Heat and I...

Are like oil and water - we just don't play nice together. To quote one of my favourite fictional characters, I hate heat. I detest heat. I view heat with the most abhorrence. Granted, he was talking about boats, but you get my drift.

People think it strange since I was born and raised in the tropics, where it was summer almost three-quarter of the year and the country's version of 'winter' was rainy season. But I sincerely dislike heat. How much I hate thee, let me count the ways:

1. I hate hate HATE the way it struck me in the face, first thing in the morning, when I walk to the garage to get into the car. It's stifling, like getting into a sauna when wearing three layers of clothing.

2. I hate the fact that the car gets heated up within MINUTES of being parked outside, and when you get into the car... see point above.

3. I detest the fact that I perspire heavily within a few minutes of walking under the blazing sun. Good if I'm wearing sports gear, but with a nice work dress and heels - TORTURE!

4. Whilst we're still on the subject of attire, let me point out that summer restricts my work clothing choices. One of my... aim (because putting this as a New Year's resolution is a bit lame, I think) this year is to accessorise more, and to have a more polished appearance. For this purpose, I have bought those chunky belts I can wrap around a nice work dress to give said dress a different, chic look; I have bought some dangling necklaces I can wrap around my neck; I have even replenished my supply of pantyhoses. Wearing these in summer, with the sweat trapped on the places you've put additional layers, give me rashes in the most uncomfortable places.

5. Being in the sun, even for a short period of time, put me in danger of nursing one hell of pounding headache. No, I would go one step further and say that driving with my eyes squinting against the mid-afternoon sun would put me in danger of having a pounding headache.

6. The sun saps all my energy. I feel more lethargic in summer, despite being couped up in an air-conditioning building all day. I feel doggedly tired, almost unable to face the day as soon as I woke up. For this reason, I avoid doing any strenuous activities, or even doing chores around the house, until the sun goes down. I have even gone as far as avoiding being in direct contact with the sun in any way possible, including galavanting to the nearest shopping centre during my lunch break, even though I know that such change in scenery is good for the mind.

7. The sun also plays a big part in stalling my inspiration. Somehow, making cards when the late afternoon sun is shining so brightly through the window of my arts and crafts room is less-than-appealing. Writing with the sun coming through the glass of the front door is distracting rather than comforting.

8. The summer sun doesn't go down until 6:30 in the evening. What the hell? Come on now - it's 6:30PM - it's NIGHT TIME. Night time DOESN'T have sun!

Perhaps the only thing I like about summer is the opportunity to go for a swim, though even then, I instinctively look for the shade, not wanting to get sunburnt...