GABRIELA YARELIZ

How to Deal

By: Gabriela Yareliz

I remember one particular afternoon, where I was sitting in my high school adviser’s office. My high school adviser was and is a friend; someone I would talk to about concerns and life in general– not just school stuff. I was sitting back in a chair chewing on a candy from his glass jar and complaining about what we were working on in English.

“It’s poetry. I don’t know much about these British poets, and I have to write a poem. I don’t even know what I am doing,” I whined.

He turned from his computer, I see it now in my head, and he looked pensive.

“That is great,” he said at first. “I am sure you will write something interesting.”

I made a face.

“You can’t be good at everything you know. This is new. You are learning. It will be fine,” he said to me.

Those words have always stayed with me.

In the end, I fell in love with the poetry unit. However, there are many things in life I have faced that are new that I did not become great at.

After that moment, I know that one of the things that most makes me uncomfortable is getting slapped in life with something I don’t know how to do. It’s easy to be comfortable and good at something you know a lot about. When it’s something brand new, it’s a challenge.

Beginnings are difficult. Always. As much as I abhor being clueless–in my field, there is a lot of being clueless and learning involved. I face the unknown, every day. It’s impossible for someone to have all the laws and possibilities stuffed in his or her sleep-deprived, tingly brain. I suppose law school has taught me a lot of humility– or humiliation. Depends on how you look at it.

A new semester has begun. I don’t know how many of you started a new semester or employment at a new place. I guess this applies to new jobs, moving to a new place, new circumstances, divorce, death, meeting new people and anything that takes you out of your comfort zone or known world.

Learning and growing can be embarrassing, awkward and painful. I sound like one of those Welcome to Puberty pamphlets they give you in jr. high health class with a stick of deodorant that will probably give you a rash you’ll never forget.This new semester has been tough on me. I claim no expertise. But as I live a little, I learn a little. Usually, I learn the most about myself.

Some things I have tried to learn is as painful as beginnings are, they pass. Things get better, you learn, and you also become more patient with yourself. You may never get to a state where you feel you have a handle on everything, but you learn to deal.

When I was in jr. high and dealing with my family suddenly breaking and my “perfect” world was shattering, two of my favorite books were Someone Like You and That Summer by Sarah Dessen, and the movie based on the books called How to Deal, starring Mandy Moore.

The movie begins saying: “Sometimes life is so perfect. Isn’t it? It has to be, to make up for all the hard stuff it throws your way. You have to learn to walk; you have to learn to talk; you have to wear that totally ridiculous hat your grandma bought you. You have no say in the matter. And when you are a little older, even though you get to choose your hats, you don’t get to choose what they put in those meatballs at the cafeteria, or when to fall in love. Things happen, and you just have to deal.” -Halley Martin

When you are faced with work and tasks that are new, frustrating and unknown… keep these things in mind:

1] Prayer Is The Most Potent Instrument

Prayer is not an old woman’s idle amusement. Properly understood and applied, it is the most potent instrument of action.-Gandhi

Prayer can get you through anything. Again, life and situations take patience, but wisdom and peace can be acquired in the process through prayer. Prayer changes things. Prayer answers things. Prayer changes us.

2] Do Something you Love

Going through initial struggles of learning and trial and error are easier when you are driven by something you are passionate about.

3] Do Something For Another Person

All is worth it when you can make someone else’s life better.

4] Choose Joy

It won’t always be easy. Sometimes the struggle is really real. And even still, we have to decide to be happy. No matter how many trials, how much embarrassment or how much pain our personal growth brings, find joy in small and big things.

5] Do Good

6] See Possibilities and Have Hope, Despite of What You See

Instead of looking at what is in front of you, look up.

7] Make Learning an Adventure

8] Decide What Kind of a Person You Will Be

9] Look Good and Make Time For Breaks

10] Always Look Again

11] Know What You Are Building

12] Be Conscious of How You Feel

Life can be surprising and unexpected. No matter what it throws at us, there are small miracles twinkling around us waiting to be noticed. We can’t let life just happen to us. Instead, we need to decide and learn how we are going to deal.

[Images from Tumblr]

Today’s Dose of Inspiration: Sept. 3, 2014

By: Gabriela Yareliz

Woke up at the crack of dawn;

I had to drink three cups of water to get one horse-pill multi-vitamin down;

today will be a long day filled with classes–

the struggle is real.

After waking up early and getting some stuff done, I thought, I can go to bed and sleep for ten minutes. Yeah, right. First of all, I did not even have ten minutes to sleep because ten minutes becomes 30 minutes with me.

I still ignored the fact that there was no time, and I started to set my radio alarm clock. When I did that, one of my favorite songs was on. God works in mysterious ways. I waltzed around my room a couple times, and the nap faded into the forgotten. And so, this is how my day began. I woke up, read my Bible, did classwork and stayed on a roll. Today, I will stay awake until night (as any normal person would; I don’t consider law students normal. I consider them extra-exhausted.), and I will live this day, straight through, from dawn to dark.

Still, life is filled with many blessings. Despite the work and exhaustion, there are great rewards looming in the future and great rewards each day. They say that gratefulness turns what we have into enough. So on days when the struggle is real, it’s time to bust out some inspiration. It’s a different type of daily vitamin. One that is easier to swallow.

[In between childhood and old age, there is a marvelous instant called life. It’s up to us to enjoy it.]

[Images from Tumblr]

This song reminds me of William Wilberforce’s friendship with John Newton, and how they would always encourage each other by talking about God’s grace. Wilberforce is one of my biggest inspirations, and this song always touches my heart.

Boy Meets World: Always There

This Month’s Picks: August 2014

By: Gabriela Yareliz

This month took forever. I have been drafting this post for so long, I was surprised to see some of my “picks” (it feels like I found them ages ago). August is one of those get-up-to-speed months. A month of warmth and cooling temperatures. One of the last green months. A month of deadlines. A month filled with back-to-(elementary)school nostalgia. A month filled with paradoxes.

Here is some insight as to what graduating students have been thinking about this month:

a) Moving.

As we fill out job applications, we can’t help but think of those decisions that will be changing our lives. For those of us who have moved a lot, there are always some moves in our memory that make our world stop; moves that changed our lives.

b) We are channeling the 90s.

I’d say the 90s were the golden age–especially of television. Some of the best, good, clean, comedies came out and played through the 90s. Suddenly, some TV shows are coming back in different forms, spinoffs and imitations. TV is trying to find its way back to the years that saw its biggest success.

Rumor has it Full House is coming back. I hope that includes Uncle Jesse.

Boy Meets World came back as Girl Meets World. Cory and Topanga have kids!

The Cosby Show is the said inspiration for this fall’s new ABC comedy: Blackish

Home Improvement seems to have been the inspiration for Last Man Standing, where Tim Allen has a house full of girls instead of boys. Jonathan Taylor Thomas made a guest appearance. He is still gorgeous as ever.

c) Staying healthy.

Maybe it’s a generational thing or just a sign of the times, but I think as more technology, education, money and work consumes us, we sleep less and take less care of our bodies. Rest is so essential.

So, it has been a long but great month. Let the inspiration and recap begin.

“I can’t give you an address to reply to this, for I don’t know personally where I may find myself dragged next, or by what routes, on the way to where, or why, or how!” Arthur Rimbaud, Letter from Aden, 5 May 1884

“I’m a bumper car. You hit the wall, you just turn around and take a different road. You just have to press the gas when you believe in something and go.” Essie Weingarten

2] From L’Oreal’s #whatinspiresyou

3] The Man Repeller Blog always has some funny posts:

This one is just as funny and real as the rest.

5] Condolences to the family of Robin Williams.
This opinion piece about reporting the truth in journalism (regarding the death of the comedian) caught my eye.
Click here to read.

Fatima, the 11-month-old child who stole the hearts of Spaniards and is the new symbol of immigration. She was found on a boat alone; her parents are in Morocco. The International Red Cross has been taking care of her.

7] Tim Taylor and Wilson’s conversations make me smile. Forever a 90s Michigan child.

When a man is wrapped up in himself, he makes a very small package.” – John Ruskin, English artist and art critic

Kourtney Kardashian shares a bit of her “green” life.

10] Words from Josie Maran, The Argan Oil Queen

Josie Maran told Into The Gloss: “I can tell the difference when I walk through the world with no makeup on and when I walk through with high heels and fully done face. The attention is different. When you’re done up, people start talking to you and pointing you out. But without it all, you can be just as confident and naturally pretty—people will notice you, but they won’t say anything about it.”

11] Mimi Ikonn–Change your look, Change your life

12] Song of the month:

Philip Phillips: “Unpack Your Heart”

13]

Francois Hollande did WHAT? Yes, he dissolved the French government.

For more about how the entire government resigned, click here.

14] Ariadne Artiles’ eyebrows

15]

A View From Wherever You Are

W. Village, NYC; Belongs to Gabriela Yareliz

By: Gabriela Yareliz

Today, I walked out of my building feeling a light 68-degree breeze. Marvelous. It was one of those wind-blowing-through-your-hair days. Restaurants had the outdoor seating ready for sunshine and bonheur.

On my stroll, I saw a woman tangled and fighting with her Dalmatian and Yorkie’s leashes; two male servers in an empty restaurant glued to a television’s crying guest on a dramatic talk show; students dressed to the nines deciding what overpriced drink to purchase while flicking their cigarettes– all this happening many blocks away from the law school (this means I escaped) and its fluorescent chilly rooms, filled with the sound of highlighters swiping, weak typing and spoons scraping yogurt cups.

Today, New York was alive. It wasn’t just alive, but it was happy.

This morning, I found a blessing in being reminded to keep perspective. Perspective is something we can easily lose. From my many walks and explorations at different heights, levels and angles– I am encouraged to remember that perspective can often make you see something ordinary as beautiful.

Chelsea, Highline Park, NYC; Belongs to Gabriela Yareliz

What I miss about the World Cup

By: Gabriela Yareliz

Despite my excitement about autumn, I am still clinging to the last shreds of summer and sunshine in the city. Apparently, so are other Villagers, seeing that yesterday at a crosswalk, I saw half of the Forever21 summer catalog march past me. Soon, the days of long skirts with tribal prints and strips of material people use to cover their upper bodies (they call them crop tops) will be gone. We will be looking like bundled-up, puffy people in no time.

I am wearing my Spain jersey t-shirt today. After the World Cup 2014 disappointment(s) with Spain, I had buried my t-shirt in a drawer (it now smells like the wooden dresser). I miss the World Cup vibes. A lot. It was one of the highlights of my summer. Here are some of the withdraws I am having– maybe you are sharing some of these, too?

WHY ARE YOU GONE WORLD CUP? WHY…?

1] Scheduling the day’s breaks around the games
2] Rocking team pride and having people talk to me on the street like we were old friends

During 2010 festivities. Rockin' the Spain jersey. — During 2010 festivities. Rockin’ the Spain jersey.

3] Gathering outside of establishments playing the games live and screaming when goals were made

Some fun on West Broadway, summer 2014; Belongs to Gabriela Yareliz

4] Mats Hummels’ and Karim Benzema’s face

5] This song:

6] The classy French uniforms
7] Watching the Belgian hair never move during a game. I want their spray and hair gel.
8] The ADRENALINA.

Going for the Impossible

By: Gabriela Yareliz

I loved the video above. Alex Ikonn is right. Sometimes, to achieve the impossible, we need to do or think things that may seem a little naïve, and perhaps absurd–we need to believe. Believing isn’t always easy, but that is what it’s about. As some say, you can win a case with the law and everything on your side–that is easy. But what about winning when all seems against you? Doesn’t that mean so much more? With some faith, creativity and perseverance, you can go a long way. You Only Live Once, right? Live right. Live grand. Live serving. Live dreaming. Live believing. Live by faith.

For we live by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7

Noticing the Details

Conservatory Garden, Central Park; Belongs to Gabriela Yareliz

By: Gabriela Yareliz

While walking home, I opened my new textbook on criminal activity and the law. I always look for book dedications. I am that kind of person. Even though I was walking, it didn’t stop me from shuffling through the pages for the dedication. Even textbooks get dedicated to someone. Inside was a touching dedication to the author’s children, with a lovely note of all of their talents. The dedication was a bit strange, but nonetheless sweet. It was the kind of dedication you would expect in a fiction novel or biography–not in a book about criminal law. It’s that time of the year. The new-textbook smell lingers; plastic wrappers and receipts remind us of how broke we are; but life is good. And one thing I do, even when school is in session, is walk. It’s my vice.

The other day, I was walking through the village, the hot sun blasting the back of my neck with UV rays, and I noted a red stain on the sidewalk. The rest of the walk, I kept wondering who died, and whether it was a blood stain. One of my classic thought moments.

I have been reading an exquisite book called A Philosophy of Walking. I think I need to have a little conversation with Frédéric Gros, the author, because with the way I am walking and exploring, I could become a walking-philosopher disciple or something. I too am interested in the everyday–le quotidien. Those of you who read this blog know it’s a mix of a lot of things. I think life is too interesting to write about just one thing. I don’t think about just one thing, so why write about just one topic or area of life? If I could define this blog, it would be that it’s about the everyday; literally, spiritually, randomly.

In an interview with The Guardian, Frédéric Gros seemed flustered:

“So, Frédéric, you’ve written a whole book about the simple life and joy of walking because your life is too complicated to actually go walking? Is this what happened?

‘Yes… But it is more complicated than that.'”
-Excerpt from The Guardian

Unlike mon ami, M. Gros, I feel the need to walk– despite life’s complications. I adore putting on my backpack and having my Converse hit the pavement. I know that as the semester accelerates, I will continue walking. Walking has been a part of my life, always. We would take family walks. My favorite walks as a child were our walks to Lake Michigan to watch the sunset. I still remember little details from those walks. In law school, walking has been God’s gift to me; part of me keeping my sanity. One of the things I love most when walking is noticing people, details and perspectives that many do not pause to notice. I walk to walk. That’s it. I walk until there is nowhere else to go. I walk until I am too tired to continue.

When you walk, you walk with interesting people. They may not be with you, but they keep you company and entertain you for a good stretch. For example, the two guys in the photo above are best friends. I could tell by the way they walked, talked and laughed together. They practically finished each other’s sentences. Their friendship and joy made me smile. They were very different, yet they seemed close and enmeshed in each other’s daily experience, le quotidien.

“Happiness can be found in the smallest of things. It is our passion to transform your everyday routines into meaningful rituals.”- Street Art

This quote reminds me that, even as we are wrapped up in our routines (which inevitably happens), we must have passion and consciously make each day meaningful and different by taking the time to notice details and the magic of everyday life.

We should notice contrasts, colors, people, smiles, the weather, nature, doors and shadows. Because of technology, people (we the people) don’t know how to connect with one another in person; we don’t know how to live.

Greenwich Village; Belongs to Gabriela Yareliz

West Village; Belongs to Gabriela Yareliz

Let us not forget to look up; don’t hesitate to look down. Look around. Look at others. And if you catch your reflection, make eye contact with yourself.

As bad as a lot of things are in the world, through the details in the everyday, we can still see God’s love, His mercies, friendship, perseverance, love, success, courage and hope. Beauty reminds us of what we were created for, and it points us to joy and hope. People remind us that we are not alone. Each soul that passes me by has a story. In simplicity, we may find answers to the most complex questions.

East Village; Belongs to Gabriela Yareliz

According to Gros, some walk to escape; others walk to arrive; some walk to achieve; others to think. For some, walking is their element.

All I know is that when I walk, I feel free; kind of like when I write. I feel engrossed in tiny details I often overlook. I think; I question; I pray; I satisfy my curiosity; I learn.

I think I identify with Rousseau’s idea of walking.

Frédéric Gros interpreted Rousseau’s sentiments on page 79 of A Philosophy of Walking: “When you no longer expect anything. All is then bestowed as a supplement, a gratuitous favour of presence, of being there.” I think that is how I feel. I simply feel alive. I am there. I am grateful.

If you haven’t tried walking yet, I would encourage you to do it. It might be on a scenic country road or through a city street. There is nothing quite as breathtaking as letting life surprise you with its little details.

Below is a photo I will call ‘The Playground Pigeon’. I found him at one of my favorite spots in the city. I have a thing for pigeons. This pigeon, while he can fly, took the time to walk; he is just my type.

Important to Know: For those seeking legal advice

Hello Friends!

As mentioned before, I was published in Latina Magazine’s September issue. I appreciate all who have reached out and contacted me after they saw my article. I really appreciate the time you spend finding me and writing to me. That means a lot.
Some have contacted me asking for legal advice.
Important to know:
Because I am still a student, I am not authorized to give legal advice, unless I am under the supervision and direction of an attorney (ex: doing clinic work). So, I cannot advise you.

I would encourage you to reach out to local legal aid offices and law school clinics in your area; attorneys in your area that have the authority and capacity to help you in your legal question. For great and free immigration law resources, check out the ABA Commission on Immigration website. It has fantastic organizations and materials linked to its page. Click here.

If you have a question about law school in general, I would be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Don’t be discouraged, and keep persevering.

Your friend,
GY.

Friday Inspiration

“Our brightest blazes of gladness are commonly kindled by unexpected sparks.”
― Samuel Johnson