UV

In my most sincere New Year's resolution ever, I decided to make a concerted effort to keep in better touch with friends and family. I've taken up the challenge posed to myself with a flurry of emails and sometimes even phone calls to loved ones. In that same vein, however, I figure I should begin to blog more regularly as well (because we all know that Eric sure isn't going to do it!). So, we'll see how long this lasts...

As we reach the height of summer here in Melbourne, saying it gets wicked hot is an understatement. Not only is the temperature going to reach about 100 degrees tomorrow, the 10 year drought that Victoria is in the midst of makes going outside quite unpleasant. I mean, there's a reason I chose not to live in Arizona with the majority of my family! This weather is definitely reaffirming that choice for me. But, in addition to the high temperatures and extreme dryness, the UV index is at at least 10 every day, sometimes reaching as high as 12. In case you don't know, a UV indication of 10 means that you really shouldn't stay outside for more than about 20 minutes before you will begin to experience sun damage. Even on cool and/or cloudy days, the UV index is at least 10, if not higher. That's right, Eric and I can't even do the 25-30 minute bike ride to work from our apartment without worrying about extreme sun exposure. Eric refuses to put on sunscreen, claiming he'd just sweat it all off anyway, but I still think it would do some good. Yesterday, for example, I went for a walk around a nearby lake. The entire walk took me about two hours. I put on sunscreen before I left yet still managed to get sunburned in those small slivers of skin showing where my shirt had shifted!

It's amazing how much the ozone actually protects you from the sun. I know that I've always taken it for granted. But, being a pasty white person down here gives me a whole new appreciation for the ozone and how much it protects me.