Living Without...

It was a tough day for this Peace Corps Volunteer today. I had to go without something that I’ve been able to enjoy every Wednesday and Thursday night for the last two months. Something that I look forward to, that I plan my evening around. Something that reminds me of the American Dream, and of how small this world really is. Have you guessed it yet? Well, tonight I had to spend my Wednesday night without being able to watch American Idol. Danny, Adam, Allison, Paula, Simon—they’re all a part of my routine every week. They come into my living room just as if we were old friends, like we hang out every week. Right now I’m in Manila, where there should be TVs upon TVs. With no place to watch at my pension house, I headed to the mall thinking I would for sure find something—I mean, TGI Friday’s had to have it on, right? Nothing. I even went to the large casino to see if it was playing in the bar/restaurant. Nope. I sadly walked home in the rain, knowing that I would be able to watch the results show tomorrow (back home at my site) but would feel a bit lost without having seen the performances.

I know. Pathetic, right? Here I am, in the Peace Corps, and I am so high-maintenance that I need to watch “my show” every week. Without it…well, watch out. This might be one cranky PCV. I especially baffle my own self with the development of this obsession. I have never been an Idol watcher before, and I never thought that I would be! But there is honestly something about being able to be that “close” to home that puts a spark in the relationship between Idol and me. There’s something about being able to log in to Facebook and to be on the same wavelength as all my friends at home. (Sidenote: I have learned, though, that Facebook is dangerous in terms of Idol. The show airs live in the US, but airs in the Philippines about 10 hours behind the live version. Therefore, I found out about Matt G.’s save much earlier than I would have liked, thanks to News Feed.)

Since our worlds seem so far apart on a daily basis, Idol is something that can unite me with my friends and family at home. For example, I might have had a day where I’ve encountered a married 16-year-old with her baby who is no longer attending school, bought an apple for a young boy who lives in the streets but stuck with me just long enough in conversation to exchange names and abbreviated life stories, or had to deal with being called “fat” much of the day because that’s just part of the culture. So at the end of that day, it’s difficult to Skype about all that’s happened or all that’s weighing down the heart, because it just won’t be understood by someone who hasn’t quite experienced it. But Skyping about Idol is easy, light, and uniting. It’s a central meeting point between PCV and family at home.

My time with Idol every week also serves as a bonding moment with my host family. Every Wednesday and Thursday, we gather on the chairs and couch in the living room to watch the performances and results. My younger sister Ruby has a slight crush on Adam, and over the last few weeks of his performances, I mean, who doesn’t? Every time Danny performs, well I get goose bumps, but my family always knows that he’s the one from Wisconsin. They love Allison for the fact that she’s only 16 (now 17) and her voice will blow you away. When Anoop was told he went from “zero to hero” a few weeks ago, Mama couldn’t stop imitating his excited fist swooshing through the air. It’s fun to see how much we invest each week into the results. And the shared experience and cultural exchange, in my opinion, is amazing.