Works Cited

“Chickens.” Doolittle Farm Yarn. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Apr. 2010. http://images.google.com/‌imgres?imgurl=http://www.doolittlefarmyarn.com/‌images/‌chickens.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.doolittlefarmyarn.com/‌chickens.php&usg=__SRJwJQ7jOWsafOwQp8byJ3h80iM=&h=480&w=640&sz=100&hl=en&start=6&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=WLm9g03QhpEveM:&tbnh=103&tbnw=137&prev=/‌images%3Fq%3Dchickens%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26rlz%3D1T4DMUS_enUS283US291%26tbs%3Disch:1. “Cute Baby Pictures.” Adorable Mexican Babies. Google, n.d. Web. 25 Apr. 2010. http://images.google.com/‌imgres?imgurl=http://3.bp.blogspot.com/‌_EXopv5BJbnY/‌Sj3MPQx2XSI/‌AAAAAAAAA9o/‌A4m8D7M_7Nw/‌s400/‌mexican-baby.jpg&imgrefurl=http://cutebaby-pictures.blogspot.com/‌2009/‌06/‌adorable-mexican-babies.html&usg=__PEtc5bbNZJDVYzGzWYBt6tSZoGY=&h=350&w=270&sz=29&hl=en&start=27&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=yYmVgq-0n6ttFM:&tbnh=120&tbnw=93&prev=/‌images%3Fq%3Dbabies%2Bpictures%2BMexican%26start%3D21%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26rlz%3D1T4DMUS_enUS283US291%26ndsp%3D21%26tbs%3Disch:1. Ellena Kazlauskas. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Apr. 2010. http://k43.pbase.com/‌v3/‌95/‌598295/‌2/‌50018692.EllenaKazlauskas.jpg. Esquirel, Laura. Like Water for Chocolate. New York: Doubleday, 1992. Print. Linsmeier, Amanda. “Book Review: ‘Like Water for Chocolate’ by Laura Esquivel.” Writers News Weekly. N.p., 2009. Web. 22 Apr. 2010. http://images.google.com/‌imgres?imgurl=http://www.writersnewsweekly.com/‌images/‌books/‌like_water_for_chocolate.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.writersnewsweekly.com/‌review_water_chocolate.html&usg=__gJNtMlr2UqdYz46k1Z1jX38MLnw=&h=200&w=130&sz=23&hl=en&start=21&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=4MPh4dNTS9CYoM:&tbnh=104&tbnw=68&prev=/‌images%3Fq%3Dlike%2Bwater%2Bfor%2Bchocolate%2Bbook%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26rlz%3D1T4DMUS_enUS283US291%26tbs%3Disch:1. “Military Photos.” Sergeant Karen Tolladay on Alamein. Zales, n.d. Web. 25 Apr. 2010. http://images.google.com/‌imgres?imgurl=http://img233.imageshack.us/‌img233/‌3816/‌britsergeantkarentollad.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.militaryphotos.net/‌forums/‌showthread.php%3F130786-Pictures-of-women-in-the-military-police(read-the-1st-post!!!)/‌page551&usg=__MOrSp1MKO_P0nxOg4y7xksAVZYk=&h=600&w=800&sz=402&hl=en&start=3&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=ILGboIW7czVMnM:&tbnh=107&tbnw=143&prev=/‌images%3Fq%3Dwomen%2Bin%2Barmy%2Bon%2Bhorse%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26rlz%3D1T4DMUS_enUS283US291%26tbs%3Disch:1.

December

I choose Pedro. I had to choose Pedro. I have always loved him and will always love him. But my relationship with John was not ruined. My family and his family are good friends now, and soon our families united in marriage! Rosaura died, and though it was upsetting, it was also a wonderful thing for Esperanza. She can now marry – she is marring Alex, John’s son! I am so happy for them! And now that Rosaura is gone, Pedro and I can make love together openly, without hiding from the world. When we finally made love for the first time without having to keep it a secret, though, we both died. But it is OK because we are dead together and will be together happily forever.

November

I still cannot make a decision. John is back, and I know I must tell him about Pedro; I cannot lie to him. Pedro is being a little brat. I have been bringing him food and watching him heal. I told him that I wanted to be with him, but he is still suspicious that I may still want to marry John. How could he be impossible! Why can he not trust me! If he is going to treat me like that, maybe I should spend the rest of my life with him. I had a conversation with Rosaura. She says she no longer wants to sleep with Pedro and told me that I could be with him, but I must never let anyone know and she must still be viewed as a descent wife by everyone. If I did decide to be with Pedro, it would have to be in secret, but Esperanza can grow up with parents who seem normal. But John, oh John, he was so gracious about everything. He told me he did not mind that I slept with Pedro, and that if I still loved him and wanted to marry him, he would still want to marry me. He loves me, and he wants me to be happy, even if I do not choose him. He is so kind and he truly loves me! How could I ever not choose him!

September and October

Things got a little better when Gertrudis came home. She is now the general of a troop in the army! After working at a brothel, she enlisted in as a Revolutionary and became a general!!! It is an amazing achievement. I am so proud of her! Not many women are in the army, so being a troop leader is a huge accomplishment. I am glad my sister had this opportunity to be a general. Also, at war, she was reunited with her first live, Juan. They got married and are now very happy together. The war has done wonders for my sister. I am glad she is back home. When I told her about my problems, she told me that I should tell Pedro that I am pregnant and be with him, the one I really love, not John. I am glad she gave me that advice. Hearing someone that married her true love tell you to marry your true love because it will make you happy is very reassuring. Of course Gertrudis helped with telling Pedro about my pregnancy: as he walked in the room, she said to me that I should tell him that I was pregnant. Pedro was very happy, and that night he got drunk and sang to me by my window. Idiot! What if Rosaura heard him! Then Mama Elena decided to annoyingly pop into my life again. I told her that I hated her and her traditions, and she finally left forever! I was happy that she finally left; however, before she completely disappeared, she turned set Pedro on fire and burnt him! I went down to help him, but when Rosaura saw me with him, she realized that we were together and that Pedro loves me, and not her. My poor, dear Pedro got hurt so bad. When Mama Elena left me, I realized that I am not pregnant! That was a great relief, but not the end of my problems. Pedro is hurt, Rosaura will not speak to me, Gertrudis left, and John just came home. What am I going to do?! Gertrudis in the army: http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/3816/britsergeantkarentollad.jpg

September

Ay Dios Mio, what if I am pregnant! What happens if John comes back, thinking that I love him, ready to marry me, and I am pregnant with another man’s baby! What about Rosaura! What will Pedro think! What am I going to do?! John has been away getting his aunt for a while now. The Revolution makes it hard for him to travel, especially across the border. Because of the Revolution, John will be gone for a long time, and I have to be here with Pedro. We have been making love in secret for several days now, but I stopped coming to see him when I realized that I am pregnant. I do not know what to do. Should I run away with my baby, and leave everyone I love behind? Should I tell John about Pedro and break his heart? Should I lie to John about Pedro and marry him – but then he would know when I have my baby. Someone help me. I wish Gertrudis was here to help me. She would know what to do. One day, all of a sudden, the ghost of Mama Elena came to me and cursed my child! I wish she would leave me alone and never haunt me again! Even after her death I cannot be free of her! Ghost of Mama Elena

http://k43.pbase.com/v3/95/598295/2/50018692.EllenaKazlauskas.jpg

August

Rosaura and Pedro are back at the ranch; had a daughter named Esperenza, and because Rosaura cannot breast feed, I was put in charge of feeding Esperenza. I could not feed her the same way I fed Roberto, but I fed her the way Nacha fed me: with older people’s food. Esperenza’s a lot like me: she spends most of her time in the kitchen, she eats like I did at her age, and she is the last child of her mother. I was sure that Rosaura would not bind Esperenza to the terrible family tradition of caring for her mother until the day she died, but Rosaura, as it turns out, had every means of keeping the tradition! How could she do such a thing!!! How could she force something so inhumane on her own daughter?! I cannot believe it! I have to stop Rosaura from doing this to Esperenza. To make matters more confusing, Pedro is back in my life, and John left to pick up his aunt for the wedding. The night John formally proposed to me, Pedro came to me and forced me to make love with him! I finally felt fulfilled and was reminded of my great love for Pedro. I do not know what to do! I am mad at Pedro for leaving me and never fighting for me, but at the same time I love him more than anything! And now that I have been with Pedro and know what true love is like, how can I ever live with John?

July

Chencha came to John’s house bringing ox-tail soup that completely healed me. I started to talk again after eating the soup. I was so glad to see Chencha. She missed me very much; this whole time she thought I was in the asylum! She gave me a letter from Gertrudis. I was so happy to see Chencha again and hear about Gertrudis. And guess what: John asked me for his hand in marriage!!!! I was very happy and told him that I would marry him. I must admit I do not feel the same passionate love for him as I do for Pedro, but I am sure it will come. I was going to live a happy life with John and his son Alex and never going to return to the ranch again. Unfortunately, that day while Chencha was returning to the ranch, bandits attacked!!! The paralyzed my Mama from the waist down and raped Chencha! I could not believe it! I returned to the ranch to make sure they were OK and to help them heal. My mother was so rude to me, even when I tried to help her. Every time I brought her food, she would say that it was bitter and she would not eat it. She came up with this crazy idea that I was trying to poison her! How could she think such a thing!?! I am not a fan of my mother but I would not kill her. But anyway, she did not last long. She died. At first I was relieved that she died. I did not have to worry about her constantly ruining my life any more. However, when I was cleaning out her room, I found out about her deepest secret that made me feel sorry for her. There was once a time when she had a true love that she could not be with: Jose Trevino. She had a secret affair with him, and even had a child with him: my sister, Gertrudis! One night, he was attacked and killed. Mama became very upset. I truly was sad for and wept for Mama Elena at her funeral. I wept for her horrid past and the love that she lost. I just do not understand though – why would she enforce tradition onto me if it caused her to be separate from her true love?

June

Dr. Brown, who was supposed to take me to an asylum, turned out to be very nice and allowed me to stay at his house. Slowly but surely, he cured me from my depression. At first I did not speak, but he did not lose patients. He taught me about his grandmother Kikapu’s theory about the soul being fueled by candles that are lit by matches which can be lit, but if they become cold and wet when a person is sad, they cannot be lit and the soul inside you leaves. I feel the theory is very true, and right now, my matches are wet and my soul is missing. John can help me dry my matches. He is healing me and I feel happy, comfortable, and warm when I am around him. He says I need someone who can relight my matches. Although I do not feel the same, amazing heat around him as I do near Pedro, I think he may be the one I need.

May 2

I cannot believe it: Mama actually sent Pedro, Rosaura, and Roberto, the people who I love most, away to San Antonio! I do not think I could possibly be more upset. We got a message from Pedro and Rosaura that Roberto died!!!!!!!!!! I could not be more upset. I screamed at my mother for Roberto’s death. It’s all her fault!!! She killed Roberto!!! She took him away from me so he could he longer be fed, and he starved to death!!! I am so upset. I would die 1000 times if only I could bring Roberto back to me. I miss him sooooo much. I love him SOOOO MUCH!!!!!! I went up to the dovecote and stayed there. I stayed there and stayed there and cried and cried. My mother sent a doctor, Dr. Brown, up to my dovecote to take me away to an asylum. Perhaps the asylum will be better than being here in this awful place with my mother….

May

Juan came to our ranch this month with his troop of revolutionaries. They came to raid our ranch and take all our animals. Mama hid all our important animals inside the house and protected the house from the revolutionaries. I must say, because of the war my mother has learned great tactics to protect the ranch, our house, and our family. She made the revolutionaries scared to come inside the house, holding a small pistol and telling them that she can make a quick, perfect shot. The revolutionaries got away with stealing a good amount of our chickens, and they stole the doves that coo and keep me company when I am lonely. The revolutionaries can become a great nuisance when they come to our ranch. I was sad that so many of our birds were killed. http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.doolittlefarmyarn.com/images/chickens.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.doolittlefarmyarn.com/chickens.php&usg=__SRJwJQ7jOWsafOwQp8byJ3h80iM=&h=480&w=640&sz=100&hl=en&start=6&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=WLm9g03QhpEveM:&tbnh=103&tbnw=137&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dchickens%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26rlz%3D1T4DMUS_enUS283US291%26tbs%3Disch:1

April

Rosaura and Pedro had a son named Roberto. Though he is a product of my true love and my sister, I really do care for Roberto. I was the only person home when Rosaura gave birth to him. Pedro was out to get Dr. Brown, and Mama Elena and Chencha went to the market to buy supplies for the baby. Unfortunately, Pedro was detained by federals fighting in the war on his way to doctor Browns, and Mama Elena and Chencha were unable to leave the market because a shooting broke out. Because of the war, none of them were home when Rosuara gave birth, and I was left as the only one who could possibly help her. At first, I had no idea what to do, but then, Nacha came to my rescue and whispered to me everything I needed to know to safely deliver Rosaura’s child. Roberto was born healthy thanks to Nacha’s helping me; however, Rosaura was unable to produce milk for him. I tried to find alternate food sources for him, when I realized a miracle. I was able to produce milk for Roberto! I was able to nourish Roberto, but because of the strange circumstances, I only told Pedro about it. He helped me feed Roberto without anyone knowing. I was very proud the day Roberto was Baptized. It was a great day, until I heard my Mama say the worst possible thing. She said she would make Pedro, Rosaura, and Roberto leave the ranch and live in San Antonio! She cannot possibly do that to me! How can I live without the people I love! And even worse: what will happen to Roberto if I cannot continue feeding him?! Baby Roberto http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EXopv5BJbnY/Sj3MPQx2XSI/AAAAAAAAA9o/A4m8D7M_7Nw/s400/mexican-baby.jpg

March

A little while later, I made Quail in Rose Petal Sauce. When I served it for dinner, something very strange happened. My sister, Gertrudis, got really hot. See ran to the shower to cool down, but the water came out hot, only making her hotter. All of a sudden, she caught fire!!! She ran out of the fire into the fields of the ranch naked, smelling strongly of the roses that she ate. A young man, Juan, who was captain of a Revolutionary troop that was in the middle of fighting, smelled Gertrudis’ rosy smell, and was mesmerized by it. He knew that he needed to find the source of the smell, so he galloped towards it on his horse. Without meaning to, he left his men fighting in battle behind, and the men had to surrender. When he came to he source of the smell, he found my sister Gertrudis. Being at battle for so long, he had not seen a women probably for some time. When he saw how beautiful and heated Gertrudis was, he picked her up onto his horse, and rode away making love with her. My sister Gertrudis was finally free of the ranch and could finally be with any man she wanted to. Several days later, we found out that she was working in a brothel on the border. She probably got good business from all the soldiers fighting there. I was sad that my sister had to leave, but I was happy for her liberation from the ranch and Mama Elena’s strict and heartless traditional ways. Mama Elena, on the other hand, was so mad at Gertrudis that she destroyed all pictures of her and told people that she was dead. How could my mother be so heartless and put her image as head of a descent family over love for her missing daughter!!!

January and February

I was born in January in a kitchen, surrounded by the smells of delicious food. My family cook, Nacha, fed me as an infinite because my mother did not have any milk, and because she raised me sophisticated dishes, I developed a sixth sense about everything that concerns food. I basically lived in that kitchen that I was born in; I loved to be surrounded by food all the time. When I was 15, the man of my dreams, Pedro Muzquiz, came to ask for my hand in marriage, but he left engaged to my sister instead! I was sooooo mad at him, and at my mother for not allowing me to marry because of a stupid family tradition. I had been doom to care for my mother until the day she died, not until then could I marry. My Mama tried to make me so unhappy and ruin my life, but she pampered my sister. My mother even bought smuggled material for her for her wedding dress, because of course, it was impossible to travel to a place we could find material, like the capital, because of all the fighting going on in the war. At Rosaura (my sister) and Pedro’s wedding; however, Pedro confined to me that he truly loved me and was only marring my sister to be near me!!! :) I wish he would have told me sooner though. While I was cooking all the food for their wedding, I was to sickened with what was going on that the food became invested with my sickness, causing everyone at the wedding to throw up ruining the wedding for my sister. She was so upset about her dress that Mama Elena pay so much money to get. I, on the other have was so happy. Pedro loved me! He really truly loved me and wanted to be with me!!! I went to go tell Nacha, but when I found her, she was dead. :( She died of longing for her true love! :( I miss her so much. She comes around still sometimes when I need her, though. Btw, I became the new cook for the ranch, which did seem to be an honor at the time. :)

Hello

Hello! My name is Tita De la Garza live in Piedras Negras, a border town in Mexico. I live with my family on a ranch. Right now, the Mexican Revolution is going on. This war has had a great impact on my life as well as my family’s. Here’s my story: