For some reason, I find myself thinking that after spending an hour on a treadmill, I should see immediate and stunning results.

Like, jump on the treadmill, run a few miles, and then jump off with 6-pack abs and a tanned body.  I'm not sure exactly how I would be getting this tan, but I should be getting it none-the-less. 

Somehow, that just never happens.

I have been spending much of the past few weeks either grading papers, or putting off grading papers.

I actually don't mind grading at all, it's not that bad once you get used to writing on someone else's paper, and once you get past the fact that you are making large groups of people angry at you for no fault but their own...after that it's all a breeze.

The hardest part of grading for me is actually getting started.  There sits about 100 papers all (I hope) thoughtfully written, and each paper represents at least a few hours of work (some a lot more and some a lot less).  Each paper represents a student's hope for a good grade...and every bad grade does hurt me to give.

I truly do want my students to work hard and see good results, to push past the idea that college writing is just a requirement and there is nothing they can learn from it.  I honestly believe that, if they can overcome their own presumptions about college writing, that I can help them communicate better...not just write words, but convey thoughts and meaning better.

I have to go, though, I have many more papers to grade, and when I go to class in a few minutes, I am taking up another set of papers.