Tag: News

• I quit my job as a business school professor, and it took years of courage and planning.
• Even though people close to me advised me against quitting, I am excited to pursue meaningful work.
• Change can be scary, but I'm excited to reinvent myself.

For years, I had wanted to resign from my job as a business school professor at a small private university. Yet I didn't have the courage. My salary was decent, my hours were flexible, and I had friendly coworkers.

From the outside, it made no sense for me to leave my job. I was unhappy, but most people seem dissatisfied with their work.

I burned out after layoffs

With recent news stories about quiet quitting, job-hugging, and significant organizational layoffs, coupled with increased daily living expenses, I knew I should be grateful for employment. As someone who teaches Organizational Learning, Performance, and Change, I knew it was not advisable to leave a job without filling a gap in my résumé by securing another position.

Yet I was unhappy and unfulfilled in my role. When a large round of layoffs occurred over a year ago, many of my peers and friends left the organization, leaving me with an unreasonable workload for one person. In addition, my family had unexpected health issues, and I needed to be more at home.

I got burned out. My work was out of alignment, and my personal values did not align with those of the organization.

I dreamed of flying to another universe on the magical, luck-bringing dragon-like creature from the 1980s movie The NeverEnding Story, or purchasing a ticket to Europe or a beach destination and going on an extended vacation.

I didn't want a life of regrets

Life is short, and many of us are living on autopilot. We dream of retirement, but for most of us, that is many years away. I did not want to look back on my life and have regrets.

So, I quit. When I sent off my resignation letter, I felt a weight lift from my shoulders, and it felt so good.

My husband and I figured out our new budget and made some lifestyle adjustments to allow me to re-energize, spend quality time with my family, and figure out my next professional steps.

I have seen many stories of people who quit their jobs and travel the world. While this sounds dreamy, being a mom of three active kids, having a husband with a non-remote job, and older parents I want to support, the Eat, Pray, Love lifestyle was not in the cards for me.

I've been spending more time with my kids

Since I quit, I have been leaning into work and experiences I enjoy. I am writing my next book, have been teaching as an adjunct, earned a new executive coaching certification, and have done some corporate speaking and consulting. I am relaunching my business and am having fun.

My kids and I have also been doing some budget-friendly traveling. I have a 4th grader, and we have been using the Every Kid Outdoors program, sponsored by the National Parks, which gives 4th graders and their families free entry to national parks.

We visited family in California, drove to Yellowstone National Park, and did some amazing hikes. We also took a road trip to Yellowstone National Park, where we saw Old Faithful and learned about the geothermal activity.

I helped my son publish his first children's book, "Tommy the Tap-Dancing T-Rex," which then inspired my older son to finish his book, too.

I work from our kitchen table

While I am not yet earning the same amount of money I earned in my salaried job, I am following the energy of what lights me up.

My new office is at the kitchen table. While my workspace may not be glamorous, I appreciate the flexibility to pick up my kids from school and have my dog by my side.

Change can be scary, but sometimes it's the push we need for growth.

I still struggle with career and identity, juggling both professional and personal identities and supporting my family doing work I enjoy, and being in the role of a parent, daughter, and spouse.

I hope quitting was the right move and am trusting that the right opportunities will reveal themselves as long as I keep showing up and putting in consistent action.

We get this one life, so it's up to us to make the most of it. I am redefining my definition of success to include a life well lived, both professionally and personally.

• Le Labo, a luxury fragrance brand founded in New York, is known for its attention-getting scents.
• I tried six of the brand's most popular perfumes and ranked them from worst to best.
• Santal 33 is overrated, in my opinion, while Lavande 31 deserves more hype.

It doesn't matter if you're a celebrity, a successful businessman, or an everyday fragrance fanatic. It seems like everyone loves Le Labo.

The New York City brand was founded by friends Fabrice Penot and Edouard Roschi in 2006 and grew so popular that it was purchased by Estée Lauder Companies in 2014.

It's known for creating memorable, luxurious scents that smell unlike anything else. Bottles retail between $110 and $1,125.

I first tried the brand at the end of 2024, testing Santal 33 against a Target dupe. Though I wasn't a fan of that fragrance, I was intrigued. I'd never smelled anything like it before.

So, I bought a few more samples (.05 fluid-ounce bottles for $7 each) of Le Labo's most popular scents and wore a different one each day over the course of two weeks.

I took notes on what I liked and disliked, asked friends and family for their thoughts, and watched the clock to see which scents lasted on my skin all day and which evaporated into thin air.

Here's how I'd rank them from worst to best.

Santal 33 doesn't deserve the hype it gets — sorry.

Santal 33 might be Le Labo's most famous fragrance, but it was also my least favorite of the scents I tried.

It had a strong, earthy scent with a heavy spice that, unfortunately, smelled like pickle juice to me. Many Le Labo fans and critics have also made this comparison.

After four short hours on the skin, the fragrance quickly went from overpowering to almost nonexistent, making it tough to justify the expensive price.

For those reasons, I'm not sure I'll ever understand the appeal of Santal 33's cult following.

Another 13 was nearly perfect, but not quite.

Whenever Santal 33 is mentioned, someone is bound to argue that Another 13 is better.

The fragrance was created in collaboration with An0ther Magazine and is now one of the brand's core scents. Le Labo describes it as a hypnotizing and "addictive dirty potion."

I'm not entirely sure what that means, but I'd say it feels accurate. Every time I sniffed Another 13, I wanted more. It faded into a blend that smelled like jasmine, citrus, vanilla, and musk — which I loved.

So, I wish I could say that the fragrance made my top three.

Unfortunately, when first sprayed, the fragrance smelled strongly of alcohol. Sometimes, it took nearly an hour to fade into the latter scent that I preferred. Other fragrance fans said they couldn't smell anything else, no matter how much time passed.

It's also not the strongest fragrance I've tried from Le Labo's roster. After two hours or so, I almost forgot I was wearing it.

Rose 31 had a classic scent but ultimately didn't stand out.

With a name like Rose 31, I figured this perfume would be straightforward.

It started with strong whiffs of grass and spice, initially distracting from the rose. Once the main note took over, however, I smelled of florals and powder, which reminded me of a classic French perfume.

I can absolutely see why people might enjoy this perfume, and I did, too.

Ultimately, though, it was a little too simple for me. If I'm buying Le Labo, I want something that stands out.

Thé Noir 29 was captivating and masculine, yet anyone could wear it.

Thé Noir 29 is the Le Labo fragrance that surprised me the most.

I expected a musky cologne but got a masculine-leaning scent that smelled like black licorice. There was also a subtle trace of tobacco as it settled and a consistent note of cedarwood.

One of my favorite elements was that the scent lasted all day without being too strong.

My only gripe — a small one — was that it only felt appropriate to wear in the evening. I couldn't see myself wearing this during the day.

Everyone should have Lavande 31 in their fragrance rotation.

After being underwhelmed by Rose 31, I worried I might feel the same about Lavande 31.

However, Le Labo says on its website that this fragrance "knocks all preconceived notions of lavender on its head" — and I completely agree.

The fragrance smelled refreshing and sophisticated, with a mix of lavender, moss, musk, and even a citrus zest. I could easily see this becoming my signature scent, especially in the spring and summer.

What I really loved, though, was the product's concept. Sometimes, you just want a perfume full of your favorite classic notes but with an interesting twist.

Lavande 31 fit that bill and exceeded expectations.

Thé Matcha 26 is probably the best and most underrated of Le Labo's popular scents.

I was most excited to try Thé Matcha 26 for two reasons. First, I enjoy the scent of the drink this fragrance is named after.

Second, Le Labo's description of the perfume caught my attention. It's said to be "introverted and deep by nature" and is meant to be smelled only by "those individuals lucky enough to be very close to the wearer."

Not only was that an accurate description, but the perfume's notes were also phenomenal, in my opinion. It's scented with fig, vetiver, and orange, which creates a soft, alluring, and calm fragrance.

If I were only going to buy one Le Labo product, it would be a bottle of Thé Matcha 26, without question.

Air Force SERE specialists — that's Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape — are the military's survival experts trained to endure the harshest conditions on Earth and teach others to do the same. They prepare airmen, pilots, and special operators to survive alone behind enemy lines, resist captivity, and return home safely.

Senior Airman Aeryk Denniston unpacks every piece of gear he carries into the wilderness when training military members for long-term survival and evasion in hostile environments.

• My parents are boomers, and they were different from my friends' parents.
• They encouraged me to feel my feelings, and most of my friends wanted to spend time at my house.
• I'm parenting after their example.

Walking through the grocery store, I heard it, the dreaded phrase: "OK, boomer." The woman behind me was talking loudly on her phone, relaying some sort of lousy experience. My stomach tensed as I passed by her with my shopping cart.

It was hard to hear her intense aggravation because, technically, my parents are boomers. However, they've never lived up to the stereotype. While my friends' parents were avoiding emotions or burying them deep down, my parents were supporting me in feeling all of mine.

My parents weren't like my friends' parents

When I was growing up, I assumed all families functioned the same way — you know, where the parents ask their kids how they feel and then take the time to listen and empathize. As far back as first grade, I can remember sitting on our couch, talking to my mom while I watched the crease between her eyebrows deepen.

"But how are you feeling now?" she asked, reaching for my hand.

I was crying so hard I gave myself the hiccups. The friend drama at school was real, and my mom listened to every word, riding out my emotions with me — never rushing me through so she could continue her evening, or telling me to get over it. She whispered she understood, and asked questions — more for me to grasp the situation than for her. Instances like these built an emotional confidence where I felt safe being myself and not shamed for it.

Most of my friends preferred to spend time at my house

This unconditional support wasn't only reserved for me, but for my friends, too. "Why don't we meet at your house?" my high school BFF always asked. In fact, most of my friends preferred hanging out at my house.

My besties confided in me that it was "easier for them to be themselves" with my parents, but I didn't understand why until I spent time with their families. There was an underlying tension I couldn't quite place, and twinges of guilt would sink into my stomach when I watched my friends hide parts of themselves from their parents. My home was decidedly different.

My friend group would sit casually at our kitchen table discussing school, relationships, or their opinions on a favorite movie. My mom and dad were there for it all. There were no dismissive tones, nor did my parents ever bring out the boomer classic: "Stop being so sensitive." Perhaps it was their focus on connection rather than control, but we felt comfortable embracing all aspects of ourselves.

These memories, and the cozy feelings they bring up, play as I pass the woman on her phone. It's not the first time I've heard people refer to my parents' generation negatively, and, sure, everyone's experience is different. Even my social media feed is full of the sentiment that boomers lack compassion and can often make for judgmental grandparents. Now that I'm a parent, I can't help but be super grateful I was supported in a way that supported me.

I'm now parenting after the example set for me

"But how are you feeling now?" My words echo my mom's as my 12-year-old son and I talk.

I sit with him while he tells me about a teacher who's stressing him out, and I wait for him to finish his thoughts and feel all his feels. My parents' emotional vulnerability directly informs my parenting — and I'm OK with it.

The good news is their support didn't end once I grew up or when they became grandparents. They're just as encouraging with my son as they were (and are) with me. My parents were gentle parenting before it even had a name, and I love passing this on to my son.

• I got my kids a landline, hoping it would spark independence.
• During the first snow day of the school year, the phone rang nonstop all morning.
• By the afternoon, they had invited friends and neighbors to play in our yard, without my involvement.

While my kids are still young and in elementary school, my husband and I have been talking about how we can foster more independence in all three.

We both long for the type of childhood we had, without cellphones, iPads, and social media.

Earlier this year, we decided to buy an old-school phone and set up a landline for our 7, 5, and 5-year-olds to be able to interact with their friends without needing our supervision.

Yesterday showed me what a great idea that was.

There was an initial lift from my end

After getting the phone and setting it up, which we chose to do through TinCan, there was a bit of lift from my end to collect phone numbers from friends and neighbors. It was a collective effort since I had to also nudge others to get a landline for themselves.

At first, we had to explain to the kids how calling on a landline works. They practiced (and failed often) dialing phone numbers, asking to speak to their friends, and learned general etiquette about being on the phone. The conversations were short and led nowhere.

With time, though, they all began to become more confident. On Halloween, my oldest called our neighbors and asked what time they'd be ready to meet to go trick-or-treating together. I was starting to see signals of what I had envisioned — setting up playdates without me needing to text another parent.

I was hopeful we were on the right track.

We had a snow day, and the phone rang nonstop

Recently, we had our first snow day of the school year, and by 9 a.m., our phone had been ringing nonstop.

By mid-morning, my kids had invited about a dozen friends to come over and play in the snow with them. This triggered texts from other parents asking if it was OK. Given that they are all so young, they still require some parental assistance, especially since some had to be driven over.

By lunchtime, we had seven kids squealing together, playing in the snow, and having a great time. They required little parental supervision, so my husband did chores outside while they all took turns shoveling snow and riding snowboards.

Everyone got picked up by dinnertime, and my kids shared how this had been the best snow day ever. My cellphone was also full of texts from parents thanking me for taking their kids so they could work.

The landline was a success, and when I posted about it online, it resonated with others — it seems my family isn't the only one that's been missing them. Not only is it starting to give my kids the type of 90s childhood I want to recreate for them, but it is also allowing me to provide that longed-for village parents nowadays need.

Next up, I'm gifting my kids my old Game Boy.

• As a mom of six, the holiday season can be a very chaotic time of year.
• Over the years, I've realized that they all enjoy visiting a specific Christmas light display.
• This simple tradition brings lasting holiday memories and eases the stress of creating perfection.

As a mom of six, Christmas used to feel like a pressure cooker. Every year, I tried to create the "perfect" holiday — the ideal gifts, the matching pajamas, the Instagram-worthy stockings. I spent December weekends navigating store aisles, scrolling for deals, or stressing that I wasn't doing enough.

By the time Christmas morning finally came, I was exhausted, financially stretched, and secretly relieved when it was all over.

But over the years, something kept happening that chipped away at all that pressure. My kids never talked about the gifts. They talked about the lights.

This simple activity brings us all joy

Every December, without fail, the one thing they count down to is our annual trip to a local Christmas light display — part drive-thru, part walk-through Santa's Village. We've been going since my oldest was little, and now that I have a wide age range — from teenagers to toddlers — it's somehow become the one tradition that still fits all of us.

It's nothing extravagant. We load everyone into our van with blankets, half-finished cups of hot cocoa, and there's at least one missing glove we never find until spring. The kids pile in wearing mismatched hoodies instead of the cute outfits I once tried to coordinate. Someone is always arguing over the "best" seat. And yet the moment we pull into the entrance and the first tunnel of lights appears, the whole car shifts. The bickering fades. The glow of the lights fills the van, and even my older kids — the ones who claim they're "too old for everything" — sit up a little straighter.

We roll slowly through the display, windows cracked just enough to let in the cold air, watching the lights flicker on marching toy soldiers, snowmen, reindeer, and giant glowing trees. Then comes their favorite part: the walk-through to Santa's Village. We park, bundle everyone up, and step into the crisp night air together.

There's something magical about moving through the lights instead of just watching them through a window. You can smell the kettle corn, hear kids laughing from all directions, and feel the cold on your cheeks. My kids run ahead and then circle back, tugging on my sleeve to make sure I don't miss their favorite displays. We pause at the fires to warm our hands before grabbing snacks to enjoy throughout the rest of the night.

We end the night visiting Santa, even though the teenagers pretend they're only there to "help the little ones." We always leave with red noses, sticky fingers, and photos that look more like real life than any holiday card shoot I ever attempted.

The memories we make are lasting

One year, after an especially stressful December, I asked my kids what their favorite part of the holiday season had been. I expected them to mention a present or a party. Instead, all six talked over each other about the lights — the cold walk, the tunnel, the stop at Santa's Village. It felt like a gentle tap on the shoulder: This is what they remember.

That moment changed everything for me. I realized that my kids weren't wanting perfection — I was. They weren't keeping track of how many gifts they got or whether everything matched. They just wanted a moment with all of us together, doing something simple and magical.

This tradition has helped reshape my own expectations

Now, instead of trying to cram December full of activities, I let this one tradition anchor us. We still exchange gifts and stockings, and do all of the regular holiday traditions, but I no longer feel like I'm failing if everything isn't picture-perfect. The pressure has eased because I finally understand what my kids had been telling me for years without saying a word: holiday magic doesn't come from what you buy, it comes from what you show up for.

Our annual Christmas light night is chaotic, imperfect, and sometimes freezing. But it's ours. And year after year, it's the memory they carry with them — long after the gifts are forgotten.

• Germany's military is now operating Arrow 3, a top Israeli air defense system.
• Arrow has intercepted hundreds of Iranian and Houthi ballistic missiles over the past three years.
• Its deployment to Europe gives the continent a major air defense boost amid growing threats.

A top Israeli air defense system credited with defeating waves of Iranian ballistic missiles is now, for the first time, in the hands of a foreign military and set to boost European defense.

The deployment of the Arrow 3 ballistic missile shield to Germany comes as NATO forces look to strengthen their long-range air defenses in the face of growing threats from Russia to the east. The system can intercept missile targets beyond Earth's atmosphere, making it a high-value acquisition.

Boaz Levy, CEO of the state-run Israel Aerospace Industries, told Business Insider that Arrow 3 is the "perfect solution" for Germany to defend not only its own population but also that of its European neighbors from potential ballistic missile threats.

Levy, Arrow's chief engineer, said the defensive system has intercepted hundreds of ballistic missiles launched by Iran and its Middle East allies over the past few years, describing Arrow as a "combat-proven" air defense.

The $3.5 billion sale of Arrow 3 to Germany in September 2023 is considered Israel's largest-ever defense export deal, officials said.

Israel's defense ministry said on Wednesday that it had handed over the first operational Arrow 3 system to the German military, officially giving Berlin control of the air defense.

Proven against deadly missiles

The Arrow systems are a joint product of IAI and US aerospace giant Boeing. Arrow 2 was deployed in 2000 and can intercept missiles in the upper atmosphere, while the newer Arrow 3 became operational in 2017 and can eliminate targets in space.

Both Arrow systems use a two-stage solid-fueled interceptor to strike incoming ballistic missiles and have been used in combat in recent years, making up the top level of Israel's vaunted air defense network.

Israel has used Arrow to shield the country during three confrontations with Iran, which launched some 120 ballistic missiles at the country in April 2024, more than 180 ballistic missiles in October 2024, and over 550 ballistic missiles this past June.

Arrow, which has also intercepted ballistic missiles launched at Israel by Houthi rebels in Yemen, underwent several upgrades and software tweaks ahead of Israel's most recent clash with Iran — its most serious one yet — to improve the system's performance.

Levy said that Arrow was challenged many times and faced its toughest tests against the salvos of Iranian missiles, rather than lone Houthi launches. However, he said the air defense system proved itself "in a phenomenal way" with an interception rate of greater than 90%.

He said that IAI is currently developing an upgraded interceptor, the Arrow 4, that will eventually replace the decades-old Arrow 2 model.

A new shield for Europe

Arrow's deployment to Germany comes as European countries face what Western officials warn is a rising Russian threat along NATO's eastern edge.

In its ongoing war against Ukraine, the Russian military regularly attacks cities and civilian infrastructure with strike packages consisting of ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as hundreds of one-way attack drones. These attacks have pushed NATO countries to deploy additional defenses along the alliance's eastern flank.

European countries are also purchasing new air defenses. Denmark, for instance, just inked a deal to buy Norway's National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) and is expected to procure the French-Italian SAMP/T system as well. And now, IAI's Arrow 3 is going live in Germany.

Arrow will augment Germany's existing air defense network, which consists of the domestically produced IRIS-T SLM and the US-made MIM-104 Patriot, among other systems.

The Patriot, a long-range surface-to-air missile system, is another proven air defense system that has served as the top echelon of Ukraine's air defense network, defending the country from Russian bombardments.

• We took a multigenerational family vacation to Paris and had an incredible trip.
• Looking back, though, there are a few things I'd do differently next time.
• For example, I'd definitely book more group tours and build more time for rest into the itinerary.

Last spring, I went on a family trip to Paris with nine people, including my husband, children, parents, brother, sister-in-law, and nieces. Although it wasn't our first trip as a party of 10, it was our first time visiting Europe together.

Our group ranged in age from 10 to 74, and I soon found that multigenerational travel to another continent comes with its own set of challenges.

Although we had an incredible time, there are a few things I would've done differently to make the trip go even more smoothly.

Next time, I'd do more research before choosing a week to travel

We chose to travel during the Easter and Passover break because it was a rare time when all four kids in the group were off from school at once. I expected things to be a bit busier because of the holiday, but I didn't realize we'd be visiting during the Paris Marathon.

I've been fortunate enough to visit the city several times, but I've never seen it as crowded as it was during our family vacation.

It was fun to cheer on the runners as they passed right in front of our hotel, but the event clearly drew in massive crowds.

Some of the city's most popular tourist destinations, like Versailles, were packed, and tickets to the Louvre were sold out. This was a bummer since it was the first trip to Paris for half of our crew.

Next time, when booking a trip, I'll research any big events happening in the area that could increase traffic. This will help us avoid higher prices and sold-out attraction tickets.

I wish we'd done more group tours

When planning our trip, I didn't book a lot of group tours because I was worried it would make traveling with 10 people more difficult.

But after doing one in Montmartre, I realized it actually might just be the best way to see the city with a large group.

Our tour guide gave us valuable insights, from the most opportune moments to use a restroom to the best places to sit down and enjoy a madeline.

Knowing the best places to rest were especially helpful when the 10-year-old got cranky or the 74-year-olds wanted to slow down.

The guide also helped us maneuver crowds and knew which steep stairs and rocky streets to avoid walking down. Plus, her local perspective and expertise meant she taught us a lot of facts about famous artists in the area. We saw a different side to the famous neighborhood that we may not have seen on our own.

Next time I'm planning a big family vacation, I'll definitely prioritize booking more group tours.

Flexibility is key when planning an itinerary for a multigenerational group

Even though we only planned to be in Paris for a week, I created a packed itinerary. I even booked a day trip to Tours, France, (which is about an hour and 15 minute train ride from Paris) so my kids could see where I studied abroad.

However, it was toward the middle of the trip, and my husband and kids were exhausted. I thought they'd be able to rally, but we ended up canceling this excursion and losing out on some money.

While planning, I was so eager to do it all that I lost sight of the fact that we might need to sleep in one day.

Next time, I'd leave more room in the itinerary to relax and recharge.

• I packed lots of essentials for my five-hour Amtrak ride, but I didn't think of everything I needed.
• My Kindle, tripod, and headphones came in handy for keeping me entertained on my journey.
• However, I wish I had brought more comfort items such as a travel pillow, blanket, or even slippers.

When I hauled a heavy suitcase into the overhead on my Amtrak train car, I thought I had everything I'd need for my trip.

Three jackets, two pairs of boots, and a scarf to match every sweater — I was ready for anything. However, I quickly realized I wasn't nearly as prepared for the five-hour ride itself.

My trip from New Jersey to Boston on the Northeast Regional line gave me just enough time to settle in, stretch out, and enjoy a little downtime. Soon, I learned that what I had — and didn't — made all the difference in how much I enjoyed my trip.

Here are five items I'm glad I brought, and three I wish I'd packed.

My ticket didn't come with complimentary snacks, so I was glad to have brought my own.

Due to the length of my ride, I knew I'd be hungry at some point.

My basic ticket didn't come with complimentary snacks from Amtrak, but I didn't mind much since I had brought plenty of food from home.

I stopped at a bagel shop before boarding, packed a homemade latte, and had more than enough snacks to keep me satisfied throughout the ride.

There was a café car about halfway through the train that I could've bought a few bites at, but I was happy to save the money anyway.

My hot spot came in handy when the train's WiFi didn't work super well.

Though Amtrak offers complimentary WiFi on routes like this one, I didn't find it reliable for everything.

It worked fine for sending texts or scrolling through social media, but it wasn't as reliable when I wanted to stream TV on my laptop. To stream better, I switched to my phone's hot spot.

My headphones were great for listening to music and streaming TV.

Though the lull of the train can be soothing in itself, I was happy to have packed my headphones so I could listen to music during the ride.

These also came in handy when I wanted to catch up on TV shows without bothering anyone around me.

The only packing mistake I made was bringing wired headphones, rather than wireless ones, because I couldn't charge my device and listen at the same time.

I bring my Kindle almost everywhere.

Luckily, I didn't struggle to keep myself entertained since I had packed my Kindle. I'm a book lover, so five hours of uninterrupted reading time was right up my alley.

I prefer using an e-reader over a physical book when traveling because it's lightweight and doesn't take up much space in my bag.

Plus, for early morning or late-night rides with my Kindle, I don't have to rely on the train's reading light, which might disturb other passengers.

I brought my tripod for capturing content, but it was useful for creating extra space at my seat.

I had originally packed my tripod to capture travel content, and it was helpful as I snapped photos and filmed videos.

I also found it surprisingly useful for creating extra space at my seat.

My tray table wasn't very big, so setting up my tripod on the floor with my phone to stream a show gave me room to keep my laptop on the table instead.

It's worth noting that I didn't have anyone sitting next to me, so I had plenty of floor space to work with. Overall, it made for a nice setup.

However, I found myself wishing I had packed motion-sickness medication.

I thought I packed pretty well for the trip, but toward the end of the ride, I started feeling nauseous. I've never had motion sickness on a train before, but I've also never been on one for this long.

So, when I started getting dizzy in the last hour, I was caught off guard. I couldn't look at my screen anymore, so I leaned back and closed my eyes.

It really made me wish I had brought some motion-sickness medication along for the ride.

Having a travel pillow or blanket would've made my trip more comfortable.

My seat ended up being comfier than I thought, with a decent recline and footrests.

Looking back, though, I really wish I had packed some comfortable travel items, such as a neck pillow or blanket. This ride was early in the morning, and my return trip was late at night, so they would've come in handy.

Next time, I'll definitely bring a few more things to make the ride cozier and allow me to close my eyes for a bit.

Similarly, slippers would've been helpful for walking throughout the train car.

Another comfort item I didn't think about until I was on the train was slippers.

I like taking my shoes off during long trips, especially on an airplane, but for some reason, I felt hesitant to do it on the train.

I wish I had brought a pair of light slippers to wear during the ride and for those trips back and forth to the bathroom. It would've been another way to add to the overall comfort of a long Amtrak ride.

• This post originally appeared in the Business Insider Today newsletter.
• You can sign up for Business Insider's daily newsletter here.

Noticed Google recently making big moves in the AI space? OpenAI certainly has.

The world's most famous startup reportedly declared a "code red" in a companywide memo from CEO Sam Altman. What comes next could be a critical juncture in the AI wars that impacts us all.

Altman told employees to go heads down on improving ChatGPT, setting aside work on other products. It's a sign that the already intense battles over AI are only going to amplify.

On the one hand, that could spur even more innovation. Monopolies are never beneficial to consumers. Google's threat to OpenAI's place atop Mount AI could mean more competitive pricing, better tools, or simply a wider array of options for customers.

The fight over market share also comes with risks. For years, some AI experts have warned us about the danger the tech can pose when gone unchecked. OpenAI's mission statement is even "to ensure artificial general intelligence benefits all of humanity."

But what happens when your back is against the wall, competitors are breathing down your neck, and investors or analysts are asking tough questions? Will tech companies maintain a responsible approach to AI if they risk losing their competitive edge?

We're more than a decade removed from the infamous "move fast and break things" era that defined innovation in Silicon Valley for years. Tech companies previously vowed that aggressive style of innovation is a thing of the past.

But with trillions of dollars at stake, and everyone going hardcore, will that remain the case?

So what's got OpenAI so nervous?

BI's Brent D. Griffiths breaks down the key areas where Google can put pressure on the ChatGPT maker.

One issue is that OpenAI's smaller size is becoming more of a weakness than a strength.

Initially, Google's size made it a lot harder to keep up with the nimble OpenAI. But as AI enters its next era of growth, Google has the benefit of a massive ads business and wide-reaching distribution channels to fuel its AI plans.

The search giant has secured some big wins in recent weeks, most notably the launch of Gemini 3, which was widely praised.

(If you're curious about the differences between ChatGPT 5 and Gemini 3, BI's Katherine Li has you covered.)

And it's not just Google that OpenAI is nervous about. Let's not forget about fellow AI startup Anthropic, which also recently launched a new model, or Elon Musk's Grok.

OpenAI may have sparked the AI wars more than three years ago with the launch of ChatGPT, but it's still a long way from finishing them.