Thursday Badinage: August 18, 2016

“For God is not merely mending, not simply restoring a status quo. Redeemed humanity is to be something more glorious than unfallen humanity would have been, more glorious than any unfallen race now is (if at this moment the night sky conceals any such). The greater the sin, the greater the mercy: the deeper the death the brighter the rebirth.” Miracles, C.S. Lewis, 198

That is the amazing thing about God. He can turn something messy and broken and make it possible for it to be better than what was initially intended to be. With a more profound purpose and experience. Changed.

God came to redeem, serve and save that which was broken.

“[…] all good masters are servants: God washes the feet of men.” Miracles, C.S. Lewis, 201

Today, He is mending you and me.

Sunday Girl: August 14, 2016

“When you live with soul…
Every thought is a prayer;
Every word is a blessing;
Every single day is a miracle.”
Cleo

By: Gabriela Yareliz

It has been one of those Sundays. My hair has been piled up, on top of my head, making me look like a Teletubbie, all day. (Like Laa Laa, the cute yellow one. The others are creeps).

Leave it to me to decide to cook and bake goods for the week on a day when there is a heat advisory, making my studio feel like a gas oven. (Again, here I am thinking I am some master chef who needs to make meals that look like the to-go meals at Whole Foods, whose price stickers make our eyes fill with tears and our paychecks vanish. Here is to keeping that paycheck!)

I watched Mr. Feeny marry Shawn Hunter on Girl Meets World, because apparently, you can never be too old for a good Disney Channel show. *so many tears, guys*

It felt like I was talking all day yesterday, non-stop. Today, I spent most of the day in silence, alone, with the hum of the AC in the window. Yesterday, I learned to make arepas, Colombian style, in Spanish Harlem.

It took a whole week for the scabs on my ankles, from my new shoes, to heal. Hopefully, this means I can brave the world wearing the new shoes again. I remember going up the stairs in the subway and seeing a woman’s feet bleeding from her shoes. She had bandages over the broken flesh, but the blood was gushing right through the bandages. The last sandals I bought hurt my feet a bit because of friction, but after the hurt healed, I was able to wear the sandals with no problem, all summer. Shoes are drama. Even when they seem comfortable when you try them on. Later, when you must actually run out of your house and kick NYC butt, they begin to feel like cheese graters. Here is to hoping the healing will make me stronger.

Summer really messes up our feet, period. Pumice rocks and lotion galore, plus prayers that no one will look at our cracked heels. After we make our feet silky smooth, a week later, they are a mess again. NYC feet suffer. They walk through puddles of unknown liquids that smell disgusting, while tripping into crowded train cars and being stepped on. Mine are bruised, awkwardly tanned, cut, dry and sad. I am going to try to start Monday with glam feet. New term, #glamfeet.

Soon, our feet won’t see the light of day. Mine will be tucked away, snug inside of some Zara boots that make me look at least four inches taller. Fabulous.

Now that we are discussing summer fashion tragedies, let us discuss “the bag.” Or maybe, that is a year-round tragedy. I have gotten to the point where I am sick of carrying purses. I am a bag lady. Yesterday, at church, I opened my bag, and my eye happened to catch a glimpse of half of C.S. Lewis’ book collection; my Bible; my Bible study lesson; pens; my wallet; a wristlet with Chapstick, headphones and my unlimited metro card (sacred); an umbrella; and I am surprised I didn’t find a handwritten letter from my friend and old French professor, Madame S. *hands over my eyes*

Unbelievable. What is unbelievable is not that so much stuff fits in my bag with the Journey logo (the 80s band), but the unbelievable thing is that my shoulder is still in my socket.

The umbrella wasn’t even in the bag because I am smart. (It was supposed to rain yesterday, but they lied to us). No. It was in there because I am lazy, and I carry it even on 0% precipitation days.

Last week, I was walking through Park Slope (Brooklyn), in 100F degree weather. When it started pouring, I didn’t even take out my umbrella. It felt so good and refreshing, I arrived to my destination, wet (from sweat and rain).

I am going to start a new experiment this week. In a moment of agitation and anguish, I bought a small light clutch style bag that I can carry in my arms. A tiny, light wallet to go inside. I am going to carry everything I need in my arms. Yes. In efforts to save my neck and shoulders from more excruciating pain, I am going to stop carrying Barnes & Noble on my shoulders. I am not Atlas!! Hopefully, this will force me to be more strategic and to only carry what I need. Maybe, I will find my keys faster. Who knows… Right now, I could probably have an impromptu picnic with what I have in that bag. Minus the plates, but I am sure I have napkins in there…

Back-to-school vibes offer us a bit of a clean slate to experiment with new things. Even for those of us who aren’t in school, anymore. Like, maybe I will wear my glasses more often (so I won’t wake up like I did on Thursday, looking like a cartoon with swollen eyes). Or maybe, I will try a new shampoo that makes my hair smell different.

That’s the thing about new seasons; they invite new stages, new events, new people, new vibes, and hopefully in my case, smoother feet, less back pain and new recipes mastered.

Off to find that pumice…

Friday Glee: August 12, 2016

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[Image from The Daily Mail]

By: Gabriela Yareliz

The heat advisory is on. It’s hot, muggy and rain + thunder are looming over our entire weekend, in NYC.

Back-to-school vibes are everywhere. The week has me wiped out. My brain is so dead. This week, I managed to lose a bra. Well, I guess the better word would be “misplaced.” You know you are tired when you can’t find your own article of clothing in your almost empty studio, FOR A WEEK.

I saw a man sitting on the edge of the subway platform, his feet swinging, almost touching the tracks below (tall man). The rest of us were melting like idiots on the platform; on the verge of some kind of heat stroke that would make us pass out and fall onto the tracks. I was hot and sticky, except I was delighted to have solved the mystery of the missing bra, this week. In other interesting, non-election, non-Olympic news this week, Shawn Hunter (of Boy Meets World fame) is going to be getting married in this weekend’s episode of Girl Meets World. (For all of you twenty years olds who care). Also, a new IKEA catalog arrived, and my tired brain is reading it like a Dickens novel (and getting recipe ideas, of course, because in my mind I am some beginner chef).

Yesterday, a man in a bagel shop was asking me why I was there because I don’t look like someone who eats bagels. He was right. Bread makes my skin break out, but I told him I was on a mission to gain weight. He told me not to, because not everyone is meant to be cuerpona; and he then proceeded to give me his name, work address and age. I was stunned and skeptical, laughing internally at this guy flirting with me at a bagel shop, when I was wearing my glasses that day (very Charlotte York). I ran away quickly with my confirmation of an acne-filled weekend, completely weirded out.

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[It wasn’t even a date. I didn’t wash my hair and I wore my glasses- Charlotte York]

The trains were packed, today. I was reminded of my friend T, who was explaining to us that she felt she was in a relationship with a stranger on the train. She told us, “We were face to face, belly to belly, from 59th to 86th street on the train. We should at least be dating by now.”

It’s disgustingly hot. So much so, I went to work in printed pants and ended up feeling like I was wearing soaked pajamas. It’s very hard to look put together in extreme heat– unless you are Amal Clooney… She always looks amazing.

I really enjoyed this video on clothes as second skin– an interesting social experiment where two very different strangers swap clothes for a day…

Clothes, they impact how we feel and how we are perceived…

I am going to rest a bit more before prepping for Sabbath. Blow drying my hair is going to be death. Stay cool, my people.

These are the days New Yorkers shower with the bathroom door open. A warm shower in a small bathroom with no windows or ventilation? FUGETABOUTIT.

Joseph-In-Prison Moment

By: Gabriela Yareliz

I started 2016 feeling cursed. Yes, I said cursed. I am being candid, here. I write some of this with edgy humor, by the way. Bear with me. From week one, 2016 was a mess… There will be a fun, 2016 recap post at the end of the year. It has been that crazy. And, it’s not even over. *eyes glimmering in anticipation*
Not every year will be our year. This year has certainly won a “You Suck” award from me. Even people in scripture, like Joseph, had their moments. Yes. I like to think of this as my figurative, Joseph-in-prison moment. Because even if you are serving and social where you are– you could be the most popular person in your metaphoric prison, but it doesn’t change the fact that you are in prison.
I am hoping pharaoh gets confused. I am hoping some cupbearer will remember me. This is not just summer exhaustion speaking, and I know several others who have had a year just like mine or worse. Hang in there, mes amis! I am making little gratitude lists every morning. I keep reminding myself of my many blessings. As I made one yesterday on the train, my eyes filled with tears. I think those around me thought I was about to break out into sobs. Happy sobs. Gratitude has that effect.

I keep hoping C.S. Lewis is right, that what is before us is better than what is behind us. High hopes. I respect his wisdom. I am reading the book Miracles by C.S. Lewis. I am always a believer in miracles. That’s the thing that doesn’t change. I am forever expecting that next miracle. Because those who expect, receive.

This Month’s Picks: July 2016

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Compiled by: Gabriela Yareliz

Yesterday, when we checked the sunset time, it clicked for us Sabbath-observer-wanderers of the Upper East Side that the sun was setting earlier, and you know what that means– summer is on its way out. Autumn is getting ready to assume its romantic little place with us. Haunting memories of eternal winter start reemerging, and we cling to whatever is left of the warm wet days ahead of us.

Summer kind of takes us out of our usual routines. Even those of us who aren’t teachers or students. We dress differently, our hair looks different (frizzier), our makeup melts, and we eat more fruits. We get the weirdest tan lines on our shoulders, and we sweat out the toxins from former seasons. There is a sense of exhaustion that settles in from long walks and days spent under the hot sun.

Summer. Let’s enjoy the last of it. August is coming…

Interesting reads and picks:

1. Arguments for living off the grid and being connected to nature.

Heather Culp told The Chalkboard Mag:

“Living off the grid can be very basic or super sophisticated. My situation was more basic, which in some ways was more of a challenge, but it’s surprising how quickly one adapts to limitations and really it’s often easy to turn something that was once frustrating into something positive. For example, we didn’t have a huge number of solar panels, so it wasn’t really possible to stay up all night watching movies or Internet surfing. Coming from NYC, this was an adjustment. But pretty quickly, I adapted to a lifestyle where I was waking up with the sun and spending spare time in nature, which was ultimately much more fulfilling.”

2. Going to make some chia pudding for the week.

3. C.S. Lewis quotes from Letters to Malcolm that I love:

“The soul that has once been waked, or stung or uplifted by the desire of God will inevitably awake to the fear of losing Him.” C.S. Lewis

“We may ignore, but we can nowhere evade, the presence of God.” C.S. Lewis

4. Song stuck in my head: “Brother” Need to Breathe

5. Instructions for quitting social media (enjoy the last days of summer!)

6. 6 Signs That You Are a Stellar Employee.

7. Solidarity in “beauty woes” from Garance Dore and the team.

8. @WhatFranWore, because The Nanny is always and forever #legend.

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[Images from Tumblr]

The Hours: July 30, 2016

The most random, memorable pieces of conversation from the day. Because sometimes, people say things that make you *double take*. – Gabriela Yareliz

AM
11:15: “Who is your hairstylist? You have to give me the details! She cuts gorgeous… Don’t stop going to her!” (E)

11:24: “What are you doing in that closet?” (T)

11:24: “I am looking for that shiny white tablecloth, but it’s a mess in here. We need to invest in new tablecloths and someone needed to fold all this, so I am doing it.” (G)

11:24: “So if someone asks me who destroyed the closet, I can say it was you?” (T)

11:25: “Yes. I left it better than I found it.”

***
*takes off heels and stands on stool to dig through closet*

11:30: “I was wondering who that tall woman was, from a distance” (R)

11:30: “Yes! I am finally tall!”(G)

***
11:45: “I am pissed beyond reason, and I want to punch her in the face.” (T)

11:46: “I must do communion with him because he has this thing on the bottom of his foot and wants only someone who knows him to see it.” (T)

***
*after baby dedication where the baby cried in the pastor’s arms the whole time*

12:07: “You still got the magic touch, man.” (MB)

***
*helping elderly lady find a seat*

12:26: “We are going all the way to the front, my dear? Oh! Are you French?” (L)

12:26: “No Madame B, I am not French…” (G)

PM
2:34: “This is what happens when you have too many degrees, you don’t know how to do things, and you get all stupid. I saw her with the table just staring at it, and I went and folded it for her. All those degrees and can’t fold a table.” (F)

2:35: “Actually, I had folded all the other tables and taken them down, but when I saw you coming, I just flipped this one over and stared at it, knowing that if I stared at it long enough, you would come and fold this one for me. And you did! How is that for stupid?” (G)

2:35: “Oh man, she will always be smarter than you. Owned.” (H)

***
3:15: “Do you have a Jewish personality?” (M)

***
3:23: “He is my second cousin.” (I)
3:23: “No, he is not!” (L)

*explains family tree*

3:25: “It makes sense.” (G)

3:25: “No, it does not.” (L)

***
4:13: “She invited him to the fashion show and no one else.” (I)

***
*the following took place at the Jewish museum*

4:32: “Is that the original Pokemon? Why is there a graven image?!” (M)

4:32: “M, that is a sculpture! It’s not an item to worship. This is an ART museum.” (G)
4:40: “Excuse me, where do you have the painting of the most famous Jewish man in the world?” (M)

4:40: “And who is the most famous Jewish man in the world?” (SG)

4:40: “Jesus.” (M)
5:00: “I want to see the original Ten Commandments! Hey Gabby, you look like this girl in this photo!” (M)

***

 

*streets of the Upper East Side*
6:03: “They have the energy of 20 year olds.” (H)

6:03: “No, they are just animals, man. Beasts. No normal 20 year old does that!” (G)
7:00: “Siesta and then fiesta!” (I)

7:13: “When I told the taxi driver that I was going to Brooklyn, he mentally cursed me out. It’s like I heard him.” (G)

Reflections Before Bedtime #88

By: Gabriela Yareliz

summer

We will be the ones to run around in warm summer rain, until we are soaked and our chests are heaving from so much laughter.

Our hair, stuck like wet yarn, on our faces and skin. Raindrops will run in paths paved by tears long ago. Sweet heat; and sweet healing.

We’ll shine, blinding, like the flashes of lightning; and we will chase the moon, hand-in-hand.

autumn

We will be the ones who waltz down an empty street, with twinkling string lights and autumn leaves as cover. Our hearts will soar, as the leaves bow in their beauty to rest.

As nature begins to fall asleep, our spirits will be nourished by the glow of autumn light and the smell of warm spices.

And in a world painted orange, we’ll decorate the home that is us, with soft grass, pumpkins, and glossy red apples where we can see our reflections. Cinnamon, our fairy dust.

winter

We will be the ones to count snowflakes on your car window. We’ll be the ones to adore the sparkling lights in cold darkness. We’ll acknowledge the magic of long nights. We’ll bake in our thick sweaters; our hearts and the sweat collecting in the pockets of our collarbones will remind us how sweet it is to be alive.

Gloved fingers will lock, and we’ll walk, seeing every subtle miracle that glitters in obscure corners. We’ll skate, even if we fall, for all good things have that risk. The cold will remind us to not let go.

spring

We will be the ones who buy the first flowers for spring. Our hearts, growing and swelling, with hopes renewed, energy and freedom. We’ll walk in abundance of light.

We’ll sit on park benches, ignoring that it’s too cold to be wearing short sleeves. We’ll guide each other through cherry blossom petal rains. We’ll explore like the timid nature, awakening.

seasons

It’s blooming, blossoming, running through cycles and seasons. It’s ready to withstand the next heat wave; torrential rain; autumn chill; blanket of snow; and a reawakening by soft spring light that reminds it that it’s alive.

This love is alive.

Monday Inspiration: July 25, 2016

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*Pulls out orange autumn leaf and grins*

“We have this one little life, and for a lot of it, we just blow around in the wind. But if we are lucky, and we believe that life knows what’s best for us– sometimes, we land on the right someone to talk to.” Riley Matthews (Girl Meets Ski Lodge, Part II)

The Hours: July 23, 2016

(G sent this song to A at 7:24 am because she was inspired by it)

Thoughts that floated around today (these were all brought up by different people):

AM

9:42: “You see Jesus did not tell the woman who had been caught in adultery a conditional promise of ‘go, be good, and then I will love you…’ No, he said first that he didn’t condemn her, and then he told her to go and be set free from the life that had her in chains…” (Mr. Zork)

10:30: “The teacher notes say, that Ephesians 2:10 states: ‘For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.’ The word ‘workmanship’ is translated from the word ‘poiēma’, from which we get the word for poem, art. We are God’s work of art and creation, created with the purpose to do good works…” (G quoting the Sabbath School quarterly)

11:15: “I don’t understand a word that man is saying.” (T)

11:20: “We need to get to know our neighbor; the person sitting next to us!” (R)

11:20: “Maybe I would if people weren’t such arrogant ********.” (T)

11:50: “I thought that chapter was over, but here I am, watching things work in direct opposition to what I thought would be.” (L)

11:51: “What if we aren’t meant to understand it all.” (G)

11:52: “Potiphar, jail– that didn’t make sense for Joseph, did it?” (N)

PM

12:00: “Be patient… There is still a lot I don’t understand…” (E)

12:10: “We are all growing.” (G)

12:15: “I was on this cycle thing, and then my colleague fainted! She passed out from heat stroke, and now, here I am drinking a ton of water. I had never seen that happen before!” (E)

5:42: “I am petrified! [Why are so many marriages struggling], and how do things get to that point…?” (G)

5:42: “God didn’t give you the spirit of fear fran. Life and death are in the power of the tongue. Speak and believe the best and never stop working on your relationship.” (F)

6:00: “No matter what happens, He is constant; He is near.” (G in journal entry)