Studio Update 6

By: Gabriela Yareliz

I have been following the situation in Italy pretty closely. I watch little Italian news clips, and I watch some of my favorite quarantined Italian celebrities’ videos, thanks to Instagram stories and the live feature.

Today, while I was listening to a video, I realized that I understood every word in Italian. (I am gonna be a native speaker by the end of this quarantine). I remembered in high school that while I was studying French at school, I was determined to learn every language I could get my head around. Our high school library had a ratty, yellow Italian language book. It looked like an old book that had been donated to the school. I checked it out at the beginning of the school year, and I would go every couple of weeks to renew it.

The rule was you could renew unless someone had expressed interest in the book or a person was on some sort of waiting list. There was never a list for this book. (Of course). Finally, the librarian, who was also the cross country coach, looked at me and said, “You know what kid? No one wants this book but you. I will let you keep it until the end of the year.” (He was clearly tired of my biweekly renewal visits).

I turned that thing in on the last day of school. I read that book and worked through the workbook style exercises. Every chapter. That random investment that I made because it mattered to me now means that I can watch people live with no subtitles, and I can be a part of their world and they can be a part of mine.

That’s why I love languages so much. I want my world to include as many people as possible. I guess I say this to share that right now, you may be bored and quarantined. The truth is that you can use this time to learn something that can add value to your life and to the lives of others. If it matters to you, go for it. It doesn’t have to always be practical, but it should bring you joy.

Ciao, amici!

Studio Update 5

By: Gabriela Yareliz

I accidentally said Kenny Chesney died. Nope, it was Kenny Rogers. I always do that. I always accidentally kill the wrong person in my head. I once said Larry King was dead. I seriously believed it. Nope, he is still getting married and getting divorced (has he not heard of dating?).

Sigh. Respect, Kenny Rogers, respect. It was interesting listening to an old interview of his on the Bobby Bones Show. So interesting how we can hear someone who is no longer with us. That always gives me chills. Like when I go to a museum and they have a clip of a former president giving a speech. Chills! (I also acknowledge that I am a nerd. I stamped our national park passport ceremonially like it’s a rite of passage. THIS IS WHO I AM).

Maybe, someday, when I am gone, someone will read this. It will be my way of still talking. Except I am not as cool as Rogers. Dolly Parton isn’t my BFF.

I listened to my morning show, live (I usually listen to the previous day on podcast). I went to work. I spent a long time staring at and playing around with a contract structure. It was one I had never seen before (learning in the time of quarantine). After much internal turmoil, prayer and begging for God’s help (more like telling him that I didn’t know what the hell I was doing)— I got it.

It was a rainy, gray day. I opened the window for a bit. I skipped lunch. I oddly felt like I was in the mood to fast until dinner, so I did. Dinner was a very millennial avocado toast.

I FaceTimed a good friend and my love. I know for a fact that a lot of people had a rough Monday, today. I hope you didn’t.

If you are looking for something to be grateful for— we are alive. Alive like Kenny Chesney.

Studio Update 4

By: Gabriela Yareliz

Today, I read a fiction book. I don’t usually read fiction, but when I saw this one takes place in the South and Reese Witherspoon liked it (it’s her birthday today, after all), I started reading it. So far, it’s good. So, thank the Lord for The Giver of the Stars and Yoga with Adrienne.

Guys, I am determined to use this time to get ripped. Like, I mean ripped. There will be no stress eating here. I am gonna be a strong little yogi after this. I swear to you, I will be sitting cross-legged and look like I am levitating but not really— it will all be my arms subtly holding me up. Just wait. I won’t even shake. (Even I am laughing out loud with this). I will be so strong I will hoist myself up back into my apartment in half the time, next time I roll out of my window. (This will likely happen when I reinstall the AC in the window. Kidding.)

After reading for a bit while sunbathing by my window (roasting like a little potato), my love came and surprised me with TACO BELL. Yep. You read that right. First, he braved the cold to take a social distancing walk with me. And then, he surprised me with a care package that included guac and burritos. He is truly the best and sweetest. (If you are reading this, love, I love you.)

This made my day. I got to see my love and eat a taco. Can’t wait for the day when I can hold a taco in one hand and his hand in the other. Better days are coming.

Studio Update 3

By: Gabriela Yareliz

It was prison break, today. Kidding. Well, for some inmates, it really was. That’s beside the point. I left my house! (Despite the inmates). Through the front door; I didn’t roll out of the window (this is a true story, I swear).

I marched out of the door, and I saw the blue water. I saw the blue sky— pale blue like those face masks those bastards hoarded so quick that the rest of us were left with nothing to bedazzle or hang up at the end of this mess.

I saw a barber shop in full swing (everyone wearing the treasured and rare masks). Police were on horse, elderly people were taking advantage of the elder hours at the grocery. People with dogs had their excuse to be outside on the leash. Some little trees were loaded with flowers. Spring!

I participated in a livestream church service and a conference call adult bible study class. We were doing the most, today.

I did another Bible study and FaceTimed with family and my love. There is something about people. When you are an extrovert, being with loved ones injects you with life.

I gave my little green cardigan a break today. I have been wearing that thing like a St. Patrick’s uniform. (Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, etc., etc., the St. Patrick sentiment is real). Christ, be the face mask I don’t have.

Tomorrow, I need to wash my hair. It’s starting to look like the hair in a meth addict mug shot. Our shut down begins tomorrow.

The New York Post has said we all basically have Corona. They need to chill. We don’t need this energy.

My vibe right now: Gwen Stefani’s Sweet Escape. (Milk rap and all). Boom. Woo-hoo, yee-hoo.

Studio Update 2

By: Gabriela Yareliz

Who are you quarantined with? That’s all I could think about, today. Maybe it’s on my mind because I have no one to be trapped with. So many people complaining about spending too much time with certain people.

Do we really just barely tolerate one another? Why are we always fighting? Don’t we realize how lucky we are? Also, I love when people don’t like who they are quarantined with yet they chose this person. It’s bizarre to me.

Choices have weight.

We (NY) are officially shutting down on Sunday. Locked down. It’s happening.

Life has been pretty quiet. I thought about the next time I will see certain people, and just the possibility of it being so far off brought tears to my eyes. I had a knot in my throat. (Not COVID-19– just emotion). Some things aren’t up to us. Other things are.

Tomorrow, I am taking a walk. I need to get out of this apartment. It’s happening. We must make the little choices, even if they are small.

We must walk sometimes, even if we walk alone.

I am gonna go to a tree-lined street and walk until I see the glittering blue water.

Studio Update 1

By: Gabriela Yareliz

Hi guys,

I thought I would write a quick update from my studio. I heard somewhere that even if you don’t find importance in what is happening or if you feel it’s mundane, you should still share what is happening in your world.

New York City feels a bit post-apocalyptic, once again. The first time I felt this was during hurricane Sandy. The last time I rode a train was on Monday.

Self-quarantine and sheltering in place— whatever you want to call it— is tough when you live alone. I spend more hours working from home than I do on a regular day when I ride the gross trains.

People are talking about how they will end up divorced after this, and I am here like the chin-chin man from IG in front of the mirror. (“Thank you for coming. Chin-chin.”)

I have been sleeping up until the buzzer, and then getting up, reading scripture, supplementing and starting the work day after brushing my hair. I will do my first calls and tasks while simultaneously putting on deodorant and moisturizer. I need to get better at this new routine, admittedly. I still listen to a bit of the Bobby Bones Show, which always puts a smile on my face.

I will work for 8-9 hours.

Today, I tuned into the Instagram live with Italian rapper Fedez and Andrea Bocelli. I cried as they projected it from the balconies. My crying was interrupted by a weird knock. I was convinced this was one of the many inmates they are releasing in NYC because no one wants to deal with the implications of this virus. After a half hour, I opened my door (chain still in place, of course. What am I? An idiot? No.), and I saw a package, but it was for the wrong apartment.

I picked up the package and left it at the correct apartment while ringing the doorbell and running away. I then came back down stairs and got my own actual mail. The census sent me a second threatening letter asking for my mandatory participation. I just sent the government my tax check. They have no chill.

I then went back upstairs and washed my hands, sanitized my hands and then did yoga after I convinced myself my hands were clean enough.

After this and work, my boyfriend suggested we go get food. I said no because these food establishments are gross on a regular day (like someone bribed the food code people level) and he has elderly parents. I am not in the mood to be responsible for someone’s death. I could be one of those asymptomatic, cute carriers with no idea that she is a virus transporter. Not today, Satan.

This is me, right now. Just like the government, I have no chill. In the rainy mornings, I crack my window open and let in the fresh air. I haven’t gone on a walk yet because I just imagine myself encountering some newly released inmate who wants my Taco Bell (because of course, in my head, a walk includes Taco Bell) and me dying on some random side street. I am strong and independent.

Here we are. First day of spring. My favorite season. It’s my third day working from home. Reporting live from NYC. I am lying sideways in bed with my head and hair hanging off. Peace. Stay home, friends. I am off to dream of nachos and long hugs. Andrea Bocelli will be singing in the background.

Writing on the Wall

By: Gabriela Yareliz

I am cleaning out my office because a new adventure awaits. My eyes fell on quotes I have on post-its on the wall. The first is by Will Durant, and it says, “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act but a habit.”

Other quotes on my walls say:

“A man who procrastinated in his choosing will inevitably have his choice made for him by circumstance.” Hunter S. Thompson

“If it’s truly important, schedule it. Is it a dream or a goal? If it isn’t on the calendar, it isn’t real.” Khaled Hosseini

“We believe in human kindness.” Folks at Magnolia

“Never underestimate the power of hope.”

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” Proverbs 18:21

“I am with you always, even unto the end.” Jesus

And my favorite quote, which was on my door: “They thought they could bury us. They didn’t know we were seeds.” Mexican Proverb

These quotes really shaped my approach to my work and life, and they will continue to. I hope they inspire you as much as they inspire me.

Tenacity

“In life, if we lose— I am not quitting. It doesn’t matter what we are doing, I will not quit. Because the only thing that I really have is tenacity. No real skill set here— just punch the wall ‘til it breaks.” Bobby Bones

Same, Bobby Bones. Same.

God’s Answer to Uncertainty

By: Gabriela Yareliz

I was reflecting on the many uncertainties we face in this life. It’s a challenging adventure for all of us finite beings. As I thought about this, I was praying and I decided to read out of a devotional I sometimes dive into, by Tony Dungy, The One Year Uncommon Life Daily Challenge.

In today’s reading, he highlights an often-read verse, as an answer to uncertainty: “faith is the confidence that what we hoped for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we can not see.” Hebrews 11:1

It’s a common verse. Not groundbreaking, at a glance, but I started to think about it with pause. I sometimes get restless and impatient and worried, and it affects my day-to-day. What this reflects is lack of faith. Faith is having trust that things will be guided by God’s hand, even when it doesn’t feel that way.

Tony Dungy writes in today’s entry, “Are you willing to move ahead on something, even if all the ducks don’t seem to be in a row? Or are you afraid to jump in? Life is full of uncertainty; God wants you to be bolstered by faith in Him.”

It never ceases to amaze me how often fear and distrust creep into our lives. Faith is the antidote to uncertainty. This never means we will always get what we want, but it means we are in God’s hands, and He will always get us home. Home is the endgame.

And sometimes, faith materializes the amazing things for which we yearn so deeply, with our hearts. I will never forget a message I heard on an early morning in Tennessee. The woman said, “Faith is believing in what you cannot see— and the reward of faith is seeing what you believed in.”

In the things that cause us stress today— in all the holes, gaps and question marks, let’s just pour faith into those. Not faith in just anyone, but faith in a God who can be trusted. We can have assurance in what we can’t see because God is faithful. We can see His mighty hand in everything around us. Faith is never blind; instead, it’s a refocus on that which has been revealed.

God’s Answer to Uncertainty

By: Gabriela Yareliz

I was reflecting on the many uncertainties we face in this life. It’s a challenging adventure for all of us finite beings. As I thought about this, I was praying and I decided to read out of a devotional I sometimes dive into, by Tony Dungy, The One Year Uncommon Life Daily Challenge.

In today’s reading, he highlights an often-read verse, as an answer to uncertainty: “faith is the confidence that what we hoped for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we can not see.” Hebrews 11:1

It’s a common verse. Not groundbreaking, at a glance, but I started to think about it with pause. I sometimes get restless and impatient and worried, and it affects my day-to-day. What this reflects is lack of faith. Faith is having trust that things will be guided by God’s hand, even when it doesn’t feel that way.

Tony Dungy writes in today’s entry, “Are you willing to move ahead on something, even if all the ducks don’t seem to be in a row? Or are you afraid to jump in? Life is full of uncertainty; God wants you to be bolstered by faith in Him.”

It never ceases to amaze me how often fear and distrust creep into our lives. Faith is the antidote to uncertainty. This never means we will always get what we want, but it means we are in God’s hands, and He will always get us home. Home is the endgame.

And sometimes, faith materializes the amazing things for which we yearn so deeply, with our hearts. I will never forget a message I heard on an early morning in Tennessee. The woman said, “Faith is believing in what you cannot see— and the reward of faith is seeing what you believed in.”

In the things that cause us stress today— in all the holes, gaps and question marks, let’s just pour faith into those. Not faith in just anyone, but faith in a God who can be trusted. We can have assurance in what we can’t see because God is faithful. We can see His mighty hand in everything around us. Faith is never blind; instead, it’s a refocus on that which has been revealed.