Keeping cool in this hot weather

The weather has been hot lately. Everyday when I go out even just for a short trip to the 7-11 just 7 minutes away, I'll come back all covered in sweat! Heck, even my cat drinks water a lot more now. It is just too hot and humid. Especially when there is no wind, it just makes you sticky all over.

Usually I don't turn on the aircon at night when I sleep, but the heat is just unbearable. I wake up all sweating on my back and neck because of that I have to change my bed covers more often. I am just waiting for the rain to come or some cool drizzle at least.

How many times I bathed today? Now it's my third and I think I will bathed again soon. If this goes on, I might have to bathe again just before I sleep.

Anyway, here's my tips on how to keep cool.

1) Drink lots of water
You have already lost a lot through perspiration, so don't forget to hydrate yourself. Preferably an ice cool drink with some added electrolites like 100 Plus, H-Two-O or Pocari Sweat. I usually mix my water with 100 plus. Ratio, 50:50


2) Avoid wearing clothes that retain or absorb heat
Wear lose clothing or less clothing. Be naked if you have to but please don't let anyone see you, you might be dragged to the nearest Mental Institution. Also, wear some light coloured clothing, avoid dark tones like black, dark grey, etc.

And if you going outdoors, it helps to apply some sunscreen.


3) Bathe without the water heater on
Switch off the water heater, now is the time to save some energy. Even in the mornings, the cool water keeps your body temperature down a lot longer and will make you feel more refreshed.


4) Open the windows
You need all let the warm air out and the cool breeze in. Open up your windows, just don't forget to close them when you change your clothes or if you decide to parade naked in your own home.


5) Use the fan or the air conditioner
This uses up a lot of energy, so use them wisely. Preferably, use a fan in the day and switch on the air con at night. Set a timer for the air-con so that you won't over use it. Also, keep the temperature range around 23~25 degrees Celsius. It saves energy and still keeps you cool at the same time.


6) Going out? Bring an umbrella
Let's face it, Singapore is not totally sheltered nor is it covered in a dome with a regulated temperature. Bring some shade on yourself with an umbrella or a headgear. I suggest use an umbrella, wearing a headgear like hats or caps might work against you. The heat on your head might be trapped, and you might feel a little dizzy after a while under the hot sun.


I hope these tips help. Phew.... I am sweating already. Have to bathe again now. Haha!

A phenomenon you won't see in sunny Singapore, multiple suns! (video and pics)

I got this email about a phenomenon in Russia. Although unique it is not uncommon over there. They called it the icebow. It looks pretty cool.


Wikipedia has a description of it:

"An icebow is phenomenon similar to a rainbow except that it is formed by the refraction of sunlight through cloud suspended ice crystals as opposed to raindrops or other liquid water suspended in the air. Generally the appearance is as arc sections as opposed to a full circle. Brighter sections usually occur above, below, and lateral to the center (where the sun is visible). These bright areas are referred to as "sun dogs," "parhelia" (plural), or mock suns because of their bright appearance and possible confusion with the actual location of the sun. Those icebows that are caused by very small ice crystals are one colour, because diffraction blurs the colours together. A 22 degree icebow has red on the inside and blue on the outside.

A diffraction disc or Airy disc has similar appearance, but is a disk, rather than a ring, and has a red border on the inside. Its size depends on the size of the ice or water particles that cause it. These are also known as coronas, but are not to be confused with the thin streaming luminous gas that makes up the sun's own corona."

Raining Cats and Dogs

Years back when I was in secondary school, I took up a workshop organised by my school. It was an English language workshop. It was something to prep ourselves for the 'O' Levels. The lecturer was this white man. He is a pretty good speaker, and very motivational. He pointed out the facts and fiction of using certain words in a sentence. I should say, his lecturer is much more fun and informative than my usual English lessons in school.

Anyway, I remembered when he was talking about the weather and how one can express in words about certain weathers in a country. He further explained the types of weather, you know like, autumn, winter, spring, summer.. and then he said that Singapore has 4 types of weathers. I was there thinking, "Huh?" and I think everyone had that kind of look on their faces. And he continued saying, "Yeah we do. It is either hot or hotter here or wet or wetter." Everyone laughed in agreement.

Haven't really seen a clear blue sky for a while. And I hope the clouds clear up soon. Would really like to see the sun shine. :)