Studio Update 29

By: Gabriela Yareliz Guys, somehow, I survived the day without caffeine. Between the fighting upstairs, washing and blow drying my hair and finishing up Aisha (an entire Bollywood movie)— I went to bed at 2am. Yup. That movie started when I got in the shower and ended when my hair was fully dry. That justContinue reading “Studio Update 29”

Studio Update 28

By: Gabriela Yareliz I have been here, guys. I am alive. It has been several surreal days. Standing in line on tape outside of grocery stores. Eating all my snacks in one week. Started watching The Office. Went outside after two weeks inside and got a migraine. (Am I allergic to fresh air, now?) IContinue reading “Studio Update 28”

Studio Update 27

By: Gabriela Yareliz I stared down at the New Yorker page at the colorful painting. It looked so familiar. I then glanced over at my painting in my studio and then again at the page. I glanced again at the painting and then the page. Of course it was familiar. On the page was theContinue reading “Studio Update 27”

Studio Update 26

By: Gabriela Yareliz Find yourself someone who makes your face hurt from smiling and makes your heart so full. Update: The ants are gone. They must all be partying in the orchid pot. Also, my accountant screwed up my taxes— so we are getting that fixed. Imagine you wake up and the IRS has takenContinue reading “Studio Update 26”

Studio Update 25

By: Gabriela Yareliz I am up like a kid, under the covers while the space heater hums in the background, waiting to get in trouble because I should be asleep. There is no one to berate me. My apartment still has a coolness to it from having the window open all day. Yesterday’s rain remindedContinue reading “Studio Update 25”

Studio Update 24

By: Gabriela Yareliz Today, we had the fiercest storm. It felt almost like a hurricane. The winds were bending the trees, tangling the wires and rattling everything in sight. At one point, I had to lock myself in my bathroom to take a call from my boss because I couldn’t hear her over the howlingContinue reading “Studio Update 24”

That Nicholas Sparks Love

By: Gabriela Yareliz He once said they had that Nicholas Sparks kind of love. What makes a Nicholas Sparks kind of love story? It’s not the meet cute. It’s not the passion. It’s not the affinity. All the stories are different. You know you have a Nicholas Sparks love story when the love lasts forever.Continue reading “That Nicholas Sparks Love”

The Convenience of Religion

By: Gabriela Yareliz I grew up in the churches where you could find half the church in a hospital room holding a prayer vigil, as someone held the sick person’s hand, while praying. It didn’t matter who walked by. The prayer was loud. Hell, we prayed for the nurses, doctors and whomever was sharing theContinue reading “The Convenience of Religion”

Studio Update 23

By: Gabriela Yareliz Today, as many Christians around the world, I spent time deeply reflecting on the cross. It always brings tears to my eyes, not because of its darkness, its gory nature or the subject of death. None of these things alone are what compels a deep surge of emotion in me. To me,Continue reading “Studio Update 23”

Studio Update 22

By: Gabriela Yareliz It’s the 100th day of quarantine. Kidding. But that is what it feels like. I am ready for the weekend. Today was a stormy day. It matched the whole Thursday before Good Friday vibe. Thunder. Black clouds. Rain. Hail. I finally sat down and read for a bit. I spent like anContinue reading “Studio Update 22”