Tag: Happiness
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Aperitivo in Trastevere
On one of my final nights in Rome, we found ourselves in Trastevere again—a charming neighborhood that feels just a little more local. It’s greener, slightly less overrun with tourists, and definitely more laid back. Sitting on those famously uneven cobbled streets, flanked by graffiti-covered walls, with chilled drinks and a bowl of chips—perfect. Aperitivo…
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Beach Day
Back home in NYC—greeted by thunderstorms and a flood watch—I am thinking back to the last day of the Rome trip, spent at the beach in Santa Marinella. Just an hour outside the city, it’s a little glimpse of that Italian Riviera feeling. The town is charming and low-key, with umbrellas and sun loungers lining…
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Una Notte Al Colosseo
I’ve officially started my vacation—and I’m back in one of my favorite cities: Rome. My first evening combined two things the city does best: food and history. Classic Roman dishes for dinner, followed by a night tour of the Colosseum. The Notte al Colosseo event runs during the summer months and was such a highlight.…
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4th of July
This Fourth of July, I found myself not at a backyard barbecue or watching fireworks like in past years, but at a Mexican restaurant—enjoying one of the best tuna ceviches I’ve ever had, alongside tacos, quesadillas, and queso fundido. We sat outside, taking in the mild summer evening (a rarity in New York). It might…
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Smile
Every time I walk past this glowing grin on the High Line, it makes me think about the universal language of facial expressions—and how a smile can cross cultures and communicate without needing translation. As you know, I’m fascinated by cultural similarities and differences. A smile feels universal—something simple that can have a real effect,…
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New Memories Unlocked
I’m at the airport in Frankfurt, sitting on the roof terrace under a bright blue sky with a view of the tarmac, waiting for boarding. It’s one of those in-between moments that invites reflection—and after the week I’ve just had, there’s a lot to take in. I came to Germany for a very special reason:…
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Easter weekend
Easter has always been my favorite holiday. In Germany, it’s more than just a day—it’s a season. A long weekend, signs of spring everywhere, decorated branches, painted eggs, and a shared sense of celebration. In New York, the lead-up is there—but only through marketing. Chocolate eggs, pastel packaging, and maybe a few half-hearted decorations. No…
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Spring in the city
You don’t find a lot of green and flowers in New York—but when you do, they’re so thoughtfully placed, a lovely contrast to the towering buildings. A perfect row of tulips along a glass facade. A surprise cluster of daffodils near a subway entrance. Blossoming magnolias—one of my absolute favorites, and a familiar sight from…
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One Year In New York
This weekend marked my one-year anniversary of moving to New York City. It’s been a whirlwind—a rollercoaster in the best and most honest sense. The excitement of discovering another new city, the opportunities that brought me here, the moments that pushed me far out of my comfort zone… all wrapped up into twelve fast months.…
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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…
Josephine in New York City 