Children’s book prepared by Barak Obama’s stepsister.

A children’s book based on the fairy tales that used to say their mother is preparing the half sister of U.S. President Barak Obama, Maya Soetore Kong, according to today’s announcement of the publishing house of children’s books Candlewick Press.

The book of Maya Soetore Kong will have the title “La Scala to the moon” and is a tribute to the tradition of her mother telling stories, said the publisher.

The book is also inspired by the four-year old daughter of Barak Obama’s sister, Maya, who is a teacher in a female school in Hawaii.

“What course – wonder the author- can take her daughter from her grandmother?” said the publishing house, without revealing the date the book will be released on the shelves of the bookshops.

The mother of U.S. President Ann Douncham gave birth to Soetoro Kong in 1970, nine years after the birth of Barak Obama. However, Barak Obama and his sister have different fathers.

 

Cinco de Mayo-Fiesta time!!

While I was browsing the net for useful party ideas, I came up with the celebration of the Cinco de Mayo. As I live in Greece, I am not familiar with all the american’s celebrations.

My interest was triggered. It is great to have parties (or fiestas) but it is more great if you now why you are celebrating.After all, for some people the celebration of this day is a part of their history and their tradition.

I include the information I found about the historical fact of Cinco de Mayo, because undoubtebly there are many people who does not know the story too.

Cinco de Mayo or the fifth of May  is celebrated annually in Mexico and wherever there are mexican communities or the mexican culture is celebrated. Families, neighbors and friends gather all together and have a fiesta to memorize this day.

In 1862, 4,000 mexican soldiers overcame a 8,000 well-equiped frence amry and they saved America from the invasion. This battle is known as La batalla de Puebla or the Batle of the Puebla, and it took place(you guess it right…)in the 5th of May.

Today, fiestas is take place in all the mexican houses and even “grigos” , who do not know exaxtly why they are going to a Cinco de Mayo fiesta, are happy to join the festive mood and the fun of a fiesta. Everyone is welcome to feast on the honor of that day with mexican food and music.

NO TIME FOR SIESTA, IT IS TIME TO FIESTA!!

Now that you know all these, you are willing to throw a Mexican fiesta and you want it to be as original as it could be!!!How can you do this happen?Read the following tips and your guests will think they are in Mexico!

INVITATIONS:

Create your own invitations, it is more fun and will cost you less. If you also have kids, ask them if they want to help you. They will do it happily, and they can borrow you their painting tools! 

What you need: color paper(you can choose as many colors as you want or stay with the three colors of the mexican flags-red, green, white), color pencils and crayons, scissors, and glue.

Ready to craft: some designs you can use in your invitations to add authenticity are sobreros, maracas, mexican flags and cactus trees.

Greeting: include to your desing some greeting like ” no time for siesta, it’s time to fiesta”, ” Margaritas and fajitas” or ” it’s party time, amigos”

don’t forget: to include all the useful information: phone, location, day and time, RSVP date, dress code or custome suggestions.

DECORATION

The decoration is important if you want to have a memorable fiesta.If the weather is warm take advantage of it and have your fiesta in your yard.Here are some intresting and low budget suggestions:

• red, green and white balloons
• colorful flower flags(you can make it on your own)
• small cacktus plants
• mexican flags
• sobreros and maracas

If you don’t have time to do it on your own you can buy a decorating Cinco de Mayo kit through internet.

useful links for Cinco de Mayo fiesta decoration:

http://mifiesta.com/pmep0003.html

http://www.pinatas.com/Cinco_de_Mayo_Holiday_s/113.htm

FOOD AND DRINKS

Well, it is obvious!You cannot have a mexican fiesta without mexican food and drinks.

Many people await for the Cinco de Mayo every year, only because they want to enjoy their favorite  mexican drinks and try a few news. The list is big:

• Margaritas
• Pina Coladas
• Sangrias
• Daiquiris
• Tia Maria
• and of course Tequilla

you can find the recipes of the drinks in these links

http://www.suite101.com/reference/cinco_de_mayo_drinks

http://www.yumsugar.com/236323

http://www.perfectentertaining.com/article1039.html

http://www.cooksrecipes.com/holiday-recipes cinco_de_mayo_beverage_recipes_1.html

As for the food, there are no limitations, you can choose whatever mexican food you like better, as there is not a traditional food for Cinco de Mayo. Some suggestions could be:

• Classic Guacamole
• Chicken Mole
• Chicken Quasadillas
• Fresh Corn salsa
• Cheese and Bacon Jalopenos 
• Taco salads Bowls
• Burritos
• Chimichangas
• Chicken add cheese tostadas
• Frozen Cinco de Mayo dessert
• Cream Cheese Flan
• Layered Dulche de leche dessert

The choice is yours. For recipes you can visit these websites:

http://www.perfectentertaining.com/article1039.html

http://www.world-food-and-wine.com/cinco-de-mayo-food.html

http://homecooking.about.com/od/holidayandpartyrecipes/a/cincodemayo.htm

http://www.foodnetwork.com/holidays-and-parties/index.html

ACTIVITIES

Let’s have some good time! Try some of the following activities to entertain your guests, feel like Mexico:

• teach everyone to do macarena
• do the red hat dance
• a sombrero pinata
• a bull pinata

mexican hat dance: get a sobrero or two, depending on how many guest you have, put some latin music, and let everyon to show their special mexican dancing skills. Who is the best dancer

pinata: you hang up a pinata with the shape you prefere, each one of your guests can have a try to break the pinata with a bat, keep their eyes close

MUSIC

Alllowed only Mexican and latin music. You can browse a complete latin playlist in your computer. Try these sites:http://www.nutsie.com/playlist/Cinco%20de%20Mayo%20Playlist/2451215

http://www.audiosparx.com/sa/archive/Latin/Mariachi/CINCO-DE-MAYO/333774

http://www.batanga.com/es/

http://www.mp3.com/artist/mexican-music/summary/

I hope these tips, will work for you! Enjoy yourself and have a good time!

adios,

mica

Party planning checklist!

If you need some help to plan your party you can find this checklist very useful. This list will keep you organised and will make your partya  memorable one!!!

THE FIRST STEPS:

• what is the type of the party? (formal, special occasion etc)
• deside what food you need(finger food, drinks, special menu, ethnic cuisine)
• choose the theme of your party
• deside the  amount of the guest you will invite
• set the date, the time and the place
• make a shopping list of what you need to buy
• make a list with things you should do in advance

       BUDGET

• decorations, including flowers and candles
• food and beverages
• other servises like wait staff or cattering
• invitation and postage
• entertainment(music, dj)
• table, chairs and other equipment rentals
• other miscellaneous expensives

FOUR TO SIX YEAKS BEFORE THE PARTY

• put together your guest list and collect addresses and phone bumbers
• order invitations
• purchase decorations
• plan your menu and buy non-perishable food and drinks
• contact any familly and friends you want to help with the party
• address and mail the invitation
• pick out the music
• contact for any equipment rental

THE DAY OF THE PARTY

• finalize the decorations and place settings
• instruct any hired or volunteer helper
• relax and enjoy yourself

AFTER THE PARTY

• thank you cards
• collect photos and save it in photo albums and share it with your guests

Parties: parties themes!

So you want to be unique? Everyone talks about your authenticity? So why don’t your party be a unique event? The first thing to make it happen is to choose a party theme so unique as yourself!

Here are some suggestions. You can choose the one that best fits your personality:

• you are the star amongst your friends, and you always dreamed of the celebrities’ life, then you should have :

             A Hollywood Party

             An Academy Award Party

           A Caraoke Party 

• you are the type of person who appreciate the gastronomical delights? the theme parties that are suitable for you are:

             Dinner party

             Breakfast Party

             Wine and Cheese party

            Chocolate Party

           Picnic Party

• You are a kid deep down in your soul and you never want to grow up? Here are some themes which you may find intresting:

            Costume  Party

            Beach Party

            Game party

•  you love comics? and super heroes?

          Costume Party

          Super Heroes Party

          Comic theme Party

• if you are looking for an occasion to gather all the familly together and spend some time just to have fun:

             Kids Party

             Happy Hour Party

            Mother Daughter Party

            Father Son Party

            Sunday Afternoon Party

            BBQ Party

• Big occasion parties:

              Baby Shower Party

             Birthday Party

           Anniversary Party

           Engagement Party

           Wedding Party

          Divorse Party

• You can even celebrate your educational and professional life:

            Student Graduate Party

            College Admittance Party

           First Job Party

            The Job of My Dreams Party

           Promotion Party

          Spend my Bonus Party

          Retirement Party

• Only for females parties:

       Best Friends Forever Party

       Jewellery Party

       Women of the Familly Party

      Ex-change Clothes Party

      Party dedicated to ex.

• Parties only for males:

       Beer Party

     Dude Party

      Sports Party

     Table Pool Party

 All the above are just some suggestions. You can choose the theme and the occasion which best suits for you! Be creative and have fun!