Turning on the Computer

I arrive home from a fabulous yoga class.  A little sweaty from the walk home, but still feeling that post-yoga glow.  Then I spy the pile of papers to correct sitting on top of my laptop where I’d left them.  I groan.  I don’t  feel like working, but I pour myself a glass of water and get down to it.

When I get through the papers, it’s time to fire up the laptop and check my RSS reader, finish planning, and comment on my students’ blogs.  Again, I groan.  Don’t get me wrong, I like these tasks, but we spent ALL DAY in front of a laptop yesterday for class, and then I spent a while longer on Facebook and Skype.  I’m tired of staring at a computer screen, even if it’s for fun!

Let’s get it over with.  I ease open the laptop, push the start button, and start to look through my papers for the checklist I use to keep track of blog posts.

When I glance up, I’m faced with the charming smile of my niece, my new desktop photo.  She’s wearing the dress I sent her from Bangkok, lying on a snuggly white blanket.  Her dark blue eyes are gazing off to the right, probably at her mom or dad, and her little hand is clenched at her side in a mini-fist.  She has reddish hair that is just starting to grow, and she looks delighted.  (Must be the dress.)

Turning on the computer isn’t so bad after all.