Heat Wave

In case you haven't heard, we've been in the middle of a heat wave. My first experience with days and days of temperatures in the 100's and humidity not ever dropping below 50%. You know it's a hot day when the LOW is 92!!   So how do we survive without melting?  I'm not really sure.  And being a pretty frugal grad student, I'm not too keen on turning on my A/C very often.  So here are a few things I've learned:

When it's hot and humid outside:

1. Your most important accessory is a waterbottle. I keep 4 in the frig. The first thing I do in the morning is get up, grab a waterbottle and start drinking.  Who knows how many gallons I've sweat during the night...so it's important to start replenishing as soon as possible.

2. All food must be kept in the frig. Even food that you would never think would have to be refrigerated...well, it does. Chocolate chips.  Peanut butter.  Even crackers, sometimes.  

3. No need to invest in a towel warmer for your bathroom.  When you get out of your (intentionally) cold shower, you'll be enveloped by a nice warm fuzzy towel....whether you like it or not.

4. If you're stupid enough to be walking down the street at 1 PM, you'll wonder where all the people are, as it will look like a ghost town.  Sooner or later, you'll realize why: they're all inside in the A/C.

5. Don't expect to get anything done.  You will feel like you weigh 500 pounds more than normal and it will take 500 times the effort just to motivate yourself to get up.

6. Never go anywhere without a sweat rag.

7. It's probably not a bad idea to bring a change of clothes...at least a shirt...when you have to walk a ways....like, say, 2 blocks.

8. No need to invest in a gym membership.  Just make sure to opt for the stairs (to the 8th floor) every time you get home. You'll get a great sweat-filled work-out, and as an added bonus, if you're craving some sauna time, you need only walk outside. 

9. Never cross your legs while sitting. You'll soon have a collection of drips on both legs.

10. Early mornings are your friend. Well, they always were mine...but now even more so, as it's the coolest time of day. Furthermore, grocery stores that open at 6 AM are also your friend.  That way, you don't have to carry a gallon of milk home in the middle of the day, or even at 10 AM.   It's the simple things....

Needless to say, we're looking forward to Christmas in July here...and hoping that means there will be snow. Or cooler weather.  at least a day below 80.   or 90.     even 95.   Pretty much anything less than 109 would be awesome right now.