About Jennifer:
I grew up in New Lenox, Illinois. I graduated from the Kennedy-King College/UIC Dental Hygiene program in 1999, and am a Registered Dental Hygienist. I met my husband, Nezar Kassem, at UIC when we were both in our last year of school. In 2002, we moved from Naperville, IL to Mahomet, and opened Mahomet Family Dentistry. I worked full-time in the practice, until our daughter was born in 2004. Nezar and I have been married for 20 years, and we have 2 children. Emma is a sophomore and Andrew is in 6th Grade.
- How long have you lived in Mahomet, what has your experience been like and why did you move here?
I grew up in New Lenox, Illinois. I graduated from the Kennedy-King College/UIC Dental Hygiene program in 1999, and am a Registered Dental Hygienist. I met my husband, Nezar Kassem, at UIC when we were both in our last year of school. In 2002, we moved from Naperville, IL to Mahomet, and opened Mahomet Family Dentistry. I worked full-time in the practice, until our daughter was born in 2004. Nezar and I have been married for 20 years, and we have 2 children. Emma is a sophomore and Andrew is in 6th Grade.
- If you or a family member has been working from home, taking classes remotely, etc… what is the greatest benefit?
Our children experienced remote learning, and I think the greatest benefits have been that they’ve both become better at independent time management and organizational skills. They had to be more diligent with keeping track of assignments and the deadlines to have them submitted. When learning was fully remote and hybrid, they had to be responsible for getting logged into classes on time. They have also both been better at communicating through email with their teachers, and have taken on more independence with that aspect. These are skills that they can use and apply to many future endeavors.
- How did you cope with the freezing temperatures we had in February 2021?
February definitely was a cold one! We basically stayed inside as much as possible!
- Did you or your family do any kind of winter activities, if yes what was it?
We haven’t really done any regular winter activities this year. The kids went sledding once and we’ve shoveled a number of times.
- What are your thoughts on the pandemic after having experienced it for a year?
It has been a long and difficult road to navigate. It has been heartbreaking to see the sickness and loss that has occurred as a result of the pandemic. Our lives have been changed forever, but I’m hopeful and optimistic for what our post-pandemic future will look like.
- What’s the most important thing you have learned from 2020?
The most important thing that I have learned from 2020, is to always strive be living in the present moment. Don’t wait to take that trip or spend time with family and friends, because things can drastically change in an instant.
- Do you have a bucket list? If yes, what are the top three items?
I’ve never really had a general bucket list, but I’ve always had a travel bucket list. Lots of places still to see in the United States, Italy, and Ireland- are just some of what is on the list.
- What’s your favorite time of the day and why?
My favorite time of the day is early evening/after dinner, because all of the cooking/cleaning up is completed for the day, and I can truly relax with my family and not be thinking about the next thing that needs to be done!
- What’s your favorite book/tv/movie?
Book: The Help,
TV: The Crown, The Office, Alaska the Last Frontier
Movie: A Christmas Story- It’s the only movie I watch every year!
- What’s your definition/meaning of life?
My definition/meaning of life- Yikes! That’s a tough one. I would say, to live your life with intention and purpose. And to live out that purpose in a way that will be beneficial to society and will feel meaningful to you.
