by: Hugh Elmore
Coed dorms? Not at TAMIU. This coming fall TAMIU join the community of universities offering on-campus housing.
The new dormitories, called University Village, will be able to house 252 students. The project includes a deck, a swimming pool, and a sand volleyball pit, and a common building complete with laundry facilities, a large screen television, and a separate study area with three computers for student use.
TAMIU worked with a private company, American Campus Lifestyles, to build and manage the new apartments. TAMIU furnished the land, and ACL furnished the wherewithal and the expertise to build and manage the project.
The Bridge interviewed Mark Harries, vice-president in charge of business development and marketing for American Campus Lifestyles, in an effort to keep the student body abreast of the developments on campus. Harries explained that the first goal ACL is to produce an environment conducive to learning and life on campus.
Each student resident will have his or her own bedroom. There are three different floor plans to choose from: two bedroom suites, four bedroom suites, and single suites. Each suite is complete with a full kitchen, including refrigerator and stove. Each sports a living area with cable and phone connections. In addition, each bedroom except the single rooms, is furnished with a bed, a desk and chair, a dresser and a night stand. According to Harries, the goal of ACL is to furnish each bedroom with cable connection, phone connection and university data connection. Electricity will be metered to each room but each resident will not be responsible for the first $25 worth each month.
Student's feelings may be mixed to learn that the individual suites are not coed. It is interesting to note, however that ACL intends to strive to match compatible suite mates.
All employees of the three story complex will be hired and managed by ACL. This includes maintenance persons as well as Community Assistants who will be students of TAMIU, responsible for maintaining an interesting and safe community of scholars.
ACL has built similar on-campus housing projects at Prairie View A&M, Langston University in Oklahoma, and Oklahoma A&M. The also manages off-campus housing such as Dobie Tower in Austin, where the company is located.
Harries expects the rooms to fill up fast. Any student who is interested may obtain more information at Career Planning and Placement in Killam Bldg., west wing, room 157, or they may call 326-dust.
by Richard Rendon
So you think those messages you send by email are secure? Only you and the person you have sent the message to have the ability and the right to read them? Think again. Like every new technology, there are no specific laws governing email. If, for instance, a student sends a message to a friend attending school in Hawaii, the email message will not go directly to the school in Hawaii. Instead, email works by relaying a message. The message may be relayed through as many as a dozen mail servicers before reaching its destination. If someone along the way uses a packet sniffer, your mail can be read by someone that shouldn't read it. Unconfirmed sources state that the NSA (National Security Agency) reads all email destined for non- continental U.S. addresses. When it comes to email, it's probably better to send anonymous email or to use a re-mailer service such as https://www.replay.com/remailer/anon.html. At least by using a service like this, you stand a better chance of remaining anonymous.
Using a packet sniffer means that your email can actually stop somewhere and be read by someone other than for whom it was intended. While the U.S. Postal service (or snail mail) is governed by privacy laws, email is not. All one has to do is look at recent cases involving email like those at AOL (America On Line). In one case a gentleman who had gone to the Carribean for a vacation was so upset with the resort that he sent email to several friends with copies to the resort management. The management at the resort later filed a lawsuit against the gentleman for damages to their reputation. In an investigation, your snail mail may be subpoenaed, but email can be taken without a warrant.
So why use email? Well, it may not be as secure as snail mail, but it's much quicker, and definitely cheaper than sending a letter overnight.
By now you're asking yourself what else can someone find out about me. Check out http://www.anonymizer.com and select the "DON'T BELIEVE US" link. I did, and it told me where I was calling from, what type of computer I was using, even what company I work for ar am affiliated with. In this case I am affiliated with TAMIU because I used one of their computers. The web-site will even pinpoint your location on a map! Amazing what someone can do when their mind is set. All this information that was collected on me was generated by a cookie, which is a side effect of using the web. Cookies are generated every time that you browse the web. They detail every place you've been to, what you did there, and how long you were there. So much for telling anyone that you are a perfect 10!
If you are really concerned with security, you can download a PGP shell. PGP stands for Pretty Good Privacy. It is an encryption scheme that takes your email and converts it into so much garbage. Only someone that has your decryption key can decryt the message. But even this is not as secure as one would like.
A few years ago, the federal government declared that their encryption procedures were so secure that it would take six million years to break any one of their messages. Unfortunately, this was taken as a challenge to the hacker community. Several hackers across the globe took it upon themselves to try and beat the six million year time frame. Were they successful? Yes. The encryption was broken inside of six months. Of course, your option is always not to use email, but to use snail mail instead, but that defeats the purpose of urgency. In today's information age, it will be easier if we all remember the line from a popular television series: "Trust no one."
I would like to congratulate the past President of the Texas A&M International University Student Ambassadors Miss Rosa Escobedo for her effort and dedication to the organization. She served the organization successfully and for the best of both Texas A&M International University and the organization itself. Her friendship to all students, especially the international ones, is greatly appreciated.
It is unfortunate, though, that a particular indi vidual has been very disruptive and childish. He has undoubtedly been ruining a lot of activities and brings discomfort and separation to the whole group.
I do expect the new President of the Texas A&M International University Student Ambassadors to at least follow Miss Escobedo's footsteps and continue to provide mature leadership and responsible guidance through his multiple experiences.
Sincerely,
Spyros Charalambous
About a month ago, one of my married students rushed into my office. She was so excited about a rumor that was all over campus. She had heard that some $5 million had been donated toward our TAMIU Student Center and that she had heard that it might even have a "child-care center."
When she left my office, I decided to write this letter, because I know something about this topic of child-care programs and centers.
Besides teaching at TAMIU, I work as a consultant to one of Texas' largest companies. I did the official feasibility study for this company concerning a child-care program for its employees. What I discovered was incredible, especially in light of mine and the general public's lack of knowledge about such a program.
I have to confess that when I was commissioned to do the company's research, I felt a child-care program would entail little more than a few grandmotherly types, a few cribs, a little spot to play, and lots of second-hand toys and kids' books. Boy was I in for a shock!
For example, a well-known Laredo medical institution had to spend in excess of $400,000 before the first child could walk through the door! And besides, it had to buy a whole block of land for the center!
In addition, in the same program, the cost per child per day is $20 actual costs! The medical center pays $10 of this cost for its employees, but the parents must pay $10 per day per child!
And every child-care program must be certified by the State of Texas, which is super strict and well-informed on the topic. The State's requirements fill a single-spaced manual over 1000 pages thick! To have any child-care service, State approval is needed first.
Several examples of these requirements will help us understand. The State has square- footage space requirements for each child, both of play space, rest space, and class-room sizes. Nursing services and quarantine facilities for sick children are needed. Besides, special bathrooms are needed. In addition, among the many people required to staff such a center, there are many who must have university degrees and State accreditation!
What does all this mean for TAMIU and our students? Let me suggest several things:
1) Any child-care effort is a huge undertaking with monstrous physical, personnel, and financial responsibilities.
2) For our newly-envisioned Student Center to have a State-certified program, most if not all the building would have to be dedicated exclusively to child care.
3) Such a program could hardly be free. Unless TAMIU were to cover the $20 daily cost per child inscribed, the cost would have to be added onto tuition costs of each student/parent.
Sincerely,
Dr. Malco Patterson O.
by Martha Castro
Hyperactive children are frequently diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Many of these children whose disruptive behavior constantly interrupts classroom instruction are referred through parents to physicians based on recommendations from school teachers. Very often, after the child is evaluated and determined to have ADHD by a physician, Ritalin, the leading medication for ADHD, is prescribed. Children have always been and will always continue to be extremely active. Why is Ritalin being dispensed so often to control these children? Where do we draw the line between hyperactivity and normal activity?
There are strong arguments for using Ritalin, but they do not give parents and school personnel the right to use it without careful consideration of all available options.
Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder causes parents to doubt their children's ability to learn. However, this Disorder may or may not impair learning. Easily distracted and impulsive children with short attention spans are often prescribed Ritalin. Ritalin is available in five and ten milligrams doses and is administered three times daily. The doses can be increased by five to ten milligrams on a weekly basis. That equates to a minimum of fifteen milligrams daily and after the lst week the dosage could be raised to ten milligrams three times a day. It is recommended that doses of Ritalin not exceed sixty milligrams and not be given to children under 6 years of age. Many teachers and parents agree that children using Ritalin are able to stay focused and attentive for longer periods of time. Thus, these children can better benefit from classroom instruction. This increased ability to stay focused and attentive is a result of Ritalin's ability to slow-down a child's metabolism which provides the ability for normal activity.
Unfortunately Ritalin does have side affects which include nervousness, insomnia, and lack of appetite. Also, if used for an extended period of time, Ritalin sometimes interferes with a child's normal growth. These are the most common adverse reactions reported in some children and can be controlled by reducing the dosage. Parents are advised that Ritalin should only be used during school time and should be discontinued during holidays and on weekends. However, this is not always the case. Some parents abuse Ritalin and continue to medicate their child instead of trying to find the solution to the child's behavior problems. It is easier to sedate the child rather than address the problem.
Everyone agrees that children need to be able to sit still for a long period of time so that they can learn. It is also important that their behavior does not prevent others from learning. These are strong arguments for using Ritalin, but they do not give parents and school personnel the right to use it without careful consideration of all available options. Children need to learn, but they also need to be children. No drug should be used to babysit an active child.
The College of Science and Technology will be moving to Canseco Hall in two different shifts. The School of Nursing will be moving from their downtown campus in Feb. 12 and the Department of Natural Sciences will be moving on March 3. Both dates are tentative. In other news the Dept. of Natural Sciences also report that they have an increase enrollment of 6%. In addition, new equipment has been acquired from various sources such as the National Science Foundation. Equipment includes three new centrifuges, and also a UV/VIS Spectrophotometer, and in the process of being ordered is a gas chromatograph, an instrument that will permit analysis of containments of sediments in water. Dr. Michael Roth is one of the nominees for the University Scholar of the Year award, along with three other candidates from the other colleges. Newly appointed to the ranks of the chemistry faculty is Dr. Anusree Ganguly, whose specialty is in the area of organic chemistry.
The College will also be holding its second meeting with its Advisory Board on February 12, 1997. The Advisory Board, consisting of prominent individuals from the Laredo community, will be advising the College on its future development.
On Feb. 13, Dr. Miguel Bedolla, from the University of Texas Health Sciences Center in San Antonio, will be addressing the Pre-Med, Pre-Health related majors regarding a six-week workshop for preparation for the MCAT examination. The Texas A&M International University and Laredo Community College will cohost the upcoming South Texas Mathematics Consortium meething as students conference on Feb. 7-8, 1997.
by: Jaime F. Alvarado
There are many people out in the world who do good deeds for others. These people share a passion for helping others who need help. They make the initiative to go out into our communities and try to make a difference.
Such is the case with TAMIU student Elda Gongora.
Elda, a University Student Ambassador, tries hard to make sure that all disabled students at school are taken care of. She herself has also fallen prey to disability. Her unfortunate blindness can be very deceiving because although she has lost one of life's precious gifts, she can easily prove that she has more vision than any of us could account for.
Refusing to let her disability become an obstacle, Elda has gotten the most she possibly can out of life. She is very active in both school and community activities. At LCC, Elda graduated at the top of her class with a 4.0 GPA. She was nominated for the Who's Who and Academic Achievement Awards while at LCC. Elda is also a member of the Transition Coalition Team, a group organized to help inform the disabled with information about colleges and universities. She was also named to the South Texas Advisory Board for the Texas Commission for the Blind. This group raises awareness that there is a system out there which assists the blind. As a student Ambassador, Elda assumes a leadership role in univesity activities.
Elda helps disabled students fit into university life and encourages them to continue their education. "I'd like to see all of the disabled people educated and being productive", adds Elda. There are close to 50 disabled students currently enrolled at either LCC or TAMIU. Awareness is the key to promoting education among the disabled. Services such as El Metro Lift provide transportation to and from school. University facilities which assist the blind such as ramps and handicap-accessible restrooms help provide for an invitable atmosphere for our disabled. "The grounds for the disabled at our university are very comfortable," says Elda.
It is good to see that someone cares about our population. Elda can be an inspiring person to many. It is at these moments which we must look at ourselves and value our life's importance. As for Elda, one can just be fascinated with the vision which lies in her heart; this vision which makes her see things than most of us never could.
It is a new year, and time to reflect upon change. Some changes we enjoy while other changes we dislike. This university is dynamic - as it is supposed to be, changing quickly in some ways while not so quickly in other ways, and that change is in the eye of the beholder.
Old friends depart, to hopefully better and bigger things, new friends are made during the time we are here. I have been hard on the student population, exhorting them to get involved with their university, because it is their university. It is now time to recognize the students that have given their time and effort to add value to this entity, not in effort to be noticed, but to humbly build organizations for others to enjoy and learn. Those students who find or make time amongst their studies and employment, because far too many students choose only to attend classes, complain, and party.
The International Student Association (ISA) has actively reached out to new students before they arrive in Laredo. Now many of our new friends have someone ready to help them become acclimatized to the University and to Laredo. These new students often have to establish apartments which require kitchen utensils and some furnishings. Many departing students throw away these same items because there is no space to store these items. May be this can be remedied this year.
The International Business Association (IBA) continues to provide business students a group to join and actively participate in events designed to incorporate them into the business world. The American Production and Inventory Control society, The Society for Transportation and Logistics, the Accounting Association and the American Marketing Association are open to new members.
There are numerous other student organizations that have not been mentioned, not because they are not good organizations, but that I have not had the time to experience them or gain them as friends. I encourage the new students to try a few of these organizations and find the one where you become an active participant.
The Student Government Association has continued to mature. This group in particular should not agree on much - when the government is too pleasant, one should be concerned. But they do function and have accomplished many task in support of you, the student.
These students should be recognized for their efforts to provide for others and try to make your university a better place.
It is also time that I depart The Bridge as Editor-in-Chief and make way for new people to bring in new direction for this newspaper. It has been a challenge and it has been fun. My thanks to everyone who made it possible for this newspaper to serve the population at TAMIU and the community.
Last week, as I was walking in the parking lot of the university, I saw a couple in a car. The male was physically hitting the female in the car. I just kept walking, and I didn't report it, or even tell anyone about it. I was also short on time, but it has been on my mind. What do you think I should have done?
Signed, Guilt Filled
I'm surprised! After all the publicity on female abuse, you didn't do anything! You could have memorized the license plate, make and color of the car and reported it to any employee of TAMIU, so they could call the police. Also, you could have just simply gone to the library counter and reported the incident. Believe me, you would have felt much better about yourself.
There is a student in one of my classes that always interrupts the professor during his lecture, be it a joke about the subject or just trying to be funny. The class is only 75 minutes long, and this is frustrating me and other students in my class. How would you recommend I tell him without it affecting my grade? He seems to like that particular student's interruptions.
Signed, Frustrated at TAMIU
Ease up! Were the jokes at least funny? If you are concerned about testing time, make an appointment with him during his office hours. Most professors are good about keeping their office hours. If there is something you are not comprehending, go talk to your professor about it, after all, they're there to help you.
Are you frustrated? Do you need advice, and don't know who to turn to? Well, now you can write to Dear Tami at The Bridge c/o journalism@tamiu.edu or the Bridge, Dept ESFA, 5201 University Blvd., Laredo, Tx 78041. You can remain anonymous if you wish.
Tami is not a licensed counselor nor is she a professional psychologist.
by James Kirchenbauer
We have all heard and witnessed this subject on how Laredoans drive many times over. Some people are tired of having people tell them how to drive their vehicles. Yet this topic has to be mentioned once again.
As I am not a native Laredoan, I am amazed beyond belief how drivers believe they are on the Indy 500 race track. With posted speed limit signs and the presence of the Laredo Police officers, people accelerate to double the limit. While these individuals believe they are not hurting anyone, one only has to look at police reports on the rising numbers of speeding tickets and, worse of all, deaths caused by speeding. I read the newspaper daily and watch the news nightly and the unbelievable references to speeding is alarming.
There will be people who will respond with, "if you don't like it, move." The only response I can give is that this is my home and if we aren't careful on our streets, someone else is going to lose their mother, sister, wife, or daughter.
The speed limits signs were put there for a reason. Slow down, Laredo. Nothing is that important that you have to speed to get there.
Career Planning and Placement offices are often overlooked until you absolutely, positively, need something from them, right then and there, with no minute to spare because you graduated yesterday. By then - it's probably too late get even adequate services. Don't miss out on opportunities that could change the direction of your life. The Career Planning and Placement (CP&P) office at TAMIU recommends....
In your first year at TAMIU:
• First and most importantly, get to know the friendly staff & growing
services at Career Planning and Placement.
• Focus on researching ALL you can about your career field. Use the
Career Resource Center in CP&P as a starting point.
• Collect, analyze, and evaluate information concerning your personality,
abilities, skills, values, interests, academic training and life experiences
(with the help of a friendly career counselor and the tools available).
• Set up a time to meet with a Career Counselor to put together a
personalized plan for the coming years. Make sure you address the following
questions:
What do I want to do?
What can I do?
What do I need to improve myself?
What do I need to get the job I want after graduation?
• Consider working part-time while studying and/or during your Summer
break. You'll gain work EXPERIENCE and SKILLS, plus earn money toward your
university expenses.
• Begin to develop your computer skills as of THIS MOMENT. Know
wordprocessing, open an e-mail account, familiarize yourself with the internet!
Sophomore year
Getting the info you need:
• Read information about the world of work, office politics, career
advancement, coming trends, etc.
• Begin to develop your resume, set networking goals, put together a
sample cover letter. CP&P has samples and/or can assist with all of these.
• Set up informational interviews by using CAN (Career Aspirations Network)
to investigate different fields of interest.
• Participate in the Mentor program. You'll be paired with a professional
who can answer questions with first hand experience.
• Work with a faculty member who is willing to help with your career
aspirations.
• Participate in a Career Planning Group session or similar program.
• Join field-related student organizations to feel out different majors,
develop leadership skills, and attend career related events.
• Check out Global Opportunities (this year it is April 15th & is
a combined Teacher/Job/Career Fair) in the Spring semester. This fair brings
employers, programs, and schools from all around the country. Identify early
on who you'd like to work for and what you should be preparing for. You might
even find internship or Summer opportunities.
Junior Year
Trying for the best fit:
• Plan for an internship in your field - make yourself marketable for
jobs after graduation & test drive the field.
• Attend our different job preparation workshops (don't be afraid to
ask us to custom make one for you or your group!)
• Consider advanced degrees for your immediate future or after more
work experience. Even if this is not your chosen route, you will have made
an informed decision.
• Schedule mock interviews and practice answers to tough interview
questions.
• Network! Network! Network!
• Use the internet for current career information. Subscribe to a listserv
focusing on your field.
• Gather information about the workplace and potential barriers that
you may face as an employee. Prepare to overcome them and turn them into
opportunities for growth.
• Establish a resume file in our FirstPlace! database by using the Disc
Resume (available at the TAMIU bookstore with a signed clearance slip from
CP&P).
Finally - Senior year:
• Discuss career possibilities with faculty, friends, counselors,
acquaintances, and network contacts. Talk to everybody you can - they may
be able to assist you in your job search
• Commit yourself to a THOROUGH job search. Schedule on-campus recruitment
and company interviews with as many employers as possible.
• Use the Career Resource Center to find companies & firms actively
recruiting job candidates or contact to those you are interested in.
• Establish a credential file if you are an education major or in the
humanities.
• Accept the job that best fits your career, professional, and personal
needs.
• Develop and work on a checklist of areas to address in making your
transition from college to the workplace (or graduate school).
• Perform effectively, be a team member, support your manager, and move
up or challenge yourself in the organization.
As an Alumni member of TAMIU:
Use Career Planning and Placement for all of the services offered to current
students. Graduation does not mean you are no longer a part of the TAMIU
family - your resume can still be referred (of course, you need to be registered
first), workshops have a standing open invitation to you, the Career Resource
Center will have vacancy binders available for your browsing, etc.
As part of this family, though, we need you as a resource for our current students, too. You can serve as a reference point for students or organizations seeking information through CAN (Career Aspirations Network). And later on when you are more established in your field, you might consider serving as a Mentor for sophmore and upper-level students. Lastly, TAMIU students make excellent employees - after all, you did great. Don't forget TAMIU students for your permanent vacancy or internship needs.
As we leave you this month:
Our intent is to provide a monthly column for your general benefit. Obviously,
different people will use different services at different times and for different
purposes. Some of you will be coming in as transfers and others as graduate
students, yet others as part-time evening students - this model can't apply
to everyone but will hopefully get you thinking about the importance of planning
your career goals and shaping your own future.
Our own goals are to provide you with the best service we can. We welcome suggestions and invite you to participate in improving our services. You will note that this semester we ask that you "sign in" and indicate at every visit what resource you have used. Please don't forget to do so.
Also, we are trying to get the word out in different ways. We have started a "pseudo listserv" that provides weekly updates on what's new at CP&P (contact Kriztella Lopez to "subscribe" at KriZtella@tamiu.edu) AND we have begun to update our website (http://www.tamiu.edu/affairs/career.htm) to include our semester schedule and will soon be adding program applications (contact Viky Garcia at vgarcia@tamiu.edu for corrections & link suggestions).
Stop by and visit KL 157 - we want you to succeed!
If you/your organization want to add/request information or our services, please call us at 326- 2260.
Phase II of the Texas A&M International University campus will be dedicated in outdoor ceremonies Friday, Feb. 21 at 2 p.m. The event is an official part of the Centennial Celebration of the George Washington's Birthday Celebration.
Phase II will add four new buildings to Texas' newest four-year University.
Included are: a Kinesiology building (55,682 gross square feet); Business Administration building (44,685); an Arts and Humanities and Nursing complex, (44,755) and a physical plant building (17,272). The total square footage for Phase II is 162,394.
Two Phase II buildings are named in recognition of the generous support provided by University donors. The Arts and Humanities and Nursing building will be known as Canseco Hall in honor of the late Dr. F. M. Canseco.
The Business Administration building will be known as Pellegrino Hall in honor of Anthony J. and Georgia A. Pellegrino.
Architects for the project are Ford, Powell and Carson, Inc. and Kell Muñoz Wigodsky, a joint venture firm based in San Antonio and also responsible for Phase One of the new campus.
Contractor for the project is San Antonio-based Bartlett Cocke, Inc. The project cost is $30 million. Martin J. Garza is Project Manager.
Architect's Project manager is Bruce Sasse. Project architect is Ronnie Biediger. Members of the Facilities Planning Division, Texas A&M University also scheduled for completion in 1997 is a privatized student housing initiative known as University Village being constructed by American Campus Lifestyles of Austin.
The $5.1 million complex will include four housing buildings and a commons building that will provide housing for 250-plus students in an apartment-style setting. They will be located on the west side of the campus in a private wooded area.
By Zhao Ying
After I got my visa to the United States of America for study, many questions arose. It would be the first time visiting the States. Thinking of the totally different cultures, languages and circumstances, I felt scared and excited. What kind of city is Laredo? Through the internet and other information sources, I knew Laredo was a hot city. But I was still not sure about the clothes in my suitcase. How could I reserve a dorm or a house? How much would accommodations cost? How would I arrive to my house or hotel from the airport?
Who could help me? I tried to find a friend but had no friend in Laredo or even in Texas, in fact. At that moment, I received a letter from the Association of International Students at Texas A&M International University. I could not believe that the letter just answered all my questions! The warm words really gave me the hope of a happy time in TAMIU. The tradition of waiting at the airport is what every foreign student wants. An idea of the sort of clothing to bring along is a considerate suggestion. The convenient and reasonable-price accommodation is the first thing a non-Laredo student faces. I will not be embarrassed at an International Festival as I have gotten some ideas from the letter. Also, the new friends are ready to help me. How wonderful the helpful letter is!
The result was a real surprise. Mr. Vermilyea and Miss Yulee Wu welcomed me at the Laredo Airport even at midnight during the Christmas holiday. I settled down very quickly in my room, reserved by the Association of International Students in advance, the second day after I arrived in Laredo. I feel at home here at TAMIU and Laredo as I am so lucky to have so many warmhearted friends of the Association of International Students in Texas A&M International University.
By Elda Gonqora
Like Water Chocolate by Laura Esquivel was published in 1989, by seventh Dimension Entertainment Company, Incorporated. The English version was published in 1992, by Doubleday. Although Laura writes this story to a general audience, I feel it should be read by adults only because it has vivid descriptions of sex. This story is told by Tita's great-niece; Tita is the main character. This story takes place during the beginning of the twentieth century while the Mexican revolution was taking place in a ranch near Piedras Negras, a small town on the Mexican side of the Texas/Mexican border. Laura writes this story in monthly installments which center around a recipe. These recipes contain romance and home remedies. Laura tells Tita's life story through twelve recipes from the time she is born until her death. Since Tita is not allowed to marry, her mother's family practices a tradition which calls for the youngest daughter to remain single and care for her mother. This tradition is very burdensome on Tita, especially since she falls in love with Pedro, who upon asking for Tita's hand is given the oldest daughter's hand instead. This causes her tremendous grief which is revealed through her recipes.
The first chapter calls for Christmas rolls, which include sardines, chorizos, oregano and chile serranos. Through this recipe Laura tells how Tita is born. Even before Tita is born, she weeps inside her mother's womb. This happened one day while Doña Elena, Tita's mother, was chopping onions on the kitchen table. Tita is said to have been weeping so loud that she caused Doña Elena to begin early labor on the kitchen table. A few days later, Tita's father dies causing Doña Elena's breast milk to dry from grieving. Nacha, the cook, is in charge of bringing up Tita, which she does entirely in the kitchen. Because Tita grew up in the kitchen, she developed a sixth sense for food. Nacha teaches Tita every trick she knows about cooking. Tita becomes an excellent cook. When Nacha dies, joyously Tita takes over the kitchen duties.
Tita is able to express herself through her recipes. Her feelings reflect themselves through her cooking. For example, she cried while she was baking what was to be the wedding cake for Pedro and her sister, Rosaura's, wedding. Her tears were mixed with the frosting, and the moment the wedding guests "took the first bite of the cake, everyone was flooded with a great wave of longing, even Pedro usually so proper, was having trouble holding back his tears. Mama Elena who hadn't shed a share tear over her husband's death, was sobbing silently. But the weeping was just the first symptom of a strange intoxication, an acute attack of pain and frustration that seized the guests and scattered them across the patio, and the grounds and the bathroom, all of them wailing over lost love." These were her feelings during the baking of the cake. This continues throughout the book, her emotions are reflected in her cooking. When her nephew, Pedro and Rosaura's son, dies, Tita becomes ill and recovers after being fed soup.
Even though Pedro is married to Rosaura, he and Tita are still in love. Doña Elena dies, but still continues to haunt Tita. One day Tita stands up to her, and from then on, she is able carry out a romantic affair with Pedro. Rosaura eventually dies leaving Tita and Pedro to enjoy their romance. When Pedro's daughter marries, Tita and Pedro make love with such intensity that they both die.
Laura Esquivel uses a lot of imagination in writing this book. Once I began reading it, I couldn't put it down. Laura creates life from Tita's recipes. She does it with so much intensity that I laughed through most of the book.
Early Twentieth Century Mexican culture is reflected throughout the book. Some examples of culture are: Doña Elena is portrayed as a matron, overpowering, and in charge of the ranch and of her family; the point made of Rosaura embroidering a wedding night sheet with a hole in it, in other words, women did not show their bodies; a group of Pancho Villa's men arriving at the ranch with intentions of raiding it for anything eatable; the tradition of La Candelaria, the tradition of raising baby Jesus from the nativity scene, and also baking a cake with a little baby Jesus inside of it; the idea that the daughters had to be accompanied by an adult whenever they left the house.
Incidentally, when Laura wants to laugh, she makes us laugh and laugh, when she wants us to hate, she also does it with intensity. One such example, is Doña Elena's treatment of Tita, she is so demanding with her that she had me hating her from the beginning of the book. And in laughing, when Laura described reaction to one of Tita's meals, "but something strange was happening to Gertrudes, on her the food seemed to act as an aphrodisiac. She began to feel a strange heat pulsing through her limbs, an itch in the center of her body kept her from sitting properly in her chair. She began to sweat imagining herself on horseback with her arms clapped around one of Pancho Villa's men." And the ending is exaggerated so much it seemed that it went on and on and on. After Tita and Pedro make love, they both die. But that's not enough for Laura, the ranch ignites on fire, a volcano erupts and destroys everything on the ranch. Well not everything is destroyed; Tita's cookbook survives and is found by her great niece who appears to have Tita's love for cooking. It seems that Laura ends this book so as to leave it open for a sequel.
By Cordelia "Cordy" Nieto
If the late wordsmith, Ernest Hemingway, were alive today, he probably would have ordered a stiff drink after viewing Richard Attenborough's film "In Love and War." Attenborough's film adaptation seeks to pay homage to Ernest Hemingway's "A Farewell to Arms"; however, the film falls short of its expectations, with its typecasting, weak plot, and unconvincing love scenes.
The two main characters seem displaced. Ernest Hemingway is wrongfully played by Chris O' Donnell, who shows little enthusiasm in his role and does not succeed in exuding the spirit of the renowned Hemingway. O' Donnell seems flustered and lacks the dramatic skill to portray the late author. Sandra Bullock does little better in her role as Hemingway's nurse and older love interest. Throughout the film, Bullock seems fixated on demonstrating her position as a medical professional, as she is constantly shown wearing various medical attire. Furthermore, Bullock and O' Donnell lack the necessary chemistry to captivate the audience and do not make an ideal couple.
"In Love and War" quickly heads for disaster with its predictable and weak plot. Hemingway and his nurse engage in a love affair which is destined to fall, due to their respective differences. Among those is the disparity in their ages, level of maturity, and their conflicting views of the future. The difference in ages between Hemingway and his love interest is overemphasized, but this fact seems irrelevant, as both actors playing their respective roles are not the age they are
portraying. Also, it is difficult to determine if either Hemingway or his nurse is mature enough to handle being in a relationship with one another, since both seem to tread toward the path of love blindly. In addition, both main characters seem indecisive in their actions and look to the future from different viewpoints. Hemingway believes there will be a bright future ahead for him as he matures and marries his lady love, but his nurse only sees the perils of war and its wounded. Opposites are supposed to attract, but not in this film. Touted as a classic love story, all "In Love and War" delivers is two actors awkwardly trying to muddle through their scenes.
The brief stabs at humor are a welcome relief, but too short-lived, as the plot focuses on the feelings of the two main characters and little else. The only outstanding part of the film is the graphic cinematography of the war scenes. One can almost smell the gunpowder and foul stench of the dead. Moreover, the somber music, deep trenches, and the reenactment of the mass burials add to the film's realistic depiction of the atrocities experienced by many soldiers. Also, the ending is effective. It is the only time in the film where one can see the anguish and consternation O' Donnell and Bullock must be feeling in parting forever.
Overall, "In Love and War" is not worth your hard earned dough. Potential viewers should save their money on the film and read the book the film is based on; at least that will be two hours well-spent, and your imagination will surpass the film's limitations.
By Lara Alina Mardiros
Sweet child black and blue
To whom love confused
Your youth - a waltz of inferior strength
Broken skin, stolen heart - damages undenied
Rings of black rings of blue
Circles, circles circling you
Sweet child black and blue
Your hunger, your fire destroyed in a blink
Black and blue - there's no limit or beginning to you
You are a song that silences
A resonance in the wind
Vibrating your sadness by and by
A remembrance of the sin
They colored on your skin
Sweet child black and blue
by Andrew Andrews
At those moments and times when my memory failed to serve me in the importance of my honor and trust, the quality of joy I commonly experience decreases. Only then was I able to fully appreciate the meaning behind these two powerful words. Without the support of these two words my judgement resulted in error and what was made were mistakes In those momentary lapses of memory people got hurt including myself. The irrepairable damage I caused left people scarred for life. I can only hope that in time the indifferences I created may be reconciled.
What I feel is important to remember about honor and trust is once we've acquired, and are able to maintain these two admirable qualities, they may never be stripped away, without one putting their own reputation at stake, and will be as plain to see as clear light in complete darkness.
My experience has shown me what's in constant scrutiny is our wills intent. Whats helped me to check the intent of my will has been by the rememberance of one simple phrase: "DO UNTO OTHERS AS YOU WOULD HAVE THEM DO UNTO YOU.