Bori meets America: Paul Harris Fellow

13th of May, Wednesday

When I woke up, I found my laptop before the front door. I got it back for the third time, and when I started it up, everything seemed to be in order. I really hope it will work this time.
Today we watched another documentary about a famous American serial killer in Psych, today was about Jeffrey Dahmer. Sick sick man, very messed up. In English, we wrote letters to future freshmen, giving them advice about high school, I think that's a cute idea. In US History, we learnt about the Cold War and the Korean War. Pretty interesting.
At 11:50, Kim picked me up, and took me to the Rotary meeting. It was a completely ordinary meeting with the usual announcements and make-your-own sandwiches. Al was presenting another Paul Harris Fellow today too. I usually feel proud, when someone from my club gets a Paul Harris, because that means they've done an outstanding job at supporting Rotary. But also, (partly because I have such an amazing club), I heard a lot of these introduction too. The first clue, that this was something different should have been the fact, that Al was introducing this Paul Harris Fellow, and not Dan Barletta, who usually does (although he was standing on the podium too). But of course, I didn't catch that. In fact, I still didn't know what was going on, when they called my name. I was half listening, so I wasn't sure what was going on. It was strange, that people were standing on the stage, but they called for me. But anyways, I reached for my notes for my weekly presentation, and headed for the stage.
Then someone told me, to leave the notes. At that point, I knew what that something big was about to happen, but I wasn't sure what. They were presenting a new Paul Harris Fellow, and they called for me, everybody smiling at me, could it be? Was I really the one, who was getting the award? Seemed unlikely. I'm just an exchange student, and I haven't donated anything significant to Rotary yet.
But as it turns out, I was being given a Paul Harris! Me, a PAUL HARRIS FELLOW! The question I remember myself repeating was "What?". The whole situation was so surreal, I didn't believe it was happening to me. My ears were ringing, but I heard Al listing the reasons why I was being awarded such an honor. As he said, my involvement with the club and my efforts were above average. Something that I feel every exchange student should do. We are so blessed with the gift of an exchange year by Rotary, we should give something back. But as it turns out, it's unusual for an exchange student to be this involved.
So I took the pin, the medal, and the certificate in a very awkward way. I was still dizzy when I was asked to make a speech. But I was speechless! No words could describe what I felt at that moment. I was moved by the love that I was given by the club. Because that's what the award represented: love that surrounded me. Of course, this sounds so amazing now, at the time, all the words I could form were "wow" and "surprise". Worst thank you speech ever. There aren't many times, where I find myself lacking things to say, but today was definitely one of those.
Even when I sat down, my hands were shaking. I couldn't say anything, although there would have been so much to say: what an honor it is, to be awarded a Paul Harris Fellow! President Al said, that no exchange students have ever gotten one from the club. It is very rare indeed. So rare, I didn't know it could happen. I remember thinking to myself, back in November, that this year, I won't experience what it's like, to stand there and receive an award for excellent service, but maybe in the future. How wrong was I!
I want to officially thank everybody in the Rotary Club of Greece, not just for the Paul Harris Fellow, but for my entire year. You make every Wednesday a happy day for me. You take care of me, and you spoil me with gifts I often don't deserve. Thank you for being in my life!
When I was called back to the stage for the reason I'm usually asked for, to say my word and fact, I made a poor attempt to correct my previous horrible thank you speech. Instead of trying hard to form a normal sentence, I read the speech I wrote for the District Conference. In March, Anne Morrell called me to tell me, that I have been chosen to give a speech on behalf of the exchange student in Buffalo. A few weeks ago, I wrote the speech, and now it was time to present it to the club.
It took exactly 5 minutes, which was perfect. That was the goal. I think everybody liked the speech, which I was happy about. I also handed out some words, that I will ask on the test I promised the club. Test sounds so bad, it's more like a quiz, to recap on everything I talked about Hungary this year. Should be fun, at least for me.
Tony took me home after the meeting. I was still in a shocked state somewhat. I couldn't believe I was a Paul Harris Fellow. I called my Mom and Dad with the great news, and they were very surprised too, but happy, just like me. When Kim got home, we took some more pictures of the award and me in my Rotary blazer.
After 7, Laura came to pick me up. She invited me to a poetry contest, to be one of the judges, and I gladly said yes. In "Legacy", the independent senior living community she works at, they organize an annual poetry contest for middle schoolers, so they write about an elderly person, who had an impact on their lives. Today was the final round for 7 talented kids from Olympia and Athena. We listened to 5 of them, 2 of them couldn't make it sadly. They were all very good, I was quite impressed. In the end, a girl from Athena won.
Today was a very eventful and emotional day. I was given a great honor, and a huge gift from my Rotary Club. I am very grateful for all the wonderful things you do! Thank you again and again!