i learned about fan death a few months ago, so i'm not sure why it's on my mind now, but it is. maybe because the weather's starting to warm up a bit. anyway, it's pretty interesting, so i thought i would share.
many south koreans believe that it is dangerous, even deadly, to sleep in a closed space with a fan running.
wikipedia (a trusted source) lists hypothermia, suffocation, and poisoning as possible reasons fans might cause death in the case of fan death. people i've asked have explained that a fan will remove all the oxygen in a room with closed doors and windows. one belief is that a fan set right in front of your face will suck all the oxygen away while you sleep.
my initial response to this was sheer surprise. people really believe this? but it's not a joke. and who am i to contradict anyone's beliefs or superstitions - especially while i'm a guest in this country.
i mean, it's even on the news (another trusted source).
one explanation I was offered, though I can't remember from who, was that fan death is often used to explain away suicide. appearance is huge here, as is religion. i can't imagine a family talking openly about suicide. so i guess that would make sense.
believe what you will, but it's taken very seriously in south korea.
i've found a variety of stuff on the internet - mostly by foreigners, like myself, who are equally intrigued. or maybe more so...
okay, so the lovely ladies at qatalust.blogspot.com passed along a a little exercise for me to complete (about 3 weeks ago) and i feel obliged/excited to do so. the task's roused me into action and i'm thinking the blog might be worth salvaging - and what better way to get back on the wagon than with a longer than long post inspired by friends. thus, without further ado...
Six Things
1. Last weekend I ate pig's feet. This nice lady was giving out samples, and it looked like pork, or duck, so I thought, yes please. My Korean/American friend decided to wait until it was in my mouth to tell me it was hoof. My face started going red, as I smiled at the sample lady and continued to chew. They said something to eachother. "She wants to know what you think," my friend translated. "Mmmm...it's good," I replied, still chewing. "Good, cuz she wants you to have more." She loaded up another toothpick and I took it and yes, I ate it. Every last cartilaginous, gristly morsel.
strike a pose.
2. I watch Korean TV and buy Korean magazines. I think part of me hopes that one day I'll wake up and magically be able to speak the language. 3. I've taken a liking to K-Pop - really sugary Korean pop music that often has some English in it here and there, and is performed by throngs of reed-like, too-cute-for-their-own-good teenage girls, or gangs of reed-like, perfectly dressed teenage boys with what we call "fashion hair".
The following is pretty much a cultural phenomenon here. Have a look and learn the "Tell Me" dance straight from the Wondergirls themselves.
Or maybe this is more your style. I've added what I like to call the "rock rock roll" and "skip skip pop" moves to my own repertoire - and you can too! (if you can tell which is which from what.)
4. I'm starting to get used to the idea of not flushing toilet paper. Is that interesting, or just gross? Not that it's re-used or anything, I just guess a lot of the plumbing is prehistoric here in the ROK. Thankfully the poor ladies who clean our school are on the ball and keep the waste bins empty as best they can.
This is a house. Shaped like a toilet. It's real. Apparently it's in our city, and yes, don't worry, the search is on.
5.Things I miss (not including people): music. tv. my bed. my pets. driving. ontario in general. bathtubs. couches. houses. clothes dryers. turkey.
6.How about some school things - just cuz that's all I can think of at the moment, because I'm at school.
Favourite student this week: Pinky. She makes my day. She gets really close to you, like she has something important to tell you, but she doesn't really look at you when she's speaking, so it's almost like she's talking to herself. I'm pretty sure she's talking about her socks or the weather, in Korean--and she has this kind of nervous chuckle that fills in the blanks. She gave me a rock, and I gave her half of a broken heart sticker. It was sad to say goodbye.
Favourite class to teach: At the moment, Basketball. The weather's perfect for it already! (Sorry knee-deep in snow Canadians) It's so much fun to play with the kids and make them run laps..muwaaahaha. Other favourites include: Animation and Supermarket - although I feel like Post Office is my bread and butter. Favourite thing to be during the Red Nose Week Hypnotism Show: dead.
Favourite KBS Cafeteria Lunch Item: Chicken cutlet, ddeokbokki, chamchi (tuna) kimbap (note: the above picture is most definitely not KBS brand kimbab.)
Best Villagey "English Names": Partytiger, Squid, You Die, Show Me The Money, Choice, Banana, Davit, Pinky...too many I can't remember. (This might need some explanation: On Monday mornings, if the kids don't have an English name, they choose one...and sometimes we help them :P)
Right, so that's it. I have a computer now, and internet's in the works. Compiling this list has made me realize that maybe this stuff is worth writing down...maybe it's interesting...and if nothing else, it's fun for me to remember. game on.
since I haven't kept this up to date, and I don't really have any intention of doing so, I thought I'd post a sort of 'brb' message. I plan to put my experiences and energies into another sort of writing. If all goes well I'll post again.
So it's Friday. I arrived one week ago and I'm finding that very hard to believe. In the blogs I read before coming, and from other peoples' accounts of their time in Korea, I heard very little about how difficult the first little while can be. Perhaps it's not difficult for many, but I'll be honest - though I have had fun this past week, and it's all been very exciting, it hasn't been the easiest seven days. I've had no regrets, but I have definitely questioned myself, and this decision. After weeks of packing and planning from the comfort (and boredom) of home, feeling brace and ready for an adventure, finally finding myself in this completely new world was a huge reality check. But as the jetlag wears off I am feeling more like myself and that's making the hugest difference. Starting to work has also made a difference, as it has helped remind me of (part of the reason) why I'm here. And being around kids definitely keeps you light and in the moment. Food-wise so far I've tried ddok galbi and bibimbap, and soju with guava juice - outside the usual school lunches and instant noodles at home, of course. I love the spice. There are some very good snacks as well - strawberry is very popular, but I guess that's sort of universal.
This is day four in Korea, but my first post since arriving. My flight got in Friday evening, and by the time I arrived at our building it was nine o'clock and sleep time. It's crazy how many ups and downs you can have in just four days. Actually, what's crazy is how many ups and downs you can have in just four hours - like the flight from Toronto to Vancouver. Once I was on the plane from Vancouver there was no turning back, and I just wanted to get it over with. And it went ok. I met a guy named Daniel Moon who was moving back to Korea after five years in Canada. He moved to Alberta on his own when he was 15 years old to go to high school. It was really great talking to him about Korea and Canada, and life on your own.
dad will keep cat (reluctantly) car still not sold most stuff bought, working on the packing of it visa applied for flight to be booked when visa approved
