Hello everyone,

I was recently informed that, sadly, the India trip will not be happening until the Spring. They had to cancel the Fall semester due to not having enough students. I have known for a little over a month that it might not happen so it is a relief to finally be able to make new plans for the Fall. And hey! I miss fall! We left for Ecuador last year just as the leaves were turning so I am looking forward to the changing colors. There is something about Fall, a smell or feeling in the air that brings back memories from my younger years. The "crisp, frosty air" that all those poet types like to write about. I could never live my life in a place without all four seasons.

To tell the truth, I am relieved to have the Fall to myself. I got back from Ecuador and, after recovering and settling in at home, I went right into fundraising for India. The past month I was also finishing up high school (I graduated on the 17th) which was a frantic, time consuming endeavor. And now, without high school or India suddenly I don't have any thing I have to plan or organize or deadlines I have to worry about. After months of feeling like every moment had to be productive I suddenly don't have to do anything.  I feel better than I have in a long time.

So what am I going to do with myself in the next couple months?  Well, I am planning on doing lots of music.  I want to take some online film scoring college courses and I am already scoring films for a young filmmaker I met at a meditation retreat.  I know I'll find some other projects to keep me busy.

I love life!
Clayton

Wonderful Dinner

Hello!

Cafe India last weekend went very well.  I've barely recovered two days later, having spent all of Sunday cleaning up from the event and today resting but it was worth it.  The dinners bring together so many great people.  Lots of friends, lots of friends friends, new people to meet and chat with.  I love going around to the different tables, joining in on the jokes and stories being told, and then rushing back to the kitchen to help the busy cooks in plating and serving up another course.

The dinners are quite a production.  Hours of publicity and planning.  The week prior is spent cleaning the house and buying ingredients.   Then Thursday and Friday are spent cooking all the food that can be made beforehand and Saturday is a straight 12 hours of final cleaning, settup, cooking, and the actual event itself.  Without so much volunteer help: my mother's expert cooking experience; my dad's whirlwind of house cleaning; borrowed dishes, table, chairs, etc. from grandparents and friends; my brothers' willing assistance; our incredible backstage crew of neighbors and friends (Tara, Wade and Cori) this event wouldn't be possible.  Thank you guys!!!!

Unfortunately it didn't even cross my mind (until now) to take photos of the event but I will for the next one.

Thank you,
Clayton

Update

Hey everyone,

The Indian dinner is coming up and I, unfortunately, have had to turn quite a few people away as the seats filled up 3 days after sending out the announcement.  We are having another one on April 14th!

News (and Olds):

• I played at the Lincolnville Church on the 25th for their Lent service.  I have also been taking organ lessons there.  The organ is such a powerful and beautiful instrument; and you get to play with your feet!
• I have been teaching piano lessons to a couple young students and am teaching a film class at New Forest to the homeschool group.
• The Ultimate (Frisbee) season has started and the Belfast high school team is looking great!  Last year we barely had 7 players and now we have around 18 promising athletes. It is going to be an awesome year.
• And of course I have been playing tons of piano, composing, improvising, and I have been playing quite a bit of violin lately.
• On weekends, Hila and I have been working on our new film production: a mystery/love story (with a twist) about a boy stranded on an island who is trying to figure out what happened to it's previous occupant through the journals they left behind.

 Clayton

Cafe India

Jullay!

Time to reserve a seat for Cafe India at the Clemetson house (see details below).

Enjoy the spices and delicious foods of india in a formal "restaurant" setting with full service. The proceeds will help send me to study in India for my gap semester this fall.

Café India

Menú

We can accommodate dietary restrictions if you let us know in advance.

Starters
   Naan Bread served with Indian Chutneys

Main Course
   Ghobi Aur Matar (curried cauliflower and peas)
   Bharela Eggplant
   A deliciously seasoned Dal with rice
   and Raita (spiced yogurt and cucumber)

Dessert
   Kheer (a rich rice pudding made with coconut milk, and cardamom)
   Fresh Fruit
Beverages   
    Chai tea
    Mint Tea
    Mango Lassi
    Decaf Coffee

Details
Saturday, March 31st
6:00PM
Belfast, at 97 Kaler Rd (please contact me for directions if you would like them)
Suggested donation: $20 a seat
Please RSVP.
You can reach me at: cloudharvest@gmail.com or 338-2624.
For more information about my fundraising you can visit my fundraising blog!

Hope to see you there!

Clayton

New Adventure

At the end of my life-changing experience with Kroka in the fall of 2011 -- in which I traveled to Ecuador with thirteen teens for three months, climbing mountains, exploring jungles, but even more importantly; creating a strong community, making lifelong friendships and learning even more about myself and my place in the world -- our teachers gave us a list of programs similar to Kroka.  There were colleges, apprenticeships, more semester programs, and included in that list was a program that caught my eye.  A semester in India with an organization called VIS. The organization looked similar to Kroka in it's ideals and focus on sustainability, culture and community but different enough to be a entirely new experience.  Trekking through the Himalayas, 20,000 foot peaks towering overhead; staying in remote villages and monasteries, immersed in the religion and culture; living at a high school in Ladakh, connecting with Ladakhi peers, leading classes to teach them the English language.  What an experience!

So many people I have talked to have been to India, four or five to Ladakh, even.  And all of them spoke of the beauty and wonder of the country, encouraging me to take advantage of this opportunity.  What better time to travel and explore than when you are young?  I can't wait to connect with the culture and landscape of this new country.

Jullay!
Clayton

My Ecuador fundraising Blog claytonecuadortrip.blogspot.com