So, last week, I was all about not getting sick. Well, I got sick. It was like black plague, plus cold meds. Despite the craziness, it was such a blessed week. I can’t even explain. This week, I had some really meaningful moments.
1] “Honesty is a very expensive gift; don’t expect it from cheap people.”
Warren Buffett
2] God of Every Story
3] FIFTH HARMONY FAN harmonizerflove.tumblr.com
4]
5]
“When people show you who they are, believe them.”
Maya Angelou
6] Esther’s Palace
Isn’t this handmade stuff so adorable? Girl and child fashion at its best!
What strangeness, the concept of time. I think it’s the ultimate science. Who can decipher time? Time is interesting. It can serve as a warm blanket that makes us feel safe, healed, comforted; or it can leave us like a broken bottle that’s been shattered in an alley that no one will touch or pick up for a very long time.
Time can make distance run; time can make love remain. Time is like a friend who is the revealer of secrets. It’s that finger that beckons you to follow it and move forward with curiosity, hope and euphoria.
As the song Seasons of Love from the musical Rent so accurately suggests, we should measure our time and lives by love.
Time. Despite the rollercoaster ride of life, somehow life can drop you off in a very familiar place. A place that used to be yours, and suddenly, you are yourself again. It can leave you stronger; it can leave you empty; it can leave you in a very different place from where you started.
It can do anything you want it to because ultimately, it’s your choice.
It is like the observation of the potter by Jeremiah in the Bible. The potter continues to work with the clay. Even if it has flaws, the potter does not throw it out, but instead it continues to fashion it, taking his time to make a useful vessel (Jeremiah 18). God is the potter; we are the clay. The story doesn’t end there. A potter doesn’t work on a ceramic piece to just leave it there. The piece is used to carry something, and whatever is inside gets poured out over time.
Every minute that goes by we have a choice. How do we want to be poured out?
I hope you choose to be that person: the one who stops and helps someone in an emergency; the one who feeds; the one who guides; the one who shines light in darkness; the one who comforts; the one who laughs; the one who explores; the one who identifies; the one who holds a hand; the one who expects nothing in return; the one who prays; the one who offers; the one who smiles; the one who serves; the one who sacrifices; the one who encourages; the one who leads by example; the one who loves.
Be conscious through the passage of time. Don’t choose bitterness, cynicism, doubt and hate. Be really alive; be genuinely content; be lovingly grateful; be extremely hopeful–and measure your life in love.
/How do you measure a year?
In daylights, in sunsets,
in midnights, in cups of coffee,
in inches, in miles,
in laughter, in strife.
In 525,600 minutes,
how do you measure,
measure a year in a life?
How about love? Measure in love. Seasons of love./–Seasons of Love, Rent
It was reported that Kris Jenner and Bruce Jenner are splitting after 22 years of marriage. Sad. I heard this on Kidd Kraddick in the Morning’s Hizziewood Hizzle. J-si said, who would’ve thought that out of all of the relationships since the Keeping Up With the Kardashians started, that the only people still together would be Kourtney and Scott Disick.
A couple that publically had its ups and downs but goes to therapy. Despite almost reaching a breaking point (publically), but what seems to have made the difference is the fact that they really want to be with each other, which means they are willing to sacrifice pride and ego and work hard at it with sacrifice. I hope they stay together forever. Their children are so cute. I also hope they get married. People have favorite couples. This one is mine: Kourtney and Scott ❤
By: Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1, chapter 25
It is the church of God that have lost their faith to claim, their energy to wrestle, as did Jacob, crying: “I will not let Thee go, except Thou bless me.” Enduring faith has been dying away. It must be revived in the hearts of God’s people. There must be a claiming of the blessing of God. Faith, living faith, always bears upward to God and glory; unbelief, downward to darkness and death. – {1T 144.3}
Going back in the day today, so some inspiring collegiate day numbers.
Songs that remind you that you are never alone:
1) Light up the sky- The Afters
When I’m feeling all alone
With so far to go
The signs are no where on this road
Guiding me home
When the night is closing in
Is falling on my skin
Oh God, will you come close
You light, light, light up the sky
You light up the sky to show me that you are with me
And I, I, I can’t deny
No I can’t deny that you are right here with me
You’ve opened my eyes
So I can see you all around me
You light, light, light up the sky
You light up the sky to show me that you are with me
When stars are hiding in the clouds
I don’t feel them shining
When I can’t see beyond my doubt
The silver lining
When I’ve almost reached the end
Like a flood you’re rushing in
Your love is rushing in (your love is rushing in)
You light, light, light up the sky
You light up the sky to show me that you are with me
And I, I, I can’t deny
No I can’t deny that you are right here with me
You’ve opened my eyes
So I can see you all around me
You light, light, light up the sky
You light up the sky to show me that you are with me
So I’ll run straight to your arms
You’re the bright and morning sun
To show your love there’s nothing you won’t do (nothing you won’t do)
You light, light, light up the sky
You light up the sky to show me that you are with me
And I, I, I can’t deny
No I can’t deny that you are right here with me
You’ve opened my eyes
So I can see you all around me
You light, light, light up the sky
You light up the sky to show me that you are with me
(Oooh, oh , oh, oooh, oooh, oooh, oooh
That you are with me
Oooh, oh , oh, oooh, oooh, oooh, oooh
That you are with me
Oooh, oh , oh, oooh, oooh, oooh, oooh)
Songwriters
Muckala, Daniel John / Ingram, Jason / Havens, Joshua / Fuqua, Matt
Read more: Afters – Light Up The Sky Lyrics | MetroLyrics
2) Starry Night- Chris August
From the birds that sing
In the tallest trees
To the human life
Of you and me
From the desert sands
To the place we stand
He’s God of all
He is everything
I’ve given my life to the only one
Who makes the moon reflect the sun
Every starry night
That was his design
I’ve given my life to the only son
Who was and is and yet to come
Let the praises ring
‘Cause he is everything
‘Cause he is everything
From the autumn leaves
That will ride the breeze
To the faith it takes
To pray and sing
From the painted sky
To the plain-filled eye
He’s God of all
He is everything, whoa
I’ve given my life to the only one
Who makes the moon reflect the sun
Every starry night
That was his design
I’ve given my life to the only son
Who was and is and yet to come
Let the praises ring
‘Cause he is everything
‘Cause he is everything
Hallelujah, hallelujah
I believe, oh, oh
Hallelujah, hallelujah
I believe
I’ve given my life to the only one
Who makes the moon reflect the sun
Yeah
I’ve given my life to the only son
Who was and is and yet to come
Yeah, oh
I’ve given my life to the only one
Who makes the moon reflect the sun
Every starry night
That was his design
I’ve given my life to the only son
Who was and is and yet to come
And the angels sing
That he is heavenly
“If you do not breathe through writing, if you do not cry out in writing, or sing in writing, then don’t write, because our culture has no use for it. The role of a writer is not to say what we all can say, but what we are unable to say.”
Anais Nin
“Don’t ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive and then go do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”
Howard Thurman
“You ever look at a picture of yourself and see a stranger in the background? It makes you wonder how many strangers have pictures of you. How many moments of other people’s lives have we been in? Were we a part of someone’s life when their dream came true? Or were we there when their dreams died? Did we keep trying to get in, as if we were somehow destined to be there? Or did the shock take us by surprise? Just think, you’d be a big part of someone else’s life… and not even know it”
One Tree Hill
“I’m independent and strong, but sometimes…just sometimes, it’s nice to be taken care of.”
The Mighty Storm (Samantha Towle)
The first time I went to Baltimore, I saw the harbor area. It’s a beautiful area with little boats and bright lights. Very reminiscent of La Rochelle, France, except it misses the old-time charm La Rochelle undoubtedly has. I stood under an umbrella with my host who was attempting a Skype session with her husband. The rain made it all mystical and lovely. Sometimes, rain washes the phony pretentious vibes of a city, and you are left with its purity.
As I headed to Baltimore this time, my eyes were shiny with anticipation for a job prospect, and I was filled with a sense of adventure. My bus from New York had a hilarious driver, who at Penn Station was introducing himself, and then he stopped and yelled in the intercom system, “Get out the way fool!”
He then turned his attention back to us and said, “Yeah, that is why you chose Boltbus right?” And we all laughed. Witty bus driver. When we drove into Baltimore, it was a sunny afternoon. We drove straight through a neighborhood where all the buildings were lacking windows, and some square holes were filled with plywood. Some were covered with something and duck tape. I saw a massive cemetery; some fire hydrants had exploded, and they were sending floods of water curling around street corners and following the inclination downward. Older men sat on stoops smoking; men shook hands by The Brother’s Barber Shop (or something along those lines, I remember it was called “The Brothers”).
I saw a District Court with the surrounding sidewalk and road full of trash, and a glorious multi-colored crab standing tall on the court roof. Welcome to Maryland.
I was so blessed that a friend let me stay in his charming place, where fire hydrants were intact, and there were churches on every corner. As I walked along the streets of Baltimore, I decided I had to see the city for myself and not rely on images from The Wire, people’s horror stories and what I had seen on the bus. I figured, Baltimore has to have some sort of beauty. They call it Charm City for crying out loud!
I decided to find its charm, its “diversity”, and find its beauty (and a Ravens player willing to be my bodyguard in NYC, if I was to be that lucky!).
I rode the metro rail to my interview, which is so much cheaper than Washington, D.C., and cheaper than New York City. A dollar-sixty is not bad for a one-way trip. I hate trains though, so on my “adventure”, I decided to walk.
I have bravado to me of fearless adventure, so I decided to put my money where my mouth usually is and take a walk. I took one glance at my cell, but using Google Maps kills the battery, so I memorized the main streets and how they run. My goal was to go to Little Italy. I was in need to find someone Latin, and I have an adoration for Little Italies, so, I embarked on my journey.
I walked out and looked at some beautiful buildings in the distance, and I walked toward them.
While walking, men in trucks and other cars would blow kisses at me (literally) from their windows and greet me. Some would tilt their heads in a gentlemanly fashion. Who knew I could be so popular? I then saw why Baltimore is called Charm City (grin).
Check out what I saw:
By: Gabriela Yareliz Stepping out on an autumn afternoon to explore.By: Gabriela Yareliz This apartment building was so cute and European. It is in an optimal location close to the State Center Metro.By: Gabriela Yareliz I was walking toward a Parisian building, and I found Mount Vernon. My favorite part of Baltimore. It has a similar vibe to Greenwich Village, except the sidewalks are empty. Not nearly as populated.By: Gabriela Yareliz Where there is a university, there is diversity.By: Gabriela Yareliz I found the building whose roof top I followed.By: Gabriela Yareliz Pure charm.By: Gabriela Yareliz My obsession with churches transcends state boundaries.By: Gabriela Yareliz Neighborhood skyline.By: Gabriela Yareliz St. Paul Street stroll. I love these window boxes with flowers spilling over.By: Gabriela Yareliz St. Paul Street straight down.By: Gabriela Yareliz Harbor area.By: Gabriela Yareliz Downtown Baltimore.By: Gabriela Yareliz Crossing bridges into Little Italy.By: Gabriela Yareliz Welcome to Little Italy.By: Gabriela Yareliz A glorious afternoon in Baltimore’s Little Italy. A good looking Italian man walked by me saying “How are ya doin’?” in that classic Italian-American accent. I smiled to myself the whole time in this neighborhood. Little Italy is mostly restaurants, men loading and unloading trucks and adorable children drawing on the sidewalks with chalk.By: Gabriela Yareliz Where the Star Spangled Banner was written. Historic moments.By: Gabriela Yareliz As I walked by this courtyard downtown, I felt so alone, as if something was wrong. Then I remembered I was not in New York. Baltimore is a lot more empty and slow.By: Gabriela Yareliz I love the cape someone gave him.By: Gabriela Yareliz The ever-present falafel truck. Am I in NYC? (Double take).By: Gabriela Yareliz Back in Mount Vernon.By: Gabriela Yareliz By: Gabriela Yareliz Orthodox Church. Stunning.
I didn’t want to leave with the impression I got of Baltimore coming into the city. I had to be adventurous and give Baltimore a chance. Once you give it a chance, its charm unfolds before your feet. I had a lovely time in Baltimore. I wouldn’t have changed a thing about my trip. Granted, I was not on vacation, but my walk around the city was a wonderful exploration of the unknown. Its church filled corners; its mysterious skyline where from one street to another, a rooftop is in a completely different style; its flirtatious drivers; its window boxes in full bloom; its dancing boats and unpopulated streets; thank you Baltimore for charming me with your unique Bmore charm.
Bmore charm is the kind of charm that requires you to open yourself. Then, it winks at you, and you are not disappointed.
GABRIELA YARELIZ 