streaming. Watching Netflix, YouTube, and other content on the larger screen is such a better experience than using my phone. The display quality is crisp, and the sound is surprisingly solid for ...

2026 Wardrobe Upgrade Plan: Investing in Timeless Staples As I look ahead to 2026, my goal is to refine and elevate my wardrobe with quality pieces from trusted brands. I’m building a versatile lineup of essentials that combine classic style, function, and long-term value. Total Planned Investment Ralph Lauren Essentials – $430   Footwear – $50 Uniqlo Basics – $135 Other - $40 Grand Total – $655 1. Ralph Lauren Essentials – $430 Leveling up my casual rotation with timeless pieces from Ralph Lauren: Polo Shirt – Navy: $65 Polo Shirt – White: $65 Polo Sweater – Quarter Zip (Navy): $100 Polo Sweater – Crew Neck (Navy): $100 Polo Sweater – Cable Knit (Tan): $100 2. Footwear Refresh – $50 Replacing everyday sneakers with iconic styles: Adidas Stan Smith : $50 3. Everyday Basics – $135 Building a strong base with versatile t-shirts from Uniqlo: 6 tees in Blue, Gray, Navy, Black (x2), and White Estimated average price: $22.50 each 6 x $22.50 = $135 ...

My Backpack Rotation: A Bag for Every Purpose Over time, I’ve built a small but functional backpack collection tailored to different aspects of my routine—from travel to work, and even document storage. Here’s how each one plays its part: Adidas Foundation V (33L) – Travel companion : lightweight, spacious, thin material that compresses easily Dakine Duel (26L) – Work bag : ergonomic, durable, a balanced blend of structure and flexibility Nike Utility Speed (27L) – Utility/EDC pack : rugged, boxy silhouette with stiff fabric Nautica 18" (28L) – Home storage : discreet and firm, maintains shape well (1) Travel: Adidas Foundation V 33L Product Code: EX6630 For travel, I rely on the Adidas Foundation V —the largest in my lineup at 33 liters, yet also the lightest. It’s made from a thin, malleable material that’s easy to pack and compresses down when not fully loaded, giving it a sleek, low-profile silhouette. It’s accompanied me on multiple international trips a...

Why I Switched to the Sarasa Clip 0.5mm Gel Pen Until recently, my everyday pen collection was built around Pilot G2 and Uniball gel pens. I’ve always preferred gel pens over ballpoints—mainly because they require less pressure to write, making them smoother and more comfortable for long writing sessions. What Drew Me to the Sarasa Clip? I recently made the switch to the Sarasa Clip 0.5mm gel pen , and I’m seriously impressed. What drew me in? For starters, the variety of ink colors is fantastic. Whether I want something vibrant or more subtle, the Sarasa offers a wide selection that makes writing a little more fun. But what really sealed the deal for me was the stronger metal clip . Over the years, I’ve had plenty of pens with plastic clips that snapped off after a few months of use. The Sarasa’s metal clip feels significantly sturdier, adding both durability and a premium feel to the pen. A More Affordable Option On top of that, the Sarasa Clip is slightly more affordable than ...

DIY Desk Upgrade: Transforming a Coffee Table into a Spacious Desktop Sometimes, the best DIY projects come from a little creativity and repurposing what you already have. Recently, I found myself with a spare Bankesta coffee table and an old desk that felt a bit too cramped. That’s when inspiration struck—I decided to combine the two, and the result was surprisingly perfect. A Simple Yet Stylish Upgrade The coffee table added an extra foot of width and a quarter foot of length to my old desk, giving me a lot more workspace without sacrificing style. The color combination also turned out great, blending seamlessly with the rest of my setup. Easy Assembly with Minimal Tools Putting it all together was a breeze. All I needed were a few 1.5-inch #10 wood screws—just two packs, costing only a few bucks. I tapped the screws into place, and everything fit perfectly without any hassle. A Practical and Budget-Friendly Solution I’m really pleased with how it turned out. Not only did I give new ...

Breathing New Life into My HP ab292nr Laptop I recently managed to upgrade my trusty HP ab292nr laptop—featuring a 6th-gen Intel i7-6700HQ processor—to Windows 11. Considering I primarily use it for minor tasks, this upgrade easily extends its life by another 5–7 years. It’s pretty satisfying to see a nearly decade-old machine still going strong! Maxing Out Upgrades: RAM and SSD To boost performance, I upgraded the laptop to 16GB of RAM and swapped in a 1TB SSD. Honestly, it might be a bit overkill given what I use it for, but DDR3 RAM is so cheap nowadays (around $12) that it felt like a “why not?” decision. The upgrades definitely made the system feel snappier, even if I don’t push it to its limits. Purpose and Practicality My goal has always been to maintain at least one computer for each major operating system, and this laptop fits nicely as my go-to Windows machine for everyday tasks like web browsing, Word, and Excel. Even with Windows 11 onboard, I’m still a bit hesitant to rely...

My 2025 Wardrobe Refresh: A Balanced, Minimalist Approach For 2025, I’ve given my wardrobe a major refresh, replacing almost all my shirts. Some of them had been in rotation for four years and no longer looked their best. Since shirts are relatively inexpensive to replace, I’ve decided on a simple rule: each shirt gets 30 daily wears before being retired. With 12 shirts in my rotation, that means they’ll last me a full year (360 days). I’ve also replaced both my jeans and shorts.  As they are also inexpensive I’ll replace them annually as well and budget them for 180 daily wears as a benchmark for replacement. Total is about $300 per year to achieve this.  Not that bad at all. Streamlining to a 50-Item Wardrobe I’ve also standardized my entire wardrobe to 50 items, which strikes a perfect balance between redundancy and choice—enough variety to cover all occasions without feeling overwhelming. This setup keeps my style consistent and effortless while ensuring I always have fres...