Fan Death!

Another awesome bit of the South Korean culture.  Ladies and Gentlemen - I give you "Fan Death."  This is not just some urban myth people.  Fan Death is an official government acknowledged cause of death that shows up on dozens of death certificates each year...DOZENS!  Fan Death occurs when one leaves a fan on in the same room they are sleeping.  The fan sucks all the air away from the bottom half of the room and pushes is to the ceiling; thereby, suffocating the person in their sleep.  I know what your thinking.  You're saying to yourselves, "Adam, couldn't it just be a couple people who drink themselves to death?"  But let me tell you, just because South Koreans have a tendency of drinking far too much on the weekends to the point where it looks like a form of national alcoholism doesn't mean we can afford to ignore the real killer - the fans.  

As for other news...I have officially made it to my 1 month anniversary.  Things are going great.  I got my first paycheck yesterday, and since I don't have a bank account yet, I got payed in cash.  Nothing like getting an envelope filled to the brim with cash to make yourself feel good...or like a drug dealer.  And yes, I am officially a millionaire - first year out of college!  My classes have been going great, and my kids are amazing.  We even went on my first field trip (enjoy the pics).  I even made it up to Seoul to hang out with Courtney for her birthday.  Danced the night away.

On a more frustrating note, the exchange rate on money isn't the best at the moment; therefore, sending money home for school loans is pretty painful.  Not only will I vote for, but I will personally run a campaign for, and with every bit of my time and energy try to get into office the next person to run for President that promises free/cheap education.  Anyone want to pick up a loan payment for my Christmas present?  

Well I got to go get some Korean Bar-B-Q...I guess it's just Bar-B-Q here.  Laters.

This special "Song of the Post" goes out to the American government - "You Never Give Me Your Money" by The Beatles

The Small Things

Everyone notices the big things...but what about the little things that make life so grand.  It's easy to see the differences between South Korean and American culture, but here are a few of the not-so-obvious things I've noticed that made me grin.  

1) Elevators are not synced.  So when you push the button to get an elevator it only goes after the one in front of you...not the ones next to it.  So no guessing game at which elevator will show up first.  Unless you push all the buttons!

2) Computer paper is not standard 8 1/2 by 11.  We got A4...which is about a half inch longer.

3) Sometimes they have American movies on television that are dubbed in Chinese and have Korean subtitles.  

4) Egg shells are thicker here.

5) One of my favorite hole-in-the-wall restaurants has a huge Leonardo DiCaprio poster on the wall.  It's from his "Growing Pain" years.  

6) Men wear purses.

7) Crosswalks are at random points on the street around busy intersections.  

8) You don't wear shoes indoors cause the house is heated through the floor.

9) Lots of lighting is motion activated.

10) There were more Sarah Palin costumes for Halloween than any other costume.

11) It is popular for couples to wear matching outfits.  

12) Tomatoes are stupid expensive because they are considered a fruit here.

SOTP - "Have Love Will Travel" by The Black Keys