The Obamas are getting ready to host their first State Dinner Tuesday night, and all the A-listers have been clamoring for an invite. While the formal guest of honor is Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, we all know people are hungry to rub shoulders with POTUS and FLOTUS!
That ain't no REI tent! (Reuters Pictures)
Because the White House doesn’t have space to accomodate the huge dinner (400 guests!), an enormous tent is being erected in the South Lawn. The White House has been discrete about the invitation list, but BoL knows that our invitation must’ve been lost in the mail. Rumor is that Kalpenn Modi (better known as Kal Penn or Kumar), resident White House desi, received an invitation–maybe so Singh doesn’t feel lonely?
Kumar is in the House! (White House Photographer Pete Souza)
The dinner is so fancy that the White House invited guest chef Marcus Samuelsson of New York’s Scandinavian restaurant Aquavite to prepare the meal. While the menu is undisclosed, we know one thing–Dr. Singh is vegetarian, so Samuelsson’s specialty below better not be the only option!
POTUS finished his trip to China with visit the Great Wall. Notwithstanding the frigid temps (Obama exclaimed he wasn’t aware China got as cold as Chicago), the President squeezed in a half hour tour of this World Heritage site.
Can't believe I had to travel all the way to China for some peace and quiet! (EPA)
Obama also met very briefly with his step-brother Mark Ndesandjo, who was still “over the moon” about the mini-reunion. Apparently, the brothers haven’t seen each other since POTUS’ inauguration, but Obama got to meet Ndesandjo’s new wife and catch up on family chit chat.
We just hope Obama was able to pick up a pair of these awesome kicks before heading to South Korea.
These would be perfect for dunking on Reggie Love! (AFP Getty)
So, what does the leader of the Free World do on his first trip to China? Eat and see the sites, of course! POTUS was honored with a state dinner reception at the famous Great Hall of the People in Beijing, replete with a multi-course meal, peafowl, and the Military Band of the People’s Liberation Army. The somewhat odd musical choices included performances of Wonderful Night, I Just Called to Say I Love You, and In the Mood. What happened to some good old fashioned Chinese opera?
Szechuan peacock with noodles, anyone? (AP Photo)
Obama also checked out the sites, including the Forbidden City.
For a Forbidden City, there sure are a lot of people here! (Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images)
Of course, the Oba-mao shirt isn’t the only product coming onto the Chinese market. It could be hairy deciding what to come home with…
This replica is made entirely of human hair. You decide: creative, creepy, or just plain gross? (Jason Lee/Reuters)
The American media is abuzz with POTUS’ first official visit to China. China’s pretty excited too, as evidenced by a variety of Obama-swag coming on the market. One particular piece of attire is making Chinese officials nervous, though, enough so they’ve banned the “Oba-mao” shirt out of fear it will upset Obama. Interesting in light of Obama’s comments yesterday on the benefits of an uncensored society…
Coming soon to hipsters and Urban Outfitters near you... (David Gray/Reuters)
Yes you CANnot sell this t-shirt! (Frederic Brown/AFP/Getty Images)
Obama will also be meeting his half-bro Mark Okoth Obama Ndesandjo, who lives in southern China. Ndesandjo recently published “Nairobi to Shenzhen,” which includes passages about his abusive father Barack Obama Sr, which our POTUS has yet to comment on. Could be an awkward meeting, you think?
Maybe I should've named my book "Screams From My Father" (Ym Yik/European Pressphoto Agency)
The First Lady didn’t need directions since she celebrated Sesame Street’s 40th birthday this week, joining the ranks of other First Ladies who’ve visited the famous address including Barbara Bush, Hillary Clinton and Laura Bush. The segment, taped in May, focused on gardening and healthy eating. FLOTUS talked with Elmo and other Sesame Street children, not to mention Big Bird, who exclaimed that he and Michelle must be related, since they’re both tall and eat seeds. At nearly 76 years and strong, Big Bird’s puppeteer Caroll Spinney must be doing something right!
Even Fruit Cookie Monster has been jumping on the health-bandwagon:
BoL thought it appropriate to celebrate the anniversary of the night that made Barack of Love possible. That’s right–today marks 1 year since that amazing, fateful night when we heard that Barack Obama would be our future POTUS, and what a night it was! Just thinking about the excitement of that day brings a tear to BoL’s eye..
The White House flickr site has some beautiful pictures from behind the scenes. Here are some of our favorite election night moments:
The suspense is killing me! (David Katz/Obama for America)
Even Aussies love him! (Rob Griffith/AP Photo)
Jesse Jackson's face says it all (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
We at BOL couldn’t get enough of the Obamas and Halloween! Last year at this time, the country was in the midst of a heated Presidential election. This year, we can take solace in our new POTUS and enjoy the holidays in peace. Turns out, though, all that drama caused some serious creativity, especially when it comes to punkins!
What you lookin' at? (Getty Images)
The resemblance is eerie! (Courtesy of Yes We Carve.com)
But, Halloween doesn’t just bring Obama-inspired pumpkins. Don’t forget that you, too, can be POTUS for a day! Important note for those of you looking for a last minute costume in 363 days!
Which of POTUS' cabinet will sport this next year? (Courtesy of zimbio.com)
Yikes! Even the ever-loving BoL is scared of this mask! (Courtesy of Walyou.com)
The White House turned orange today for 2,6oo trick-or-treaters. And looked almost as scary as it did when the Bush’s and Cheney’s ran the place! POTUS, FLOTUS and FGOTUS (First Grandmother) Marian Robinson handed out treats on the front steps to area school children and later joined families of military and White House staffers inside for a presidential Boo house of sorts. The treats included M&Ms (with POTUS’ signature on them), a sweet dough butter cookie from the White House pastry chef, and a bag of dried fruit (including cherries, apricots, pears, apples and papayas).
The White House hasn't been this scary since Dick Cheney was here! (JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)
Did these skeleton's come from Clinton's closet? (Jonathan Ernst/REUTERS)
As for costumes, FLOTUS was dressed as a cat woman and POTUS was well, a middle-aged parent. Commenting on the kids in costume, POTUS said, “They’re adorable, as is, by the way, my wife — a very nice-looking Cat Woman.” Press Secretary Robert Gibbs dressed as Darth Vader, with son Ethan; and Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice, dressed as Goofy. The Obama girls (Sasha and Malia) were at the party and apparently flew under cover because no one reported a sighting of the girls in costume! Well done!
She's no cougar! Definitely a purrrrrrrty kitty! (Kristoffer Tripplaar-Pool/Getty Images)
"It's close to midnight and something evil's lurking in the dark...Under the moonlight, you see a sight that almost stops your heart" (JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)
Ethan, Robert Gibbs IS YOUR FATHER. (Jonathan Ernst/REUTERS)
Our FLOTUS (dubbed FGOTUS for the day) has outdone the average home gardener with the White House First Garden. The First Lady invited local DC school children to help her with the fall harvest yesterday, and surprised everyone with the math behind the cost of said garden. Michelle asked the students how much they thought it cost to start the famous garden, and their guesses ranged from $300-$6000. In truth, FGOTUS told the crowd that for merely $150 for soil and $55 for seeds, the White House Garden has produced anywhere from 740 lbs to 963 lbs of vegetables, most of which either goes to the White House kitchen or Miriam’s Kitchen. Students carted away over 240 lbs of veggies yesterday, including carrots, sweet potatoes, lettuce, and fennel. Now’s that’s a green thumb!
Behold--the world's LARGEST tuber! (Photo from Huffington Post)
Jay-Z and Alicia Key’s performance at Game 1 of the World Series was postponed — due to a little rain. But that didn’t stop FLOTUS and VICE FLOTUS (Dr. Jill Biden) from making an appearance. The glamorous duo, decked out in World Series gear, escorted Yankees legend Yogi Berra out on to the field at Yankee Stadium as part of pre-game ceremonies paying tribute to veterans. The game highlighted the work of welcomebackveterans.org, an organization that awards grants to non-profits that target veterans’ needs.
Before leaving the field, Yankees captain and resident hunk — Derek Jeter – greeted them both with a kiss. He better watch out, because nobody messes with with JOE!
Okay...how about first base? It will take Joe Biden 4 hours on Amtrak to get here. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)
As for Jay-Z and Alicia Keys — they will perform their song Empire State of Mind at Game 2:
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