tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64219826103880936182024-03-05T10:48:29.848-05:00The GeorgeGeorge Pinghohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05965522219281254021noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6421982610388093618.post-63973589232098830012013-05-18T19:48:00.001-04:002013-05-18T19:49:49.879-04:00...The History of my Father's Family...<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" style="width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td colspan="2" style="text-align: justify;" valign="TOP"><h2>
<i>The Bharathas of Sri Lanka </i></h2>
<h5>
By Kumudini Hettiarachchi</h5>
Pearls lured them across the sea. They came from such
areas as Tuticorin in India first to trade in pearls in Mannar and then
even took to diving. They liked this land so much that they fanned out,
along the maritime belt specializing in trade, especially coconut, real
estate development and arrack <img align="RIGHT" border="1" height="101" hspace="12" src="http://www.sundaytimes.lk/011209/st6.jpg" vspace="7" width="160" />renting.
Some of them also moved inland settling in areas like Kandy and Kurunegala.
<br />
<br />
The earliest records about the waves of migration are buried in the
dim mists of time. Legend also connects them to the time of King Parakrama
Bahu VI of Kotte way back in 1415, indicating that they came from Mohenjadaro
led by eight Aryan warriors and 16 lieutenants whose objective as per the
Royal Charter was to "drive away the Mukkuwars (Arab horse dealers) who
were entrenched in Puttalam and were a threat to the King". The King overjoyed
at the repulsion of the Mukkuwars allowed them to make their homes along
the west coast, from Mannar to Moratuwa.
<br />
<br />
Many, many centuries later, how and when they came seem irrelevant,
for they have well and truly integrated themselves into Sri Lankan society,
while at the same time retaining their distinct culture and identity. Yes,
they have carved a niche for themselves– the Bharathas of Sri Lanka, who
have been recognized as a separate community, without being lumped as 'Others'
for the first time in the Census carried out in July this year. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.sundaytimes.lk/011209/st7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img align="LEFT" border="0" height="123" hspace="12" src="http://www.sundaytimes.lk/011209/st7.jpg" vspace="7" width="200" /></a><br />
Coonghe, Pinghe, Moraes, Croos, Dabrera, Soza, some Fernandos, some
Rodrigos, Paldano, also Feldano,
Figuarado, Mirando, Paiva, Victoria and Raj Chandra, all are proud to be
Bharathas. Their names also link them immediately to the Portuguese and Catholicism.
Though their ancestors were Hindus, they became staunch Catholics when
Portuguese missionaries came to Ceylon, and were bestowed Portuguese names. But vestiges of Hindu culture still remain, for they tie the thali round
the bride's neck during the marriage ceremony with the older generations
speaking mostly Tamil.
<br />
<br />
Agitation, done diplomatically and with finesse, for recognition as
a community started in 1937 by the Negombo Bharatha Association. "Its minutes of November 1937 indicate that a memorandum had been submitted
by a delegation of the association who had gone before the Royal Commission
where the existence of the community called the Bharathas was accepted,"
says active member and former President Selvam Croos Moraes. Then Ceylon
was under British rule.<br />
<br />
It didn't end there. A letter dated October 9, 1971 from the then Registrar-General
to J.E. John Rodrigo, Appointed Member of Parliament talks of circular
no. 49/1491 of October 5 where all Registrars of Marriages, Births and
Deaths had been advised that, "the government has since 1940 recognised
the Bharatha or in other words 'Parawara' as a race". The Registrar-General's
letter had come after Mr. Rodrigo, who represented the interests of the
Bharatha community in Parliament, informed him that some Registrars were
reluctant to accept "Ceylon Bharatha" as an adequate entry in the 'race'
cage of the forms used by his department.
<br />
<br />
And the Bharatha aspirations to be identified as a distinct ethnic group
reached fruition when they along with the Sri Lankan Chetties got their
community in print on the recent Census forms, under the category of ethnicity.<br />
<br />
They deserve recognition not only for blending so well into the Sri
Lankan mosaic but also for the philanthropy, which has been an integral
part of their lifestyles. The spirit of giving of the Bharathas is evident
all over Negombo — large tracts of land for churches, cemeteries, schools
including Maris Stella College, homes for the homeless, a Paupers' Palace,
now a convent, are there for anyone to see. Did you know that the chapel
of St. Bridget's Convent too had been donated by a Bharatha?<br />
<br />
Even the Dutch government had recognised the Bharathas for their commitment.
The story is told of Bastian De Croos whose diligence was so appreciated
by the Dutch that he was named 'Bazaar Mestri' and given the keys to the
Negombo Fort. Another who is mentioned is N.E. De Croos who had donated
land to the Ceylon Government Railway when a railtrack connecting Colombo
and Negombo was mooted. "In appreciation of his gesture the colonial government
invited him to cut the first sod when the foundation was laid for the Negombo
Railway Station," records say.<br />
<br />
Many are also the physical monuments such as De Croos Road in the heart
of bustling Negombo town and, of course, the famous 'Coppera Handiya'."
In the olden days they would bring the coppera by bullock cart to the junction
where Maris Stella is now located and then send it to Colombo and other
places using the good canal network," says Mr. Croos Moraes. "Still to
this day, we call it that."<br />
<br />
Handed down from generation to generation are also the many stories
of charity. How John Leo De Croos left a thousand acres in a trust so that
the income from the land could be used to give dowries to poor girls, irrespective
of caste, creed and community. Another had donated baths for the use of
the public in Kochchikade, known as Lin Hathara.<br />
<br />
What of the Bharathas now? They are active members of the Catholic church,
but have moved away from the traditional businesses of land owning and
renting. "More and more youth are taking to professions and have moved
away from their ancestral lands. There are priests, doctors, engineers
and other professionals. Some have married from other communities. The
young ones are also very fluent in Sinhala. Things have changed," says
Mr. Croos Moraes adding that the Negombo Bharathas are believed to have
come from Northern India.<br />
<br />
Adds the present President of the Negombo Bharatha Association, Chervon
De Croos, "We are still a very close-knit community and the association
has about 200 families, but would like to have closer links with Bharathas
all over the country. Then we can preserve our identity while at the same
time contributing much to the growth of the country."<br />
<br />
Provisional estimates of the Census indicate there are about 1,773 Bharathas
across the country, excluding the north and the east. So the well-organised
Negombo Association with a recorded history of over 75 years has a starting
point, with the areas identified, to become a unifying force for the pockets
of Bharathas scattered all over the country.
<br />
<h5>
Tending buried generations</h5>
The plots are neat and well-tended. There is an air of tranquillity and
reverence. This is all thanks to <img align="RIGHT" border="1" height="74" hspace="12" src="http://www.sundaytimes.lk/011209/st4.jpg" vspace="7" width="60" />71-year-old
Canisius de Croos, who takes pleasure and pride in what he does.
<br />
<br />
What does he do? He's a retired local government servant who did his
duty at the Negombo Municipality, but now has a speciality he learnt from
his father — he is the keeper of the Negombo Bharatha Association's private
cemetery.<br />
<br />
He knows his job because his childhood was spent among the graves
of the Negombo General Cemetery run by the Municipality, for his father
was the keeper there for 19 long years.<br />
<br />
That was a five-acre plot and his father had eight labourers under him,
with the family living in a bungalow in the cemetery. His father kept a
register of burials and ensured that the cemetery was maintained well.
<br />
Canisius loves his voluntary job and does the same. "You must respect
the dead," he adds.
<br />
<h5>
Traditional goodies</h5>
"We cook our roast pork, a must for any festive occasion, in toddy instead
of vinegar," says <img align="LEFT" border="1" height="146" hspace="12" src="http://www.sundaytimes.lk/011209/st5.jpg" vspace="7" width="117" />charming
Lavinia Croos Moraes making our mouths water. "It does give a better flavour."
Explaining the recipes handed down from her grandmother, she says they
also have a special 'moju' rice-puller (pickle) made of prawns or dried
fish. "Unlike other communities we use equal quantities of onion and maldive
fish in our seeni sambol to make it really crunchy," she says.
<br />
<br />
Out come the family cutlery and crockery _ a beautiful rice plate, large
rice spoon and other utensils _ preserved for posterity by her grandparents
and in-laws. "Profegi was a sweet fried in oil, like a cutlet and chatti
dosi was one made with rulang, ghee, sugar, cadju and raisins. We also
made all those Portuguese sweetmeats like bibikkan and kavun," she says
relating a marriage custom connected to food.<br />
<br />
Three days before a marriage, all the relatives would get together and
cook kavun, but not take a single bite until the wedding was over. Another
custom was to join three athiraha together to ensure a blissful life for
the couple. If the athiraha got separated, the belief was that the marriage
was not right.
<br />
<br />
Would the wedding be called off? "Oh no, the womenfolk would hide that
and cook three more," Lavinia chuckles.<br />
<br />
********************************************************************************<br />
Published in The Sunday Times, Sri Lanka, December 09, 2001 </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2" valign="BOTTOM"><hr noshade="noshade" width="100%" />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
George Pinghohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05965522219281254021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6421982610388093618.post-41817660031161962972012-09-30T06:36:00.000-04:002012-09-30T06:36:04.474-04:00...He Lifts Me Up...God Cares... <div style="text-align: justify;">
September 30, 2012</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It is hard to believe another year has crept up on me! I had every intention of keeping up with my blog at least once a month...oh well, such is life!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Two years ago this morning, I was waking up from a troubled, sleepless night. I had just had a heart attack on the 29th evening, never realizing how serious it could have been. I take such matters in stride and had my Blackberry going all the way through the time they took me into the cardiac lab. A 99% blocked LAD was cleared out with a stent and I was back in my room an hour later, enjoying a sandwich and had my Blackberry fired up again! </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The morning of the 30th rolled by and I woke up with the firm conviction I had been granted another chance at life. My mind drifted back to another point in time; early 2006. My friend, the legendary blues player Roy Roberts, had stopped by my office that Tuesday morning in February. We had been working on the release of a gospel album and he brought me the pre-production CD so I could listen to it while I was on a dialysis machine later that day.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A few hours later once I had settled in for my 4 hour cleansing session, I turned on my laptop, inserted the CD and plugged in the headphones. The first cut on the CD will be the song I will always remember. Over the next eighteen months, this CD would be my strength and companion to drive myself home. No matter how tough or long the the days were, no matter how bad I felt after those sessions, I knew I could make it home as soon as I turned on CD number 6, track 1, that still resides in the six pack CD player in my car.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I received the gift of a transplant in August 2007. The post recovery and the challenges of the last five years have made me return to this song every day. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I have been working on producing a suitable video to accompany the song and I was in the process of wrapping up the production tonight to celebrate my two year surviving-a-heart-attack anniversary.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/b1CHNHX9iBE?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
As it turns out, there is another reason why it took me until 6:00 am to complete this piece. As usual, the Almighty is always on time.... </div>
<br />
Please enjoy the heartfelt music of my dear friend Roy Roberts.<br />
<br />
And I am grateful to be be alive...<br />
<br />
George<br />
George Pinghohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05965522219281254021noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6421982610388093618.post-61575318955566249462012-01-10T23:06:00.000-05:002012-01-10T23:06:10.781-05:00The Tony Drake Story<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object width="320" height="266" class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://1.gvt0.com/vi/_EX8BIhj19U/0.jpg"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/_EX8BIhj19U&fs=1&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/_EX8BIhj19U&fs=1&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Several years ago my good friend, legendary Blues man Roy Roberts, sent me a CD featuring the music of a young man in Tennesee. In August 2011 we were able to help Tony and his family move to Winston-Salem so he could work on his next CD with Rockhouse Records. My company is helping with the PR and serves as the media contact. All of our services for The Tony Drake Story project are provided at no charge; listening to his music and his story changes something inside you forever.</div><br />
His website: <a href="http://www.tonydrakestory.com/" target="_blank">http://www.tonydrakestory.com/</a> Facebook: <a href="http://facebook.com/tonydrakestory" target="_blank">Facebook Link</a>George Pinghohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05965522219281254021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6421982610388093618.post-72476513798875716792012-01-08T04:15:00.000-05:002012-01-08T04:15:32.711-05:00The RaceThought for the day... <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.values.com/inspirational-stories-tv-spots/84-The-Race" target="_blank">The Race</a>George Pinghohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05965522219281254021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6421982610388093618.post-45557824060449401862012-01-08T02:44:00.001-05:002012-01-08T03:14:06.467-05:00Our Special City<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg58lLX57pjYG_z5B4ufsSJb5pe52LsZRm7DdCs5wgItkpVWRnB-3jozP49EG29a1OQD687iOkAW0uztZ2TZ3hMhulAt2Gi0XJskhax75F3XkteBZkAKcqw8QbTFNHjzCcA55Zv8mshA3bY/s1600/WS+NEW2.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg58lLX57pjYG_z5B4ufsSJb5pe52LsZRm7DdCs5wgItkpVWRnB-3jozP49EG29a1OQD687iOkAW0uztZ2TZ3hMhulAt2Gi0XJskhax75F3XkteBZkAKcqw8QbTFNHjzCcA55Zv8mshA3bY/s400/WS+NEW2.bmp" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX8stWhHmP-CGmLjb815ghskZGjnrxXMQgREc6rzu4LLPJLhbhiOL_flYGP8IH6ipEeZNV0AoQbBU6YivzP8sBr2Tu4ilG2s3H1x5-geS0ebT2gLHjzL0Nbcni_vKxWScfTEE2zDyUmeBY/s1600/WS.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX8stWhHmP-CGmLjb815ghskZGjnrxXMQgREc6rzu4LLPJLhbhiOL_flYGP8IH6ipEeZNV0AoQbBU6YivzP8sBr2Tu4ilG2s3H1x5-geS0ebT2gLHjzL0Nbcni_vKxWScfTEE2zDyUmeBY/s400/WS.bmp" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal">All Images © GHPC INC </div><br />
In the summer of 1996 I worked on a project for the Atlanta Olympics. I believe I was able to capture the essence of Winston-Salem in the photograph. I modified the original image in December 1999 with the addition of the Moravian Star from Bethania Moravian Church.<br />
.... And I still believe Winston-Salem is ...my kind of world...George Pinghohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05965522219281254021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6421982610388093618.post-70186993582929152142012-01-06T02:48:00.000-05:002012-01-06T02:48:30.854-05:00My Friend, Blues Legend - Roy Roberts<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="264" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/KG-ZqKYgbkI?rel=0" width="519"></iframe><br />
<br />
It was one was of those chance encounters in 1995 that led to my meeting with Roy Roberts. Over the years we became good friends and stayed in touch while collaborating on musical projects. We have several releases coming up this year including his Gospel Album.<br />
<br />
...Let The Music Play...<br />
<br />
Roy Roberts became hooked on music while growing up in a small town in Tennessee, listening to blues and R&B on radio stations WLAC out of Nashville. Jimmy Reed’s “Baby What You Want Me to Do” was the clincher and at the age of 14, Roy worked on a nearby farm to earn the money for his first guitar, a mail order Sears Silvertone.<br />
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When he turned 18, he moved to Greensboro, North Carolina to live with an uncle. There he had another inspiration to become a professional musician, when he and a carload of friends happened upon a nightclub where Jerry Butler was performing and making quite an impression on the ladies. Roy sharpened his skills while playing in makeshift bands until he landed a job with local hero Guitar Kimbers’ Untouchables. Before long, Roy was backing up major artists who came through town. One of those artists, Solomon Burke, took young Roy under his wing after letting him sit in as a bass player during a local gig. He was soon handling the guitar chores behind the future soul legend on tour. Roberts subsequently picked up touring gigs with such luminaries as Eddie Floyd, “Little” Stevie Wonder, Dee Clark, and Otis Redding, while fronting his own band, The Roy Roberts Experience, on the regional club scene and Southeastern beach town circuit.<br />
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Roy began to cut records in the mid-sixties, staying mostly behind the scenes as a session man. The tragic death of Otis Redding inspired him to step up to the microphone with a song dedicated to the late crooner. The record was released on Nina Simone’s NinaAndy label and backed by an ace studio band. Roy followed this successful effort with a string of 45’s that carried him well into the seventies. During the disco years, Roy turned his talents to country music, touring with the great O.B. McClinton and releasing a number of country records. After a brief hiatus from the music scene, Roy built a recording studio in Virginia in 1989, where he produced records by regional gospel artists and cut a gospel record of his own.<br />
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One day in the early nineties, he heard a young Robert Cray singing the blues on the radio. “That cat’s got my style,” he declared, and got the blues fever once again. Besides recording his own material on Rock House, Roberts has produced albums for the label by Priscilla Price, Lou Pride, Chick Willis, Skeeter Brandon, Floyd Miles, Eddie Floyd, and many more. Roy continues to record and produce records for his label, and tours the U.S. and Europe regularly. After receiving numerous awards, Roy has earned his place among the finest artists playing blues today. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://royrobertsblues.com/" target="_blank">http://royrobertsblues.com/</a>George Pinghohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05965522219281254021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6421982610388093618.post-62981107741493443362012-01-04T18:05:00.000-05:002012-01-04T18:05:35.089-05:00Snow In Sri Lanka!Nuwara Eliya really looked like a little England yesterday. The Meteorological Department said the temperature of some places in Nuwara Eliya froze to five degrees Celsius during the last few days. <br />
<br />
A very unusual event for the tropical island country - Enjoy the snow/frost while you can!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNhMtsCT47dMkOAZxl2QPOASMTBwb6BruvYthSJqV5cmJ3lB3UQf7SHsTpYDVg5g59tTVtpjULASkW3I0Q7YiWpqGIyzneW3CBpBb43F0k1AIaCAbS6sbaJp06MqkODhKtRjcmSVGrFzzg/s1600/Snow+in+Srilanka+for+the+first+time+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="214" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNhMtsCT47dMkOAZxl2QPOASMTBwb6BruvYthSJqV5cmJ3lB3UQf7SHsTpYDVg5g59tTVtpjULASkW3I0Q7YiWpqGIyzneW3CBpBb43F0k1AIaCAbS6sbaJp06MqkODhKtRjcmSVGrFzzg/s320/Snow+in+Srilanka+for+the+first+time+1.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx5RMmNrgeia3EyuHVVqQiFWZzHhm-nEMMi_LqB-I5ps_n1tmxlqueo-rUCWJYL0X0e1yCKgVLqA05hokWsJs8DNro1WkN3OHS5P_gtTGy_Y4G1cww54Vp-gObMnN1stZP3N09gDJ6qO5r/s1600/Snow+in+SriLanka+for+the+first+time+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="214" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx5RMmNrgeia3EyuHVVqQiFWZzHhm-nEMMi_LqB-I5ps_n1tmxlqueo-rUCWJYL0X0e1yCKgVLqA05hokWsJs8DNro1WkN3OHS5P_gtTGy_Y4G1cww54Vp-gObMnN1stZP3N09gDJ6qO5r/s320/Snow+in+SriLanka+for+the+first+time+2.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwnmpxPhvdlntKsq4BwiU-i1sYpNEzy1IHIZ_CJfbvu6JpJKPF687m-okAAImx6wC6K8QHpGmaGkshxg4Es3j4i7kBCd2cPu7xD9I9V5JO238PDw8-S5fUG5HH-QM7cl93vezSXJzHEE9N/s1600/Snow+in+Srilanka+for+the+first+time+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="214" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwnmpxPhvdlntKsq4BwiU-i1sYpNEzy1IHIZ_CJfbvu6JpJKPF687m-okAAImx6wC6K8QHpGmaGkshxg4Es3j4i7kBCd2cPu7xD9I9V5JO238PDw8-S5fUG5HH-QM7cl93vezSXJzHEE9N/s320/Snow+in+Srilanka+for+the+first+time+3.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhshiGB-KU7jog3Xx1rzoWxm9vAuBq8cQGPM0z21pEA4XkaM79GoPIRpIykdF0J5EFpDqZj9FMWvwLIB0WenP_x5flwULpApqwxRX48XByu5YoFsX-GvUu-KhgNK8U0GyTWOf6lk0msxRbv/s1600/Snow+in+SriLanka+for+the+first+time+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="320" width="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhshiGB-KU7jog3Xx1rzoWxm9vAuBq8cQGPM0z21pEA4XkaM79GoPIRpIykdF0J5EFpDqZj9FMWvwLIB0WenP_x5flwULpApqwxRX48XByu5YoFsX-GvUu-KhgNK8U0GyTWOf6lk0msxRbv/s320/Snow+in+SriLanka+for+the+first+time+4.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTjiYRs4OJazlISlVLpXIBAyhOBYFSLtbeon3hWnyTqko55yE0MIVwPf17GKikBRX-Y7NT4TNLGtrDXyPnBwDB_vJQyh9Yi0gjsq_d_9t08FCvHI4rp6ENsMRc_9pPgaosm6eVjBQx5iG5/s1600/Snow+in+SriLanka+for+the+first+time+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="214" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTjiYRs4OJazlISlVLpXIBAyhOBYFSLtbeon3hWnyTqko55yE0MIVwPf17GKikBRX-Y7NT4TNLGtrDXyPnBwDB_vJQyh9Yi0gjsq_d_9t08FCvHI4rp6ENsMRc_9pPgaosm6eVjBQx5iG5/s320/Snow+in+SriLanka+for+the+first+time+5.JPG" /></a></div>George Pinghohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05965522219281254021noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6421982610388093618.post-15027547361636484712012-01-03T13:24:00.001-05:002012-01-06T00:11:18.958-05:00My Annual "State of The Union" December 2011/January 2012<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>December 24, 2011<br />
<br />
To my family and friends around the world:<br />
<br />
Yes, It is that time of the year again! My annual “State of the Union” message is ready for distribution. At this point you do have a choice, proceed to read or promptly delete! I have been a little more reclusive this year, not sure if it is the age showing or just another phase I have to go through at this stage in my life! In either case, all is well, life is good and all components are moving forward. <br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">2011 was a year of more changes, opportunities, a few disappointments as well as encounters of the weird kind! For all the wisdom that states one can never go back to a point in time, I do have a new twist on this idea. I look at life as a computer; we continue to load up software, add hardware, change operating systems, call tech support, end up listening to horrible music, being transferred numerous times and finally ending up with even more frustration. I must hand it to the software engineers who write the millions of lines of imbedded code that make computers do wonderful things; in their wisdom they chose to keep a series of restore points within the system. So when your computer acts up, going back to the last restore point when everything was working well gives you a point in time that you may return to, once again.</div><br />
This was one of those years when I had to go back to a restore point, unload all the add-ons of the last two years and reset my systems to where they used to work real well. The results were remarkable and the reset has brought back the definition and focus I needed once again.<br />
<br />
The family is well; my wife and I are celebrating our 32nd year of life together this year. Our oldest daughter and our son-in-law, have given us the joy of two delightful youngsters! The transition into being grandparents is wonderful! Our second daughter and our youngest daughter are doing well. Our youngest son will be a senior in high school next year. <br />
<br />
My health continues to hold up well. The most recent checkup at Duke earlier this month went well. All functions and test results are great; the only minor inconvenience is a bit of bone loss in my lower back. The notion that I am spineless has now been confirmed!! Thankfully there are more pills with even more side effects to hopefully resolve the issue. Now I have two great lines added to my repertoire; “Must be age or my medication!” The heart is good – one year plus since the big one! I am eternally grateful to my doctors and their staff for taking good care of me.<br />
<br />
The recent visit to Duke inspired me with the material for this year’s message. My appointment was at 8:00 am which meant I had to leave home around 6:00 am. For most of my life I was up at dawn and rarely missed a sunrise; however, over the years I have turned into a night owl and it is rare that I see a sunrise! On this particular morning, just about the time I was cruising through Greensboro on my way to Durham, the familiar brilliance and glory of a spectacular sunrise began to unfold right before my eyes. <br />
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Memories of watching the sun rise in different parts of the world began to crawl back through my mind. One particular sunrise was observed while standing on top of Adam’s Peak, the mountain considered sacred by all four major religions. Located in the central part of Sri Lanka, the mountain is 2243 meters or 7359 feet tall. The long climb up the mountain begins a little after midnight. The path to the summit is 5200 steps, carved and built into the side of the mountain. Thousands of pilgrims make this trek, people from all backgrounds, the rich, the poor, all socio-economic, ethnic and religious groups are represented in this mass of moving people.<br />
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The journey is slow and tiresome. The objective is to reach the summit just before sunrise to observe a phenomenon that is unique to the mountain. On the right day, when there is no mist or fog, the rising sun casts a shadow of the mountain down in the valley. The shadow forms a triangle, visible for just a couple of minutes before the bright sunlight fills the valley. To the individual or group working their way up the mountainside, there is no guarantee that the morning will be clear. There is always the possibility they will reach the summit only to be greeted by a sea of white mist and clouds where the sunshine will never break through. That is the faith they must exercise as they continue up the winding path.<br />
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Our family made this trip when I was around 12 years old. This was one of those auspicious mornings when there was not a cloud nor a hint of mist in sight. The darkness was soon dispelled by the dawning light, the sun burst forth from the edge of the horizon and there before our eyes was the wonderment of the magical triangle.<br />
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Forty seven years later, I am in my office on a Friday afternoon, remembering that moment. I can see the image so vividly, my mind transported back in time in a few seconds. It will be Christmas Eve tomorrow so I need to get this off to all of you scattered around the world. I remember the family, friends and individuals I have been fortunate and blessed to know through all these years. <br />
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As I look back at all the good, the not so good and the obviously bad encounters, events, incidents that I have been part of and/or witnessed over the years, the take away is clear. All the little things that seem to be so overwhelming or insurmountable are like the proverbial bump in the road. As time goes by, the once highly relegated relevance of these matters fade away into obscurity. For as the trek up the mountain taught me well, it will not matter in the morning.<br />
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All through our lives we accumulate negative baggage, whether real or perceived. It seems to be of no consequence that our lives are also blessed with joy and happiness; the bad seems to outweigh the good. As we look at the year behind us, we will remember the joys and sorrows we have shared, the gains and the losses we have borne, the wondrous additions of new life and the sorrowful farewells we have bid those with whom we have lived and loved. <br />
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As we celebrate the variety of holidays based on our individual and collective beliefs, let us take the time to remember that the things of the past are what reinforce our faith in the future. And as we look forward to celebrating the dawn of another year let us resolve to be more thankful and focused on the good things that this life offers each one of us. It is equally important to remember that the day to day experiences we will endure will not matter in the morning. There is no guarantee that you will see the brilliance of the rising sun; there may be clouds that obscure the majesty below, but above the clouds, the sun is always shining and there always is a morning.<br />
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And when our lives are complete we will remember the words of the Psalmist: “For his anger endures but for a moment; in his favor is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.”<br />
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I wish each one of you and your families Peace, Love and Joy in the coming year. May you find the joy in your life as you bring joy to those around you. <br />
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…for there will be joy in the morning…<br />
<br />
Thank you for being my family and friends,<br />
<br />
George Pingho<br />
<br />
<br />
George H. Pingho<br />
CEO/Principal<br />
GHP Consultants, Inc.<br />
email: info@georgepingho.com<br />
Cell Phone: (336) 972-7888<br />
<br />
<br />
GHP CONSULTANTS INC. <br />
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www.georgepingho.com<br />
<br />
Make a miracle! Be A Organ Donor! www.donatelifenc.org.<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXKK8bx4nf-Bti0b0ktK2OzfyDAE0zccdqFlKR_TdBNHHhGbyr2B4xZW7s9ueNCjcMs5V4BJqjIxd0F-20j3pLc49cNZdDLzokILDLZHrxXu_IuBE3MmiMV5fsHz5HSUFdCIDwXMYKKFPy/s1600/sri-pada.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXKK8bx4nf-Bti0b0ktK2OzfyDAE0zccdqFlKR_TdBNHHhGbyr2B4xZW7s9ueNCjcMs5V4BJqjIxd0F-20j3pLc49cNZdDLzokILDLZHrxXu_IuBE3MmiMV5fsHz5HSUFdCIDwXMYKKFPy/s320/sri-pada.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3b538VxuQxejbNQ6ow1NOrf5Ok37gRVnuzLT20oekN2uAu13t37gu4wV2UEDhLlGKD0r9AEVt2mNVZoEYDFv58cP1oVn92m41GaGU7lT3PkS7kFnT_0r7wdMVizh2RSjG-3wDuK-VhO3H/s1600/adams-peak-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3b538VxuQxejbNQ6ow1NOrf5Ok37gRVnuzLT20oekN2uAu13t37gu4wV2UEDhLlGKD0r9AEVt2mNVZoEYDFv58cP1oVn92m41GaGU7lT3PkS7kFnT_0r7wdMVizh2RSjG-3wDuK-VhO3H/s320/adams-peak-3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyob69Qdz19pIBqR99sCsL8J0jPDooz_yti_Ft686zWL1-s3yYuWgRWXbLHNhk6Pg-qo4MoUkk4BHVryVNZR1tG8QrOOhDy5jfTGGyY0Na6-fd36O5G8m9nvCg0cLkyFsUloEy9Zldbk_N/s1600/shadow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; height: 193px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; width: 321px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="191" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyob69Qdz19pIBqR99sCsL8J0jPDooz_yti_Ft686zWL1-s3yYuWgRWXbLHNhk6Pg-qo4MoUkk4BHVryVNZR1tG8QrOOhDy5jfTGGyY0Na6-fd36O5G8m9nvCg0cLkyFsUloEy9Zldbk_N/s320/shadow.jpg" width="320" /></span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;">The Mountain and The Triangle</span></div>George Pinghohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05965522219281254021noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6421982610388093618.post-49246582547893860112011-03-04T22:07:00.000-05:002011-03-04T22:07:19.807-05:00Soldiers Lullaby<iframe height="295" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/hKsMzxAnf-w?fs=1" frameborder="0" width="480" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>George Pinghohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05965522219281254021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6421982610388093618.post-71097599408470539462011-02-21T02:19:00.000-05:002011-02-21T02:19:11.858-05:00Organ donation 'a silver lining' | JournalNow.com<a href="http://journalnow.com/ar/797032/?sms_ss=blogger&at_xt=4d6211a2f922ae7a%2C0">Organ donation 'a silver lining' JournalNow.com</a>George Pinghohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05965522219281254021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6421982610388093618.post-19770423080676925672011-02-02T17:18:00.002-05:002011-02-02T17:18:35.662-05:00A Discussion On Linked In - Has the South Lost it's Manners? <span class="comment-body" data-li-comment-text="">I have been following this discussion for a couple of weeks. <br />
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A few hours ago - around 1:30 - I was on Silas Creek Parkway headed to Bolton Street. There was a funeral procession leaving Hayworth Miller requiring several cars to cut into the left hand turn lane. There was a police escort leading the procession. The entire intersection stopped and paused for at least 5 minutes. There were no honking horns while the lights cycled through at least twice. When the last car with the procession went through the intersection, everyone took their turn at waiting through the next cycle of lights. This is a typical Southern tradition, and everyone participated quietly with dignity and respect. <br />
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I have lived in the South for 33 years. I believe it is our manners that make up the manners of the South. Individually, we become the collective visual for the rest of the world. Let's all do our part! </span>George Pinghohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05965522219281254021noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6421982610388093618.post-61362294251628803462011-01-07T14:30:00.002-05:002012-01-04T21:17:29.605-05:00Happy New Year!<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">January 07, 2011</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">It is an interesting day, the New Year is off to a good start! I am trying to locate a US Notary Public for one of my clients in the city of Donetsk in the Ukraine. As it turns out, the Orthodox Christian Church celebrates Christmas today - So I am going to have to wait till Monday to continue the quest!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">I have waited a long time to begin "blogging" - one of those tasks that one must be commited to addressing on a daily basis; so I begin today!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">Some of the content will be brief; others will be longer and might ramble! only one way to find out where thisleads and how it will work.</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">My website is </span><a href="http://www.georgepingho.com/"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">www.georgepingho.com</span></a></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">Next Post - tomorrow!</span></div></div></div>George Pinghohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05965522219281254021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6421982610388093618.post-36623069789151960692010-12-09T00:46:00.000-05:002010-12-09T00:46:03.838-05:00Just getting started!One of my 2011 projects -just laying out the groundwork - stay posted!George Pinghohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05965522219281254021noreply@blogger.com0