Work, Food, and Perspective: My Trip to Austin

After a short break from the blog, I’m back! I spent the past few days traveling to Texas for work, flying into Austin for a conference with two colleagues. The trip itself was mostly smooth, except for one unsettling moment—mid-flight, a man seated across the aisle began having seizures. The flight attendants quickly jumped into action, and an announcement was made asking for any doctors or nurses on board. Thankfully, a nurse in first class was able to assist him until we landed, where paramedics were waiting at the gate. It was a scary situation to witness, but I was relieved to hear he was okay.

Conference by Day, Relaxation by Night

The conference itself was productive—long days filled with sessions and networking. But while my colleagues ventured out for beers after dinner, I found myself retreating to my hotel room, book in hand, flipping through TV reruns, and falling asleep early… three nights in a row. When did I become the person who prefers silence over socializing? Maybe it’s just the reality of parenthood—when no one is yelling “Mom!” every ten seconds, the quiet feels like a luxury.

A Culinary Adventure

One of the highlights of any trip to Austin is the food, and this visit did not disappoint.

• Sunday Night: I took my colleagues to Moonshine Grill, a favorite from a previous trip. This time, I tried the horseradish-encrusted salmon with crispy Brussels sprouts—absolute perfection. My teammates indulged in street corn queso, blackened catfish, and chicken & waffles, and they loved every bite.
• Monday Night: We hit up Terry Black’s Barbecue, a staple in Austin. We devoured ribs, brisket, and green beans. Lucas ordered a beef rib so massive, we joked it was the size of a child’s femur. I stuck to the pork ribs, which were fall-off-the-bone delicious.
• Tuesday Night: Our final dinner was at Pinthouse Brewing, and wow—this place was a winner. I tried their cider and hard kombucha (both fantastic), but the food was next level. The wagyu burger was hands down the best I’ve had, and the sourdough pizza was an unexpected delight. Safe to say, we’ll be dining here again when we return next month.

Gratitude & Perspective

After a whirlwind few days, I was more than ready to be home on Wednesday. Travel always makes me grateful for the pilots and crews who get us safely from one place to another. That gratitude hit even harder the next morning when I woke up to the devastating news of a mid-air collision between an American Airlines plane and a military helicopter at Reagan International Airport in Washington, D.C. It was heartbreaking to hear of the lives lost. Moments like these remind me how fragile life is and why we should never take it for granted. My heart goes out to those grieving their loved ones.

This trip was full of work, good food, and quiet reflection. And as much as I love traveling, there’s nothing like coming home.