moys Posted August 13, 2009 Posted August 13, 2009 I wasn't sure where to post this but here goes... I moved to Seoul, South Korea in March for one year. So far everything has been going great. I love my job, my new friends and my life here in general. However, in July someone broke into my apartment and stole my laptop and nothing else. My landlady put bars on my windows and I changed my door code (its a pin pad lock) but I still don't feel safe. Last night I woke up in a terror because I thought someone was breaking into my apartment, I jumped out of bed, rushed to the door, started banging on the door and screamed "get out". I was so sure someone was trying to break in but I think it was just my neighbour getting into her own apartment. Needless to say, I feel like a mad woman. I thought I was fine with the break in thing but I realize I don't feel safe anymore. I feel a bit violated. I have a new laptop and I make sure I hide it under my mattress every time I go out even if it is for a minute or two. The situation is a bit difficult because I don't speak Korean and I'm not sure who to trust. It's harder because I'm starting to really miss my friends and my family back home ever since this happened and I feel lonely in my apartment at night. I'm not sure what to do to overcome this, any advice?
Thornton Posted August 13, 2009 Posted August 13, 2009 I know how you feel A few months ago some guy followed me home and behaved in a very threatening kind of way, then a few days later my neighbour spotted a man of the same description hanging around in my garden at 3am. I'm not lying when I say I haven't slept through the night since then - I keep getting up and peering out of the windows in case he's hanging around, and I'm obsessive about having my doors locked and chained. So, now some advice. I keep a mobile phone and a large knife beside my bed - I don't care what sort of trouble I get in, if some guy breaks into my home and enters my bedroom I'm going to defend myself. I also have a personal alarm that I carry everywhere - you pull the pin out and it makes a loud noise. You can also rig it behind a door, so if the door is opened the alarm goes off. I don't know if pepper spray is legal in Korea, but if it is, get some - it could incapacitate a burglar long enough for you to escape. I also balance a glass bottle on my door handle, so if someone so much as turns the handle the bottle will fall and break, thus alerting me. It's wise to hide your laptop when you go out anyway; I always do. Your new window bars mean that the only way someone can get into your apartment is through the door, right? So couldn't you get a few extra bolts on the inside of the door for when you're home at night, and maybe also use an alarm like I do? What you want is something to wake you up if a burglar tries to get in, and something to defend yourself if he does gain access. Then you can sleep peacefully in the knowledge that the door is securely locked and you'll be alerted if anyone tries to get in. But usually burglars strike when the occupant is out - they want to get in and out with the goods, and it's a whole world of extra hassle if the occupant is actually at home. At the end of the day, it's only stuff and it can be replaced; as long as you're safe that's all that matters. Other than that, perhaps you should get an external hard disk drive and regularly back up the contents of your laptop, then hide the disk drive somewhere, so if someone does break in at least you won't lose all your data. I think there are also paid services that allow you to back up your data online. If you can get internet access that might help with feeling lonely at night too - you could talk to people at home, or use discussion forums like this one, or enter virtual worlds like Second Life and chat to people - anything to keep you occupied. Finally: I swear it gets less scary as time goes by and you realise that the person hasn't returned. You will begin to feel better after a while, I promise
Recommended Posts