Simple Living

Weekend Drive to Houston: Coffee, Cuban Food & Buc-ee’s Finds Took a quick weekend trip to Houston—nothing too planned, just wanted to enjoy a smooth drive down I-40 and check out a few spots in H-Town. Kicked things off with coffee at Carino’s, which was a solid start to the day. For lunch, I stopped at Cafe Piquet for some Cuban food. Tried the Ropa Vieja (shredded beef), and I’m definitely a fan—savory, tender, and full of flavor. Both on the way there and back, I made sure to swing by the Buc-ee’s in Madisonville. Their breakfast burrito hit the spot, and I found a shoulder bag that’s giving off serious Lululemon vibes—functional and surprisingly stylish. All in all, it was a simple, short, and refreshing getaway. Just the kind of low-key reset I needed.

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...

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...

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...

Road Trip to Houston: A Relaxing Getaway I recently had four days off and decided to take a road trip to Houston. During my stay, I dined at Bori K-BBQ and spent the night at the Woodland Resort. Overall, it was a pleasant and chill experience. Dining Experiences Bori K-BBQ - Amazing! Hilton Woodland Resort - Phenomenal Sushi Masa - Meh, Okay Bori K-BBQ was the highlight of the trip. This upscale restaurant offered some of the best food I’ve had in a while, making it an unforgettable dining experience. In contrast, the other restaurants I tried were average at best. I ended up sticking to hotel food, which, while a bit pricey, was convenient and surprisingly decent. The best part of the trip was simply doing nothing and relaxing. I took it slow and soaked in the atmosphere, which made for a refreshing break. Unfortunately, I didn’t have my phone with me and missed out on taking more pictures. 1. Bori K-BBQ - Amazing! I visited Bori during lunch, and the food was both delicious and reas...

NYC Itinerary: A Week of Exploring Manhattan Visiting NYC for a week in May was a fantastic experience. I focused on specific areas of Manhattan each day to minimize travel times, allowing me to explore 12 neighborhoods in just 7 days. My goal was to take my time and fully immerse myself in each neighborhood and its attractions, rather than rushing through everything. Lessons Learned The Met is #1: If you only have time for one museum, make it this one. Times Square is fun for 5 minutes: Consider staying elsewhere. Subway is cheap and efficient: Use common sense; it’s the best way to travel. Slow down and enjoy: Spending time in a local coffee shop can be more enlightening than an hour at a Starbucks Reserve. ❤️ denote places or things that were awesome and worth a visit. Original Itinerary Day 1 - Arrival/Times Square/Midtown South 10:40 am: Arrive at LGA ✈️ 11:00 am: Take Q70 Bus 🚎 to Subway E/F train 12:00 pm: Explore Times Square 1:00 pm: Lunch at Luke Lobster Roll/Udon L...