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Emergency Call Boxes
Those red emergency call boxes still stand in Manhattan, a relic from the early 20th century. NYC began installing these in the 1910s to give people direct access to police and fire services. At one point, there were over 15,000 across the city. Today, only about two-thirds of those remain functional. The city has debated…
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Apple 5th Avenue
It’s hard to miss the Apple Store on Fifth Avenue—technically underground, but marked by a glowing glass cube, like a minimalist sculpture. Designed by Bohlin Cywinski Jackson, the store itself is tucked beneath the plaza, accessible via a spiral staircase or a very smooth elevator ride. Downstairs, it still features the iconic trees, but the…
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Adam and Eve
Outside the sleek towers of Manhattan West, Charles Ray’s Adam and Eve sculpture offers a modern take on an age-old story. Installed in 2023 near Moynihan Train Hall, the stainless steel figures show Adam and Eve in their later years—Eve seated and Adam standing—reflecting both the passing of time and the rhythms of city life.…
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Breakfast Bagel
If you ask a New Yorker, they’ll tell you—a good Sunday starts with a great bagel. So I treated myself to a bagel packed to the brim, a perfect addition to my slow and relaxing Sunday. Perfectly toasted, slightly crisp on the outside, soft inside, and barely holding together layers of scrambled eggs, sausage, melted…
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Thoughtful Design
There’s something so satisfying about a design that just makes sense. Like the touch-free water refill station at SFO—seamless, hygienic, and even better, you can choose between chilled or room-temperature water. A small detail, but one that makes all the difference. No plastic waste, no germy buttons—just an easy, well-designed way to fill up and…
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Nature Recharge
I’m back in San Francisco for the weekend, soaking up as much nature as possible, and today was my first time hiking Mount Tam. Hard to believe, considering it’s basically the Bay Area’s backyard playground. Mount Tamalpais (or just “Mount Tam” to locals) is the highest peak in Marin County at 2,571 feet. It’s known…
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Times are changing
While this refers to this past weekend’s shift to summer time, you could also interpret it in a broader sense—in the grand scheme of things. And speaking of grand, and staying in the spirit of time, the Grand Central Clock is one of New York’s most iconic timepieces. Perched atop the information booth in the…
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100+ Posts
I just renewed my site, which means I’m committed to keeping this little corner of the internet going. Over 100 posts and nearly a full year in, I’m grateful for everyone who has followed along—whether you’ve read just one post or many. Here’s to more fun moments, cultural observations, and whatever else sparks curiosity along…
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The Oscars
Yesterday, I watched the Oscars in full for the first time. Back in Europe, the Oscars were something I woke up to—headlines, clips, a few standout moments, and of course, a review of the dresses. Watching the entire ceremony live? Not really a thing. But now that I’m in the U.S., I figured I’d do…
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Art of Tagging
Walking through the city, there’s always something that catches the eye. Take certain doors—covered in scribbles, tags, and stickers, they become more than just entrances. Layered with marks over time, they turn into evolving canvases, unpolished but fascinating. New York is full of these tagged surfaces, blending into the city’s rhythm. Not everyone sees the…
Josephine in New York City
Me. In New York City. With excellent food and lots of fun!
Josephine in New York City 