Category Archives: Rachel Barnard

Broadway & New York City March Trip 2026

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Best drink: Venchi hot chocolate with whipped cream
Best pizza: Fig jam and bacon from L’industrie
Best beef: Kobe beef from Cote
Best dessert: Apple strudel with schlag from Peter Luger, followed closely by the matcha ice cream matcha latte from Matcha Cafe Maiko
Most overrated food item: potato salad with uni from Sip & Guzzle
Best piece of sushi: The uni in the Sushi Sho bento box

Friday

  •  Austin Airport – Austin Jetset Market for pre-flight drinks
  • Flight (AUS → EWR, United – 2 people)
    • $933.32 but moved Monday flight later in the day to get → $77 flight credit
    • Used 5,300 points for seat selection (flight was mostly and there weren’t 2 seats together without paying)
  • Hotel – Hampton by Hilton Times Square
    • 3-night stay (Hilton sale): $693.84
  • Famous Original Ray’s Pizza
    • 3 slices: cheese, pepperoni, Hawaiian
    • $18.06
    • Delicious and very greasy
    • Friendly crew, great communication

Saturday

  • Gumption Coffee
    • Large cappuccino: $7.08
    • Excellent, smooth coffee
  • Hokkaido Baked Cheese Tart (K-Town)
    • 3-tart box (Matcha, Original, Black Sesame): $13.75
      • Delicious interior, pastry too thick
    • Black sesame cream puff: $4.25
      • Amazing craquelin texture, but cream is not a favorite
  • Venchi
    • Hot chocolate with whipped cream: $7.70
      • Amazing (possibly better than Ghirardelli SF)
    • Pistachio chocolate: $2
  • Tompkins Square Bagels
    • +20-minute wait in line
    • Pastrami lox + cream cheese bagel: ~$23
    • Chewy, filling, excellent, busy, but able to find a standing table outside
  • Peter Luger Steakhouse
    • Reservation made at opening (11:45 AM)
    • Ordered:
      • Steak for 2: $155.90
      • Bacon: $8.95 (thick, salty, shareable)
      • Luger burger + cheese + fries: $29.85 (very flavorful)
      • Creamed spinach: $18.95 (good texture, not worth price)
      • Baked potato: $9.95 (very large, overpriced)
      • Apple strudel: $14.95 (highly recommend, especially with schlag)
      • Coffee: $3.50 (excellent with schlag)
      • Drink: ~$20
    • Total: $284 (left $350 with tip)
    • Large portions, good service, excellent meal, would book again for a splurge/celebration meal

  • M&M Store
    • Quick visit, lots of M&M’s
  • New York Public Library
    • Saw the iconic lions
  • Sushi Sho (Pickup Bento)
    • Weekend 4 PM pickup
    • Bara Chirashi box: $70
    • Delicious, beautifully presented
    • Great alternative to omakase (which is spendy!)
  • Washington Square Arch
    • Large, good for photos
  • Harry Potter Shop
    • Full walkthrough
    • Empty at open, fills quickly after 30 minutes
  • Sip & Guzzle
    • Potato salad + uni: $36 (not very good)
    • Soft serve: $19 (different but delicious)
    • Wagyu Old Fashioned: $23 (I loved the beef on top, but Jon did not)
    • Saketini: $21 (not that special)
    • Total with tip: $127.80 (would skip next time unless you line up for the first reservation at 4PM and get one of the 12 infamous burgers)
  • Hampton Rooftop Bar
    • Separate elevator
    • Outdoor area closed but gorgeous view
  • Every Brilliant Thing (Show)
    • Stage seating CC row: $400 (2 tickets)
    • Daniel Radcliffe
    • Immersive, interactive experience
    • Would see again
    • Love how Jon is more likely to be chosen for these things

Sunday

  • Harry Potter Shop
    • Hot butterbeer: $13.50 (too sweet)
    • Butterbeer ice cream: $9.50 (too sweet)
    • Very sweet, the ice cream had a great texture
    • Ice cream unavailable for ~40 minutes after opening
  • L’Industrie Pizza
    • Burrata: $5.50
    • Fig jam & bacon: $6 (my fave)
    • NY slice: $5.50
    • White: $3.50
    • Tomato (2 slices minimum)
    • Very delicious, fast-moving line
    • Tight space, large dessert selection

  • Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
    • $789 (2 tickets, Row E aisle)
    • ~3-hour show
    • Short intermission (~10 min)
    • Narrow but overall comfortable seating
    • These seats had an AMAZING view for a live show
    • One of the best shows I’ve seen
    • Wouldn’t mind seeing it again
  • Fushimi (Brooklyn)
    • Dinner with family
    • short ribs were delicious and very flavorful
    • Miso soup was okay
  • Hamburger America
    • Tried smash burger + fries
    • Very flavorful
  • Ghostbusters Headquarters (Firehouse Co. 8)
    • Visited around 9 PM, empty

  • The Mini Bean
    • Small reflective sculpture
  • One World Trade Center (and Subway Station)
    • Large, clean, not busy subway station
  • Cote
    • Total (before tip): $471.44
    • Kingpin drink: $24
    • ZBiotics drink: $11
    • Butcher’s Feast (2): $164
    • A5 Wagyu tasting (2): $170
    • Steak & eggs (2): $64
    • Large portions are better for groups
    • Highlights: hanger steak, Kobe wagyu

Monday

  • Nintendo Store
    • Quick visit
  • Matcha Café Maiko
    • Difficult to find (inside mall, lower level near Rockefeller Center)
  • NBC Store
    • Gift shop with collectibles
  • Sushi 35 West
    • Total: $189.53
    • Omakase chef choice: $130
    • Toro Toro roll: $23
    • High-quality sushi, good value
    • Limited seating (2 tables)

Spending Distribution

  • 🍔 Food & Drinks — 29.2%
  • 🚗 Transportation — 24.8%
  • 🎟️ Event Tickets — 23.2%
  • 🏨 Hotel — 13.6%
  • 🛍️ Souvenirs — 9.2%

 

Notable Trip Highlights and Lowlights

    1. The medical emergency
      Our United flight was held at the gate for ~20 minutes for a medical emergency (one of the flight attendants)! I’m not sure I’ve ever been on a flight where EMTs were brought on board. They also asked for a doctor before landing. One lady offered her EPI-Pen (we didn’t know what kind of doctor or help was needed).
    2. Spotted a rat
      I think that “rats” and “NYC subway” are often mentioned together as a joke, but they really do exist in the subway.
    3. Aggressively yelling subway dude
      He was singling people out by description (the lady yawning, etc.) and saying he would fight them on the platform. He walked up and down the car, carrying a large box and punching the air. Several passengers moved to the opposite side of the car, and I decided to leave that train and grab the next one to avoid this unstable character.
    4. Santa Barbara vs. Hokkaido uni
      The uni add-on at Sip & Guzzle was listed as Hokkaido uni. When the runner (not our server) set down the dish, he said it was Santa Barbara uni. I flagged our server and asked about it—she immediately whisked the dish away but came back with it two minutes later. She stressed that it was indeed Hokkaido uni and that the runner had been mistaken; however, they had run out of Hokkaido and were serving Santa Barbara uni previously. They had only been open for 45 minutes at this point. We appeared skeptical at the conflicting information, and she brought out an unopened frozen package of uni from the Ogawa brand. The uni was $17 and quite plentiful on top of the potato salad. It was not that good. Was it just not great, Hokkaido uni? Not fresh Hokkaido uni? Or actually Santa Barbara uni? We will never know.
    5. Rude Cursed Child seat neighbor
      I usually take the seat next to Jon’s aisle seat so he can have legroom (I’m 5’2” and he’s 6’2”). The couple next to us were already seated—two larger adults. The man sitting next to me had his arm and elbow settled on our shared armrest. His shoulder was in my space, touching my shoulder, and his arm/elbow was also occasionally touching my side. I was completely in my seat, not using the armrest. I politely asked him to stay within his seat area, and he defensively stated that he was in his seat. He then explained that since I was able to use my right armrest, the left side was his armrest. I pointed out that he was over the armrest, and he said something to the effect of “deal with it.” Jon saved me by switching seats with me. The man was not happy with this taste of his own medicine, but didn’t say anything else (or stop using the right-side armrest).
    6. United seat map game
      After paying for a middle seat so Jon and I could sit together on the flight back (I switched the flight a few days before, so there were limited free Economy seats), I swapped our seats about 75 minutes before boarding. The standbys and upgrades had been assigned, and I spotted an empty 3-seat row in the back. The flight was mostly full but had several empty rows in the back, so Jon and I had an entire row to ourselves. Thankfully, too, since the 737 MAX had smaller seats and Jon’s 6’2” frame didn’t fit lengthwise without turning his body. Even my petite frame just barely fit within the seat width—but how many people are 5’2”, petite, and 120–140 lbs? Who are these seats made for anymore?
    7. Lines to get into shows
      It surprised me how slow the security/ticket entrance process was for the two shows we saw. We lined up for Every Brilliant Thing about 10 minutes after they opened the lobby, and the line didn’t move at all for a good 10–15 minutes. There were already so many people in line. It took forever to get inside. The line for Cursed Child moved faster but was still slow, and by the time we entered (we got in line before the lobby opened), it was chaotic and packed inside.
    8. The hotel elevator – be warned
      Our hotel was fine, except for one day when the elevator situation was not. I chose the 35th floor (original booking was the 12th), and there were ~38 floors total. To use the elevator, you select your floor on one of two kiosks in the lobby and scan your room card. The kiosk assigns you an elevator (P5–P9). It doesn’t account for how many people or how much luggage is going in. I had to redo the process when the elevator filled up because it told everyone to take the same one—15 people weren’t going to fit. On Saturday morning, we tried to go down and called the elevator from our floor. After 10 minutes, one finally showed up. It stopped multiple times on the way down and quickly filled up. While still in the 20s, it began stopping at nearly every floor—opening, showing waiting people it was full (some still tried to squeeze in), then continuing. It took forever to reach the lobby. Someone mentioned waiting 30 minutes; another said it was their sixth full elevator. And who is going to walk down 20+ flights of stairs? Poor planning/infrastructure that the system can’t recognize or adjust when elevators are full to improve efficiency. I’m glad we weren’t on a lower floor (unless just a few floors up), so we could still use the elevator most of the time without issue.
    1. Is traffic better or worse in NYC?
      Is it my imagination, or is traffic not as bad in NYC? Are rideshare prices not as high? The bus from the transit station to the airport wasn’t much cheaper than an Uber for two people. Public transit ($3 per swipe) was very inexpensive and almost as fast as a car. In some cases, you could walk as fast as taking a taxi. When the subway was running smoothly, it was the cheapest and most efficient option—but when it didn’t show up and then told everyone to leave, we wasted 20 minutes when we could have just walked and gotten to our destination.

SXSW Austin 2026 & Volunteer Experience

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I had not planned to volunteer with SXSW again due to volunteer hour commitment requirements (See my last post about volunteering in 2024). However… They reduced the required hours from 44 hours for a regular badge (either Innovation, TV/Film, or Music) to just 24! They also reduced the platinum requirements from 56 hours to 36 hours. A big difference! Thanks, SXSW. There were differences between the badge perks from this year and the SXSW volunteer badge perks back in 2024. This year, only Platinum had access to the EDU events. No badge had access to the reservation system. If you didn’t have either a Platinum or a TV/Film badge, you couldn’t get into movies.

I wanted to stick with the same crew as before: Exhibitions, but on the day they opened volunteer signups for returning volunteers, I spent too long deciding on my shifts, and the entire shift on the first Sunday disappeared. Since I wanted to volunteer ONLY on the weekends to avoid using my limited PTO, I switched to the Registrations crew, which had more shifts available on weekends.

Pros to volunteering with Registrations:

  • Available shifts on the first Sunday of the festival (March 8th this year).
  • Multiple shift open during the day for both weekdays and weekends.
  • Great crew leads and volunteer managers.
  • Indoor shifts located in various hotels across downtown.
  • Face-to-face interactions with people from all over the world, checking in to grab their badges (from music people, including musicians, to educators, to speakers, to Austinites, etc). Certain locations (hotels) were more oriented to certain badge types. For example, the Downright Hotel was where musicians were likely to pick up badges, and dry run day at the Hilton was for EDU badge pickups.
  • Lots of assistance and help during volunteering, from tech help with computers and printers to what to say to people picking up badges via screen prompts to crew leads readily available and nearby, and other volunteers quick to step in for pointers and to answer specific questions. There was also a help desk nearby for specific questions registrants might have.
  • Very defined volunteer role. Registrations were only badge printing/pickup. Easy to do with minimal training.

Cons to volunteering with Registrations:

  • Not much variety since your role is very defined. You complete the same task with each person (verify badge pickup type and any extras, check ID, lookup participant, confirm photo, print badge, and hand over badge + materials).
  • Overstaffed where I was, so some of us didn’t have anything to do while all the computers were already being used by volunteers, and we were let go early on some days when new shifts of volunteers arrived (could be a pro if you wanted to catch a panel you didn’t think you’d have time for).
  • Some of the locations were far away from the main SXSW areas downtown. It took me nearly the full hour when I was at Downright to walk to get the lunch I wanted and back (uphill). Locations are scattered. Hotels are different.

Pros and Cons to volunteering with SXSW, regardless of crew:

Public transportation: I have a gripe with public transit again. They add Sundays to CapMetro (typically doesn’t run at all on Sundays) and expand the hours so that they run late at night, but they don’t include earlier morning transit on Weekends. When I have shifts that start (that I chose, I know) before 10AM, I don’t have a viable public transit option since the first Metro starts at 10AM. It would take me over 2 hours on the buses to get from my house to downtown vs. a ~20-minute drive. There is limited parking downtown, and they typically increase the costs to park during SXSW.

Badge perks don’t match regular paid badge perks: with a volunteer badge, you don’t get access to reservations. Not that everyone with access to reservations was able to use the system or use it effectively. Many badgeholders didn’t know the system existed, and some people weren’t able to make the reservations they wanted. The system did work really well for some people, which is great. One of my biggest concerns was capacity, planning, and ability to get into anything in 2024, so the reservation system should alleviate some of that anxiety and issue for those who can use it. My beef with the reservation system is how many/much they withhold for reservations and the fact that the festival is restricted to the size of ballrooms and meeting rooms at hotels since the Convention Center is under construction (check out the big hole in one of my pictures). I could wait 3 hours for an event and be stuck in the back of the room because they reserved the front half for reservations only (Serena Williams panel and the Rivian Mark Rober panel both reserved the front portion for reservations). I liked that for the Jamie Lee Curtis panel, they utilized the right side for reservations only and the left side for standby. They also set aside a percentage of each venue for accessibility seating. I had no chance to ever sit in the front of any panel or show I stood in line for. I think you should either be able to pay your way to the front (badge and reservation) or be able to wait and persevere your way to the front (standby badge + hours of waiting). It’s disappointing to wait for hours and still be in the back of any panel/show, and for that to be your only avenue to see anything as a volunteer. It’s amazing to be gifted an entire badge as a volunteer, but it’s not the same badge as a paid badge. I think it would be nice to offer one volunteer badge per 8 hours of volunteer work across the entire festival. For reference, Platinum badge holders can make 3 reservations per day, and other badgeholders can make 2 per day. If volunteers could make up to 3 per the entire festival (for Innovation, Music, and TV/Film) and up to 5 for Platinum volunteer badgeholders, I think that could be a happy medium.

More intimate involvement – back-stage view of the area you’re volunteering with: Part of the reason I love volunteering for events, shows, festivals, etc., is the making of/behind-the-scenes look at the event. I think it’s fascinating to get more information about how the event is put together. What are the sticking points? What are the difficulties? What is the planning like? SXSW is a humongous event with so many parts to it, and I love getting to know more about the intricacies of putting on the event that you get from working with the event itself.

The badge, the access, and the networking: It may not be the same badge as a paid badge, but it is a badge nevertheless. You have access to so many things at SXSW just by having a badge. You can meet so many people, do so many things, see so much, hear so much, and try so much. It’s a level up from walking around and getting into free events.

Giving up time you could be at SXSW to do your volunteering requirements: 24+ hours is still a commitment, and it will take away your ability to do things and see people. I had to commit to my shifts well before they announced some of the keynotes and panels. If your main objective is to go to SXSW, then perhaps volunteering at the same time might not be for you. But, if you are available for the entire SXSW, then 24 hours is just 3 days out of the entire festival that you will be occupied and very doable, depending on your goals.

Slack: Engagement on the communication tool they were using this year (Slack) felt low. I had trouble connecting with other volunteers through Slack for anything other than important volunteering information. I wanted to use Slack like an extension of the festival for the volunteers (like a Discord group), but most of the other volunteers were not using it like that. Only volunteering-specific questions and comments were getting follow-up comments and replies.

A short list of what I was able to experience at SXSW 2026:

  • Are you faster than a robot? Panel with Rivian and Mark Rober
  • Featured Session: Breaking Barriers, Building Solutions: Meet the Changemakers Transforming Health Innovation with Serena Williams
  • SXSW Expo: Flatstock
  • SXSW Expo: International Innovations
  • Free coffee at the expo with Johnny Beans
  • Odoo Lounge
  • SXSW Bookstore
  • My/Mochi + Nature’s Flavors + Einstein Bars + Block Party
  • Ryze popup activation
  • SXSW Film & TV Clubhouse
  • Film premiere of Ready or Not 2: Here I Come @ Paramount Theatre
  • Featured Session: Jamie Lee Curtis. If Not Now, When, if Not Me, Who? Pivoting and Manifesting!
  • Swifties Meet Up

Breakdown of what I was able to do during SXSW with my actual experience and comments

Friday 3/13

SXSW programming description: Are you faster than a robot? 10AM – 11AMRivian

CEO RJ Scaringe and Crunch Labs Founder Mark Rober host the ultimate autonomous robot challenge. This interactive presentation pits audience members against the robot brainchild RJ and Mark teamed up to build, testing human reactions vs machine learning. Can people compete with computers? How is Rivian approaching autonomy? Are people really that slow?!?!?? We’ll find out.

My experience: I arrived at 9AM, and the line for badge holders (without reservations) had about 15 people. They also had a non-badge line and a reserved line. By the time they let people into the venue (behind the building outside where the chargers are), the first two rows for walk-up badges were taken. The first 4 rows were for reservations only. I took an aisle seat near the middle section in row 6 and had a decent view of the stage. Seating was tightly packed, but the stage was elevated enough to see clearly, and they had two monitors so people in the far left and right sections could see the action up close if they didn’t have a view of the stage.

The “fireside chat” format involved Rivian CEO RJ talking all about the R2 and Mark Rober making analogies between his robot arm’s sensors, a human’s senses, and how they related to Rivian’s R2. It felt like one big R2 marketing practical demo with some audience participation and well-rehearsed banter between Mark and RJ. It was fun, punchy, and full of talking up the R2. Mark chose 3 people from the audience ( a young boy, a teenage girl, and an older gentleman) to help out with the human demos, which was arguably the most fun part. The humans attempted to catch a falling $100 and showcased how slow the humans’ reflexes are. The robot arm caught the money every time, immediately. The presentation/talk lasted about 30 minutes, they took about 10 minutes of audience questions, and then released the audience to walk amongst their electric vehicles, take their ebikes for a spin, grab some snacks, or snag a giveaway bag (with discounts for Crunch labs, the Rivian drive experience at SXSW, a Gus stuffed squirrel, and an industrial-looking 1L water bottle).
SXSW programming description: Featured Session: Breaking Barriers, Building Solutions: Meet the Changemakers Transforming Health Innovation 11:30PM – 12:30PM

A new generation of women and underrepresented founders is reshaping the future of health with community-rooted solutions. Presented by Reckitt Catalyst and Entrepreneur-in-Residence Serena Williams, this session spotlights entrepreneurs who are turning lived experience into breakthrough ideas, exploring the barriers they’ve overcome, the models that enable scale, and what it really takes to build lasting, real-world change from the ground up.

My experience: Because the Rivian robot panel ended earlier than 11AM, I was able to grab my goodie bag and walk across the bridge and find the walk-up line for this session. The standby line was already ~100 people long at this point, and when they let people in, I saw that the front rows (half the space) were designated for reservations, and I immediately just grabbed the first aisle seat (towards the back). Chairs were stacked so close together that I was practically touching shoulders with the person who sat next to me. The J.W Marriott was stuffy and warm, and there was so much perfume nearby that I had to leave the panel 30 minutes in to get fresh air. This panel was less about Serena’s involvement and more about the venture she was representing.
SXSW programming description: SXSW Expo: Flatstock 10-5PM

Looking for the perfect centerpiece for your gallery wall, a concert poster of your favorite artist, or your favorite Texas-themed memorabilia? Look no further than Flatstock! This eclectic art market continues to capture the spirit of music mementos while also highlighting unique collectibles. Flatstock provides an ongoing series of opportunities to admire artwork in person and to meet the artists who created it. This Expo is free and open to the public.

My experience: The nearby hotel, Austin Marriott, held the Flatstock this year. It was easy to find and all in one room (Moontower Hall). It felt smaller than the previous time I’ve been (2024). I didn’t expect to find something I wanted, but I found something I had to buy as a gift. Worth the 10 – 60 minute walk through.
SXSW programming description: SXSW Expo: International Innovations 9-4PM

Featuring a powerful mix of established global brands and budding startups, the International Innovations Expo highlights cutting-edge businesses that are pushing boundaries to move the world forward. From groundbreaking concepts to bold new business models, exhibitors are redefining what’s possible across industries around the globe. Join the community that’s driving change on a worldwide scale.

My experience: I remember this expo taking over the entire convention floor space in 2024, and this time it was tucked into the ballroom of the Fairmont upstairs, which felt like a significant downgrade in space and number of booths. When I went around 12PM on Friday, it was mostly empty. I remember 2024, the floor was bustling, busy, and harder to move around some of the booth spaces. There were significantly fewer giveaways and incentives to step into the booth spaces and interact. I talked to two of the booths – Second Chance Materials and Design, as well as Axal. I snagged a free coffee (for all badge holders) from the far corners of Johnny Bean’s booth. It was delicious. Overall, the walkthrough was sub-30 minutes, but if you were interested in any of the booths, you could have spent longer. I’m not sure what audience some of the booths were expecting, as most didn’t bother engaging with me when I walked by.
SXSW programming description:Odoo Lounge 9-5PM

Swing by the Odoo Lounge at SXSW to recharge, kick up your feet, and get some work done. For a chance to win a prize, visit the Odoo Lounge and see how Odoo makes companies better, one app at a time.

My experience: I wanted to check out free experiences/locations and thought this would be a fun one. The lounge was located on level 4 of the Hilton, and I had trouble finding it because it was so tiny and easy to walk past. I wasn’t in need of a chair, so I walked in and walked right back out. This lounge didn’t really offer anything of note other than a few places to sit.
SXSW programming description: Bookstore

Check out the SXSW Bookstore to browse the latest work authored by this year’s conference participants. Support your favorite speakers and find something you connect with to take back home. Open daily on the 6th floor of the Hilton Austin Downtown.

My experience: I wanted to see how packed Spielberg’s keynote was, so I drifted over to the Hilton Ballroom floor (which happened to also be the floor with the bookstore). The bookstore was empty. One author was there at the time for signings, and I wanted to talk to her, so I snagged her book (I Wish I’d Quit Sooner by Dr. Laura Hambley Lovett). I was interrupted by a rogue film crew who wouldn’t shut up about getting into Spielberg’s talk. They were very awkward, interrupted my conversation with Dr. Laura, and pretended to interview her, but really just talked about how to get into the panel next door. Dr. Laura was professional and fun to chat with.
SXSW programming description: Keynote: The Big Picture with Steven Spielberg Live from SXSW 1PM – 2PM

Legendary filmmaker Steven Spielberg is joined by Sean Fennessey, Host of The Big Picture podcast, for a wide-ranging conversation about his extraordinary body of work, the future of movies and moviegoing, and his upcoming film, Disclosure Day. Across Spielberg’s 60+ year career, he has frequently returned to stories about alien races, the threat of technology to the natural world, the mystery of space, and social panic. With Disclosure Day, he once again ventures into the unknown.

Reservations for this session will open for Platinum Badges at 9am CT Thursday, March 5, and for Film & TV, Innovation, and Music Badges at 9am CT Friday, March 6. To learn more about reservations, visit our lines and reservations guide on sxsw.com.

This event is reservation-only. Walk-up access will be extremely limited.

My experience: People were sneaking in and out of the side door of the ballroom at the beginning of the talk so I thought maybe people were getting special treatment (they were probably just using the restroom). On the other side of the ballroom, it looked like ~30 people were waiting in a standby line to get in outside of the doors. While someone was sneaking in the side door, I got a quick view of Spielberg on stage. They were showing this keynote across multiple livestreams around SXSW, including the Congress Block Party I stopped at later in the hour. I had originally chosen this Friday to go to SXSW so I could camp out and get into this particular keynote, but later found out that it was reservation-only, and volunteer badges are not allowed to make reservations. Since I didn’t have a Platinum badge, I gave up hope of being a walk-up, as I wouldn’t even be in the right/first line if they had any walk-up availability.
SXSW programming description:

      • My/Mochi + Nature’s Flavors + Einstein Bars + Block Party 11-7PM
      • A Flavor-Filled Experience PRESENTED BY: Nature’s Flavors 11-7PM
      • Einstein Energy Super Snack Bars – Think You’re A Snack Genius? 11-7PM
      • Congress Avenue Block Party 11-7PM

My experience: I didn’t realize the Congress Ave Block Party was open to everyone. The access was restricted to one side of the road and wasn’t visible from very far away due to the Rivian experience near the Paramount (loads of dirt for their obstacle course) and a stage being set up on the North end. It was easy to get in, flashed my badge, had it scanned, and I was good to go. This was where the freebies were! I tried mochi, drinks, Tequila, snack bars, and more. The samples were more sample-sized than last time I was at SXSW and got full containers and whatnot. The energy bars were cut into small pieces and handed over without a plate or a napkin. This felt wrong, being handed a melting chocolate-coated bar when there wasn’t any hand sanitizer or hand washing next to the booth. The mochi were full-sized, which I appreciated, and they changed up their flavors every day, so each time I came back, I could try something different. Some booths had longer lines than others, but I never had to wait longer than a few minutes.
SXSW programming description: SXSW Film & TV Clubhouse 12PM -10PM

The Film & TV Clubhouse is located at 800 Congress Ave, just steps away from the Paramount Theatre, where some of the most exciting screenings of the Festival are set to premiere. It will serve as the home base for the film community to gather, discuss, and network. Each day, the Film & TV Clubhouse will host meetups and networking events as well as activations.

My experience: This was the most difficult clubhouses to find. The Innovation Clubhouse and Music Clubhouse had clear banners that you could see from far away, but the TV/Film Clubhouse sign was off the main road (it was in a building on the corner). Easy to get in, the place was hopping when I arrived, but I was able to find a seat easily towards the back. They started a talk (activation?) about 10 minutes after I arrived for a show called “Marshalls,” and they handed out bandanas. I was able to sit in the air-conditioning and use the restroom, but ultimately didn’t think that Clubhouse was that exciting. It was a better lounge experience than Odoo and probably a great meeting place.
SXSW programming description: Ready or Not 2: Here I Come @ Paramount Theatre 5:30PM – 7:18PM

Moments after surviving an all-out attack from the Le Domas family, Grace discovers she’s reached the next level of the nightmarish game — and this time with her estranged sister Faith at her side. Grace has one chance to survive, keep her sister alive, and claim the High Seat of the Council that controls the world. Four rival families are hunting her for the throne, and whoever wins rules it all.

My experience: I lined up around 3 hours before the start of the movie. I mistakenly thought the movie started at 5PM, but by the time I was in line, I was the 10th person in the standby line. The standby line was located at the corner of 8th and Brazos across from the Omni Hotel, and it was for Platinum and Film & TV badgeholders only. It was so far from the Paramount that we felt like we were outside of the festival area. In 2024, they had a Platinum line, Film & TV line, and other badge holders line. I showed up at least 2 hours in advance and was in the front of the other badgeholders’ line for The Idea of You premier when I had my Innovations badge. As 10th in line, waiting for 3 hours, I ended up seated almost exactly where I was when I watched that 2024 movie premiere. The person next to me, who had made a reservation, told me they didn’t wait long at all for their seat.

Per the website: New for South by Southwest 2026

Many SXSW events will offer two ways to get in — join the badge walk-up line or book a Reservation in advance. It’s never been easier to plan your schedule ahead of time and leave room for the serendipity that makes the week magic.

Reservations come with all SXSW Badges – Platinum (3 per day), Innovation, Film & TV, and Music (2 per day). When your Reservation window opens, sign in to the Schedule to reserve admittance to select conference sessions, film & tv festival screenings, music festival showcases, and comedy festival showcases.

Reservations are a great way to access programming and help you plan your day, but they only account for a portion of capacity at select events. The badge walk-up line remains the primary and most common way attendees experience sessions, showcases, and screenings. Even for popular events, the majority of seats are held for those waiting in line. Didn’t get a reservation? No worries! You can use the SXSW GO App’s status indicator to gauge demand and join fellow attendees in line.

To see which events still have open reservation capacity, go to the Reservations Available section of the online schedule.

Note: This feature is not available on the SXSW GO App at this time.

Mentor Sessions & Workshops require Reservations, but these don’t count against your daily limit.

My experience: The Paramount is just a cool theatre, but if you really want to watch a movie, then premieres and the Paramount might detract from your ability to see and hear the movie. The capacity is so high that 1000+ people laughing simultaneously (which is undoubtedly an experience) might be loud enough to cover up the next part of the dialogue. The seats are theatre seats and are not the most comfortable. The person in front of me was leaning forward (probably to see), and 10% of the screen was covered for me because his head was in my view. The movie itself was pretty fun to watch, and it’s fun to watch a movie with movie lovers who are excited to be there. Nobody is on their phone. Nobody is talking during the movie. There was a short presentation/talk before the movie where the actors, directors, etc. talked, and a Q/A after the movie, which is such a cool bonus to going to a film premiere.

Saturday 3/14

SXSW programming description: Featured Session: Jamie Lee Curtis. If Not Now, When, if Not Me, Who? Pivoting and Manifesting! 2:30PM – 3:30PM

A conversation on how I am now a boss at 67!

 

My experience: Jamie Lee Curtis is a practiced public speaker/storyteller. This was my favorite panel/talk, and she was amazing. She was funny, well-spoken, and a delight to listen to. 10/10 would recommend going to any Jamie Lee Curtis speaking event in the future. The ballroom where the talk was held was not the most comfortable. The chairs were stacked so close that we were touching shoulders, elbows, and thighs. I couldn’t see half the time because the stage was not high enough. People were holding up their phones, taking pictures, videos, and live-streaming for far longer than they should have been.

 

SXSW programming description: Swiftie Meet Up 4PM – 5PM

Whether you’ve been a fan since “Beautiful Eyes,” or you just discovered her when you were dragged to see “The Eras Tour” in theaters by a fanatical friend, you’re welcome at this Meet Up for Swifties at SXSW. Friendship bracelet trading is encouraged but not required.

 

My experience: The room was a bit too noisy and hard to hear others in, but this was a fun little meetup. Surprisingly, the conversation stayed centered around Taylor Swift with the little group I joined. This was a networking setup style open room (no chairs), but a few high top tables to set your things down on, and a table in the corner with bracelets to trade. I even scored some sourdough starter!

 

Birthday Shenanigans – Austin 2026

by in Rachel Barnard and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Bigger Better Birthday

This year, I turned my birth-day into a birth-month packed with new experiences, new places, and a lot of sugary treats.

In 2025, I casually redeemed about $60 worth of birthday treats. In 2024, I went on a full-on birthday freebie quest. But this year? I upped the ante: I redeemed my freebies and spent real money on experiences.

January 17, 2026 — Bunny Yoga

Okay, technically I didn’t pay for this with real money — I used a gift card I earned from participating in a study to cover the $30 class fee. I’ve done puppy yoga and kitten yoga, and I’ve had the opportunity to do goat yoga, but I never actually went. Bunny yoga is much closer to kitten yoga than puppy yoga.

The bunnies were definitely more skittish. Some of them hid out and lounged in the little litter box/potty buckets the entire time. But there were a few brave buns hopping around the room, munching on greens, and one true daredevil who confidently jumped into a couple of people’s laps. It was chaotic and adorable, and the easiest yoga class you can find.

January 18, 2026 — Cat Café Afternoon in Downtown Austin

The next day, I planned a downtown Austin afternoon, starting at Sydney’s Cat Lounge with my friend and her husband. Sessions are 45 minutes for $28 per person, and the vibe is described as:

“Step into our royal lounge and mingle with Austin’s finest felines. Expect cuddles, cat naps, and a few dramatic poses — they are royalty, after all.”

My friends both drove and paid for the experience (thanks again). The second you step inside, it’s delightfully overstimulating in the best way. There’s a cat castle, a literal throne, big comfy chairs, an outdoor catio, and even a little hedge maze for humans outside in the sun.

Some of the cats were younger and still getting introduced to the main group, while the seasoned pros fully embraced café life and slept through almost the entire session like tiny furry retirees.

January 18, 2026 — Detour Downtown — Library Plans, Matcha Wins, and Bookstore Wandering

My friend dropped me off downtown at the Austin Central Library, which was supposed to be my next stop. The plan? Check out the rooftop garden, soak in the skyline views, and grab a dramatic spiral staircase photo. Unfortunately, they were closed a day early in observance of MLK Day. Womp womp.

While figuring out my next move, I had an uncomfortable interaction with someone nearby (they were yelling at people trying to go to the library and yelled at me because of the loud cat print onesie I was wearing), so I decided to leave the area immediately. On the walk over to my next planned stop, I dropped by Mañana Coffee for a pick-me-up before continuing on to Whole Foods and BookPeople.

I ordered the popular mango sticky rice matcha.
Price: $8.50
Verdict: Spendy… but honestly, the best flavored matcha I’ve ever had. Worth it.

This is also where I started leaving a little tip trail of origami animals I’d folded ahead of time for my birthday barhopping adventure. My first drop: a tiny paper cat left at Mañana. Next stop: the Flagship Whole Foods, where I grabbed some coconut snacks for my boyfriend for later.

Then I made my way to BookPeople, where I wandered up and down the genres. I found local romance author Ali Hazelwood’s signed section, browsed all the fun gift-y chotchkes, and flipped through some travel books — including one with a great little excerpt about Austin. I changed outfits in the restroom and decided to leave earlier than I had planned so I could fit in more rooftop bars.

January 18, 2026 — Rooftop Stop #1 — Group Therapy at Hotel ZaZa (Around 4 PM)

My first official birthday bar stop was Group Therapy, the rooftop bar inside Hotel ZaZa.

When I arrived, the place was quiet; both the bar and cabana area were nearly empty, with only one other table of guests outside. The staff were incredibly friendly, and bonus points: the restroom was very nice and my favorite of all the stops. Because I had a drink of some kind at nearly every place I went, I also used the restroom in every bar except P6.

The rooftop setup includes an indoor bar area with seating and an outdoor cabana space with poolside seating (no glass allowed in this area). As for the view: you don’t get much skyline unless you’re seated right at the edge of the rooftop, but the atmosphere makes up for it. The combination of the pool and surrounding high-rise buildings gives it this cool industrial-meets-tropical vibe. The street view below, however, is pretty unremarkable. Finding the bar is easy as it’s listed on the elevator directory. When you get off the elevator, turn right and keep walking, and you’ll run right into Group Therapy.

What I Ordered

  • Crispy Brussels Sprouts — $12
  • Runaway Mocktail — $15

Both were delicious. The Brussels sprouts came in a massive portion and were super flavorful. The mocktail was bright and refreshing without being too sweet.

January 18, 2026 — Rooftop Stop #2 — P6 at the LINE Austin (5:45 PM)

This was the rooftop bar I had actually planned ahead for. I made a reservation for one a few weeks in advance because I’d heard it has one of the best sunset views in Austin, and I wanted to guarantee a good seat. I can confirm: the view is spectacular… if you can actually see it. Only 80% of the tables have a view worth making a reservation for.

When I arrived, they seated me at a two-top right by the host stand, just inside the rooftop area. Technically outside, but functionally indoors. My view consisted mostly of the backs of people’s heads, a sliver of sky with direct sun, distant buildings, and one very unfortunate, ugly rooftop. After sitting there for a few minutes, I decided that if I couldn’t move, I’d order a drink and get out of there within 10 minutes to try to catch the sunset somewhere else. The sun was already dropping fast.

The host said she’d try to move me to a table on the “other end,” but explained that some guests were overstaying their reservation time limits and hadn’t left yet. Not shocking but still… rude (first world problems).

Then, with a sliver of sun showing, they moved me to the good side of the bar. I was seated in a low lounge setup with a couch and two chairs in a space that could easily fit 5–6 people, and the view was completely different. From there, I could see the water, skyline, bridge, and the rest of the sunset as the sky changed colors. I didn’t stay long, because now I felt rude taking such a large table for one person!

What I Ordered

  • Botanical Reset Mocktail — $12
  • Chocolate Tahini Mousse — $11

The mocktail was refreshing, but the mousse was the memorable choice. It was one of the best desserts because it was rich, balanced, and an incredible mix of textures and flavors. I’d honestly go back just to get one for my partner… and to try for a smoother sunset experience.

During bat season, this bar also has a fantastic view of the Congress Avenue Bridge bats, for some of the tables…

This bar was confusing to locate. The elevator didn’t list the bar, and the floor I initially got off on (following other rooftop wanderers) looked like it belonged to something else entirely.

Here’s how to find it: Go to the 6th floor. When you exit the regular elevator, turn right. Walk down the hallway to the end. Turn right again, and go down a couple of stairs. P6 will be straight ahead. There’s also a separate elevator somewhere else, apparently, but I took the one from the lobby.

Seating tip: If they seat you on the side as you enter P6, you might not get much of a view. If you’re on the opposite side (like in the photos on their website), the sunset and bridge views are absolutely worth it.

I tipped both the server and the host one of my origami animals.

January 18, 2026 — Rooftop Stop #3 — La Piscina in the Proper Hotel (Around 6:45 PM)

I thought I had time to squeeze in one more rooftop bar before my final 8 PM reservation at my final stop, so I walked over to La Piscina to try my luck at prime dinner hour. Predictably… they were fully booked until 8 PM. I had just watched them turn away the couple ahead of me, so my expectations were already low that they had 1 seat somewhere.

From what I could see, it didn’t really feel like a rooftop bar situation anyway, at least not in January. Most people were indoors dining, and the pool with the outdoor seating area was completely empty. It gave much more upscale restaurant energy than “grab a drink and enjoy the view” vibes.

I did pop into the restroom (solid facilities, no notes), and on my way out, I found an unlocked door near the back entrance to the pool area. I stepped out briefly to snap a photo of the gorgeous nighttime skyline view from up there. The pool looks nice, if not small.

January 18, 2026 — Rooftop Stop #4 — The Edge Rooftop in the J.W. Marriot (Around 7 PM)

I walked back toward P6 and then crossed the street to the JW Marriott rooftop. I was picking and choosing the best views and best vibes rooftops and that meant walking back and forth! Entering from the lobby, it felt like a maze trying to find the right elevator and then figure out where to go once I got off. After exiting the elevator, I ended up meandering through what felt like the entire rooftop pool deck with rows and rows of seating, a beautifully laid-out space, and a huge outdoor area before finally reaching the actual bar on the other side of the building.

Verdict: best pool, least impressive late-night drink options.

The rooftop space itself is massive and gorgeous, with seating spread around fire features and plenty of room to roam. It’s the kind of place that makes you want to book a stay just to have access to the pool and outdoor area. Drink-wise, though, the menu was very limited, and they didn’t have any mocktails listed. I asked for “anything mocktail,” and they brought me a virgin Lady Bird. It was mostly juice, but still tasty and refreshing for $8.

After using the restroom and washing my hands (the glass I’d been given was… sticky), I realized I had left my phone back at my chair and had to double back through the rooftop seating to retrieve it. Thankfully, it was still there, right where I’d left it near the outdoor fire. I blame carrying both a purse and a bag and having inadequate pants pockets in my jeans.

January 18, 2026 — Rooftop Stop #5 — Nido inside the Loren Hotel (8 PM)

From there, I backtracked again, crossed the Pfluger Pedestrian Bridge, and made my way to my final reservation of the night at Nido, inside The Loren. Jon met me there for a late-night birthday dinner.

After four rooftop bars, this was the first place that gave me zero hassle about seating and still delivered an incredible view from the terrace.

Nido sends detailed instructions after you book, including valet info ($15) and dining time limits. Dessert was on the house for my birthday along with a signed birthday card, which instantly elevated the whole experience. Honestly, how often do you get something for free at a restaurant that isn’t an apology?

We fully leaned into the indulgence and ordered:

  • Lasagna
  • Tuna carpaccio
  • Two mocktails
  • And the complimentary carrot mille-feuille dessert

Everything was flavorful, rich, and absolutely worth it.

Because Nido sits across the water from downtown, the terrace gives you a full skyline view that’s all tall buildings reflected on Lady Bird Lake. It feels scenic and calm rather than busy and street-level. They do have indoor seating, but the terrace is the move if the weather cooperates. Interestingly, the restroom in Nido is co-ed and my least favorite of the night.

Easiest reservation of the night, best seating experience, and the perfect way to end a very rooftop-heavy birthday adventure.

Though Jon treated us to dinner at Nido (thanks!), my total spending for the day was fairly high and I gave away all of my origami tip animals. I also walked about 3.7 miles, which means this birthday celebration technically counted as cardio.

January 21, 2026 — Ice Cream Freebie at Jeni’s at the Domain

Birthday freebie season was in full swing, so I stopped by Jeni’s to redeem my free birthday “Celebration Scoop” with a waffle bowl — a treat worth about $8.

After sampling a few flavors (arguably the most important part of the experience), I ended up choosing two I normally wouldn’t pick but were very good:

  • Tropical Bloom — mandarin and kiwi with passion fruit. Bright, tangy, and very refreshing.
  • Double Dough — chocolate chip cookie dough swirled into butter brown sugar custard. Rich, sweet, and dangerously easy to keep eating.

January 22, 2026 — Cake, Starbucks, and a not-so-mystery gift from Ellicor

Jon surprised me with my own chocolate cake from a local bakery, Upper Crust. It was decent but not the best. He also ordered a strawberry gâteau cake from the same bakery for my sushi omakase, which was amazing and very different from the chocolate cake. Honestly, the chocolate cake was decent, but it tasted like any grocery store could have made it.

I made my annual Starbucks run for my freebie and tried out their Dubai chocolate. At ~600 calories, Jon and I shared this over several days. The mystery gift from Ellicor was my choice from their keychain wall. Not worth a special trip, in my opinion, but we also grabbed some fun imported snacks while we were there, and I snagged a TGTG bag (Too Good to Go) from Ellicor.

I also received a Blue Apron from family with three meals we made during the ice-storm. Our favorite was the enchiladas.

January 24, 2026 — Tsuke Edomae Omakase Sushi

My second time going to this outstanding Austin omakase with now James Beard-nominated chef – Michael Che! Jon got another cake from Upper Crust Bakery that was so good we couldn’t help eating all the leftovers after feeding the other 8 people at the Omakase (including the chef and other employee/owner).

My favorites: tile fish, chutoro, Japanese sardine, pickled cucumber, unagi, skipjack, grilled otoro, anago, miso soup, tamago, and dessert 🙂

I received other cool, tasty, and fun gifts for my birthday. Thanks, everyone!

Other birthday freebies I am planning to redeem:

Dutch Bros

One any size drink

Alamo Drafthouse

Dessert

Crumbl Cookie

Free cookie

Snarf’s Sandwiches

free sandwich valid during your birthday month

2025 birthday redemptions

Date

Value

Location

Birthday treat

1/1/25

$18.08

AMC

Birthday large popcorn and large drink

1/15/25

$7.75

Jeni’s

Free Birthday ice cream in a large cone

1/21/25

$4.99

La Madeleine

Free Birthday treat

1/22/25

$5.50

Sprinkles

Free Birthday cupcake

1/22/25

$9.25

Alamo

Free Birthday dessert

1/22/25

$6.95

Dutch Bros

Free Birthday drink

1/22/25

$8

Starbucks

Free Birthday drink

1/22/25

$8

Starbucks

Free Birthday drink

2024 birthday freebies (from my blog post here)

My birthday freebies list updated from this year but some info may not be correct as I didn’t try to redeem them all:

Freebie

Date(s) available

Notes

Starbucks Rachel

1/22

Free drink any size

Ulta Beauty

1/22 – 1/24

$10 off $10 coupon

Ellicor: free “gift”

Free keychain from birthday keychain wall ($6 value?)

The Salty

1/22

Free donut

Pluckers

1/22 only

Free dessert dine in only (informed via email that reward is in my mobile app)

Dutch Bros

1/22 – 2/22

One any size drink

Alamo Drafthouse

1/22 – 2/22

dessert

AMC

1/1 – 1/31

soda and popcorn

Jeni’s ice cream

1/15 -1/30

Celebration scoop with waffle bowl worth $

Andy’s Frozen Custard

1/1 – 1/31

Free small cake cone

Nothing Bundt Cakes

1/15 – 1/29

Free bundtlet (print or show email on mobile device to redeem)

Buffalo Wild Wings

1/20 – 2/1

Six free wings

To get it, sign up for the free rewards program in the app or online, add your birthday details at least 30 days in advance, and check your rewards section for the coupon

Jinya

1/22 – 2/5

Free birthday dessert plate

Taco Cabana

On/near Birthday

2 free tacos

SusieCakes

1/1 -1/30

Free birthday cake slice if you’ve bought something in the past year

Edible Arrangements

1/1 -1/30

made a qualifying purchase the prior year

Paris Baguette

1/1 -1/30

Slice of cake with prior purchase

Dairy Queen

small Blizzard for just 85 cents with a $1 purchase

Make a purchase within 45 days before birthday

World Market

Birthday month

15% discount coupon

Torchy’s Tacos

1/1?

Free taco

Bath & Body Works

1/22 – 2/22

Free gift with purchase (worth $9.95)

Crumbl Cookie

1/22 – 2/28

Free cookie

Snarf’s Sandwiches

2/8

free sandwich valid during your birthday month

You must be a member for at least 30 days before your birthday to qualify.

Corner Bakery Café 90628729126333

1/19 – 2/2

Free Bakery Sweet

Einstein Bros Bagels

1/19 – 2/02

Purchase to get free egg sandwich

Dippin’ Dots

free Dippin’ Dots with dot crazy email signup

Fogo de Chao

Enjoy $25 off a Full Churrasco Lunch, Brunch, Dinner, or Entrée, valid for 30 days

El Pollo Loco

$5 reward

Culinary Dropout

Free dessert

Le Madeleine

1/21 – 2/21

Birthday treat

And finally… The list of other rooftop bars, including one I really wanted to go to, but it is closed until sometime in February:

Name Location Vibe / Notes What to Know / What to Order
Upstairs at Caroline 621 Congress Ave., Ste. 201 Backyard-inspired rooftop bar with giant Jenga, foosball, and cornhole — and your pups are invited, too. Try: The Strawberry + Me (Las Californias gin, Aperol, Giffard apricot, strawberry, bubbles).
Arriba Abajo 506 San Jacinto Blvd. Fourth-floor rooftop at the Thompson Austin with DJ sets and a pool. Reservations recommended on weekends. Try: Serenade Spritz (Lillet Blanc, St-Germain, lemon, peach, cava).
HeyDey Social Club 721 Congress Ave. Rooftop next to the Paramount Theatre with 270º skyline views. Order a Dealer’s Choice and let the bartender surprise you.
Techo Mezcaleria & Agave Bar 2201 Manor Rd. East Austin mezcaleria above Mi Madre’s with a huge selection of Mexican spirits. Try the Guava Margarita (frozen mezcal margarita).
Azul Rooftop 310 E. 5th St. Poolside rooftop for frozen drinks and snacks like tacos and cheesecake. Reservations recommended for groups. Closes early Sundays. Try: No Vacancy (vodka, lime, mint, prickly pear, yuzu soda).
El Cockfight 121 E. 5th St. Downtown rooftop from the team behind Red Headed Stepchild and HandleBar. Any frozen margarita is the move.
Otopia Rooftop Lounge 901 San Antonio St., Unit 1100 Campus-area rooftop pool and bar overlooking the Texas Capitol. Great food menu too. Try: Toasted Coco-Lada (RumHaven, Bacardi, amaretto, coconut, pineapple, citrus).
El Alma 1025 Barton Springs Rd. Longtime Barton Springs favorite with a popular rooftop patio. Rooftop reservations recommended. Try: La Diabla Margarita (mango-habanero tequila, mango purée, lime, agave, chile rim).
Rules & Regs 101 Red River St. Currently closed until February. Known for skyline views and weekend happy hour. Reservations strongly advised. Happy hour Thu–Sun 5–6 PM. Try: R&R Mangonada (mezcal, mango, lime, agave, tajín rim).
77º Rooftop Bar 11500 E. Rock Rose Ave. Three-story rooftop in The Domain with cocktails, bites, and hookah. Weekend reservations recommended. Try: One Eyed Monster (Dragonberry & Raspberry Bacardi, lemon, peach).
Zanzibar 304 E. Cesar Chavez St., Unit 700 Tropical-themed rooftop for a downtown staycation vibe. Birthday 2025 favorite! Try: The Devil & the Deep Blue Sea (bourbon, pineapple, orgeat, orange, lemon).

 

 

2025 in Financial Fitness, Net worth, and Budgeting

by in Rachel Barnard and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Finances Goals 2025

  • Apply to 365 usability studies
    • I applied for ~332 studies
  • Make $2500 in side income, including study gift cards and cash
    • Nailed it! From bank and credit card signup bonuses to selling things around the house and all the studies in between!
  • Complete 4 mystery shops
    • I completed 2 Bestmark shops in December because they were too good to pass up, but otherwise, I didn’t prioritize completing shops
  • Spend less than I make
    • Though I did make the money I spent earn as much as it could for me, I didn’t manage to meet this goal

Financial Accomplishments of 2025:

  • I completed 22 studies and participated in 2 Reedsy Discovery book review challenges
  • I earned just over $1000 from studies last year paid out in gift cards, credits, checks, and cash
  • I’ve saved $139.42 on Too Good To Go for the year ($76.58 spent) with 14 bags (the app that lets you rescue unsold food at your favorite spots from an untimely fate and is typically 1/3 the cost of the retail value) $930 saved lifetime since 2022
  • I earned $154.74 from browser extension Rakuten and $48 from receipt uploading (as gift cards)
  • I earned 2 bank bonuses and got 2 credit card SUBs this year
  • I got $325 in value from freebies (including my yearly birthday rewards, Amazon First Read books, Alamo level-ups, AMC investor connects, and Yelp Elite events)
  • I snagged several phone upgrades through T-Mobile with their 24-month credits (iPhone 17 Pro Max for $263 after trade in, iPhone 17 Air for $94 after trade in, and an iPhone 17 free upgrade with trade in)
  • I earned and spent ~$1480 in credit card rewards and have points worth ~$3600 that I’m saving for future travel
  • I fully funded my Roth IRA for the year

Finances Goals 2026: no specifics this year

Let’s take a look at my assets (and net worth) and how they’ve changed over time:

Asset 2025 % of value 2024 % of value 2023 % of value 2022 % of value 2021 % of value 2020 % of value 2019 % of value
Stock Shares 18% 18% 18% 13% 10% 11% 16%
Real Estate 24% 32% 40% 49% 41% 0% 0%
Cash 1% 4% 4% 4% 8% 24% 16%
General Stocks 5% 4% 3% 3% 4% 21% 23%
Precious Metals 3% 2% 2% 2% 2% 3% 4%
401k 6% 5% 4% 4% 6% 7% 8%
Roth IRA 38% 30% 23% 20% 25% 31% 32%
HSA 5% 5% 5% 5% 4% 3% 0%
Total net value 0% increase 2.6% increase 18.5% increase 16% increase  76% increase  53% increase

 

I look at how much I adhered to my monthly budgeting over the year and compare it to previous years’ spending:

 

2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Education na 2% 0% 0% 0% 0% <1% <1%
Other – Misc 2% 0% 3% 1% 3%  2% <1% 1%
Charity na 1% 1% 1% 0%  0% <1% <1%
Insurance na na na na na na <1% 4%
Health 27% 2% 4% 2% 1%  1% 1% 1%
Entertainment 2% 1% 1% 1% 2%  3% 1% 1%
Gift na 2% 4% 3% 0%  1% 2% 1%
HSA contributions from paycheck 5% na na 4% 2%  2% 2% 0%
Fitness 1% 1% 1% 4% 2%  2% 3% 1%
Household and clothing 3% 1% 4% 2% 10%  4% 3% 3%
Groceries 7% 10% 11% 10% 6%  5% 4% 4%
Bills – other (Phone) 3% 1% 4% 3% 3%  4% 4% 3%
Eating Out 4% 8% 3% 5% 4%  3% 5% 4%
Bills – Transportation 7% 9% 7% 4% 3%  5% 5% 4%
Roth IRA contributions 9% 12% 12% 9% 6%  7% 7% 6%
Travel 2% 5% 5% 3% 11%  13% 8% 17%
Bills – Housing+Utilities 9% 17% 17% 14% 16%  15% 17% 13%
Taxes paid 19% 28% 25% 22% 18%  19% 18% 17%
Real Estate Investment na na na 12% 13%  18% 24% 20%

2024 Finances update

2023 Finances update

2022 Finances update

2025: AMC A-List and Alamo Pass – Watched and Recommended Movies for the Year

by in Rachel Barnard and tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Total cost paid for movies watched in 2025 in theatres: $844.30 ($332 in monthly subscriptions) … total value =$1,988
Favorite movie(s) of the year: Relay
Total movies watched in theatres 2025: 132 (19 Dolby, 4 Imax, 51 Alamo, 1 Cinemark, 1 Flix Brewhouse,  1 Japan Toho Cinemas, and 19 Screen Unseens)
Worst movie(s) of the year: Hurry Up Tomorrow

Movie Magic Moment: Movie Premiere of Novocaine

Favorite Movies of the Year (Letterboxd link here)

  1. Relay
  2. F1
  3. Eternity
  4. Rental Family
  5. Ella McCay
  6. Weapons
  7. Christy
  8. The Penguin Lessons
  9. The Fantastic Four: First Steps
  10. Elio
  11. The Roses
Worst Movies of the Year (Letterboxd link here)
  1. Hurry Up Tomorrow
  2. Keeper
  3. Anemone
  4. Until Dawn
  5. Flight Risk
  6. Die My Love
  7. The Toxic Avenger Unrated
  8. Marty Supreme
  9. Five Nights at Freddy’s 2
  10. Hamnet
  11. Bone Lake
  12. Nickel Boys
  13. The Home
2025 movies I rated 4 stars on Letterboxd that didn’t make my top movies list:
  • Companion
  • The Brutalist
  • I’m Still Here
  • Novocaine
  • The Amateur
  • Lilo & Stitch
  • Thunderbolts*
  • Elio
  • Jurassic World Rebirth
  • Superman
  • Caught Stealing
  • Splitsville
  • Song Sung Blue
  • Avatar: Fire and Ash
2025 movies I rated 3.5 stars on Letterboxd:
  • Presence
  • A Complete Unknown
  • Captain America: Brave New World
  • My Dead Friend Zoe
  • Last Breath
  • Heart Eyes
  • Mickey 17
  • Drop
  • Final Destination Bloodlines
  • Karate Kid: Legends
  • Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning
  • Sinners
  • The Accountant²
  • How to Train Your Dragon
  • The Life of Chuck
  • 40 Acres
  • The Phoenician Scheme
  • Friendship
  • M3GAN 2.0
  • Eddington
  • Oh, Hi
  • Together
  • The Nakend Gun
  • Freakier Friday
  • Honey Don’t!
  • Eleanor the Great
  • Dead of Winter
  • One Battle After Another
  • Good Fortune
  • Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere
  • Frankenstein
  • TRON: Ares
  • Roofman
  • Predator: Badlands
  • Now You See Me: Now You Don’t
  • Zootopia 2
  • Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery
  • Nuremberg
  • Wicked: For Good
Streamed movies I recommend that aren’t listed below, rated 3.5 stars or higher on Letterboxd:
  • Carry-On
  • The Beanie Bubble
  • Flow
  • Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl
  • Your Monster
  • Manchester by the Sea

Movies watched in theatres as re-releases or Master Pancakes (live comedy commentary):

  • Lethal Weapon
  • Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair
  • Wicked: Re-release
  • Avatar: The Way of Water
  • Master Pancake: Spectre
  • Master Pancake Ghostbusters
  • Master Pancake The Evil Dead
  • Master Pancake Donnie Darko Director’s Cut
  • Master Pancake The Beekeeper
  • Hanksgiving
  • Master Pancake Inferno
  • The Master Pancake Xmas Show
  • Back to the Future: 40th Anniversary Movie Party
  • Lady Snowblood

 

Total cost paid for movies watched in 2024 in theatres: $562.02… total value =$1,417.34
Favorite movie of the year: Fly Me to the Moon (See top list on Letterboxd here)

Total cost paid for movies watched in 2023 in theatres: $453.74… total value =$1,315.26
Favorite movie of the year: Tetris and American Fiction (See top list on Letterboxd here)

Total cost paid for movies watched in 2022 in theatres: $295.88… total value =$1,167.40
Favorite movie of the year: Everything Everywhere All At Once (See top list on Letterboxd here)

Total cost paid for movies watched in 2021 in theatres: $253.55… total value =$1,019.57
Favorite movie of the year: CODA

Total cost paid for movies watched in 2020 in theatres and VOD: $112.7… total value =$327.34
Favorite movie of the year: Soul

Total cost paid for movies watched in 2019 in theatres: $278.15… total value = $1,281.67

Total cost paid for movies watched in 2018 in theatres: $297.42… total value = $839.45

Goals and Accomplishments from 2025 and Future Goals for 2026

by in Rachel Barnard and tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

2026 Goals

2026: Describe what you want in 3 words: Balance, More, Less
2026: Describe yourself in 3 words: Busy, Behind, Creative
Theme for 2026: Balance

 

2025’s vision board reflection goes like this…

I went on my first work trip on the first full week of January and then went on a short work trip to our distributor in Georgia the following week!

I lost my English Wordle streak at the very beginning of the year 1/9 and again in July, but I am currently on day 160 (with my max streak at 173). January was a big month for us. We took a quick trip to Dallas the second week of the year because Jon wanted to go to Microcenter and also planned a date at the Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament! It was very much Disney for jousting, but it was different and fun and played up. We took that time in Dallas to go to a fun Canadian restaurant called the Maple Leaf Diner for a Maple Latte, Chicken & Waffles, and Poutine (see my review on Yelp here), among other fun stops.

We saw snow just before my birthday in Austin! We ended the month seeing Kumail Nanjiani live at the Paramount in Austin on 1/30 (Yes, he is still buff) and Hans Zimmer live at the Moody Center in Austin for the second time.

In February, I performed for the first time on my mini-lyra, and it was amazing! I was Snorlax, and the stage was set up in the middle of the audience so I could orbit to my heart’s content. It was super fun putting together the choreo and figuring out the costume. Everyone at the Jungle Movement Academy is so supportive, and I was very happy with how the piece turned out and how the performance went.

Jon and I traveled to Seattle for a quick trip so he and my dad could watch UFC live. I was able to go to my old dance studio, Ascendance in Renton, and take a class with one of my previous teachers. We did a Tomb Raider-themed escape room with family and friends, and we had a nice dinner with our ex-roomie and her mom. I was able to visit my grandparents. Jon and I went into Seattle for fun treats like Pie Bar and our favorite artisan pizza place, Delancey (we inadvertently played chicken on an uphill single-lane road in my dad’s van with some other idiot in a newer car who wouldn’t pull over). We also were able to hit up our anniversary dinner place in downtown Bellevue (Din Tai Fung).

One of the coolest surprises this year was going to see an “Early” screening for Novocaine at the Alamo and ending up at an actual premiere – we saw Jack Quaid! I spend a lot of time and mental space planning many different aspects of my life, so these happy surprises don’t have as many opportunities to come along. I don’t remember too much about the movie, but the flip in my brain from wow, it’s crowded, and they have some fun marketing stuff outside the theatre to OMG, this is a real event is something I’ll remember for a long time.

Jon and I spent the second weekend in March playing through the video game Split Fiction together.

This was the year for quick trips! Jon was invited to visit Apple HQ in California, and we made a meal out of this snack! We arrived in San Francisco on a Monday and spent 3 days there. I was able to visit one of my company’s customers to assist in a software update. I found my new favorite viral treat: The Cube Croissant. And we went into San Francisco via public transit to visit the city for an evening. We even took a trip in one of the driverless Waymos there.

We then took our rental car down to Anaheim to visit Disneyland and Disney California Adventure that weekend. I love how plannable a Disney trip is, and we made the most of our trip. We went to most of our favorites: beignets at the Mint Julep Bar, Oga’s Cantina, Space Mountain, Rise of the Resistance, Jungle Cruise, Indiana Jones, Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, Galaxy’s Edge, Big Thunder Mountain, Space Mountain, Incredicoaster, Guardians of the Galaxy, and more. We tried some new fun things: Pym’s Test Kitchen, a Cuban at Earl of Sandwich, Tiana’s Bayou (seated in the back, we didn’t get wet). It was great seeing the Avengers Campus (opened since the last time we went), seeing the new cast members, and seeing some of the shows.

Back home for a week, we went to a Mexico QC soccer game in Austin, and then I went back to Littleton, CO, for a work trip. I colored my hair in anticipation of our big Japan trip. My intention was to create a ‘walking’ cosplay (what I would call cosbounding) of Sabine from Star Wars, and instead of wearing a wig, I attempted to dye my hair to match one of Sabine’s many colorful styles. You can see my outfit in our Disney day trip pictures. You can read all about our epic Japan trip with Star Wars Celebration weekend on my blog here or my shorter summary here.

When we got back from Japan in early May, we started looking for good sushi in Austin in earnest. I’ve eaten so much sushi in the past 8 months! We tried out Endo Sushi, Miyo Yakitori & Sushi (5 stars), Aburi Oshi Sushi at a street festival (just okay), Tatsumi Sushi (4 stars), Uroko (wouldn’t recommend 3 stars), Craft Omakase (5 stars), Tsuke Edomae (best ever 5 stars), Bleu Bear Sushi (Dallas 4 stars), Sushi Warriors (5 stars for AYCE), Ichi Umi (4 stars), Umi Hotpot Sushi & Seafood Buffet (some of the worst sushi I’ve ever had), Fukumoto Sushi & Yakitori (5 stars).

I’ve been posting my reviews on Yelp and Google Maps and have gotten quite a few responses! I’m now in my 3rd year as a Yelp Elite. Some of my hits include:

  1. 11 Photos from my reviews were featured on 3/16/2025 for Selenite Studio in Littleton, 5/10/2025 for Hawaiian Bros Island Grill in Austin, 5/31/2025 for Bangkok Grill in Georgia, 6/11/2025 for Myōryūji Ninjadera in Japan, 6/21/2025 for DonutNV in Austin, 7/19/2025 for Mile Hig Mo’s in Austin, 8/6/2025 for Marion Crepes in Japan, 8/18/2025 for Lache Movement in Austin, 8/30/2025 for Sankalpa Pole Fitness in Colorado, 9/16/2025 for Austin Kolache & Koffee Shoppe and on 11/26/2025 for Apex Denver
  2. I received 22 comments from various establishments on Yelp and 33 comments from various establishments on Google Maps
  3. I posted 155 reviews on Yelp (427 lifetime) and 141 reviews on Google Maps this year
  4. I reached over 2 million views on my photos on Google Maps!
  5. I reached Yelp Elite All-Star status in October and November!

Jon and I went to see Moulin Rouge at Bass Concert Hall in Austin at the end of May, and we participated in Marvel trivia at Spare Time again (43/50 answered correctly to put us in 6th place). We checked out Foodieland at the Circuit of the Americas and had some very delicious foods (our favorite was the Dubai Chocolate cup, which was insanely delicious). I went to a grand opening for the new Salty Donut in the Domain and wanted to be their very first customer when they opened at 7AM. I arrived at 4:28AM (an hour before any of the employees and any other people showed up for the line). I was first!

In other miscellaneous accomplishments, I was able to snag Spanish Wordle-in-one and a record Mini Crossword solve in 25 seconds. I also participated in a Guinness World Record with local Texas YouTuber Ryan Trahan and his #joyridehour for “most photos of people holding candy posted to Instagram in 1 hour.”

I’ve now been taking pole and aerial classes for over 11 years! I wrote a reflection post on social media that was markedly different from my 2023 post.

I finished my second custom Baby Grogu art project. My first was “Darth Grogu,” and this second one is “Baby Ahsoka.” I have several more ideas for custom Grogu dolls. I can’t wait to put them together. Supplies I used are bottom left, and the original variation doll is on the right. I also finished a Longhorns Grogu and started paracord art, as well as a custom Van’s painted project. I’ve also continued to work on friendship bracelets that I gave away at Celebration in Japan, during a dance showcase, and plan to give out at D23 this upcoming year.

I added 70.5 more hours to my lifetime of volunteering this past year. As mentioned in the previous blog post, I trained for and helped out with Uprise Circus Outreaches. I was tasked with assisting with the Lyra, chatting with kids on the bleachers, assisting with the ladder to get up to the flying trapeze board, and setting up and tearing down during Outreach. I helped out with 2 Lache showcases, doing setup, teardown, and lights. I volunteered for the second year at the Greater Austin Comic Con, my second year with POP Cats, and my third year with the Austin Coffee Festival. The new festival I volunteered at was with the Shiba Pawrade! I’m now around ~864 lifetime volunteer hours.

Jon brought me to the MLS All-Star Skills Challenge and All-Star Game at the Q2 Stadium in Austin near the end of July. ishowspeed was there (we didn’t know who he was beforehand). It was so hot!

In August, Jon and I took a road trip up to Dallas to pick up his mom from the airport. We went to another top-ranked BBQ called Dayne’s Craft BBQ. Jon made us his own take on BBQ ribs. We went to the Barton Springs Pool for the first time. It was cold, and the water was dense – hard to swim. I didn’t spend much time in the water.

I took another quick 4-day trip to Colorado for work in August – assisting with an in-person supplier audit. While I was there, I checked out two new-to-me studios (Gravity Aerial Arts and Sankalpa).

My dad and his wife, Nancy, flew to San Antonio from Seattle, while Jon, Jon’s mom, and I drove down from Austin to go to UFC Noche together. We met up the day before in Seguin for Texas Monthly’s #1 BBQ spot as of July 2025: Burnt Bean Co! We also took advantage of a meet and greet with Paulo Costa and got pictures with him. UFC the next day was fun. My favorite was Bruce Buffer. On Sunday, we split up. Dad, Nancy, and I went to the Natural Bridge Caverns, the Witte Museum, and the Mission San Jose Catholic Church while Jon drove his mom back up to Austin. He flew back to pick me up in a private plane from the local Stinson Airport in San Antonio later that afternoon. It was the bumpiest ride from all the wind!

We checked out the pumpkin lights on the first day of October. It was pretty nifty.

Talking about a bunch of quick trips… Jon got tickets to go see Hugh Jackman (in New York!), So we planned ~48 hours of travel to NYC. I did a whole write-up on my blog about it here.

In December, I decided to commit to reviewing 10 books, performing for the second time that year, baking a cake, traveling to FL to see family, and finishing my custom Van’s shoe coloring project. Whew! I performed my Snorlax routine again, albeit a little bit differently this time. I used my modified music (Sexy and I Know It by LMFAO), added animal slippers, and modified the pillow I was putting inside my costume, as well as changing up the routine to suit the different space. I won a book contest and got some author swag from Marissa Meyer!

In total, I went on 5 work trips out of state and 7 personal trips this year (5 of which involved flying in a plane out of state with 1 international):

  1. 1/6 – 1/9 Littleton, CO for work
  2. 1/10-1/11 road trip to Dallas (for Microcenter and funsies)
  3. 1/12 – 1/13 Covington, GA for work
  4. 2/21 – 3/1 Seattle, WA for family (and Jon to see UFC with my dad)
  5. 3/10 – 3/16 San Francisco/Anaheim work for Jon and fun for me (and a little work for me)
  6. 3/23 – 3/28 Littleton, CO for work
  7. 4/16 – 5/4 Japan for international trip with Star Wars Celebration 2025
  8. 8/11 – 8/14 Littleton, CO for work
  9. 9/12 -9/14 roadtrip to San Antonio for UFC Noche (and private plane flying)
  10. 10/3 -10/5 NYC for Hugh Jackman show
  11. 11/10 – 11/14 Littleton, CO for work
  12. 12/20 – 12/22 Port Charlotte, FL for family Holiday

2025 specific goals:

  • Review every new restaurant/business that I go to on Yelp
    • I’m probably at 90% on this goal!
  • Practice cake baking and decorating – learn one new related skill
    • I didn’t jump on this until the end of the year, when I found a secondhand KitchenAid in my price range and made my first two-tier cake with French buttercream. It turned out really well with Amy’s family recipe and all my gathered baking tips and knowledge.
  • Maximize the use of my 2025 health benefits
    • I started strong with this one. I did a bunch of things in January, then got busy and didn’t bother for most of the year before picking back up and going to PT for various old injuries, figuring out how to use the mental health portion of my insurance in the fall, and getting a pair of frames/glasses that I love to use in ‘sports’ mode (they tilt to hug the ears so they don’t fall off when upside down).
  • Go to at least 5 classes/month at Orange Theory Fitness while I have the membership
    • We went to 43 classes from January to August for an average of 5 classes/month!
  • Have an epic Japan trip, and do not panic while using public transit or when trying to find things in the train stations
    • We got on the wrong train one time, but it wasn’t a big deal. Our biggest panic moment was on the way back from the theme park on our last full day, and it was absolutely chaotic; it would have been tough not to panic. I had an amazing time, and we did an excellent job preparing so we could be mentally more present while on our trip (though still attached to our phones for directions and translations and taking pretty pictures).
  • Get to level 49 in Pokémon Go
    • Not only did I get to level 49 on 2/6/25, but I fast-tracked to level 50 on 9/21/25 right before the new leveling system was put in place… And then from level 70 to level 71 on 12/14/25.

2026 specific goals:

  • Review almost every new restaurant/business that I go to on Yelp and Google Maps
  • Practice cake baking and decorating – make one cake/month to practice a new related skill
  • Get back to ~2023 body composition results with my yearly fall DEXA scan
  • Maximize the use of my 2025 health benefits as much as possible
  • Plan and have an epic Hawaii, Japan, D23 trip in the summer/fall
  • Create a super cool Sabine cosbound to wear to D23 and Star Wars Celebration 2026
  • Try to make a Sabine Grogu with armor
  • Find and eat another Cube Croissant
  • Try something new
  • Get to level 73 in Pokémon Go

 

For previous years’ posts:

  • 2025 Describe yourself in 3 words: Fatigued, Thankful, Driven
    • 2025 Describe what you want more of in 3 words: Calm, Centered, Wise
    • Theme for 2025: Body
  • 2024 Describe yourself in 3 words: Maximal, Goal-Oriented, Partner
    • 2024 Describe what you want more of in 3 words: Growth, Decluttering, Minimize
    • Theme for 2024: Organization
    • Goals list of 2024
  • 2023 Describe yourself in 3 words: Impatient, Forgetful, Loving
    • 2023 Describe what you want more of in 3 words: Saving, Friendship, Experiences
    • Theme for 2023: Settling in
    • Goals list of 2023
  • 2022 Describe yourself in 3 words: Self, Partner, New
    • 2022 Describe what you want more of in 3 words: Success, Happy Moments, Learning
    • Theme for 2022: Realize
    • Goals list of 2022
  • 2021 Describe yourself in 3 words: Driven, Busy, Challenged
    • 2021 Describe what you want more of in 3 words: Vacation, Attentive, Patience
    • Theme for 2021: Plan
    • Goals list of 2021
  • 2020 Describe yourself in 3 words: Anxious, Quick, Analytic
    • 2020 Describe what you want more of in 3 words: Patience, Deliberate, Calm
    • Theme for 202: Hygge
    • Goals list of 2020
  • 2019 Describe yourself in 3 words: Driven, Efficient, Restless
    • 2019 Describe what you want more of in 3 words: Calm, Accomplished, Considerate
    • Theme for 2019: Minimize
    • Goals list of 2019
  • Goals list of 2018
  • Goals list of 2017
  • Goals list of 2016
  • Goals list of 2015

2025 Physical Activity – Dance, Health, and Fitness

by in Rachel Barnard and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Aerial Dancing Highlights for 2025
1. I took 52 aerial classes
2. I spent $669 total
3. I spent 53.33 hours in class
4. I worked with 19 different instructors
5. I went to 10 different studios

Lifetime money spent (just for aerial and aerial adjacent classes): $12,745.24
2014 – $90
2015 – $422.21
2016 – $1777
2017 – $2594
2018 – $1465.74
2019 – $566
2020 – $225
2021 – $852.46
2022 – $1,439.83
2023 – $1,809
2024 – $835
2025 – $669

Lifetime total aerial classes: 789
2014 – 6
2015 – 19
2016 – 109
2017 – 139
2018 – 92
2019 – 37
2020 – 35
2021 – 63
2022 – 111
2023 – 118
2024 – 90
2025 – 52

Total time spent dancing +: 1192.23 hours (49.68 days)
2014 – 10.5 hours
2015 – 37.5 hours
2016 – 173.5 hours
2017 – 226 hours
2018 – 144.5 hours
2019 – 55.5 hours
2020 – 55.75 hours
2021 – 89.25 hours
2022 – 141.4 hours
2023 – 121.25 hours
2024 – 83.75 hours
2025 – 53.33 hours

Class Breakdown at different studios
Inner Diva – 24/52 = 46%
Lache – 12/52 = 23%
Jungle Movement – 6/52 = 11.5%
Bat City – 4/52= 8%
Other single classes – 6/52 = 11.5%

Class Type Breakdown
Sling – 17
Lyra – 9
Trapeze – 8
Silks – 8
Floorwork – 4
Pole – 3
Flexibility – 1
Straps – 1
Circus Night including Cyr Wheel – 1

In other fitness accomplishments:

  • I tried out Cyr Wheel and Chinese Pole for the first time!
  • I took a mini-lyra workshop and performed twice on my mini-lyra
  • Completed 5-weeks of training at Uprise Circus to assist with flying trapeze classes and assist with teaching lyra to students
  • I biked 66.7 miles, and I got a flat tire on my bike (Jon got a flat tire on his bike, and we got 2 nails in our car all within 6 weeks this past fall)
  • Played “foot golf” with Jon
  • Walked 126 miles/297,218 steps while on our 17-day vacation in Japan in the spring
  • 6/14 Volunteered for the Lache summer showcase “Morning Cartoons” and the “Serenity & Socery” winter showcase 12/13
  • I performed my “Snorlax” piece at both the Lache Serenity & Sorcery showcase 12/13, and the Jungle Movement’s Love is in the Air Showcase 2/18
  • I completed an additional 43 Orange Theory Fitness classes with Jon again before canceling our membership to strength train/cardio at home
  • I managed to get to 10 yoga classes (9 with a friend at Black Swan Yoga)
  • I took 9 pilates classes (7 reformer)
  • I took 1 Beginner’s Dance Technique class and was very confused and out of my depth
  • I managed to rank 3rd in the OTF women’s 200m timed row (1:39:90) for women in ages 30-39 and 3rd overall in August

My fitness goals for 2025:

  • Get back my twisted grip by working on posture and shoulder mobility
    • So I did go to 9 physical therapy sessions (for random lower back pain and to work on my previous hamstring injury), but didn’t make time or effort beyond regular warm-ups to work on my shoulders and posture (and 2 massage sessions at the beginning of the year)
  • Volunteer for one show
    • Nailed it! Volunteered at two shows (one of which I was also performing)
  • Perform at one show
    • Double nailed it! Performed my ‘same’ piece in two different ways for two different studios’ showcases
  • Try out a new studio in Austin
    • Technically, I went to Dance Studio Austin for my Beginner Dance Technique class, but didn’t go to any new pole/aerial studios in Austin
  • Try a new class/workshop
    • I tried both Cyr wheel (I was terrible and it made me nervous about falling over) and Chinese Pole (some of my pole/aerial skills transferred, and some… Did not. I would definitely go back to this studio and try another Chinese Pole class again)
  • Bike 100 miles on my ebike
    • Fell short of this goal (66.7/100). I have fewer places I can bike to, fewer places I can safely lock my bike up at, and won’t bike at night if I can help it, so I have less time in the day to bike
  • Added goal since last year: run a 10-minute mile
    • I realized after going to OTF for many months that my running was improving and that my timed mile was getting close to 10 minutes, and I wanted to go for it. My last 10-minute mile was back in 2017 when I used the C25K app and ran a 5k in just under 30 minutes. I started out with a 10:15 timed mile that wiped me out at OTF in the summer. After using the Just Run app, I was able to get a 10-minute mile after 14 training sessions, but I don’t think I could hit 3 consecutive miles at that pace.
  • Added goal since last year: level up in Silks at Lache from Level 1 to Level 2
    • So technically, the teacher said I could take Level 2, but didn’t give me an official assessment. Pre-reqs include 1. demonstrating 3 consecutive skills from a footlock, 2. can climb to the ceiling twice without touching the floor and alternating feet, and 3. can wrap foot locks in the air, single and double

My fitness goals for 2026:

  • PT, massage, and/or stretching for my shoulder mobility and posture: 12x
  • Try out a new fitness/health app and reduce body fat percentage (measured in yearly DEXA scan) back to 2023 %
  • Volunteer for two shows
  • Perform at one show
  • Try out a new pole/aerial studio in Austin
  • Try a new class/workshop
  • Bike 100 miles on my ebike

2024 Physical Activity Blog Post Breakdown
2023 Physical Activity Blog Post Breakdown
2022 Physical Activity Blog Post Breakdown
2021 Physical Activity Blog Post Breakdown
2020 Physical Activity Blog Post Breakdown
2019 Physical Activity Blog Post Breakdown
2018 Physical Activity Blog Post Breakdown
2017 Physical Activity Blog Post Breakdown
2016 Physical Activity Blog Post Breakdown
2015 Physical Activity Blog Post Breakdown

2025 Reading Challenge Books in Review and Recommended Reads

by in Rachel Barnard and tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

The books I read this year:

My favorite books I read this year:

Title Author Main Genre Secondary Genre
Tokyo Heist Diana Renn YA Contemporary
Lost Stars Claudia Gray Star Wars Science Fiction
Up From the Sea Leza Lowitz Verse YA Poetry
Tanabata Wish: A Coming of Age Rom-Com Sara Fujimura YA Romance
Warcross (Warcross, #1) Marie Lu YA Scienc Fiction
Light of the Jedi Charles Soule Star Wars Science Fiction
Abroad in Japan: Ten Years In The Land Of The Rising Sun Chris Broad Memoir Travel
Star Wars: Heir to the Empire Timothy Zahn Star Wars Science Fiction
Unlikely Story Ali Rosen Romance Contemporary
Hopeful Romantics Susan Rufai Romance Contemporary
Mission: Red Scythe: A James Vagus Teen Espionage Thriller C.W. James YA Mystery/Detective
BEELITZ-HEILSTÄTTEN: Where Ghosts Never Die Marina Osipova Historical Thriller Russia/Germany
The Chemistry Test Georgina Frankie Romance Contemporary
Tell Me It’s Wrong (Sweetspire #2) Katie Wismer Romance Contemporary
Perfect Plans J.T. Tierney Romance Contemporary
Project Hail Mary Andy Weir Science Fiction Space Fantasy
The Beauty of the End Lauren Stienstra Science Fiction Dystopian
Dating After the End of the World Jeneva Rose Romance Post Apocalyptic
The Holiday Fakers Evie Alexander Romance Christmas
The Profound Benefits of a Stint in Prison: Locked up and lucked out in max security Andrew Hamilton Nonfiction Biography
The Holiday Grump: A Spicy, Small-Town, Christmas RomCom Enni Amanda Romance Christmas
Recursion Blake Crouch Science Fiction Time Travel
The Holiday Hate-Off Angela Casella Romance Christmas
The Holiday Whoopie Sara L Hudson Romance Christmas
Bot Camp Paul Clarke Middle Grade Action
Human Again: In the AI Age J.D. Macpherson Nonfiction AI & Semantics
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (Harry Potter, #1) J.K. Rowling YA Fantasy
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Harry Potter, #2) J.K. Rowling YA Fantasy
Thirty, Flirty, and Forever Alone Christine Riccio Romance Comedy
The Fall Risk Abby Jimenez Contemporary Romance

Out of the ~48 books that I read, some reading stats:

  • I spent nothing on books this year (using promotional credits on Amazon worth $18.95, the library, Jon’s Audible credits, and reading for reviews).
  • Read more than 1 book from 3 different authors
  • 20 with a romantic element
  • 5 nonfiction
  • 13,722 pages (average of 298pages)
  • Rated 30 books 5 stars (I’m more selective when choosing books to read)
  • 7 books were from Amazon First Reads program
  • 22 were review copies
  • 8 audiobooks vs. 40 ebooks
  • 11 books from the library
  • I read 9 books in anticipation of traveling/set in that location (Japan) with 3 Star Wars novels for Celebration; 2 in anticipation of seeing a play in NY in March of 2026
  • I reviewed 31 books this year (5 pending for this blog) for a total of 480 reviews written in my lifetime
  • I completed 2 reading challenges set by Reedsy Discovery and read all the books in the Hideaway Harbor Series as ARCs for reviews
  • One of my Reedsy Reviews (Perfect Plans by J.T. Tierney) was for a book that won the Discovery Editors’ Choice Awards (4/2597 books reviewed on the site)
  • 6 of my book reviews were featured on Reedsy Discovery on their homepage as a top review! (Holly & Heartbeats; Lost and Found: The Misadventures of a Reluctant Trekker; Perfect Plans; Hopeful Romantics; Rainbows and Lollipops

Next year I want to:

  • Read ~1 book from President Obama’s Favorite Books
  • Read ~2 nonfiction books
  • Read ~4 books in anticipation of traveling/set in that location
  • Write ~20 book reviews to get to 500 lifetime reviews!

2024 Reading Challenge Blog Post

2023 Reading Challenge Blog Post

2022 Reading Challenge Blog Post

2021 Reading Challenge Blog Post

2020 Reading Challenge Blog Post

2019 Reading Challenge Blog Post

2018 Reading Challenge Blog Post

2017 Reading Challenge Blog Post

2016 Reading Challenge Blog Post

2015 Reading Challenge Blog Post

48 Hours in New York City – From New York, With Love – Hugh Jackman

by in Rachel Barnard and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

I think we heard Empire State of Mind 50 times during our quick 2-night trip to New York City. There is a soundtrack and a smell to NYC that is different from my last visit in January of 2017 (with my mom to watch my sister perform). During that trip in 2017, we visited Zabar’s, Kismat Indian in Washington Heights, Thai Sea in Brooklyn, Donut X, Donut Pub, Carwash Donuts, Carlos Bakery, Rue, and a rooftop bar. This visit (8 years later), we snacked our way around Manhattan before and after watching Hugh Jackman perform.

We planned our trip around seeing Hugh Jackman’s “From New York, With Love” show at Radio City in New York. We had lovely seats in ORCH 3 that were not too far back from the stage. I watched the stage during the show and not the side-mounted televisions that were zoomed in on Hugh Jackman and the other performers. The seats are quite comfortable and just large enough to feel adequate for most people. The orchestra sloped gently, and the stage was elevated so I could see without the row in front of us getting in my view. The venue seats ~6000, and my main comment is that there are not enough restrooms! There are four levels of restrooms, and the lines were halfway down the hall for some of them 15 minutes before the show. There were only 6 stalls in the mezzanine bathroom I was able to use before the show started.

Hugh Jackman’s show itself was great! We went to the matinee on the last day of performances for this show. He was personable, charming, and funny. There was a good mix of songs throughout the show (with songs from The Greatest Showman to Music Man to Les Mis). Though he spends an entire short piece jump roping (as a fun spoof of the Deadpool and Wolverine movie’s NSYNC dance), he is not doing as much moving around/dancing. For one of the songs (Never Enough), there was a guest singer. Kate Hudson also came out, and she and Hugh did a few songs from their upcoming Neil Diamond movie. Clearly, Hugh Jackman is talented, and this was a super-fun show to watch live.

🥂 Bar 54
Rooftop bars are one of my favorite activities in a new city. I looked for one within walking distance of our hotel near Times Square, that took reservations, and had good reviews for the views. Reservations were easy, and while the glass barrier means you can’t look straight down, the vibe is still worth it as a rooftop bar. A glass of champagne and a cocktail set us back approximately $67, including gratuity. There is supposedly a time limit to the table reservation, but we were not hurried at all by the waitstaff. It was a very relaxed time, and it was gorgeous outside in early October.

🍗 Dave & Buster’s
We booked a table to watch the UFC fights on Saturday night. They have plenty of TVs. When we arrived, they sat us in front of one that wasn’t currently showing what we came for, and it took them 20-ish minutes to switch it over. By the time the main fights were on, almost every TV was playing UFC. Service was great. Food was okay. Of the two finger foods we ordered (Philly egg rolls and boneless wings), they were mildly overcooked, dry, and overpriced. You’re paying for the space, not the food.

🍕 F&F Pizza, Brooklyn
Recommended by Babish (YouTuber), this pizza spot is in Brooklyn. We accidentally booked a table at the full restaurant next door (thanks, Google), but they let us leave our reservation and head next door for slices. We ordered clam, pepperoni, cheese, and Partanna. The Partanna was our favorite, though the clam slice was unexpectedly delicious. A chewier crust, great flavor, and solid prices ($4–$7 per slice) make this one worth the trip.

🍕 Joe’s Pizza
A must for classic NY-style slices. The OG location was not ready with slices when they opened, so we hit the Times Square spot instead. The line was just outside the door when we arrived before noon. Everything smelled delicious! We got a slice each of cheese, pepperoni, and white. Solid choice for NY-style pizza.

🍜 Ichiran Ramen
This was the priciest Ichiran we’ve ever been to, and not the best quality. The setup included privacy dividers we couldn’t remove, but we were seated side by side. The matcha pudding was a fun menu addition that we tried, but overall, not quite worth the $79 tab or 45-minute wait for two bowls of ramen, drinks, and a dessert.

🍩 I’m Donut?
We went all in here, ordering eight donuts (Pistachio white chocolate donut, custard donut, PBJ donut, Caramel Espresso Cream Donut, Sake Cream Donut, Matcha Cream Donut, Scrambled Eggs Donut) and a matcha latte. Fortunately, the donuts are not too large, but 8 is too many to eat in one sitting for two people. I would go back for the Matcha cream donut again and again. It was some of the best matcha I’ve had in a pastry. The scrambled egg donut was a trip. Definitely worth a try, but far from your standard donut flavor. The line was managed well outside, and the inside is cute and appealing. Pricey but memorable.

🥪 Katz’s Deli
I’ll have what she’s having at Katz’s Deli. This is a confusing place to walk into for the first time! They hand you a little ticket when you walk up, and you join a line in front of the deli counter and wait your turn to put in your order. They cut your meat and build your sandwiches at the deli counter, and then tag your ticket with what you ordered. You pay at the exit (with cash) or in the back (with a credit card). The place is full of really fun décor and plenty of tables. It can get crowded here, but if you stop by in the morning early enough, you won’t be waiting long in line and will probably have plenty of options for a table. Sandwiches are large (easy to share) and priced accordingly. We tried a pastrami sandwich, a half egg salad sandwich with a cup of split pea soup, and got it with a can of soda for ~$75.

🍪 Levain Bakery (NoHo)
Soft, thick, and gooey cookies that are everything social media promised. I’m team chewy cookie, but even I had to admit these were impressive. The chocolate chip walnut is their OG flavor.

🥐 Paris Baguette
A quick breakfast stop that felt calm amid the city rush. The mocha was the least sweet mocha I’ve ever had, but the pastry cases were stacked high and looked appealing.

Since my last visit to NYC, transportation has gotten easier now that you can tap and pay using your phone. Prices have gone up minimally for public transit. $2.90 for a single tap vs. $2.50 last time I was in NYC. $8.50 for the airtran to/from JFK. $8.25 for the LIRR to JFK. We took one Uber from Brooklyn’s F&F pizza to our hotel in Times Square for $44. Our Delta flights were ~$400/each round-trip in the 2-seater exit row (twice as expensive as my flight last time but from a different city). We spent ~$500 on food and snacks – a lot for a quick trip, but not too much considering all the places we tried and all the food we ate. Travel is always more expensive than staying home, and there are more costs than I expect every time we travel, but prices seem reasonable for NYC (hotel ~500/night downtown near Times Square, orchestra seat ticket ~$340 at Radio City, $30 for a souvenir t-shirt, ~$5 for a nice slice of pizza).

Some other things we noted during the trip… The Hop on/Hop Off buses always looked full, with a line down the block to get on. I’m not sure you’d be able to get a seat if you got off and wanted to get back on. I didn’t see anyone smoking cigarettes (smelled Nicotine only once), but saw multiple people smoking weed (several times in the subway). I expected more lines at some of the places we went for snacks/food, but we never waited very long in lines (the longest was for Ichiran). Things/food were both more expensive and less expensive than I expected in comparison to Austin food/merch/travel expenses.

TL;DR Summary 2025, 17-day Japan Spring Trip – Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Kanazawa

by in Rachel Barnard and tagged | 2 Comments

This blog post is the Too Long Didn’t Read summarized version of my long-winded Japan trip breakdown blog post you can read HERE…

Our Japan Adventure: A Detailed Journey of Food, Culture, and Discovery

Our recent trip to Japan was a vibrant tapestry of culinary delights, unique cultural experiences, and a few unexpected travel hurdles that taught us plenty along the way. From the bustling streets of Osaka to the serene temples at 7AM, and the thrilling rides at Fuji Q Highland, here’s a summarized look at the highlights, lessons, and must-try experiences from our journey.

Food Adventures

  • Gyoichi Kaihinmakuhari Izakaya: Reserved in advance to avoid the Star Wars crowd. Classic smoky, lively izakaya atmosphere with strict 2-hour time limits on all-you-can-drink experience. Good experience but not a top recommendation.
  • Aeon Mall Makuhari Food Court: Mixed impressions, some stalls closed early but fun to sample various casual dishes.
  • Ippudo Ramen in Ikspiari: Highly recommended for quick, delicious ramen and gyoza after a 30-minute wait.
  • Asakusa Unana: Famous eel rice balls, pricey but fresh and flavorful—arrive early to avoid sell-outs.
  • Senso-ji Temple Visit: Cultural highlight with the fun tradition of drawing Omikuji fortune slips.
  • Ujishia Gion Tsujiri in Skytree Town: Best matcha of the trip, with rich, creamy matcha sweets and parfaits.
  • Yokozuna Tonkatsu Sumo Experience: Unique lunch with sumo demonstration by wrestlers, great cultural insight despite no official tournament during visit.
  • Gansozushi: Small sushi spot offering fresh, flavorful quick bites in Asakusa.
  • Nakamise-dori Street: Strawberry-themed street treats and a creative sweet potato soft serve from Imo Pippi.
  • Warner Bros Studio Tour Eats: Fun themed food like Butterbeer and Niffler buns, good for the experience over food quality.
  • Azabudai Hills Market: Upscale food hall with eel but disappointing seating and flavor for the price.
  • Kura Sushi Conveyor Belt: Automated, efficient sushi experience with better quality than US branches.
  • Senri-ken at Toyosu Market: Early morning coffee and egg sandwich in a cozy, authentic setting.
  • Sushi Dai at Toyosu Market: Iconic sushi breakfast requiring early arrival; incredible freshness and value. An absolute must.
  • Lost Bar in Shibuya: Creative, secretive bar popular among foreigners with unique cocktails that’s owned by a popular YouTuber
  • Sukiyabashi Jiro: The ultimate sushi splurge—20-course omakase with impeccable quality and strict etiquette.
  • Pikachu Sweets Café & Pokémon Café: Adorable themed treats and immersive atmosphere, especially for Pokémon fans.
  • Mos Burger: Japanese-style fast food with modestly sized burgers.
  • Gyoza Hohei Shinjuku & Masuya: Affordable soba and tasty gyoza, though the latter was oily.
  • Royal Host: Slow service but delicious American diner-style food and all-you-can-drink soda bar.
  • Harajuku Sweets Tour: A curated, 4-hour food and culture tour with YouTuber Shizuka featuring sweets, savory bites, and fun stops.
  • Starbucks Ginza: Visited Japan’s first Starbucks and sampled unique regional menu items.
  • Nishiki Market (Kyoto): Tried Wagyu skewer with uni for ¥6,500 (~$45). Good but pricey.
  • McDonald’s (Japan): Quick, clean, quiet. Tried Teriyaki McBurger and Chicken Tatsuta. Meal for two is affordable.
  • Torafugujo: Pufferfish course with set price. Unique but not for repeat.
  • Mouriya Gion (Kobe Beef): Best steak, very expensive. Book months ahead.
  • Dotonbori (Osaka): Tried spicy Takoyaki and street food. Noted Turkish ice cream trick.
  • Coco Ichibanya (Namba): Cozy curry spot with limited seating.
  • Rikuro’s (Namba): Jiggly egg cheesecake. Arrive early to avoid lines.
  • Tenmasa (Dotonbori): Fast udon, two bowls for ¥640 is a steal (~$4.41). Cash only.
  • Konamon Bar Rikyu: Okonomiyaki and ice cream near Osaka Castle.
  • Osaka Chikuyotei: Eel dish was delicious.
  • Ichiran Ramen: 40-min wait, quality ramen.

 

Experiences

  • Tokyo Disneyland: Evening tickets ~$99 for 2, priority passes used, enjoyed key rides and parade with organized seating, perfect 4-hour visit.
  • Tokyo DisneySea: Full day tickets + skip-line passes ~$255 total, early arrival, focused on Fantasy Springs rides with DPA passes, packed day but very rewarding.
  • Senso-ji Temple: Visited mid-morning, tried traditional Omikuji fortunes, great cultural contrast to modern Tokyo.
  • Tokyo Skytree: Pre-booked tickets ~$29, moderate crowd, no Mt. Fuji view due to clouds, fun glass floor and café, chaotic exit.
  • Yokozuna Tonkatsu Sumo Experience: Interactive sumo demo + meal by wrestlers for ~$149, cozy seating, unique cultural insight.
  • Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo: Harry Potter: Museum-style immersive tour with interactive exhibits, early timed tickets ~$134, lengthy visit, extensive gift shop.
  • TeamLab Borderless: Digital art museum with shifting installations, booked tickets + tea house ~$75, crowded art room but worthwhile tea experience.
  • Toyosu Fish Market: Visited post-auction with little action visible, better to arrive early for auction.
  • Tokyo Toyosu Manyo Club Onsen: Peaceful baths with rooftop footbath, lost ~$140 (likely personal error), recommended early/late visits and towel tips.
  • Pokémon Centers (Osaka, Kyoto, Tokyo): Visited 3 centers, found rare items and fun souvenirs, great for fans and collectors.
  • Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Observatory: Free panoramic city views from two towers, possible Mt. Fuji sighting on clear days.
  • Akihabara Retro Gaming & Electronics: Explored small shops hunting vintage games mostly in Japanese, rewarding for collectors.
  • Harajuku Sweets Tour: 4-hour guided food tour (~$215/person) with sweets, savory bites, and cultural stops led by a popular YouTuber.
  • Toho Cinemas Movie Experience: Late-night blockbuster screening in respectful, quiet audience with unique snack options, followed by lively Shinjuku walk.
  • Visited Fushimi Inari Taisha early to explore torii gates before crowds arrived.
  • Loved Kinkaku-Ji Temple (Golden Pavilion) — breathtaking gold reflection and serene setting; entry ¥500.
  • Found Nijo Castle underwhelming compared to other landmarks; entry ¥1300 felt not worth it for us.
  • Tried Kyoto Samurai Ninja Museum combo — fun ninja star throwing and sword kata lesson, but pricey (~¥30,492 for two).
  • Enjoyed tea ceremony with kimono rental — stunning outfits, professional dressing, and hands-on matcha making; very memorable despite some discomfort.

Kanazawa Highlights

Myouryuji (Ninja) Temple
Initially not on our itinerary, the Ninja Temple was recommended by our taxi driver. With reservations required, the tour was in Japanese, but we had an English guidebook. The temple’s secret doors, traps, and historical intrigue made this ¥1200 (~$8.40) entry a fascinating visit.

Kanazawa Food & Treats

  • Gold Leaf Ice Cream: At Hakuichi Higashiyama Store, we tried the visually stunning ice cream topped with gold leaf (two cones for ¥1960/~$13). The gold leaf had no taste, but the creamy vanilla was excellent.
  • Omicho Market: Our favorite market for fresh seafood and especially the Wagyu on a stick (¥3600/~$24 per skewer). The Wagyu here beats other markets on price and quality.
  • Kanazawa Sabo Soshin Sweets: We enjoyed matcha cheesecake and lattes in a beautiful upstairs seating area for ¥1920 (~$13). Presentation was perfect.
  • Onyado Nono: The hotel’s late-night ramen and breakfast buffet were surprisingly good, offering both Japanese and Western options.
  • Yusura: On a whim, we tried Hanton rice and katsu curry, which were unexpectedly delicious. Matcha cheesecake here wasn’t as good as Sabo Soshin’s. Total spent ¥4100 (~$28).
  • Kirari Conveyor Belt Sushi: A fun sushi experience where orders arrive via miniature Shinkansen trains. We indulged in sushi with gold accents and plenty of variety.

Fuji Q Highland: The Stressful Thrill

Our last full day was a nail-biter. We’d hoped to visit Fuji Q Highland earlier but were forced to go on a Saturday due to reservations and sold-out direct buses. The trip took over 4 hours on public transit, but seeing Mt. Fuji made it worthwhile. The day was exhausting and stressful, so I wouldn’t recommend this for a final day unless you thrive on adrenaline and uncertainty.

Trip Tips & Packing Lessons

What to Bring

  • Bring at least two light sweaters—they’re invaluable in changing temps.
  • A comfortable day bag is crucial for all-day exploring.
  • Headphones with audio sharing help if you want to watch movies together on the 10+ airplane ride.
  • Small, personal gifts from home (like something Austin-specific) are great for meeting locals or hosts.

What You Can Skip

  • Laundry bags and travel soap sheets — local convenience stores or hotels often have what you need.
  • Sunscreen and tissues—you can buy them easily in Japan, or use an umbrella for sun protection.
  • Compression socks—I preferred to move around rather than wear these but to each their own.

Useful Items

  • Power adapters, charging cables, external batteries, and tech gear for smooth days.
  • Travel credit cards and AirTags for security and ease.
  • Packing cubes for organization.
  • Travel umbrellas for sun and rain protection.
  • Face lotion and favorite personal care items, as some Japanese products might not suit everyone’s skin.

Pre-Trip Entertainment

To get into the spirit, I read a mix of fiction and nonfiction, including Culture Hacks by Richard Conrad and Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi, plus YA novels and anthologies centered on Japan. We also watched Godzilla movies, Jiro Dreams of Sushi, and other Japanese-set films and series to deepen our connection with the culture.

Final Thoughts

This trip blended bucket-list culinary experiences, historic sites, and vibrant street food scenes with the challenges of transit and planning. Whether savoring Kobe beef, navigating ninja temples, or braving amusement park crowds, Japan offered something new at every turn. With careful planning, flexible attitudes, and a willingness to try everything (even pufferfish), Japan is a destination that rewards curiosity and adventurous spirits.

If you’re planning your own trip, remember: book popular restaurants early, pack smart (extra layers and tech gear), and savor every bite and moment. Japan’s magic is in its details, and this trip was a joyful deep dive into those details.

And finally… A sampling of pictures worth thousands more words: