Two posts in one day? Harraaam

I could put my laptop away and complete my lesson plans for tomorrow and the following day, but...there are better things to do. Like update my blog. For the second time today.

So I will start off by talking about the weather, like a good Canadian. When I'm home, people often ask about the temperature here in Kuwait, and I say, "oh, it's hot." Which they usually followed with "but it's a dry heat, right?" And, yes, I can say that usually it's a nice, dry, sauna-esque heat. But that's mostly during the mornings.

Late afternoon/evening is an entirely different story. Our sliding glass doors become covered in condensation and don't even THINK about taking a photo outside...the lens fogs up instantly. It is currently 38C here, with a humidex factor of 46C. Although for some reason, 46C in the humidex feels stupidly worse than 46C in a dry heat. But I will say this: it's a cheap alternative to buying a humidifier. And closer than the steam room at the gym. I just walked to the stationary store (about 5-6 minutes away) and my lungs are feeling strangely better.

Just ignore my sweat-soaked shirt...

toad + teenage boy + smelly cat = katie

So I've lost my voice. It disappeared Thursday morning and I have been trying to find it ever since. Unfortunately, nothing I do seems to help. I have been drinking water; drinking hot liquids (from coffee to tea to just plain hot water); sniffing VicksVapoRub in hot water; slathering Vicks on my chest, neck and back at night; sucking Strepsils like there's no tomorrow; sucking some random pill that the Boots pharmacist gave me; and getting lots of rest. (Although I see now that Vaporub is a decongestant which actually counteracts any good that I've been trying to do by dehydrating the throat. Oh joy.)

Last night we decided to finally put our 900$ gym membership to use...by using the jacuzzi and steam room. We arrived at the Holiday Inn and headed for the locker room - past the fitness desk and we did not come out for at least an hour. The fitness coordinators looked at us funny as we left the spa. Hey, 900$ for a year and a half of a hottub, sauna, steam room and pool (opening September 15)? Why not.

I normally wouldn't care so much about getting my voice back except that tomorrow, in 23 hours and 36 minutes, I will be teaching my first class of the new school year. My first class of Art 1. Yes, there is currently only one student registered in this class, but I still need to be able to TALK (at least a little). Or it will be a very quiet 55 minutes.

I have even tried to stop talking so that my voice can heal. But come on. It's like telling a fish not to swim, or a ballerina not to dance. The only way that I can possibly go even a few hours without talking is to actually lock myself in my apartment. Like I am doing right now. Unfortunately the grocery bus arrives in 36 minutes and I need food...can I go 2 hours without talking while in the presence of a few of my closest friends? Can I fake mutism for just a few short hours?

Yes, I will!!
I will make it a game.
I will succeed!