‘welcome home’

Chat away everyone 😉

rise and shine

Star Advertiser: President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama welcomed the leaders and representatives from 20 other Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation nations with a luau, hula and a Hawaiian proverb at the Hale Koa Hotel….

…. “We have music. We have song. We have celebration and we have hula dancing,” Obama said. “Now, Michelle doesn’t think I’m a very good dancer so I will not be performing,” which drew laughter from the crowd.

… Obama talked about the lessons he had learned from his Hawaii upbringing, concepts he hoped will guide the work of APEC leaders. “We are 21 leaders from across the Asia-Pacific who represent close to 3 billion people … men and women of every faith, color and creed,” he said. “Whatever our differences, our citizens have sent us here with a common task: to bring our economies closer together, to cooperate, to create jobs and prosperity that our people deserve so they can provide for their families, so they can give their children a better future.

“And we’ve learned that we’re more likely to realize our aspirations when we pursue them together,” Obama said. “That’s the spirit of Hawaii. It’s what made me who I am. It’s what shapes my interactions with all of you. And it’s the spirit that I hope guides us in our work this weekend.”

Obama then raised a glass of water and proposed a toast in Hawaiian. “Aohe hana nui ke alu ia,” he said. “That means, ‘No task is too big when done together by all,'” Obama said. “Cheers. Salud.”

Full article here

… with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev

…. with Linda, the wife of Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter O’Neill

… with South Korean President Lee Myung-bak and his wife Kim Yoon-Ok

…. with Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Tim Mathieson

… with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his wife Laureen

welcome back sue in minnesota

For all those who worried about Sue’s absence recently, she came back today after suffering ill health recently. I’ve reposted her message in the comments in this thread, in case you missed it earlier.

Thrilled to have you back Sue, you were missed so much – look after yourself, and get back to full health very soon.

obamade!

Thank you ChristiMtl 😉

state dinner

President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama wait for the arrival of German Chancellor Angela Merkel and her husband Joachim Sauer on the North Portico before a state dinner at the White House, June 7

***

‘America Celebrates Our Chancellor’

President Barack Obama presents German Chancellor Angela Merkel with the Presidential Medal of Freedom

welcome home

From Bobfr

Dear Mr President,

Welcome home and thank you for the enormous achievement your trip to Ireland, UK and Europe represents.

You have won the hearts and minds of countless individuals; you have warmed them with the generosity of your spirit; and, you have restored respect for America – no small task given the vast damage GW Bush and his Administration did to our values and our reputation as a Nation of Laws and one that respects the life of every person.

To the Future!

Bob

Yes.We.Can. … DO.More.Together!

night everyone

Sorry …. I just can’t watch this enough 😉

See you tomorrow.

moneygall memories

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama greet people as they walk along Main Street in Moneygall, Ireland, May 23. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

welcome

President Barack Obama waves to the people gathered on the street outside the Ciudad de Deus (City of God) favela Community Center in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sunday, March 20, 2011. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Hey, joy is an international language 🙂

at the palace

Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff receives U.S. President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle at Planalto Palace, Brasilia, March 19