Useful Summer Words

Here is my typical summer morning in Osaka.

I wake up to hear the beautiful singing of the cicadas. Fortunately, they sing much better than they look. Because they are some nasty, scary looking creatures! The first time I saw one I almost wet my pants!!!

Then I walk outside and I usually say "Good morning" to my landlord, who then replies, "Good morning. It sure is hot, isn't it?" And I say with a smile, "Yes, it's hot." But in my head, I am thinking, "What a stupid question! Maybe he thought that I didn't notice it is 35 degrees Celsius outside and the sun is shining!! Everyone who has a pulse knows it is hot!! I don't need anyone to point out the already obvious fact that YES, IT IS UNBELIEVABLY HOT!!!"
(FYI, in the winter, many people also say "It's cold, isn't it?" Go figure...)

Then I walk to the station, get on the train, then get off the train, and walk to the school. In all, the commute takes about one hour door-to-door; a twenty minute train ride and about forty minutes of walking. By the time I arrive at the classroom, I am dripping with sweat.

Many people complain about “summer heat fatigue”, but fortunately this year it is not a problem for me so far. The exact cause of "summer heat fatigue" is unknown, but some say it is because of too much sweating, and also the constant change between cold air-conditioned rooms to the hot and humid outside air. A few years ago, I remember when "summer heat fatigue" simply treated me like a child. I was exhausted every day, and my whole body felt heavy and strange: sometimes I had an appetite, but at other times I didn't...It was confusing and miserable. But I guess I have gotten used to it over the years, plus, maybe all of the "cool goods" which I bought are helping me to beat the heat!

One good food to combat "summer heat fatigue" is eel. I love eel(otherwise known as "the river snake"), especially a big bowl of eel over rice! Eel is full of protein and a bunch of vitamins and minerals. It is said that if you eat eel, you will get stamina. And let me tell you, that is true! Cause after I eat some of that eel, I have enough stamina to go three or four rounds with the Middle Weight Champion of the world!

And after all of that exercise, I like to sip on some plum wine on the rocks. Plum wine is generally a summer drink made from green plums fermented in alcohol. Did you know that the Japanese plum is known for it’s cooling properties. Yes, it is true.

Can you think of any more "useful summer words"?! If you can, please don't be shy and let me know!