February, Please Fly By

This month, the shortest of the 12, is dragging on for me. It's been a month with too many tasks to do and too many sad events to deal with.

I do not like being "over booked." I like to stay busy, but not so busy I can't catch up with my "to do" list and take a little breather. Some of the busyness has been my own doing, but some is just life happening. For the most part, I have good time management skills. However, it there is too much to fill the hours, where is the time to manage?

First, I must scale back a little. I have taken on too many online classes, so I am looking forward to 2 of them finishing the end of the month. An online class is just as much (if not more) work than a face to face class for the instructor.

Second, I must slowly catch up on reading/commenting on blogs (and blog report #1), reading all the interview notes/questions (I am almost done), then offering feedback on all the interview essay drafts. These are fun to read but take time.

Third, I have a number of house projects that need attention. They have been put on hold since last summer due to lack of time. Day to day life is crazy enough w/o all the extra projects to work on.

Fourth, this month started just after my cat died, and on Feb. 6, my mother-in-law passed away. It's been difficult to deal with all of this sadness, but life does go on. I hope we can make our lives as full and productive as possible. I don't want to regret what I have and have not done.

Now, I look forward to this next weekend in Ft. Lauderdale seeing my family and watching my husband run a marathon. I wish I could leave all my work here, but I will have to log in to all my classes over the weekend.

I will breathe a sigh of relief when the calendar changes to March. Spring break, then official spring, will be right around the corner...no March Madness for me (except the basketball games).

Sweet Gabriel

Some of you know that one of my family's cats, Gabe, got sick last fall. He had a recurrence of fatty liver disease (he originally had a bout with it in Dec. 2006). He started to improve, but around New Year's Day relapsed and did not recover. We lost him on Jan. 25.

Losing a pet is very painful. I grow so attached to my pets, that the loss leaves a void and sadness in my life. Gabe, a beautiful orange and white tabby (a Garfield lookalike) was with us for nine years. He was a stray that we adopted as a kitten literally off the streets in the Azores. He loved to eat, especially chicken and tuna; my husband encouraged him to beg (as a dog might). As we left the house, he would watch us from the window, then greeted us at the door when we returned home.

He played with our other cat, Shadow, and treated him like a younger brother. He also liked to chase the laser light and nap in patches of sun. Gabe was very protective. When a neighbor cat came into our yard, he hissed and growled. Also, he was a snuggler and bed hog, often taking up a third of our king-size bed with his stretched out body.

Gabe, we'll miss you.

Spring Semester Has Arrived

I hope all of you starting classes have a good spring semester. The break went quickly for me, and I never feel 100% ready for classes to start.

My English 102 classes will be starting their blogs this week. So, again, I am blogging with them. Our first entry should be somewhat of an introduction. Here is my introduction...

My name is Denise Keller. Please call me Denise (if you feel comfortable) or Mrs. Keller. I earned a Master of Arts in English/Professional Writing from University of Alaska Fairbanks and a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism/PR.

I hope everyone will become better writers from where they are now. I would ideally like to have a class of questioners, who dig into topics and strive to learn more, strive to write better, and strive to be a supportive community.

Some of my favorite topics to read and write about are food, cooking, fitness, and education. I enjoy writing profile essays/articles. I am concerned about the health and wellness of people, the food system in the U.S., and our education system.

I have taught here at SWIC for more than 7 years. I have taught Journalism, English and Literature courses here as well as served on various committees, such as faculty development and textbook committees. In addition to teaching here, I teach online courses for other colleges, which keeps me very busy.

My hobbies include reading, cooking, trying new restaurants, and socializing with friends. I enjoy watching movies and a number of TV shows. My top favorite TV shows are Chuck, The Big Bang Theory, The Good Wife, American Idol, Burn Notice, and The Closer.

I have been married for 24+ years and have 2 boys, both in college. They both attended SWIC before transferring to SIUE and SIU.

Describe yourself in 3 words: inquisitive, caring, and hopeful. I am inquisitive because I want to know more. I believe in life-long learning. That is one reason I enjoy reading. I am currently reading a mystery, Fatally Flaky, by Diane Mott Davidson. Usually, I am reading a couple books at the same time. Besides books, I read the newspaper every morning (the paper paper) as well as read news and other articles online. I think I read more online although I prefer paper.

If anyone has questions for me, please ask. I look forward to getting to know each of you this semester.

New Decade, New Year, New Month, New Day...

New Year's Day--such a fresh start. I woke up to a clear, cold, sunny day. I felt invigorated, especially after drinking my grande cafe mocha (made at home, not at Starbucks) while doing the Sudoku puzzle from the newspaper. The 4-star puzzle required my using little numbers to complete. But for someone who spends so much time dealing with words, I enjoy the challenge of the number puzzle.

I am debating whether I should make any resolutions. I am no good at keeping them (like so many other people). What I most want from this year is to enjoy each day, spend quality time with family and friends, do my best in my job, and be generally healthy (body, mind, spirit). I will not make a list of "things to do in 2010" and try to check off items every week or month. I don't need added pressures and stresses in my life. I will not obsess over a number on the scale. Feeling good is better than achieving a weight or waist size.

I do want to make the most of my time, finish reading all the books I have started, try new foods and new restaurants, and see some new places. I can do all that without making a list.

What I am looking forward to this year are some milestones. My husband and I will celebrate our 25th anniversary in November. Our older son is graduating college in May (he is finishing in 4 years--yea!). Our younger son will turn 20--no longer a teenager. In May will be 25 years since I graduated college with my bachelor's degree and 15 years since I earned my master's degree.

You may think that admitting all these show my age, but I have earned every wrinkle and every creaking bone. I'm not THAT old yet. And I don't want to be 20 or 25 again. I am much happier, much more content with myself that I was in my 20's. It's okay to get older.

I wish all of you the best year -- be happy with who you are, be the best person you can be, be truly happy.

Finally over--now for Happy Holidays

I finished grades on Friday. When I clicked "save" on the last set of grades, I did breathe a sigh of relief. The semester had some high points and some challenges. It's a little bittersweet. I got to know many great students and read some wonderful writing. I will miss seeing you all in my classes next semester.



A few "lucky" students will be in my Lit 215 class. Thanks Laura and Jessica for signing up. It's a fun class. There's still a few slots left if anyone else wants to join.



I loved John's "how to survive a zombie attack" movie. When I watched it on youtube, I appreciated all the work he put into it. Thanks, John.



Overall, the blogs were funny and inspirational, through them I got to know most of you better than I did my classes that did not do blogs. I hope the New Year brings peace, happiness, good health, and energy to face spring semester.



I will miss seeing Mere walk in to class late because she went to the wrong classroom, again. It's okay. I have done it too. So many of you came to class with smiles and good attitudes. Good luck to all who are transferring to other schools and continuing your education (including Angela C., Mere, and Tiffany).



I am wishing Megan W. an easy labor and healthy baby girl. Send pics! Brandi--good luck planning your wedding. I am sure it will be wonderful.

Thanks to who all participated so well in our class discussions and WebCT discussions. You all added so much to the class (and kept me from talking too much).


I hope to see many of you around campus in January. Happy Happy Holidays to each of you, however you celebrate.

Think about those less fortunate

I often say "thanks" for what I have been blessed with. Today especially I am glad for heat in my home (even though I am currently in a very chilly office) and food in my fridge and pantry.

Many of us I know struggle to get to class, provide for our families and continue our education. I read an article today that may make some of our day-to-day challenges a little less difficult. In the Washington Post on Tuesday, Dec. 8, was the article "For homeless students, each day is a test." Here is the link (I hope it still works): http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/07/AR2009120702414.html

I can't imagine working on a college degree while living in a homeless shelter. Wow!

Let's count our blessings and even be grateful for the job with demanding hours, the difficult boss, the temperamental car, the house or apartment with small problems.

Thanks to all of you who have struggled with illness, transportation issues, crazy work schedules, personal/family problems, and computer/Internet issues. We are nearly done with this semester. Let's hope for a saner, safer, healthier, quieter New Year and spring semester.

Memphis Weekend

An enjoyable, yet tiring weekend is coming to an end. Friday afternoon, my friend Kelly picked me up at 3:45 p.m. and we left for Memphis. Our husbands and two other couples were already there. We stopped in St. Genevieve for dinner at Olive Garden, which was relaxing (and a decidedly wonderful change from the quick fast food pit stop on a road trip). Following dinner we treated ourselves to Starbucks hot chocolate.

We arrived in Memphis at 10 p.m. and our husbands helped us unload our stuff from the car. We stayed at the Comfort Inn Downtown. Our room had a view of the river and the Pyramid.

Saturday morning came early with a 5 a.m. wake-up call. We rolled out of bed and put on layers of clothes in preparation for the race. Steve (my husband), Daryl (Kelly's husband), Nan, and Ruben (my brother-in-law) were running the 1/2 marathon; Nan's husband Doug was doing the full marathon; Kelly, Sandy (my sister-in-law), and I were doing the 5K. The temp at 5:30 was only 24 degrees.

After a small breakfast at the hotel, we walked the 6 blocks to the start for the 5K, which began at 7:15 a.m. The other events started at 8 a.m. We walked to try to stay warm (although my toes were numb the whole time) and only jogged at the beginning (had to look cool) and the end. For someone who doesn't compete and train much, I did fine: 55 min. 28 seconds. I even got a medal and a T-shirt (which I gave to my husband; it was much too big on me).

We then darted through a throng of marathoners to cross the street to get to Starbucks (my reward for a job done). Then we went back to the finish area (at the baseball stadium) to watch everyone else finish. It was still cold and we had to move around to stay somewhat warm. Once Doug finished (nearly 4 hours), we finally headed back to hotel for hot showers.

We went to Grill 83 for lunch (had a bowl of spicy seafood gumbo--yummy). Then I took a well-deserved nap. That evening we had dinner at Majestic Grill (on Main St.), an old theater converted to a restaurant but still had the big screen where they show movies). Excellent food all around--ribs, pasta, burgers), and I had a glass of Spanish wine that was smooth and delicious. Following dinner, we walked around downtown and headed to Beale Street. We found a place to listen to live Blues music and have dessert (blueberry cheesecake for us).

After breakfast this morning, we headed back home. A good weekend--cold and tiring but worth it to spend time with family and friends. I know this next weekend will be busy with grading papers and some Christmas decorating.

I love Memphis, but I need to visit in the late spring or summer. I still haven't been to Mud Island.