This afternoon, I realised:

Why had I been waiting for so long for my tea to cool down so I could safely drink it, when I could have just been adding cold water to the cup? Hmm? come on? why hasn't anyone shared this information with me? I haven't been drinking tea for that long, so it's not like I'm an old wise tea drinker like everyone else out there. Why does this information not come with the order of putting milk and sugar in after the hot water? Why?! why?! I shall have to ask around.