Studio Update 25

By: Gabriela Yareliz I am up like a kid, under the covers while the space heater hums in the background, waiting to get in trouble because I should be asleep. There is no one to berate me. My apartment still has a coolness to it from having the window open all day. Yesterday’s rain remindedContinue reading “Studio Update 25”

Studio Update 24

By: Gabriela Yareliz Today, we had the fiercest storm. It felt almost like a hurricane. The winds were bending the trees, tangling the wires and rattling everything in sight. At one point, I had to lock myself in my bathroom to take a call from my boss because I couldn’t hear her over the howlingContinue reading “Studio Update 24”

That Nicholas Sparks Love

By: Gabriela Yareliz He once said they had that Nicholas Sparks kind of love. What makes a Nicholas Sparks kind of love story? It’s not the meet cute. It’s not the passion. It’s not the affinity. All the stories are different. You know you have a Nicholas Sparks love story when the love lasts forever.Continue reading “That Nicholas Sparks Love”

The Convenience of Religion

By: Gabriela Yareliz I grew up in the churches where you could find half the church in a hospital room holding a prayer vigil, as someone held the sick person’s hand, while praying. It didn’t matter who walked by. The prayer was loud. Hell, we prayed for the nurses, doctors and whomever was sharing theContinue reading “The Convenience of Religion”

Studio Update 23

By: Gabriela Yareliz Today, as many Christians around the world, I spent time deeply reflecting on the cross. It always brings tears to my eyes, not because of its darkness, its gory nature or the subject of death. None of these things alone are what compels a deep surge of emotion in me. To me,Continue reading “Studio Update 23”

Studio Update 22

By: Gabriela Yareliz It’s the 100th day of quarantine. Kidding. But that is what it feels like. I am ready for the weekend. Today was a stormy day. It matched the whole Thursday before Good Friday vibe. Thunder. Black clouds. Rain. Hail. I finally sat down and read for a bit. I spent like anContinue reading “Studio Update 22”

Studio Update 20

By: Gabriela Yareliz Have you found yourself doing something you don’t usually catch yourself doing? Stress can sometimes make us do weird things. Sometimes, we clench our jaw, and sometimes, we even sort of hold our breath. I have caught myself, on occasions, reminding myself to breathe. Ridiculous, I know. I used to find IContinue reading “Studio Update 20”

Studio Update 19

By: Gabriela Yareliz My Fitbit thinks I am dead. I haven’t charged it since we started this shelter in place. I log in my daily exercise, into the app, but I haven’t charged it because let’s face it, I am not taking a lot of steps. It’s me going from my desk to refill myContinue reading “Studio Update 19”

Studio Update 18

By: Gabriela Yareliz I woke up from another nightmare. This time, someone had cut my hair while I was asleep. When I woke up, my hand went straight to my freshly blow dried hair, pinned up with a Drybar alligator clip. When I felt the whole Rapunzel there, I let out a huge sigh ofContinue reading “Studio Update 18”

Studio Update 17

By: Gabriela Yareliz This morning, I woke up, out of breath, from a nightmare. I never dream. I slowly rolled over and saw that it was Saturday. That instilled some calm in me. It was a strange nightmare about breaking free from being stuck. So vivid. So scary. So real. I never really dream (andContinue reading “Studio Update 17”