It’s time to prepare for Sabbath. Friday means cleaning and jamming around my apartment (lots of Fifth Harmony, guys). I just received news that something I worked on with a colleague over the summer was extremely successful, and I am here celebrating that victory and blessing. The feeling you get when you are able to change someone’s reality into something better can’t be described.
This crazy week was on fleek. Anxiety is dripping off the walls at the law school, but it’s Friday, so let’s kick back and relax.
Soundtrack:
[Greetings from insomniac-attorney central. Keeping it classy, collected and so sleep deprived.]
You can only get a diamond if there is pressure.
“Who looked at you and said you were not worth it…? Because I look at you and wonder how you could be anything other than who you are, for you are as important as an ocean and all that lays underneath it, and a sky full of all the colors ever known. I look at you, and I wonder who could ever see anything else other [than] true beauty with a heartbeat.” T.B. LaBerge// Thoughts at 11:41 p.m.
When thinking about liability and lawyering:
“I love the rain. I love how it softens the outlines of things. The world becomes softly blurred, and I feel like I melt right into it.” Hanamoto Hagumi, Honey and Clover
“Some things are too strange and strong to be coincidences.”
Emery Allen
Come at me, vortex…
BE A SNOWFLAKE
Winter reminds me of when I saw Beauty and the Beast on ice as a young girl. It was magic.
Yes. [From Yasmin Sewell’s Instagram.]
“We are not necessarily doubting that God will do the best for us; we are wondering how painful the best will turn out to be.” C.S. Lewis
I couldn’t help but dig this up, again. While studying, I was reading my notes on the Kunstler v. Galligan (1991) case. Oh Kunstler! The attorney who would jump on tables and yell in the court room. He walked through the very streets I walk, here in the Village. I published this post my first year of law school. Here we are in my last year of this blessed Juris Doctor degree, and I am still passionate about this speech, this man’s radical lawyering and his way of leaving no important thought unspoken. I still want to “disturb the universe”…
This should probably go under the “Chronicles of a Law Student” page where I update about things that go on as a 1L, but I found this to be so powerful that I wanted to share generally. Today I watched an excellent documentary on a controversial lawyer who defended civil liberties and fought racism, but He also was seen as a hypocrit and a bit crazy as his days came to a close; William (Bill) Kunstler. His daughters made the documentary in a way vindicating but also discovering the man their father was.
Though ego-centric and though he had questionable ethical reasoning behind his representation of certain clients, I can’t help but really, really respect him. I had read, in the past, cases he litigated, and it wasn’t until now that I found out, oh wow–he was the one who won that case.
2] BOSS INSPIRATION (to get me through finals, along with prayer and kale): Amal Clooney
3] Fifth Harmony dropped two music videos recently. One is a cover of one of the greatest Christmas songs (ever), the other is the long-awaited “Sledgehammer.”
I sing Camila’s part at the top of my lungs 😉
Dear Neighbors, #sorrynotsorry
4] Random Musings
Why don’t law textbooks come in audio form? Would someone be able to stay awake to read them for the actual recording?
When will I find glue that holds the binding of my Bible together? (My Bible keeps falling apart, sniffle.)
It would be fun to live in a gingerbread house, no?
Lady, I will not pay more than $10 for a juice with no kale (or even with kale, for that matter); you must be joking.
5] Walked into the conference call room today, and I saw that strange little poem on the wall. I never get it, but today, I was like Yes (I don’t know why Yes, but yes).
“The temple bell stops.
But the sound keeps coming
out of the flowers.” -Basho
6]
I love the fact that Girl Meets World has the same writers as Boy Meets World and that it brought back the original cast. The writing is melt-your-heart beautiful. Boy Meets World reunion on Dec. 5th!
7] From Christine Caine’s “First Things First”
We live by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7).
“How misleading our perspective is for the things God calls us to do. We see problems. He sees possibilities. We see difficulty. He sees destiny.”-Christine Caine
Ok… I am off to study.
I just wanted to sprinkle around some things that have recently inspired me.
This is like Mandela’s Conversations with Myself, except not as deep.
I love the mysteries of the world and the new places I have not found, yet. I love my brothers who take blackmail photos of me while I sleep and then send them to me saying it’s sleeping beauty. Sometimes, I still check closets for Narnia. I get supreme joy from a pair of knee socks, and socks in general. I wear my watch on “the wrong hand,” and I don’t care. I believe in talking and sharing because I feel there are inexhaustible worlds within us. I can meet a random person on the street and cry with them if they need me to. I have been broken. I am pretty odd, but I’ve got moxie. I was the girl who played football on the snowy Michigan parking lot at recess and then went home to play with her American Girl dolls.
I’ve got Latin feistiness for opposing counsel and people who don’t do their jobs. I will make friends while standing in line to pay for something. I serenade people with random songs, especially while working. A particular Journey song makes my spirit soar. My favorite “Friend” is Phoebe. I want to believe in Peter Gabriel’s version of love. I believe in serendipity dipped in providence. I am addicted to walking. I don’t like ice cream trucks, jelly fish or the monster from the Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer movie. Paper cuts remind me the struggle is real. I listen to Delilah and cry when certain people call in. I can sing too many Celine Dion songs. I would walk 500 miles.
Life has magic. Rain is meant to be danced in. I think small actions can change the course of the world as we know it. I am intrigued by Gandhi’s “experiments with truth”and apparently bald French-Algerian soccer players. I have faced adversity before, and I can face it again. I think of myself as a pro boxer in life, even without gloves on. I like boats and bodies of water. When I take naps, there is no telling when I will wake up. I have a wild imagination. I am not type A, no matter what Buzzfeed says. If I put my heart into something, it’s all there. There is no one I admire more than my mother. I could live in Converse sneakers forever. I believe eyes can speak words a mouth cannot. When an ambulance passes me by, I pray for whoever it’s on its way to help. I like drawing on windows and mirrors. I believe the future holds unknown treasures and miracles. I believe humor helps keep us sane, and life is a divine comedy.
Oh life! What was; what is; what will be. Life is beautiful, and there is no denying that.
[Edited after spotting typos that gave me a mini heart attack]
By: Gabriela Yareliz
HAPPY MONDAY! HAPPY DECEMBER!
It’s the last month of 2014. Let’s make it special and different from the rest.
Life is exciting; like walking into Cracker Barrel exciting (don’t you just love the little shop part?). The days are crunched together: classes, work, finals, events, conferences, delegations, interviews, applications, anticipation– all this as we are surrounded by twinkling lights and chilly winds.
Before I saw the sunrise in a plane not too long ago, I was looking down in the darkness at the mazes and funny little designs of cities and lights down below. Glittering figure eights and twinkling snakes are what we live in. It was so beautiful; so small; and so bright.
It’s the beginning of a new week. Clean start. The future has no spots. This week’s theme for me is unwavering boldness. What would we do if we had no fear?
XoXo
“For the blessings received are proportionate to the faith exercised. ‘According to your faith be it unto you.'” Ellen G. White, Prayer, 51.2
“I am the sea and nobody owns me.” Pippi Longstocking
“I looked at everyone and wondered where they came from, and who they missed, and what they were sorry for.” Jonathan Safron Foer, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
“Why do I write. Perhaps in order not to go mad. Or, on the contrary, to touch the bottom of madness.” Elie Wiesel
“You gave me forever within numbered days and for that I am grateful.” John Green
[Don’t you just want to go inside and see what secrets it holds?]
“Most people are so afraid to say what they want. That’s why they don’t get it.”-A Tumblr Poet
“Books say: She did this because. Life says: She did this. Books are where things are explained to you; life is where things aren’t. I’m not surprised some people prefer books.” Julian Barnes, Flaubert’s Parrot
“We get so worried about being pretty. Let’s be pretty kind. Pretty funny. Pretty smart. Pretty strong.” Britt Nicole
“It is part of God’s plan to grant us, in answer to the prayer of faith, that which He would not bestow did we not thus ask.” Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, 525
[This little guy.]
Maybe the heart is longing for an overdue homecoming. Maybe soon, Paris whispers, maybe soon.
November, November, November. You have given me unexpected gifts, and for that I am grateful. I was pressing some little purple flowers in a book, and I thought, it’s funny how something so temporary, like a flower, can have its beauty preserved, even after it’s lifeless. I once had a discussion with a friend who said there was no point to flowers because they die. I have always seen their beauty as lasting. Life’s beautiful moments, while perhaps fleeting moments, are moments whose beauty feeds us for a lifetime. Life is about the things and people who, after the time of flourishing, freshness and splendor pass, will sit beside us, stay and hold our hand; it’s about those whose lasting beauty stays pressed on our hearts.
1] My feelings exactly (except for the “12 years old” part).
2]
“The fact was, however, that she was always dreaming and thinking odd things and could not herself remember any time when she had not been thinking things about grown up people and the world they belonged to. She felt as if she had lived a long, long time.” Frances Hodgson Burnett, A Little Princess
3] Look who won UMP presidency by a wide margin… this man…SARKO BE BACK.
4] I waited for this the ENTIRE season. *tears of joy*
5]
“Suffering has been stronger than all other teaching, and has taught me to understand what your heart used to be. I have been bent and broken, but – I hope – into a better shape.” Charles Dickens, Great Expectations
6]
7]
“Love is not love unless it costs you something, and grace is the love that costs everything.” J.S. Park
8]
Manny-Khoshbin inspiration. There is just something awesome about flashy inspiration with cars that can race off into the sunset. Now that it’s exam time, it’s time to get pumped about the grind. Full speed ahead, baby.
9]
10] T.B. LaBerge has interesting perspective. I guess we all fear that which can make us better and take us out of our comfort because growing is hard; growing is pain; but growing is growing, and with maturity comes wisdom.
“I fear the woman [man] who would make me a better man just as I fear the God who makes me a better human. It’s a good fear to have because it means that growth is coming; sometimes growth is hard, but good.” -T.B. LaBerge
11]
12] Oscar Wilde had such a way with words; a man who knew how to move his pen.
“I knew that I had come face to face with someone whose mere personality was so fascinating that, if I allowed it to do so, it would absorb my whole nature, my whole soul.” The Picture of Dorian Gray (Oscar Wilde)
13] First star I see tonight…
/’Cause you’re a sky, ’cause you’re a sky full of stars
‘Cause you light up the path/
/’Cause you get lighter the more it gets dark
I’m gonna give you my heart/
/’Cause in a sky, ’cause in a sky full of stars
I think I see you/
/’Cause you’re a sky, you’re a sky full of stars
Such a heavenly view
You’re such a heavenly view/
Cold Play
14] He covered the midterm elections for the last time.
15] Michel…
Guy: Ok, so we’re still looking for a fairy. Michel: The search continues. Guy: No chance you’re going to help me. Michel: None whatsoever.
16] I always thought Fergie was so hardcore…I did not know this about her. An amazing life, indeed.
17]
18] Lorelai’s thrill (the usual holiday season conversation)
19]
“They call us dreamers, but we’re the ones that do not sleep.”
20]
21] Anushka Sharma: Expressive and goofy for life. A girl after my own heart.
22] Let’s start December off with a BANG. Will you join me in a little dance? (You know you want to…)
I just wanted to type out a short note of gratitude for all of the blessings that have filled my life as it has unfolded. I have been so blessed to live a life filled with so many blessings I didn’t even know to ask for and beautiful people.
I thank God for the life He has given me; for every dream come true and for my family, which has been my rock. When my world fell apart and nothing was left, God remained. His hand upheld me and my family, and He patiently took all of my broken pieces and bound them together again. I thank God for His patience and for His promises that do not fail.
Thank God for His proven, never-ending faithfulness. I am so blessed that my formal education will soon be ending, but the school of life is merely beginning.
I know a job awaits, people await, dreams await, a family awaits– so many good things to come; so many good things now. When we look to the past at all God has provided, we know He will continue to pour out His love, providence and mercy. While there is much unknown, God remains.
As life continues, I hope my life honors God in a way that shows my gratitude for all the ways in which He has honored me. Each day, I hope we can live with gratitude, and as Nelson Mandela said, may our actions reflect our hopes not our fears.
Scripture says, in all things give thanks. So today, with hands full, with hands empty, with whatever we have and without whatever we are waiting for or without what we have lost, we give thanks (knowing all things work together for good).
There are families that are separated through deportation, tragedies, need for survival, and unexpected events every day. No cell phones, no internet– and still, people manage to find each other.
They write letters in faith to places with addresses that consists of town rivers and the shack with the blue roof; they call the town public phone and neighbors… in crazy difficult situations, people still find each other, despite the obstacles.
Can you imagine that feeling when you get back in touch with a loved one after so long, when you aren’t first-world connected and wired, and after life seems to shuffle everyone around? It is basically nothing short of a miracle.
“Miracles are a retelling in small letters of the very same story which is written across the whole world in letters too large for some of us to see.”― C.S. Lewis
GABRIELA YARELIZ 