Podcasts about Burmese

In 2022, scientists dissected an 18-foot Burmese python only to find a barely digested 5-foot-long gator.

Sometimes when you're watching a lot of war movies, the darkness and the suffering and the death and the mud and the blood and... everything... it can wear on you. Every now and then it's nice to be reminded that despite it all, despite seeing the worst humanity can muster... the human spirit can still triumph in ways big and small. Next week: It's gotta be CAINE! Questions? Comments? Suggestions? You can always shoot us an e-mail at forscreenandcountry@gmail.com   Full List: https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/war-movies/the-100-greatest-war-movies-of-all-time Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/forscreenandcountry Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/fsacpod Our logo was designed by the wonderful Mariah Lirette (https://instagram.com/its.mariah.xo) The Burmese Harp stars Rentarō Mikuni, Shoji Yasui, Jun Hamamura, Taketoshi Naito and Kō Nishimura; directed by Kon Ichikawa. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The boys dive into what is coined the "longest running civil war", evaluating the historical context and tactics, techniques and gear employed in the current revision of the Myanmar conflict. Is it merely a war a world away, or a cautionary tale we can all learn from? Thanks for tuning in.Hit us up on our social media accounts to scope out our partner links aimed at saving you money while improving capability.

Ch. 7 - No Way Off This Path from Journey of Insight Meditation by Eric Lerner SIX OF US ARRIVED at the International Meditation Center in Rangoon late in the afternoon of the day the retreat in memory of U Ba Khin was to begin. A charming, middle-aged Burmese gentleman who produced movies for a living met us at the gate and immediately took us on a tour of the grounds. After all the build-up and expectation that had surrounded our trip, it was difficult to appreciate the fact that we were actually there. All we could do was gawk as we followed our host around. The most prominent feature of the Center was the arrangement of the meditation cells, the small individual rooms where one was expected to sit in darkness and silence for most of the day. They surrounded a large central pagoda that contained the shrine room where U Ba Khin himself had sat in meditation. Opening onto the shrine room were eight cells, which were also accessible by doors from the outside. ... by Eric Lerner 2025 29 minutes 48 seconds Listen to Streaming Audio Your browser does not support the audio element. Download Audio (13.7MB) Audio copyright, 2025 Pariyatti View the book, eBook and free PDF download. You can also find it at Amazon worldwide using this link: http://a-fwd.com/com=pariyatti-20&asin=B0CJL9SG5D. About Eric Lerner. View more books and audio resources available in the Pariyatti bookstore.

SBS မြန်မာ ၂၀၂၅ ခုနှစ် ဧပြီ ၇ ရက် နေ့အတွက် News Flash သတင်းများ။

One week after a devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar, hospitals remain overwhelmed, medical supplies are running low and emergency teams are struggling to meet growing healthcare needs.The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that the crisis has pushed an already fragile health system to breaking point, with over 5,000 injured Burmese requiring urgent trauma care amid the looming threat of disease outbreaks like cholera.The most urgent needs include trauma and surgical care, essential medicines for chronic illnesses and disease outbreak prevention, as Elena Vuolo, WHO Deputy Representative in the country, explained to UN News' Vibhu Mishra.Click here to read the text story.

LONG The White House has urged investors to trust in Donald Trump as Wall Street continues a global sell-off in response to his tariff announcement. The Dow Jones index is down more than three percent, the dollar has fallen and oil prices have slipped. Shares prices in Europe and Asia closed sharply down. As government officials consider what to do next, we speak to a former US secretary of commerce and an American businessman. Also in the programme: a BBC team reports from Mandalay, close to the centre of the Burmese earthquake zone; and the UK is to host the women's football World Cup in 2035(Photo: Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange in New York Credit: JUSTIN LANE/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

In episode 1838, Miles and guest co-host Francesca Fiorentini are joined by journalist and co-host of It Could Happen Here, James Stout, to discuss... The Revolution In Myanmar and more! LISTEN: Wu Punk by Georgia Anne Muldrow WATCH: The Daily Zeitgeist on Youtube! L.A. Wildfire Relief: Displaced Black Families GoFund Me Directory See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

//The Wire//2300Z April 1, 2025////ROUTINE////BLUF: CHINA UNDERTAKES LARGE SCALE MILITARY EXERCISES IVO TAIWAN. BURMA EARTHQUAKE RECOVERY CONTINUES. TESLA ATTACKS REMAIN CONSTANT.// -----BEGIN TEARLINE------International Events-Far East: China has begun another series of military exercises in the Taiwan Strait, and in the waters surrounding Taiwan. Per the Chinese Ministry of Defense, this latest large-scale drill is largely serving as a "severe warning and forceful containment against Taiwan independence".Southeast Asia: Recovery efforts from the Burmese earthquake continue, as the widespread damage throughout the region becomes more apparent. So far the death toll has surpassed 2,719 victims, according to Myanmar's ruling military government. Humanitarian aid has been slow to flow into the region, and most areas hardest hit by the earthquake remain out of communication with the outside world. AC: Much of the region remains without electricity, which along with the communications outages, has complicated assessments of how bad this crisis truly is.-HomeFront-USA: The attacks on Tesla vehicles have continued to simmer, with limited increases in vandalism incidents in major cities. Following the uptick in these types of attacks, various supporter-protest movements (in support of Tesla and Elon Musk) have taken root as well. Many of these supportive-protests have also been met with counter-protests in most cases, sometimes resulting in clashes between groups. Over the weekend, a pro-Musk protester was intentionally struck by a vehicle of a counter-protester at a protest event in Idaho. The Meridian Police Department arrested the 70-year-old anti-Musk protester at the scene, and charged him with aggravated battery.New Mexico: The GOP Headquarters was firebombed over the weekend in Albuquerque. One of the entrances to the facility was destroyed by an improvised incendiary/explosive device early Sunday morning. Anti-ICE graffiti was spray painted at the scene by the assailants, who have not been identified.Indiana: Yesterday evening, a prominent cybersecurity and cryptography professor at Indiana University was fired after the FBI raided two of his residences under mysterious circumstances. XiaoFeng Wang, a well known crypto and cyber expert, remains missing following the searches.-----END TEARLINE-----Analyst Comments:While very few details of the Indiana incident have been released or even acknowledged, over the past few months, both the United States and China have been on a spy-hunting spree. 6x Chinese nationals were arrested in the Philippines a week ago for allegedly spying on US warships in Subic Bay. Two weeks ago, China sentenced one of their researchers (at an undisclosed educational institution) to death for spying.As such, it's possible that this is related to Wang's disappearance after the raids. Usually, rooting out spies is a tit-for-tat affair; the Chinese bag one of ours, and we get one of theirs (or at least try to). Of note, China has sentenced all of the spies they have caught to death, while the United States obviously does not.Outside the realm of espionage, more overt actions are being undertaken to beat the drums of war in the Pacific. Though the Chinese drills in the Taiwan Strait were not announced with much notice, the maneuvers so far are largely a continuation of the same posturing and training seen before. Over the past few years, China has been engaging in increasingly complex drills as their proficiency improves. In short, the training is working, and Chinese forces are learning and gaining significant experience in combined arms warfare. Of course, the unspoken factor of war remains extremely relevant regarding any potential military campaign in Taiwan...no plan survives first contact with the enemy. In other words, China can train all they want, b

Joe Caulfield speaks to Burmese people living in Ireland to find out how the Myanmar earthquake is affecting them.

Hawaiʻi's Burmese responds to the devastating earthquake in Myanmar; The Hawaiʻi Bicycling League calls attention to a rise in fatalities among pedestrians and bike riders

Episode #325: “It's going to take days, if not weeks, to really get a full picture on how devastating this initial earthquake was, let alone these aftershocks that were expected.”A powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake, followed by a major aftershock, struck central Myanmar, leaving behind widespread devastation. Entire regions, particularly along the Yangon-Mandalay corridor, were heavily damaged.Michael Martin, an analyst with the Center for Strategic and International Studies, explains how Myanmar's political fragmentation severely complicates aid delivery. The country is divided between the military junta (SAC), ethnic armed organizations (EAOs), and People's Defense Forces (PDFs), making coordinated relief efforts nearly impossible. Civil society organizations are trying to respond but face communication barriers and limited support from international actors.Martin critiques the role of the SAC, which has historically weaponized aid, prioritizing its own interests and obstructing relief to opposition areas. EAOs have demonstrated more effective local distribution through long-standing networks, but international agencies are often reluctant to work outside official channels. The National Unity Government (NUG) lacks the capacity and recognition to serve as a central coordinator.Martin warns that despite early pledges from regional powers, international interest may wane. He stresses the urgent need for recovery-focused aid before monsoon season worsens conditions. Ultimately, he expresses cautious hope in the resilience of the Burmese people, who have long endured hardship with determination and strength.“Now you're seeing people all over the country, not only taking up arms to get rid of the military, but also gathering and saying, ‘Okay, now that we got them out of here, how do we want to be governed in our town, in our township, in our ethnic state, in our region, however It may be.' I suspect that if the international community doesn't fully pull the weight that it probably should, that the people in the country will find a way of getting by, because that's what they've done for decades. They get by in their terrible circumstances.”Please consider a donation today to our earthquake relief fund!

SBS မြန်မာ ၂၀၂၅ ခုနှစ် မတ်လ ၃၁ ရက် နေ့အတွက် News Flash သတင်းများ။

Myanmar is reeling following a powerful earthquake on Friday. The epicentre was near the second largest city Mandalay, home to about 1.5 million people. According to the government, more than 2,000 people have been killed. The country is already in the midst of a worsening humanitarian crisis and civil war. It's also ruled by a military junta who control almost all the media. We hear from Soe Win Than, the editor of the BBC's Burmese service, about why it's difficult to get all the information.Tremors were also felt in Thailand - where thousands were evacuated from cracked buildings and at least 20 people have died.Myanmar is considered one of the world's most geologically active areas and prone to serious natural disasters. We speak to Stephen Hicks, a seismologist and research at University College London, about why earthquakes are so hard to predict.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Emily Horler and Benita Barden Editor: Verity Wilde

The search for survivors continues in Myanmar as the number of deaths rises to more than 1600. The UN pleads for the Burmese military to stop attacking rebels. Also: Mexico tackles its country's obesity problem.

More aftershocks have been felt in Myanmar as the military junta continues bombing rebels. We speak to Kim Aris, Aung San Suu Kyi's son, about her 4 years' incarceration in a Burmese jail. Also: Donald Trump has said he was very angry with President Putin for questioning the credibility of the Ukrainian president; and we explore the relationship between John Lennon and his fellow Beatle, Sir Paul McCartney. (Image: Burmese rescuers sift through the rubble of a collapsed building. Credit: Reuters)

Episode #324: In a deeply moving interview, Thiri discusses the devastating aftermath of the recent 7.7-magnitude earthquake, set against the backdrop of ongoing political turmoil. With communication lines down and infrastructure destroyed, even basic information about the crisis has been difficult to obtain—making reporting and relief coordination nearly impossible.Since the 2021 coup, the military junta has systematically dismantled media freedom and community support networks. Journalists are in exile or hiding, and many volunteers face arrest simply for helping. Despite this, grassroots rescue efforts have been heroic, with civilians digging survivors out by hand. The military, meanwhile, underreports casualties and stages propaganda photo ops, creating a false image of control and care.Thiri warns that the junta's sudden welcome of international aid is a calculated attempt to mask the true scale of devastation, seek legitimacy, and potentially repurpose aid for military use. She urges donors to apply “conflict sensitivity”—a deep understanding of Myanmar's political context—and work directly with trusted local organizations rather than the junta.The emotional toll is immense: families separated, loved ones missing, and grief compounded by misinformation and fear. Amid continued military airstrikes, Thiri says the suffering is not just from the quake, but from the coup itself.She calls on the international community to act responsibly: support grassroots Burmese networks, avoid legitimizing the regime, and understand that for Myanmar, even basic humanitarian aid has become a political battleground. “We just want to live in peace,” she says. “But even that feels like too much right now.”

//The Wire//2300Z March 28, 2025////PRIORITY////BLUF: MAJOR EARTHQUAKES STRIKE BURMA AND THAILAND, THOUSANDS OF CASUALTIES ESTIMATED. DIPLOMATIC ACTIONS CONTINUE IN UKRAINE.// -----BEGIN TEARLINE------International Events-Southeast Asia: A very large earthquake (and many aftershocks) struck the region this morning, primarily within the nations of Myanmar (Burma) and Thailand. The epicenter of the Burmese earthquake was located almost exactly under the city of Mandalay, Burma's second largest city. Early estimates indicate the earthquake's magnitude was 7.7, larger than usual for the region. In Thailand, several aftershocks were felt and have caused damage through much of the northwest. A state of emergency remains in effect throughout most of Burma, and parts of Thailand that have been hardest hit. Many skyscrapers and high-rise buildings have collapsed in Bangkok, about 600 miles from the epicenter.AC: This earthquake is a big deal, with most authorities estimating thousands, if not tens of thousands of casualties spread throughout the region. Right now, numbers are impossible to verify as most communications networks throughout Burma and Thailand (which barely functioned before the earthquake) are simply overwhelmed. Additionally, since Burma has been living under a state of military coup for several years, communications blackouts have been the norm to prevent access to the internet by locals. As such these censorship efforts probably will have a negative impact on determining the scale of the crisis in Burma.Eastern Europe: The potential for peace in Ukraine remains on the table as diplomatic efforts remain constant. Overnight, President Putin gave a very frank and direct talk regarding his concerns for the war coming to a close. One of his chief concerns is the legitimacy of peace; in short, Putin stated that he's not sure if a peace agreement with Zelenskyy would be legally binding, because he is not the elected leader of Ukraine (referencing the fact that elections have been suspended in Ukraine, and Zelenskyy's term of office expired some time ago).-----END TEARLINE-----Analyst Comments: Though many may scoff at listening to anything Putin says, his remarks last night provide some much needed insight into his perspective during negotiations. For instance, from Putin's perspective, regime change is a non-starter. From where Putin sits, Zelenskyy must go even if that means ousting him and creating an interim transitional government while elections take place. Considering his strangely direct remarks, he probably would be amenable to a ceasefire while Ukrainian elections take place, but that's sheer speculation at best.Rightly or wrongly, and like it or not, Zelenskyy remaining in office is one of the biggest barriers to peace and Russia has made it clear that they will continue fighting as long as he is in power. Zelenskyy himself did make it illegal for any ceasefire or peace talks to even happen with Putin, that is an undeniable fact that is complicating things quite a bit. Of course, on the other side of the issue, Russia wants to come out of this war in the best position possible, and a transitional government where everyone is vying for power would be politically advantageous to Russia.Fundamentally, opinions will vary on what is happening as long as those interpreting the diplomatic efforts adopt certain opinions. For instance, if a person thinks that Putin is hellbent on taking the entire continent of Europe, one analytical perspective will be adopted. If a person thinks that Putin just wants to make a minor land grab and isn't interested in land outside of Ukraine, another analytical perspective will be used. This is one of the major reasons for analytical discrepancy throughout the conflict, and is why the terms of a peace agreement might be confusing to many people who had believed one set of beliefs about the

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Suu Khin of Burmalicious. Suu speaks with Eric about how Burmese cuisine is different from other southeast Asian food, starting her food blog, how she got on Master Chef, her experience being on the show, doing the show in the midst of the pandemic, meeting each other for the first time, sharing her Burmese heritage through her food, working with Cucharita for the Burmalicious pop-ups, being nominated for a James Beard award, her goals, the possibility of opening her own establishment, and more! Follow Eric on Instagram/Threads @ericsandler. You can also reach Eric by emailing him at eric@culturemap.com. Check out some of his latest articles at Culturemap.com: TikTok Food Critic Keith Lee Awards $50,000 to Pearland Dessert Shop One of Texas Monthly's Favorite Houston Restaurants will Soon Shutter Houston's 11 Best Pastry Chefs Make Dining Sweeter New Houston Hotspot Debuts with a Seasonal Spin on Prix-Fixe Dining Hospitable Houston Craft Beer and Burger Spot Will Soon Shutter

Federal treasurer သည် သြစတြေးလျအလုပ်သမားအားလုံးအတွက် လူနေမှုစရိတ်သက်သာ စေရန်နှင့် ယှဉ်ပြိုင်နိုင်သောစီးပွားရေးကိုတည်ဆောက်ရန် ရည်ရွယ်သည့် ဘတ်ဂျက်ဖြင့် သေးငယ် သောအခွန်လျှော့ချမှုကို ထုတ်ဖော်ပြသခဲ့သည်။

Episode #321: Growing up in Indonesia, Evy Zulyani found her passion for social justice early on, using her skills as a high school journalist to expose corruption. This experience gave her a first taste of how activism could transform society, even on a small scale. She found inspiration in community involvement, particularly through her work providing non-formal education to poor children, solidifying her belief in collective action and grassroots change.After college, Evy joined an NGO supporting migrant workers, where she witnessed the deep systemic injustices faced by Indonesian women returning from working abroad. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Evy transitioned to digital activism, joining the Milk Tea Alliance—a transnational solidarity movement uniting activists across Asia. Myanmar's 2021 coup became a focal point of her activism, inspiring solidarity actions, including protests in front of the ASEAN Secretariat.Evy's approach to activism embraces creativity and resilience. She organized unique protests in Jakarta like “Bike for Myanmar” and collaborated with artists and musicians, using art to express resistance to the Burmese regime. Despite facing burnout and exhaustion, Evy relied on her community for strength, emphasizing that activism could not be done alone. She also co-created 'The Dictator's Playbook,' a zine that educated activists on state repression tactics and strategies to counter them.Above all, love is a central tenant to Evy's activism. She sees love as a radical, transformative act—essential in sustaining hope, protecting one another, and turning pain into power. “Love transforms the darkness,” she says. “I think love can radicalize you. If you go with the path of love, I think the power of love is limitless. So don't forget to love yourself and love others. Just spread love.”

About Aye Kari Soe Aye Kari Soe is a consultant, human rights advocate, and European-accredited lobbyist. Born in the Tham Hin refugee camp in Thailand to parents who fled a dictatorship, she settled in the Netherlands at the age of 7. Recognized by the United Nations and leading global corporations, Aye Kari Soe is a dynamic public speaker dedicated to advancing gender equity, financial empowerment, and sustainable development. She co-founded Fembitious, an initiative empowering woman to invest and achieve financial independence. She also established the Worldwide Burmese Students Academy, which provides Burmese students with critical educational resources while contributing to the broader fight for freedom and justice in Burma. As the founder of Soe Consultancy, Aye Kari Soe leads efforts in ESG compliance and human rights advocacy. Through her consultancy and auditing work, she collaborates with industries to align their practices with international human rights standards and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, striving to humanize the private sector while promoting sustainable business practices.   Episode Notes Lesson 1: The Power of Childhood and Core Beliefs Lesson 2: The Power of Environment Lesson 3: Everything is Connected Lesson 4: Modern Slavery and the Fight Against Injustice Lesson 5: Purpose and Fulfillment in Career and Life Lesson 6: The Complexities of Humanity Lesson 7: The Role of Pain in Growth Lesson 8: Resilience is Built Over Time Lesson 9: The Importance of Spiritual and Emotional Well-being Lesson 10: Small Actions Lead to Big Changes

SBS မြန်မာ ၂၀၂၅ ခုနှစ် မတ်လ ၂၄ ရက် နေ့အတွက် News Flash သတင်းများ။

Hana finds a place in Cáel's Amazon Life.Book 3 in 18 parts, By FinalStand. Listen to the ► Podcast at Explicit Novels.You never really know what you can't do until you've tried to do it and failedI saw Iskender at least once a week, so I didn't know this was a bad sign. My superiors were wary to meet Iskender because intelligence types like their routines. When assets start acting strange, strange things happen. I knew this to be true. When your normally suspicious girlfriend suddenly acts all lovey-dovey,, she knows ~ she knows.Iskender's face showed that he didn't much like this change to our meeting schedule either. Introductions went around. Odette was the only one to say 'Glad to finally meet you' and mean it."Cáel Nyilas," he finally turned to me, "I bear a request from the Great Khan himself." No beating around the bush with this crowd."What do you need?" I replied. Irrationally, I found myself hoping 'please say you need a second for 'beer-pong''."Here is a flash drive with the particulars, but the basics are that we need the United States and the United Kingdom to lend diplomatic support to our efforts to obtain war material and other equipment from other aligned nations," he said."Things like?" Addison asked."Ships from the United States, tanks from Germany, helicopters from France and computer components for Japan and South Korea," he replied. "This is a list of roughly five thousand items we are attempting to procure.""Sure, we'll help," I volunteered."Cáel, before someone has an aneurism, why don't you find out what your team can do," Pamela burst my bubble."Sir, what exactly does your faction think we at JIKIT can do? We are a covert interim unit with limited authority and oversight," Addison stated."Wouldn't this be something you could accomplish through your own extra-ordinary resources?" Yum-Yum asked."We can only get so much through back channels and shell companies," he replied. "With the quantities the Khanate needs," he trailed off."You can't make that many purchases," I nodded. Even I knew an eighteen year old could buy a six-pack with little effort and a so-so fake ID. Buying five kegs was a totally different matter.There was a silence."Iskender, give the team 48 hours to go over this data. We will either return it as if we never received it, or act upon the information on your behalf," Yum-Yum spoke with finality."I understand," he bowed his head. "I will await your response.""I'll see you out," I told Iskender. "I get the feeling you knew this would be our reply.""I didn't, but the Great Khan did," he gave a weak smile. "Honestly, I don't know what to make of the request.""We do and I think we can get it done," I assured him. I escorted him to the elevator then returned to the room.I didn't have to be told what was wrong with this. If your girl finds out you ate fast food with another chick, you can explain it away. If you got take-out, or breakfast at some nice nook, then you had trouble by association. By giving us their Christmas list, Temujin had told us more than what he needed. He was telling us what he didn't need as well.This gave us incredible insight into Khanate economic and military policy over the next three years. See, you could go to Best Buy and purchase a 72" widescreen TV. It was what Best Buy did. You couldn't show up expecting to buy 500,000 TV's though. To get them you had to tell the manufactures they needed to build them because there was a market for that many systems.In turn, they need to buy the various components they didn't build themselves. That meant you would need to smelt more copper, produce more plastics and mine more cadmium, because they would be needed. Therefore, what the Khanate was ordering was stuff they expected to get three to thirty-six months down the line. This went beyond the war with China.As an example, the Khanate was ordering 265 Leopard 2A7 tanks from Germany to be delivered within two years. Germany didn't have those tanks lying around. They needed to build them. They had to expand the factories to build them and therefore produce all the components you needed for a brand new cutting edge tank at a faster rate than ever before.This also told us the Khanate didn't expect to build enough tanks for their own use, much less export to allies such as Vietnam. Maybe they didn't have the construction capacity, or maybe they were busy building something else. We could figure that out by seeing what else they were purchasing abroad, things like cars, trucks, tractors and locomotives.This was an excellent and powerful gift. It was also,"This is poison," Addison began the next phase of the meeting."I disagree," Mehmet Ali Sharif (our State department analyst) countered. "This will provide JIKIT with exceptional insight into what the Khanate's medium term goals are.""It is both," Yum-Yum nodded."The question is 'who are we going to share this with?'" I sighed. That was the critical juncture. After all, the UK and US had team of analysts whose sole job was to make forecasts like this."We decide that in 47   hours," Yum-Yum stated. "Mehmet, lets farm out 15% of this packet to different agencies and see what they come up with. Keep things compartmentalized.""Will do. Addison, let's burrow through this data to see what we can send to who," he got to work."Cáel, what is your insight into the Great Khan's thinking," Addison turned to me. "Are we being suborned?" I had to think that over."Yeah," I nodded. "He's got six months to figure out who is friends and enemies are and he might as well decide where we stand right now. If we share this data, he gets hurt, but it will mean the end of our taskforce and the end of real hard information about what the Khanate is up to as well.""Serving three masters never turns out well," Yum-Yum smirked. "Still, our regular intelligence agencies are months away from piecing together the inner workings of the Khanate and we have jack-off HUMINT on the ground. Our respective countries have 'back-burner-ed' Central Asia and now that's biting us in the ass. Barring an excessive NBC (Nuclear, Biological, or Chemical weapons) platform, I think we buy in."That meant becoming a true intermediator between our respective governments and the Khanate. That also meant continuing to work with the Amazons and 9 Clans, because if we betrayed the Khanate at this juncture, how much could the others really trust us? No, to keep JIKIT going, we were going to hide this information, thus becoming complicit in what the Khanate planned.We had already wandered past the point of intelligence-gathering and analysis to actual policy-making some time ago. This was the point of no return though. This wasn't plausible deniability. This was actively helping the Khanate achieve their national goals and meant moving beyond the realm of covert activities and into one of co-conspirators. I honestly thought we'd all buy in."So, what's next on the agenda?" I posed the question."Someone is late for their knife-fighting training," Pamela gave me a shark's smile. I smiled too. Finally I had something to do that I didn't understand, but didn't mind being ignorant about. If I fucked up, it would all be on me.{9:45 pm, Thursday, August 28th ~ 11 Days to go}Brooke Lee was many things, but being a cook wasn't one of them. What inspired her to cook dinner was almost beyond me. It had to do with that checklist women go through when seeing what a guy doesn't see in them. Brooke was gorgeous, fun to be around (if a bit snobby) and good in the sack. So, what made me closer to Libra and Hana than her? She wasn't trying to compete with the Amazons, thank God.She was better looking than Libra (true) and just as much fun, and if Libra was a better lay she would have hung herself, so it had to come down to womanly stuff ~ things like housecleaning, buying stuff and cooking. House-cleaning was a continuous menial effort and she had a maid service for that. Buying stuff? She had that down pat.Cooking? How hard could that be? very, but she hadn't accepted that, so here I was eating charred prime rib, rubbery asparagus tips, lumpy mash potatoes (made from real potatoes, I'd seen the peals in the trashcan) and some sort of Tomato salad. When she informed me she was cooking, I began looking for a reason not to come over for a late night rendezvous. Then she dropped the E-bomb."If you don't come over, it will be just me and Casper (Winslow) again.""Casper's still in town?" I asked. Since that horrible weekend where I first met Hana (good for my life), her father (hates my guts) and her cruel brother Brennan (now dead by my indirect intervention), Casper's life had been one of healing from the worst kind of treatment (by Brennan's now deceased posse) possible. I couldn't treat her like a pariah."I'm coming over to see you, but it will be great to see Casper again as well," I elaborated/exaggerated."Great," she gushed. "I'll see you at nine.""Make in nine thirty," I said. "I need to see a girl about a bed.""You are horrible," she chided me playfully, clearly not believing me."No I'm not. I'm tucking Aya into bed. She has an early start tomorrow and she's going to be gone all weekend, so this will be the last time I'll see her until Monday night. I'll be at your place as soon as possible after that," I told her. Aya was going to Doebridge and I was making a habit of steering clear of that Amazon municipality. Their security and I had a disagreement last time I was there."It is sweet of you to keep up with that little girl you were kidnapped with," she cooed. "You are a cool, great guy.""She's a special kid. We share a bond," I said. That was true and then some."I'll see you at nine-thirty. You won't be disappointed."And so I was at Brooke's at nine-thirty, getting ready to eat a largely indigestible dinner. Casper had stammered a greeting while looking at me happily. The smoke from the kitchen was warning enough of what was to come. I made light of the charred disaster. I didn't point out that two hours at 350 didn't equate to an hour and a half at 450. It just didn't.Brooke made up for her culinary inadequacies by looking good enough to eat off the plate, off the floor, or between the covers. She had on an Aqua tank top, black bra and khaki shorts with open-toed sandals on her feet. Casper was in the same general get up, except her tank top was white as was her bra.I carved up the beast while those two stood around drinking wine. The roast beast (original species uncertain) was as dry as leather, but the knife was sharp. We discussed Brooke's job hunting lack of success. The jobs she was qualified for didn't pay enough, required her to ignore too much leering and were generally an insult to her intelligence. Basic 'intern' stuff really.I mentioned Libra's job with Hana. She created some excuses about making her own way in the world then followed that up by asking if I could use my newfound influence to send some job offers her way. 'Surely not everyone at Havenstone was that way'. No. She had seem them being polite. They could be much, much worse."Why don't you become a consultant?" I suggested."That would be nice," Casper said. Brooke had become her closest friend."What would I consult in?" Brooke inquired."Employment," I mused. "You know networking and you know people who are looking for specific kinds of jobs. Start your own business.""I like that idea," Brooke grinned. "I could create a web page and get business cards, raise the start-up capital and start getting listings and finding clients.""I know some people who could help out," I offered, "as long as Central Asia is an acceptable location.""What kind of work do you think you can find?""Well, they need to build a government," I worked on my idea quickly because Brooke was literally dripping with sex. I was thinking 'tapping that booty all night long' sex.Women love sex, romance and sensuality. They also want to love their lives, feel successful and have just as much independence as they fantasize to be a good thing. I was coming through for Brooke yet again. I'd bolstered her when her former fiance's life imploded, casting her aside. I'd later given her the strength to make a moral stand for Casper and now I was helping her out of her career doldrums. God, she was going to let me fuck her silly. She was going to be freaking animal.But first we had to pretend to eat before we somehow shuffled Casper off to bed. The tomato salad was edible. It turned out to be Casper's contribution to tonight's festivities. I made sure to compliment her on it, while not mentioning the rest of this disaster. Brooke didn't mind. Midway through the meal, she stood up and paced about while calling her parents. Her Mom answered, so she gave that woman the good news first.My name came up, to her father, and not in a bad way, which was rather rare.'Yes, I was engaged to Hana Sulkanen. I was also her friend as well as Libra's.''I had friends in the Khanate, where business opportunities were aplenty.''Security concerns? No. She knew some people (my Amazons) who did that kind of work. Besides, it wasn't like she was going there.'"You might want to consider going there and meeting some of their people on the ground before sending your friends to that part of the world," I whispered.'Oh, I'll probably go to,'"Astana."'Astana, their capital. Father, there are extraordinary opportunities there. I'll be fine.'"I'll hire you some private security," I suggested. I wouldn't use the Ghost Tigers I had guarding Hana. That would be inappropriate. I couldn't use Amazons for that kind of work either.I was thinking about using Captain Delilah Faircloth of Her Majesty's MI-6. They had all kinds of contractors they'd used in China who would be looking for work now that the shooting had temporarily stopped. For all I knew, Lady Yum-Yum could use Brooke's new business as a cover to insert British operatives into the former capital of Kazakhstan.Now that I thought about it, that was a good idea. Brooke would have her hand in an espionage operation and not even suspect it at first. Later on, she'd probably love the peripheral risks and experience was experience.'Cáel can hire some private security using his government contracts.''I know you know people in the government Papa, but Cáel's people actually kill people.' Which went over like a bamboo hut in a tidal wave, but Brooke was irrepressible. Her parents wished her luck, Brooke did a happy dance and Casper snuggled close to me."Hey Casper," I put an arm around her. I was relieved she didn't flinch. I remained a good guy in her estimations of such things. I'd also hack my own hand off if it tried anything overtly sexual. "How are you coming along?""Better, day by day and my therapy group is good, very caring.""Glad to hear it. If there is anything personal that I can do, don't hesitate to ask. It is not a matter of debts to one another. You are worth it.""I'm glad you still think so," she stared up at me. I could easily dismiss her being needy. She was truly a damsel in need of a shoulder, a warm hand and a kind word. I didn't owe her because of Brennan and Anima. I owed her as a fellow human being."Isn't he the best guy in the world?" Brooke beamed. "We need to find ourselves one just like him." I couldn't see how that was going to happen. I was born in the wrong neighborhood, went to the wrong school and hung out with a different brand of friends. The convergence of me with Trent, which then led to Libra and Brooke, had been beyond bizarre.Felix was such an idiot for not buying into Brooke instead of stupidly trying to use her against me. Even that had backfired when I sucker-punched him in front of nearly a hundred Amazons. I'd knocked him out cold because he had shown more balls than brains in that one encounter. I wouldn't get that lucky again. I'd have to figure a way a new way to kick his Alpha-male ass."I'd argue with you, but I'm a hell of a guy. I'm a prince among men," I joked. "I mean that literally, I'm a Prince of Hungary and Transylvania.""Does that come with one of those cool sashes and lots of medals and ribbons?" Brooke teased."I'm sure the Hungarians are working on that right now," I chortled."Magyarorszag es Erdely Hercege" Casper murmured. "I read it in USA Today. They said it was something the Romanians gave you, but I wasn't sure what it was.""In Romanian it is "Prinţul Ungariei şi Transilvaniei", I clarified. "Prinţul is,""Is what?" Brooke said after a moment's lapse."When I went into battle with the Romanians, that is what they called me. It was a jest of sorts, not real," I sighed, recalling that dark day. Casper patted my hand."Is Magyarorszag the name for 'prince'?" Brooke requested." Magyarorszag is the name the Hungarians call their homeland," I clarified. "Hercege is their word for prince, but let's not buy into the hype. I'm just a guy with a job that entails greater risk than a pizza delivery driver.""A Jewish pizza delivery driver in downtown Gaza, Cáel. Every time I see you, you are sporting a new scar, or scratch. What do you have for me this time?" she gave me a sultry 'come-hither' look. I caught it and liked what I saw. Casper caught it and sighed slightly."I'm sleepy," she yawned. "I should be going to bed.""Oh no," Brooke protested. I almost believed her. "Are you sure?""Yes. I'll take an Ambien then be out like a light," Casper said before giving my hand another squeeze."You don't have to do this," I whispered into Casper's ear. "I'll brave another one of Brooke's home-cooked meals to spend time with her." Casper giggled."Hey now! What was that about?" Brooke pouted. She was definitely going to be wrapping those scrumptious lips around my sceptre in the next three hours, of that I was certain."He, ah, was wondering if we could do this again real soon," Casper babbled, caught between fright and comedy."Soon," Brooke shot me more of the 'sexy'. "He hasn't even made it out of the door yet.""I like the way you think," I winked to Brooke."What do you think is on my mind," she was provoking me. I didn't say a word. I chose to undress her with my eyes instead. She knew what I was doing too."Bedtime," Casper put both hands on the table then stood. "Thanks for coming over tonight." I stood as well, hugged her then briefly watched her walk away. Just because she was 'handle with care' didn't mean she wasn't a handful. My miniscule number of rules included not doing it with girls not in their right minds. I wanted them to be free to hate me when the time came.Brooke saw Casper off to the bathroom for her meds and the whole pre-bedtime ritual stuff while I cleaned up the dinner table. Five minutes of work now meant not waking up to the smell of ruined food later. The only thing in need of saving was the salad. I Saran Wrapped the rest of it. I was going to claim I was taking it into work for breakfast then dispose of it at our HQ ~ One MiMA Tower.Once I was finished, I puttered around noisily until Brooke came looking. I could have gone to her bed and stripped naked, eagerly waiting for sex. Since Brooke was trying to play in the same league as Hana, she might have misconstrued that as me taking advantage of her. If not tonight then in the morning when she replayed the encounter. Brooke liked to be 'in charge', so I fed that instinct.I had come here for sex. We both knew that, but we could pretend we didn't. Brooke could then want to have me and got to make sure I wanted her with or without sex, so we could have guilt-free sex together. Brooke was not overly complicated, for a girl, and she was hot enough to be worth having to go through these sorts of games."Whatchya thinking about?" Brooke said as she sashayed into the kitchenette."You," I met her gaze. She licked her upper lip."I've been thinking about you too," she moved within my comfort zone. I obliged her aggression by placing my hands first on her hips then, as I pulled her close, to the small of her back. We were groin to 'growing' and I was very aroused by her presence and her scent."Are you going to toy with me some more so that I go home tonight stiff and moaning with lust?" I groaned."I like toying with you," she snickered. "You are fun.""You are fun and sexy. We need to try another beach weekend with less drama before the season ends," I played to her amusement."I don't think I can wait for the weekend," she protested by shimmying her hips against me. "While you were out saving the world, I've been all alone.""Oh hell no!" I hissed. "What brought that on?""You are a hard act to follow," she teased. "I've missed you.""I've missed you too," wasn't a total lie. I hadn't been celibate by a long shot. That didn't mean I didn't miss her."How about we do a little bit less 'missing'?" she suggested."I'd like to have you on the sofa," I pressed into her."I'd like to have you in the bedroom ~ my bed is bigger," she grinned. My eyes shown with anticipation, which was what she was looking for. Brooke took my hand and led me through the living room and around the corner to her bedroom.She cat-crawled onto the bed while I hurriedly stripped down. She languidly lay back on the pillows, hair billowed around her in a dark halo while she hungrily watched my physique being revealed to her. Brooke's left hand traced a line down around her breast to her pubic mound where she started playing with herself. Her eyes fluttered, her lust blossomed into womanhood and I was beside her in a flash.Instead of falling in beside her (she was close to her side of the bed), or to her far side, I came at her from the foot of her bed. I spent only a few seconds kissing her toes, shins and kneecaps. While my kisses made moist lip-prints up her thighs, I unbuttoned her short shorts and undid the zipper. Brooke raised her hips so I could pull her clothing down ~ no panties.To change things up slightly, I finished the removal by turning her over onto her stomach, then pulling on her hips until she was in the doggy-style position. She looked back at me, her eyes framed by dark lashes and darker eyebrows on her tanned flesh. I pressed her shoulder blades down until her breasts were squeezed against the bed.After that, I slid down until I was on my belly. Using my shoulders and neck, I began licking her labia from the hood to the anus. That got her going and before long, I was drinking from her nectar and loosening up her asshole with some quality rimming. Brooke had prepped for me carefully and cleanly and this made me attack her nether regions with renewed gusto. Butt sex was in the offing.Not yet though. I got her all nice and gushing, but I wanted to try something more. I kept my tongue action going on while I coiled my body behind her. With a quick, graceful repositioning, I rose up on my knees, her thighs resting on my shoulders while I made furious suction actions onto her."Yep, Yeah!" Brooke exhaled. "This is, aha, new."True to my predations, while I worried and nibbled her accoutrements, Brooke took one hand (the other she was using to pull her hair aside) and began stroking me. Her tongue touched my spongy head several times before she stopped the outright teasing and placed her lips upon me. She didn't suck it in. On no. She sucked on my angry red helmet, running her lips right to the edge then back again, as if I was a Popsicle.I was leaning back on my haunches because of the awkward hold on hips with the weight I had to support. Not that Brooke was at all heavy."Crawl forward," I mumbled from between her legs. It took her a few seconds to figure out I wanted to return us to our starting position. She made a great display of slithering forward. My tongue stayed in her cunt until both her knees hit the comforter.At that stage she was ready to go and my forcefulness lifted her knees temporarily off the sheets.With my third lunge, Brooke reached back and stopped my rocking motion. I stilled which allowed her to reach over to the side table, open the drawer and pull out a designer bottle of lubricant."I know this is what you like," she panted in anticipation. I knew this was what we both wanted by the way she ran her fingers along my palm before making the hand-off.This was one of those bottles with the glass stopper, so it make a slight grinding sound as I opened it. Brooke want down onto all fours, her palms resting on the comforter. Her head was down and her waist-long black hair masked her features, but not her sounds of pleasure."Arch your back Brooke," I said as I inhaled her intoxicating aroma. She did so willingly. I let the oil pour down in a thin stream and rubbed it in with my thumb.I had to carefully aim my phallus because Brooke hadn't been lying about her lack of sexual attention. She was tight and hadn't been plundered by anyone in my long (for me) absence. Hell, this long and I was normally back to 'make-up' sex. I certainly wasn't going to be ramming my rod home with any great passion for a few minutes.I didn't want to cause her (too much) pain nor have her anal muscles constrict the skin off my love missile."Oh," she moaned. "I love it when you are gentle, Cáel. It reminds me how much you care for how I feel." She punctuated that statement by rolling her hips, driving in my entire length in her lubricated alternate option. Her body tensed up then bucked. I popped out."Put it back in," she gasped. There was so much to love about Brooke and her enthusiasm. Once back in, I rested my left hand on the small of her back to keep her back arched while I reached around with my right and began twisting and palming her right breast through her shirt and bra. As I was slowly twisting and thrusting, Brooke's arms gave out and she went face first into her pillow. Her breast pressed my hand down on the comforter and her repositioning drove a full inch of me suddenly into her.Brooke gave out a strangled sob followed by a whimpering sound. My left hand took my weight. My right came around and pulled her hair away from her face so she could breathe easier and I could judge her pain through her facial expressions."Oh God," she spat a strand of hair out of her mouth, "It feels like you are going to split me in half.""Too late to back out now," I teased her."I can, hiss, take anything you can give me, Cáel Nyilas," she taunted me through clenched teeth. I gave her another inch for her impertinence. She tried to crawl forward before she surprised me by thrusting up and back."God damn!" she howled. "You're huge!"I imagined that I would feel like a fucking Sequoyah shoved up my ass if I pulled off a stunt like that too. Brooke was game for more. I had enough in that now I could start a rhythm  without fear of popping out. Her hands bunched up the comforter around her head as she hung on for dear life. This felt so good that squeezing my last bit in felt rather inconsequential after all the physical and erotic ground we had covered up until then.Brooke's stomach clenched up as her spontaneous ecstasy jumped her and me. Every muscle in her body spasmed, including her rectal ones. I was shooting off into her bowels inside a second. My heat only made her climax come that much harder. I kept humping away like a chimp on crack while Brooke began to squeal out between baited breathe."Damn, that was intense," I remarked as I fell to her side. Brooke was still face down/ass up with her eyes squeezed shut, still riding through her own aftershocks of her sensual seismic waves."Oh, oh, oh," she panted hoarsely. "I want to, (pant), do that again, real soon."I spanked her ass loudly and prepared on shaky legs to remount her."No," she moaned. "Give my ass a minute's rest. Can't we do something else for a while?""How about I get cleaned up and get you a hot wash cloth?" I suggested as my nostrils flared."I'll just lie here and feel sated," she murmured. Her knees slid down until her stomach was down on the bed. I gave her abused backside another tender spank then slid off the bed. I quick-stepped it out of Brooke's room, and nearly tripped over Casper who had been out in the hall watching us."I," she stammered. I shut the door then crossed the hallway from her."No problems, Casper. I was hoping that we wouldn't wake you up," I coaxed her down the hallway to her door, and away from Brooke's room. I noticed her eyes constantly flicking down to my crotch. "Hang on," I held up my hand. When she nodded, I quietly sprinted down to the living room, grabbed up a throw pillow then sprinted back. Now I could be covered up."Why didn't you get a towel out of the bathroom?" Casper whispered."I'm an idiot," I shrugged. She sniffled then giggled."You make Brooke very happy, but,""But?""But you are engaged to Hana Sulkanen.""I'm a Love Monkey," I shrugged. "I find it difficult to be with just one woman. It is never that a woman isn't enough for me. It is that there is something wrong with me that is never truly satisfied so I keep roaming.""Don't you, worry about the women you are with?""I'm not a wonderful human being, Casper. That is all I can think to say.""You aren't like Brennan, not like that, hold on." Casper retreated to her room then came back with a folded up piece of news print. By the size it was one of those articles you found on page 17. "Here," she handed it over. "It was delivered here in an envelope with my name on it."I looked it over. A 'Jane Doe' had been found in Charleston harbor, SC, dead from an overdose."Three days before I got that, I got a call from Anima," she told me. "She told me," Casper gulped. "She told me that she was very sorry about all that had happened. She was sorry. That was it.""Oh.""Anima is dead now, isn't she?""Yeah, I think so," I noted sadly. "Does that change anything with you?""I don't know. I mean, Brooke told me that you would make sure none of those people would ever be around to bother me again, but, was this you?""No and yes. I told someone with the power to make a difference what happened to you and who was responsible. After that, I never heard about the matter again. Anima did stop by once, crazy with fear but unrepentant. I honestly feel that how she ended up feeling wouldn't have made a difference on whether she lived, or died. I don't know what to make of her call.""She, it doesn't help. I still have to take a sleeping pill to keep the nightmares away. I haven't told my therapist about the death, or how everyone else is either dead or disappeared. I don't know what to think. I was hoping you would.""I'm not normally the person people go for answers. I'll make up an answer, if that's what you want."She reached up and touched my forearm."I prefer honesty," she smiled. "I guess I was hoping for you to be more, perfect than you are. That was unfair of me.""You wouldn't be the first person to mistake me for a decent human being," I joked. "Usually that misconception only lasts a week or so. I promise you... I'll be living down to your expectations in no time.""Brooke thinks highly of you, and so do I. We've known you more than a couple of weeks," Casper feebly jibed."I've been behaving myself," I teased her.'"Brooke sounded," she trailed off. I waited. "You two sound like you enjoyed one another.""That's how it is supposed to be. You'll feel that one day too. You'll meet someone who thinks of your pleasure first. And, if he doesn't, you will have to train him to do it right.""You make it sound so easy," Casper sighed."Do you really think I'm that unique?""A prince, avenger, soldier-of-fortune, titan of the bedroom?" she lightened up. We'd crossed a barrier. I was 'joke-able'."We have union meetings every third Wednesday," I grinned. "We kick back, drink a few beers and figure out what hot spots and hotties we need to concentrate on for the next month.""I, thank you, Cáel," she smiled."For what?""For not disappointing me. You are a nicer guy than you give yourself credit for.""Thank you, Casper," I reached over and hugged her. She didn't flinch. "For treating me like I can make a difference.""I need to go to bed now," she yawned. I hugged her again then stepped back. She walked to her door and began to shut it. I swore I heard her whisper 'you do', but I wasn't sure. I had to hurry to the bathroom, heat up a wash cloth while cleaning up, before finally getting back to Brooke. I found her reclining on the bed, totally naked."Sorry I took so long," I told her."I know. It is okay. I heard most of it," she glowed happily. "Casper needs someone, someone who isn't me. I'm not the most patient friend in the world. I sort of feel responsible for her and she needs someone to talk to about normal stuff, but I miss going to clubs and hanging out with friends who talk back." I sat on the bed and began to run the warm cloth up her thighs."What was it like, that fight in Romania?" she asked as we switched off with the washcloth. She tenderly worked over her abused anal region."The battle? A skirmish really,""Yes," she paused. "Between that and being kidnapped, you've had a mentally draining time since we last spent some time together. You act like you haven't changed much, but,""It's okay. I know it sounds clich , but it is hard to explain those things unless you've lived thru them.""If you don't want to talk about it," Brooke gave me an out. I could tell this was a part of my life she wanted to be a part of; my manliness on display."I'm okay. I can't really say I was scared for myself either time. During the kidnapping I was concerned for Aya. All of the normal human stuff came later, after the crisis was over. During the kidnapping, there isn't much to talk about. As for the fight, at the time I had a plan and was waiting for the opportunity to implement it. Bullets were flying. Men around me were getting wounded. I can't recall seeing any of the men on my side getting killed.""Did you get shot?" she stroked my abdomen."Bruised, though my flak jacket had to do its job once or twice," I sighed. I could almost hear the sounds of the bullets whizzing around me once more. Wounded men hadn't screamed out when they were hit. They'd grunted. The cries would come later when the enormity of their pain sunk in."I made sure the main bad guy ~ the Boss ~ didn't get away. I think I wounded one guy. That was it; my contribution to the battle.""It was your plan that won the fight though, right?""Yes. I did what leaders are supposed to do, but that didn't mean I could save all my guys and gals.""You are very courageous," Brooke cuddled in. "You don't back down often, but you are not an ass about it. You are the least 'macho-asshole' macho-man I've ever met, and I'd like to see more of you," she purred."I'm already naked," I played naive. Brooke pushed me down and straddled my lap."I guess I'll just have to appreciate the naked you some more then," she chortled. Brooke took charge long enough for me enter her then we combined our efforts, her moving with her thighs and me with my hands on her hips, to engage in some serious love-making.This is not a political commentary, public personalities have been butchered in order to make the story light-hearted{4:45 am Friday, August 29th ~ 10 Days to go}"Hey," Brooke asked softly, "can I join?"I was halfway thru my clean up when she'd opened the shower stall door, but I had some time. "Sure. I'll wash your back if you wash mine," I offered.She gave me a sly grin as she stepped in and closed the door behind her. I signaled her to turn with her back to me (never a safe position), poured some liquid soap in my hands and began lathering her up."Did you think you could leave me with only a kiss," she said as she backed up against me."I thought you were asleep when I kissed you," I whispered into her ear."I was. You are such a romantic, I assumed you kissed me because that's what you always do. You have a light touch.""We were up late," I teased."You are up early," she let her left hand travel down between us until she could wrap her fingers around my cock."Being with you, it is hardly a surprise," I chuckled."Are you implying you like me?" she serpentined her body against mine."Me likey, me likey a whole bunch," I told her as I nibbled her ear. Brooke responded by pulling my phallus around like a clock arm until it was fixed between her thighs and rubbing up against her. We left it there a while, she rocking her hips back and forward while I soaped up her front the way I had lathered her back. After all, this was foreplay.This was kisses planted along her shoulders, neck, ears and, as I turned her head around, on her lips. Brooke was whining with need after our last French kiss, so I pushed my hips back and pressed her down with a hand on her mid-back. At the perfect angle, I let her slip me in."Ah, this is never going to get old," Brooke moaned. She punctuated her statement by rolling her hips back and forth. In the interlude, I cut off the water so it would cease to be a distraction. Then my hands went to her hips and the rhythm began. It was a slow steady wave-like motion.Brooke had one hand against the tiled wall while the other reached under to play, as I went in. This was an excellent symmetry we had developed.I pulled out suddenly."No," Brooke protested. She turned around to see me pull a condom from behind the shampoo and quickly apply it. Brooke giggled. "Thank you for that, but don't you think it is a little late in our night together?""Would you rather I went without?" I smiled."No," she sighed happily. "It is so you." I took that as a sign to slip back in. I felt her fingernails run over the condom as I pressed forward. This time around, I let Brooke do all the work. I placed my torso onto her back so I could worry her shoulders and neck (yes, I gave her a hickey) and fondled her breasts."No fair," she whimpered. "No fair, I wanted you to, cum first.""I'm working as fast as I can," I huffed. Her fingers were strumming furiously, I was picking up my pace, pounding her with growing ferocity, and her breath was coming in labored gasps."No!" she howled as her climax gripped her. She bucked up once, twice, then a third time, holding herself tightly against me."I'm cumming," I growled and I did. Brooke's groans became longer and lower. She wiggled her cute ass against me, urging out every spurt of my semen into the condom. As I was pulling out of Brooke, she stopped me."Wait, I want to try something," she told me. She turned around and went to her knees.Brooke rolled off the condom and made deep, meaningful eye contact before tilting her head back and draining the contents of my condom down her throat. Oh, that was so sexy."Yummy," she gulped down my seed."Wow, that was so, unforgettable," I stroked her cheek."I've been reading some porn and wanted to try, oh, it has an aftertaste of spermicide. At least I think that is what it is," she snickered."I wouldn't know," I shrugged."Let me find out," she gave me more of that sultry eye-contact. She put her hand around my turgid phallus, stuck out her tongue then slipped it past her lips."No," it was my turn to moan. She was getting me hard again and I had a date I couldn't be late for. Maybe. The moment her gag reflex kicked in, I pulled her up into a kiss. My hands cupped each ass cheek, I raised her over and impaled her in one rapid motion. Face to face, I began bouncing her hard and deep.{8:00 am}I wasn't late, but it was a close thing. I had arrived with three minutes to spare, only to find Hana and Libra waiting for me at Amy's Bread on 9th Avenue. Over some coffee and scones we soaked up the city's morning ambience. I was in my biker clothes with my bike locked up within sight of the counter."So," Libra started off after the initial hugs and kisses (Hana on the lips, Libra on the cheek, no titty snuggle for me at the moment), "how was dinner with Brooke last night?"I didn't believe Brooke had given anyone any details in the period between since we'd had our last round of high octane love-making at one a.m. and before I grabbed my shower, or the two quickies in the shower, or feeling her up at the door. I had kissed her before leaving and she had been out like a light, naked and curled up with my pillow while resting her weary head on the other one. I had whispered a farewell to Casper, but not looked in. After that, I had biked over to Havenstone for my six o'clock firearm's practice.There, I had picked up my current minder, Juanita Leya Antonio Garza. She was a mocha-skinned Dominican, twenty-nine years old and a brand-spanking new member of the Isharan House Guard. She came to me by way of Havenstone's Buenos Aires' Acquisitions department. Juanita had earned her spot as my guardian by qualifying for that office's Rapid Response Team. (She had been good enough to qualify for that team's lead. Since there were not enough Security Detail (SD's) to staff all the satellite offices, the offices made do with teams trained by the SD as part of their normal career training.)She had spent the past week as part of an ad-hoc training program addressing how to bodyguard from on top a bicycle. (The SD had actually been planning this since I had been kidnapped.) Juanita had been identified by Buffy and Halen as a Runner to be brought into House Ishara and she had a seal of approval from both Buffy and Rachel as a bodyguard, so I was more than willing to put up with an aggressive road buddy."Entertaining," I grinned. "Definitely something we are going to have to work on together next time.""Next time?" Hana regarded me studiously. "Was last night that good?""We are not going to go there, Hana. I'm doing my best within my limited Code of Sexual Misconduct. I'm trying to be discreet.""Hana," Libra added her voice, "when you first met Cáel, he was simultaneously dating me and Brooke. At the same time he was also seeing that police officer,""Nikita," I clarified, "and we are keeping it at the 'strictly friends' level right now.""I was hoping to have something more than just a part-time husband," Hana stated softly. Hana wasn't whining. She was testing our boundaries, for the long term control of my being. After all, wasn't that what marriage was all about?"At this point in my life, I'm not that guy," I pushed back. Most of the women I'd been with hadn't been happy about sharing my attentions, often violently so. Those who did found ways to emotionally blackmail me into spending more time with them. Up until now, that had never worked."When I saw you with  Annela, I realized that you are much more than some sort of playboy," Hana countered."I'm learning to like kids," I shrugged happily. "I never thought I would, quite frankly. I wasn't called 'Captain Condom' for nothing.""I'm not on birth control," Hana enlightened me. Oh shit!"Good thing we are getting married," I joked feebly. "So, does  Annela want a baby brother, or sister?""Would there be a problem with a boy?" Libra asked."Not anymore," I guaranteed them both. "I couldn't,""Couldn't?" Hana requested what I had let slip."What used to happen to Amazon boys?" Libra pressed."Not something that I feel at liberty to discuss," I hedged."That doesn't sound good," Libra mused."Would our child be at risk if something happened to you?" Hana worried."No," I reached over and squeezed her hand. "There are plenty of people that know how I feel and wouldn't let anything happen to my children," I didn't quite lie. Honestly I had never talked over such things, even with Buffy. Would my sons be okay? Would my daughters?I needed to reexamine my future plans, which is to say I needed a plan."So how would we deal with your grandfather?" Hana redirected my thoughts."Oh," I had been worried about my Amazons, not my family."I will find a way to deal with Alal," I promised her. What a bold-faced lie. I hadn't a clue how to counter the man yet. I was still playing catch up with several thousand years of what he had already accomplished, much less plumbed the depths of his future conspiracies."You big liar," Hana smiled warmly. "That man has your number, even though you don't see it yet. We will have to work on something together.""I'll help," Libra offered. "That guy weirded me out.""He did?" I looked her way. I'd been good at avoiding ogling her cleavage for Hana's sake. "I wish I could clarify how I feel about him.""That man is evil," Hana insisted. "Don't you see that?""It isn't that simple for me," I shook my head. "It is, I can get inside his head and figure out what motivates him, and sometimes it is scary. In a way, he's lost faith in humanity. His friends have all long since died and he has carried on alone. I get the bizarre sense he is even looking forward to having something he's never had before, a family.""What about your, umm, aunts?" Libra challenged me."They don't count because he," I couldn't say 'made them in a lab'. "He never knew them as children, only after the fact and they have always lived in his shadow and under his control. This time, with me, us, things can be different.""He doesn't deserve a family in my book," Hana shook her head. "Not my family."I had to think about Katrina and Aya. How different was Katrina, who purposely sacrificed Aya to achieve her long term goals of screwing over the Seven Pillars of Heaven? Aya would bear a permanent scar of that betrayal, and Katrina had an ironclad faith I would save us both, a faith I didn't have in myself. I liked Katrina and even trusted her somewhat. Could I afford to feel the same way about Grandpa Cáel?"Hana, I'm not looking to give you a sane reason for dumping me, but my family is more than a little fucked up," I began. "I have to face the fact that right now, I really can't stop Alal from doing what he wants. That doesn't mean I accept the situation, yet it is what it is. When I have a chance at putting him away, I'll take it and that decision goes beyond my family. He needs to be stopped. As you said 'he's evil'.""Will you let us help you?" Libra inquired. 'Yeah right, what can you do versus a 5000 year old criminal mastermind' wasn't the appropriate thing to say. The truth rarely is."What would you suggest?" I did say. "Considering the resource gulf between what we can bring to bear versus his legions of followers and unspeakable power, what chances do the three of us have?""Is that a concession, insult, or genuine inquiry?" Hana questioned."Genuine inquiry," I answered. "I hardly feel I know it all. And the more insight I can gather, the better my long-term chances are.""We can start by finding a way to get rid of my Irish 'minders'," Hana gave me a quirky grin. "They are very good at fitting seamlessly into the background, but I can spot them.""Keep them around for a while, because all we can accomplish right now is getting a few more we can't identify," I pointed out. "The Ghost Tigers?""Oh, they are out and about," Libra snorted."They stop by long enough in the morning to get my itinerary, then, I guess they are out there somewhere," Hana told me. "A few times they have acted on my behalf, so I know they are close by, and that people really are trying to kill me. But they work their way, and that includes not being seen with me, it seems.""They are assassins, so I guess I should have expected that," I shrugged. "Still, while they are on the job, you are safer than you realize. None of the others ~ groups ~ will bother you while they know those two are close by. It is two, right?""I've seen two. A young woman and an older man," she elaborated."They both come across as diligent sociopaths," Libra added. "I've never seen them emit a single emotion, and they don't like my sense of humor.""I'd rather have you two alive than have them chucking at your innate comedic talents, Libra," I smirked. "Besides, the things they find funny you might not appreciate.""Good point," Hana nodded. "Some of the Great Khan's people certainly have an odd sense of humor, things that don't translate over well."I had an alternative to telling what I knew about the Earth & Sky and why they were so grim: that they saw their father's lifetimes, their own and that of their children filled with warfare and struggle. They were geographically trapped between two of the world's greate

The History of Aotearoa/New Zealand asked for a little boost in the "what going on elsewhere in the world?" category ca. 1759. Well, we were inclined to be accommodating... It also just so happened that the Qing Empire under the Qianlong Emperor happened to be engaged in a tremendous border clash far to its south... Presenting: The Sino-Burmese War Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode #320: Don Tajaroensuk's story is one deeply influenced by the experiences of refugees and the human rights work led by his mother. As a child growing up in Thailand, Don's home became a temporary refuge for people political turmoil, on their way to resettlement. Initially, Don didn't understand the gravity of their circumstances. To him, they were simply house guests; it wasn't until he was older that he realized they were refugees, displaced by the instability in their homelands.This early exposure shaped his worldview and eventual activism. Don's mother, Chalida, is a prominent figure in the human rights and democracy movements, working across Southeast Asia on issues related to migration and political activism. She would often be away for months at a time, engaged in work that Don didn't fully comprehend as a child. It was only through the stories of her friends that Don pieced together her role in supporting democracy movements around the world.Following in her footsteps, Don has committed himself to grassroots activism, focusing on the intersection of migration, human rights, and democracy. His work is informed by the intimate understanding of displacement he gained from a young age. Today, he continues to advocate for the rights of refugees, particularly those from Myanmar, and strives to educate Thai society on the urgent need to address these humanitarian crises.“What we should understand is that [Burmese people] have supported Thai society a lot. I can say that with our Myanmar friends being here, Thai society can really develop at lighting speed!” he exclaims. “When I talk with them, actually, they really don't want to make any problem for Thailand. They don't want to disturb the country, they don't make any problem. They want to pay taxes! And they are already part of our society. If we have more respect towards them, then our country will be better.”

SBS မြန်မာ ၂၀၂၅ ခုနှစ် မတ်လ ၁၉ ရက် နေ့အတွက် News Flash သတင်းများ။

Anthony Scott sits down to discuss Buddhism and its effect on the Cold War. Scott dives deep into the history of Buddhism and its impact on politics within Asia. He discusses the rise of Ashin Janakabhivamsa, a popular Burmese monk during the Cold War, especially his radical yet traditionalist ideas about Buddhism and its doctrine. The discussion ends with how Buddhism ideology interacts with Communist ideology. Anthony Scott is postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Political Science at the University of Toronto.

SBS မြန်မာ ၂၀၂၅ ခုနှစ် မတ်လ ၁၇ ရက် နေ့အတွက် News Flash သတင်းများ။

Practical Points of Peace(Philippians 4:2-9) For the bulletin in PDF form, click here. Message SlidesConflict, Imitation, and Citizenship - George GuthrieGod's Peace and the Beautiful Life - George GuthrieFighting for Peace - SwindollIntroduction: Joyful Christians in a Turbulent World Rejoicing, Prayer, and PeaceUnity and peace are a powerful witness.(4:2-7)Live in Harmony in the LordAll believers must be unified to advance the gospel (4:2-3).Joyful Christians are a Clear Testimony Confident prayer leads to joy and peace (4:4-7). Meditation, Practice, and PeaceWhat you really believe determines how you really behave.(4:8-9)Meditations: Foundations of a Christian Mind Focus on the tested and true (4:8).Mentoring: Expressions of a Christian Mindset Put into practice what you believe (4:9). Christians' unity, joy, and peaceadvance the gospel witnessbefore a watching world. Still in Bed"We read of spiritual efforts, and our imagination makes us believe that, because we enjoy the ideaof doing them, we have done them. I am appalled to see how much of the change which I thought I had undergone lately was only imaginary.The real work seems still to be done. It is so fatally easy to confuse an aesthetic appreciation of the spiritual life with the life itself—to dream that you have waked, washed, and dressed, & then to find yourself still in bed."C.S. LewisHome Church QuestionsRead Philippians 4:2-9. Is there an immediate insight or application you would like to share from the passage or the message?Euodia and Syntyche had to work at their relationship for the sake of unity “in the Lord” (verse 2). What issues tend to divide brothers and sisters in Christ to the detriment of unity?Paul directed these ladies to agree (be of one mind) “in the Lord.” How is this achieved when you have differences with another believer?Life is not always enjoyable. Read verses 4-7 again. What key truths in these verses allow you to rejoice in the Lord “always,” even in circumstances that are not enjoyable?Read Romans 5:1-5. On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate your ability to rejoice in life's irritations and difficulties? What truth from the question above will help you do this?How does verse 6 tell you how to deal with anxiety? How good are you at releasing your anxiety in this way?Verse 7 refers to the peace of God and verse 9 refers to the God of peace. To what degree are you experiencing the peace of God right now? If your heart is not at peace, what truth or promise from Scripture do you need to grasp?As you close your time, pray together that each of you will know the peace of God that passes understanding and display true peace to an anxious and troubled world.Pray for the Unreached: The Burmese in Myanmar (Burma)The Burmese people of Myanmar, numbering over 31 million, are predominantly Buddhist, with only 0.35% identifying as Christians and 0.08% as evangelicals. Their culture blends Buddhism with animistic beliefs, often centered around appeasing spirits called nats. Despite civil wars, ethnic divisions, and ongoing political unrest, the Burmese maintain rich traditions. Pray for peace among the Burmese and for a spiritual hunger among them that results in disciple making movements.FinancesWeekly Budget 35,297Giving For 03/02 43,310Giving For 03/09 42,264YTD Budget 1,270,698Giving 1,273,145 OVER/(UNDER) 2,447Fellowship 101We invite you to join us on Sunday, April 6, at 9:00 a.m. to learn more about Fellowship. This is a great opportunity to hear about our mission, values, and our ministries. If you're new to Fellowship, join us in the conference room (first floor) to hear what God is doing and where He is taking us. During this time, you will meet some of our ministry leaders and get to ask questions. Register at fellowhipconway.org/events.New to Fellowship?We are so glad that you chose to worship with our Fellowship Family this morning. If you are joining us for the first time or have been checking us out for a few weeks, we are excited you are here and would love to meet you. Please fill out the “Connect Card” and bring it to the Connection Center in the Atrium, we would love to say “hi” and give you a gift. Men's Muster 2025 A car out of alignment is harder to steer, wears down faster, and wastes fuel. Ever feel the same? Worn down. Burning energy. Pulled off course. It's time to realign. Join us April 25-27 for Men's Muster at our NEW location—Ferncliff Camp & Conference Center in Little Rock (45 min from Conway). Take a weekend to rest, recharge, connect, and have fun. Chris Moore will lead a powerful discussion on realigning your life with the gospel. Don't wait—register today at fellowshipconway.org/register. Registration deadline is April 10.Fellowship Women's Ministry Spring Conference & Luncheon Join us on April 12th, 10 am-4 pm, for our Fellowship Women's Ministry Spring Conference & Luncheon with the inspiring Cathy Lee! Dive deep into scripture with Cathy as she covers many aspects of spiritual gifts. Registration fee of $25 is due at time of registration and includes lunch. Register at fellowshipconway.org/register. Deadline to register is Sunday, April 6th. Childcare is available by texting Shanna at 501-336-0332 Silent Auction | April 6thYouth and College Mission Teams will host a Silent Auction on Sunday, April 6th, at 4 PM. Let us know if you have a service, item, or experience you can donate to be auctioned off. We would love to have it. To donate an item or for any questions, please contact our College Pastor, Andrew Stauffer at astauffer@fellowshipconway.org. Prayer During ServiceWe love to pray for one another. Our prayer team will have people at the front of the Auditorium under the signs Hope and Love to pray for you after the message. Please feel free to walk up to them for prayer or encouragement during the first worship song after the message.

SBS မြန်မာ ၂၀၂၅ ခုနှစ် မတ်လ ၁၂ ရက် နေ့အတွက် News Flash သတင်းများ။

Every now and again I am sent a story by a listener. Today's fascinating, true story comes from Sharon.The Florida Everglades is facing a big problem. Many of its native species are being killed off by Burmese pythons. However, a dog named Greg is helping to clear to Everglades of this stealthy predator, hunting down snakes invisible to the naked eye.This story is in the third person and the present and past tenses. Important vocabulary in the story includes: “piton” (python),“pantano” (swamp), “cazar” (to hunt), “cazador” (hunter), and “refugio” (shelter).No matter where you are in your language journey, stories will help you on your way. You can find a transcript of the story and read along at https://smalltownspanishteacher.com/2025/03/10/simple-stories-in-spanish-greg-el-perro-cazador-de-pitones/ Support the show

Queensland၊ Bremer၊ Logan နှင့် Albert မြစ်များ ကြီးမားသော ရေကြီးရေလျှံမှု များ ဖြစ်ပေါ်နေပါသည်။

When Kate Leahy was in Paris recently, I was happy to have a chat with her in my kitchen for my podcast. A former restaurant cook, Kate seamlessly pivoted to food writing, collaborating on books with a variety of chefs, bakers, and sommeliers, and has also penned several books on her own.Kate co-authored La Buvette with Camille Fourmont, the owner of the charming La Buvette wine bar in Paris, and most recently, My Egypt with chef-restaurateur Michael Mina. She also co-wrote Lavash, which explores the world of Armenian flatbreads; Cookie Love with Mindy Segal; Burma Superstar, featuring recipes from San Francisco's legendary Burmese restaurant; and A16 Food+Wine, from one of the best Italian restaurants in America.While Kate was in Paris working on a project with me, in between baking together and hitting the town, attending chocolate tastings, and checking out the $15 ham & cheese sandwich at the Ritz Hotel's Le Comptoir bakery (see below), we talked about writing cookbooks in this podcast. A lot goes into writing a cookbook, especially when she's collaborating with a chef and travels to places such as Egypt and Armenia to research and cull recipes. We discussed how she chooses what projects to work on, which chefs and sommeliers to work with, what are the most rewarding parts of writing cookbooks…and what are the most difficult. (And no, working with me wasn't one of the latter…hopefully!

Get ready for a wild ride through the world of nature myths! In this fun and engaging episode of The Backyard Naturalists, an award-winning podcast loved in over 115 countries, hosts Debbie and Laurie put their knowledge to the test with a true/false quiz led by Chris. From the surprising way squirrels help reforest the planet to whether earthworms can really regenerate when cut in half, the hosts tackle common nature beliefs—some true, some totally false!   Along the way, they share personal anecdotes, fun facts, and even a few debates over tricky questions.    Plus, the episode wraps up with a fascinating discussion about future topics, including monarch butterfly conservation and insect trends, as well as a recent visit from reptile expert Jay Bell, who helped customers conquer their fear of snakes with a friendly Burmese python named Norm. Tune in and test your own nature knowledge—you might just learn something new!   If you have ideas for topics that you'd like us to pursue, send us a message either on our Facebook page or our website. We would really like to hear from you.   Connect with the Backyard Naturalists on the Web, Facebook and Instagram.   Please visit and support our presenting sponsor, Backyard Birds at http://www.thebirdfoodstore.com/. A mecca for bird lovers and bird watchers, Backyard Birds is an independent family-owned business located in Matthews, NC (next to Dairy Queen), just southeast of Charlotte.   Thanks for listening to The Backyard Naturalists.  We hope you have a day filled with the wonders of nature. Get outside and take a walk on the wild side! Please don't forget to leave a 5-star review for The Backyard Naturalists podcast.   Production services for The Backyard Naturalists podcast are provided by Downtown Podcasting. To start a conversation on how you can have a podcast, simply send an email to info@downtownpodcasting.com.

Charles Kupchan, former European affairs specialist in Obama's White House joins us to discuss whether a viable security agreement could be brokered that meets Ukraine's needs without granting them everything they want. Kupchan isn't entirely pessimistic—but he's also not holding his breath. Plus, Trump's address to Congress was filled with signature moments: a ripped-up protest sign, a joke about annexing Greenland, and a reading of what he deemed an appropriately deferential letter from Zelensky. But in The Spiel, we break down a different highlight—the section where Trump rattled off supposed cost-saving measures, taking aim at everything from Burmese scholarships to circumcision programs in Mozambique. Produced by Corey Wara Email us at thegist@mikepesca.com To advertise on the show, contact sales@advertisecast.com or visit https://advertising.libsyn.com/TheGist Subscribe to The Gist: https://subscribe.mikepesca.com/ Subscribe to The Gist Youtube Page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4_bh0wHgk2YfpKf4rg40_g Subscribe to The Gist Instagram Page: GIST INSTAGRAM Follow Mikes Substack at: Pesca Profundities | Mike Pesca | Substack Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode #315: Responding to the question of why he left a comfortable life in Australia to join the resistance against the Burmese military in Karenni state, Jay says, “I would just say it's the crimes against the children. I have a child myself, and we're extremely lucky to be in a Western country where my child can grow up relatively safe. Seeing the reels and videos about children being murdered pulled on my heartstrings, big time. That was the driving factor of me wanting to do something.”Inspired by a chance social media encounter highlighting atrocities committed by the military in Myanmar, Jay traveled to Karenni State to offer medical expertise he had learned during his stint in the Australian army. There, he found a region ravaged by violence largely overlooked by the international community, yet powered by an unyielding hope for freedom.Jay offers a harrowing portrait of his time in Karenni: traversing the unforgiving terrain; working in under-resourced and makeshift medical outposts; stumbling across atrocities; and seeing displaced families struggling to survive. Jay worked alongside Karenni fighters, providing life-saving medical care in the face of overwhelming challenges, including a devastating mine explosion that killed several and left others critically injured.His vivid accounts also stress the resilience and determination of the Karenni people. Whether describing children navigating life in refugee camps or the solemn unity of funeral ceremonies for fallen fighters, Jay paints a portrait of a community bound by courage and faith. Despite lacking funding or proper equipment, the Karenni fighters persist against the oppressive junta, motivated by a shared vision of liberation.In reflecting on his experiences, Jay expresses a deep sense of gratitude for his own circumstances and a renewed commitment to using his privileges to help others. “The Karenni people and the Burmese people are just strong,” he says. “They don't get paid at all; they're only in it for freedom. A lot of them have had families killed at the hands of Burmese soldiers, but their community takes care of them. This sense of unity is huge. You can just see it in their way of life.”

Ch. 1 - The Dharma of an Aerospace Engineer from Journey of Insight Meditation by Eric Lerner About a dozen of us sat cross-legged in a darkened living room in a Massachusetts country home, attentive to the speech of a man whom all present including myself would agree was a highly unlikely candidate for a meditation teacher. His name was Robert Hover, and he was an aerospace engineer from Los Angeles. He had the incongruity of a centaur. The bottom part of him looked right, seated comfortably on a cushion, wrapped in a Burmese style lungi, a cloth cylinder tied at the waist. Above that, though, was a 1950's style short-sleeved sport shirt and a prominent, clean-shaven face and balding head with a fringe of gray hair cut as close as possible. He didn't radiate beatitude, only practicality. He reminded me of my junior high school football coach. Something about his sparkling eyes, though, the slight hint of otherworldliness, reassured me. by Eric Lerner 2025 27 minutes 13 seconds Listen to Streaming Audio Your browser does not support the audio element. Download Audio (13.9MB) Audio copyright, 2025 Pariyatti View the book, eBook and free PDF download. You can also find it at Amazon worldwide using this link: http://a-fwd.com/com=pariyatti-20&asin=B0CJL9SG5D. About Eric Lerner. View more books and audio resources available in the Pariyatti bookstore.

Episode #313: This second interview with Friedgard Lottermoser, recorded in 2023 before her she passed away on August 8th, 2024, delves deeper into her remarkable journey from wartime Berlin to Burma, where her life was inexorably shaped by her 1959 Vipassana course under Sayagyi U Ba Khin. She agreed to share her story only posthumously, due to concerns that the Goenka Vipassana Organization might block her acceptance to long-courses.This chapter of Friedgard's story unfolds during her formative years in Burma, where she encountered the transformative teachings of U Ba Khin, a pioneering Burmese meditation teacher who emphasized Vipassana as a means of liberation. Through her reflections, she recounts profound spiritual breakthroughs, including instructions reserved only for advanced practitioners, which allowed her to experience deeper stages of meditation and the impermanence of existence.U Ba Khin's mentorship shines as a cornerstone of her journey. His ability to guide students through advanced meditative states, such as the “bhaṅga,” is paired with his emphasis on self-discipline and spiritual resilience. Friedgard's narrative also highlights her connection with Mother Sayama, whose rapid spiritual evolution and steadfast dedication exemplified the transformative potential of Vipassana. Meanwhile, the influence of Webu Sayadaw, who inspired U Ba Khin to teach widely, contextualizes the broader spiritual lineage in which these practices are rooted.Friedgard also reflects on the role of S.N. Goenka, one of U Ba Khin's most prominent disciples. As Goenka transitioned from student to global teacher, his journey paralleled the spread of Burmese Vipassana worldwide, underscoring the universal applicability of these teachings.“When Goenka was successful in India, U Ba Khin has said, ‘Oh, I will go to India!' That was shortly before his death. If he didn't die, he would probably try and get to India,” she says. “He thought he should be very encouraging of Goenka, so he used to say, ‘You are not doing this on your own. I'm behind you. You are doing it on my behalf. Don't worry, you will be successful.'”

Listeners dive into Kathleen Height's chilling tale "Eye of Evil," set in the mysterious Burmese jungle. The story follows Stephen Loring, who seeks his friend Campbell after receiving a distressing letter indicating Campbell's declining sanity. Loring's journey from Mandalay to the remote village of Pugan immerses him in a world of local superstitions and ominous lore about the "evil eye," creating a gripping atmosphere of dread. As Loring uncovers Campbell's descent into madness through cryptic signs and symbols, he confronts the psychological and supernatural forces at play. The narrative explores themes of perception, fear, and the seductive nature of darkness, culminating in a dramatic ritual that blurs the lines between reason and insanity. The haunting conclusion leaves listeners contemplating the nature of evil and the impact of ancient beliefs on human behavior.

430 Kilometres: an audio poem by May Myat Zaw“An exiled woman from the Thai-Myanmar border sends a letter to her imprisoned friends. But like her, stateless and unheard, the letter never reaches its destination.”Hi everyone, today's episode is a special one. For the last six months new naratif has been working with Better Engagement between east and southeast asia (BEBESEA) to select 5 fellows with stories focused on migration in Southeast Asia. You explore these audio poems, photo essays, short films, and many more at our website: newnaratif.com

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 2490: Sharing a meal with strangers in a remote Burmese village taught Kat Medina a powerful lesson: true generosity is given freely, without expectation. In a world where many struggle to accept kindness without feeling indebted, embracing the act of receiving can create deep connections and mutual joy. By letting go of pride and allowing others the pleasure of giving, we open ourselves to a richer, more meaningful experience of human connection. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.thejoysofjetlag.com/article?id=myanmarmeal Quotes to ponder: "By attempting to politely refuse what someone is offering, we aren't just rejecting the gift from the giver, we are denying them the joy of giving." "To receive is to create connection. And through connection, you are able to cultivate presence, gratitude, and joy." "A magical thing happens over food. It acts as a modality for togetherness." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode #310: Mike shares an in-depth look at the Burma Front during World War II, emphasizing the forgotten contributions of Merrill's Marauders, a U.S. long-range penetration unit tasked with seizing the Myitkyina airfield. The airfield was crucial in maintaining Allied supply lines, but the mission was grueling, with only 130 out of 2,750 soldiers remaining combat-fit by the end.In 1995, Mike accompanied veterans on an emotional return to Burma to revisit wartime locations, including Myitkyina. But the trip was marred by strict military oversight from the Burmese junta, who attempted to co-opt the visit for their own propaganda purposes. Nevertheless, the veterans succeeded in reconnecting with key sites and honoring their fallen comrades, and recovering the remains of U.S. servicemen missing in action, which was complicated by sensitive political barriers, but resolved through the involvement of Senator John McCain.The discussion also delves into Mike's spiritual journey with Burmese mysticism, particularly the weikza tradition, which blends meditation and supernatural beliefs. Mike describes how this practice influenced his perspective on Burma, helping him understand its complexities through both historical and spiritual lenses. He came to believe that he had been a member of the Ta'ang ethnic group in a past life, deepening his connection to Burma's cultural heritage."The thing is, see things as they really are, and then act with skillful action," Mike says, urging listeners to strip away biases and conditioned perspectives to truly understand Burma's complex realities. "Stop it! You have colored glasses on through a conditioned mind, and you're making wrong decisions about Burma and everything else, and what is Myanmar, and so we have to do is clear that conditioned mind and see things as we are and deal with things right there."

Four years ago, on Feb. 1 2021, the Burmese military overthrew the fledgling democratic government in the Southeast Asian country of Burma, officially known as Myanmar. That sparked a civil war that continues today–with neither the military junta nor the various rebel groups coming closer to victory. How did the country get here? Veteran Asia journalist Bertil Lintner tackles the country's history since independence, including the military's long involvement in the country's politics, in his book The Golden Land Ablaze: Coups, Insurgents and the State in Myanmar (Hurst: 2024). He joins today to talk about Burma's history, the role of the military, China's involvement in the country, and prospects for the civil war going forward. Bertil Lintner is an acclaimed journalist and expert on contemporary Southeast Asia, especially Myanmar. Formerly the Far Eastern Economic Review's Burma correspondent, he is now a full-time correspondent with the Asia Pacific Media Services and writes regularly for Asia Times, The Irrawaddy and other regional and international websites and publications. Lintner has written 25 books on Asian politics and history, including Outrage: Burma's Struggle for Democracy (Review Publishing: 1989); Great Game East: India, China and the Struggle for Asia's Most Volatile Frontier (Yale University Press: 2015); and The Costliest Pearl: China's Struggle for India's Ocean (Hurst: 2019). You can find more reviews, excerpts, interviews, and essays at The Asian Review of Books, including its review of The Golden Land Ablaze. Follow on Twitter at @BookReviewsAsia. Nicholas Gordon is an editor for a global magazine, and a reviewer for the Asian Review of Books. He can be found on Twitter at @nickrigordon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

Four years ago, on Feb. 1 2021, the Burmese military overthrew the fledgling democratic government in the Southeast Asian country of Burma, officially known as Myanmar. That sparked a civil war that continues today–with neither the military junta nor the various rebel groups coming closer to victory. How did the country get here? Veteran Asia journalist Bertil Lintner tackles the country's history since independence, including the military's long involvement in the country's politics, in his book The Golden Land Ablaze: Coups, Insurgents and the State in Myanmar (Hurst: 2024). He joins today to talk about Burma's history, the role of the military, China's involvement in the country, and prospects for the civil war going forward. Bertil Lintner is an acclaimed journalist and expert on contemporary Southeast Asia, especially Myanmar. Formerly the Far Eastern Economic Review's Burma correspondent, he is now a full-time correspondent with the Asia Pacific Media Services and writes regularly for Asia Times, The Irrawaddy and other regional and international websites and publications. Lintner has written 25 books on Asian politics and history, including Outrage: Burma's Struggle for Democracy (Review Publishing: 1989); Great Game East: India, China and the Struggle for Asia's Most Volatile Frontier (Yale University Press: 2015); and The Costliest Pearl: China's Struggle for India's Ocean (Hurst: 2019). You can find more reviews, excerpts, interviews, and essays at The Asian Review of Books, including its review of The Golden Land Ablaze. Follow on Twitter at @BookReviewsAsia. Nicholas Gordon is an editor for a global magazine, and a reviewer for the Asian Review of Books. He can be found on Twitter at @nickrigordon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/history

Four years ago, on Feb. 1 2021, the Burmese military overthrew the fledgling democratic government in the Southeast Asian country of Burma, officially known as Myanmar. That sparked a civil war that continues today–with neither the military junta nor the various rebel groups coming closer to victory. How did the country get here? Veteran Asia journalist Bertil Lintner tackles the country's history since independence, including the military's long involvement in the country's politics, in his book The Golden Land Ablaze: Coups, Insurgents and the State in Myanmar (Hurst: 2024). He joins today to talk about Burma's history, the role of the military, China's involvement in the country, and prospects for the civil war going forward. Bertil Lintner is an acclaimed journalist and expert on contemporary Southeast Asia, especially Myanmar. Formerly the Far Eastern Economic Review's Burma correspondent, he is now a full-time correspondent with the Asia Pacific Media Services and writes regularly for Asia Times, The Irrawaddy and other regional and international websites and publications. Lintner has written 25 books on Asian politics and history, including Outrage: Burma's Struggle for Democracy (Review Publishing: 1989); Great Game East: India, China and the Struggle for Asia's Most Volatile Frontier (Yale University Press: 2015); and The Costliest Pearl: China's Struggle for India's Ocean (Hurst: 2019). You can find more reviews, excerpts, interviews, and essays at The Asian Review of Books, including its review of The Golden Land Ablaze. Follow on Twitter at @BookReviewsAsia. Nicholas Gordon is an editor for a global magazine, and a reviewer for the Asian Review of Books. He can be found on Twitter at @nickrigordon. Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/southeast-asian-studies

This interview was recorded before the recent suspension of USAID programs under the Trump administration, which has placed the future of the Diversity and Inclusivity Scholarship Program (DISP) in jeopardy. As a USAID-supported initiative that equips Burmese educators with skills for inclusive and culturally relevant teaching, the program that Maw Maw Tun and Chan Lwin describe in this episode now faces uncertainty about its continuation.Episode #309: Myanmar's educational landscape has faced immense challenges, especially due to the the COVID-19 pandemic, and then the 2021 military coup, which created significant barriers for marginalized communities. Despite these difficulties, individuals like Chan Lwin and Maw Maw Tun are working to make education more inclusive and adaptive across Myanmar. Chan and Maw lead the Diversity and Inclusivity Scholarship Program (DISP), an initiative supported by USAID that aims to empower teachers. Chan oversees DISP's strategic direction, while Maw is lead instructor, conducting weekly Zoom sessions that help educators adapt blended learning methods to fit their communities. Their collaboration ensures that teachers not only gain skills but also receive ongoing support in applying these skills effectively.Historically, Myanmar's education system has been centralized, controlled by state ideology, and emphasizing rote learning. The 2011 political reforms encouraged some changes, but disparities persist, especially between urban and rural areas. The pandemic highlighted these inequities as schools moved online, and rural students faced a lack of access to reliable internet and devices.DISP is dedicated to empowering educators, with an emphasis on diversity and inclusion. Teachers from different ethnic and linguistic backgrounds are involved to create a more representative and culturally sensitive curriculum. They are also supported in creating resources in their native languages, which helps make education more meaningful and accessible. Maw emphasizes the importance of starting with what is possible: “We have to start with ourselves—doing what is possible now. It's not about a perfect scenario but about making a real difference with what we have.” This encapsulates the spirit of DISP, empowering local educators to shape their own paths and ensure a sustainable, resilient future for Myanmar's education system.

Tito thought the worst part of his morning was losing his beloved Burmese python, Shakira. He was wrong. When her severed head bit him in a final, venomous twitch, something inside him changed. His fevered body spasmed, his mind clouded, and soon, black bile was pouring from his mouth—right onto the lobsters bound for a luxury cruise. Now, aboard the Joyride, vacationers expecting paradise find themselves trapped in a floating nightmare. Passengers transform—moaning, hissing, their tongues flicking like snakes. As chaos erupts, a desperate stepdad must protect his family and fight to escape before the infection claims them all. Author: Dave Kavanaugh Huge thanks to our sponsors: BetterHelp: This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Head to betterhelp.com/dns to get 10% off your first month. Acorns: Head to acorns.com/nosleeppod or download the Acorns app to start saving and investing for your future today. * * * EXPLICIT CONTENT DISCLAIMER: This episode contains explicit content not limited to intense themes, strong language, and graphic depictions of violence intended for adults 18 years of age or older. These stories are NOT intended for children under the age of 18. Parental guidance is strongly advised for children under the age of 18. Listener discretion is advised. #drnosleep #scarystories #horrorstories #doctornosleep #truescarystories #horrorpodcast #horror Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Equanimity: what it is, what it isn't, and how to get it. Guest Kamala Masters was one of the teachers at Dan's first ever meditation retreat. In this episode she dives into how to develop equanimity and shares her story of learning how to practice meditation during her everyday life while raising three children on her own. Kamala Masters has been meditating since the 1970s, first with Anagarika Munindra, who was Joseph Goldstein's first teacher, and then with the Burmese master Sayadaw U Pandita with whom she twice temporarily ordained as a Buddhist nun. More recently, she's been training with another Burmese master we've talked about here on the show, Sayadaw U Tejaniya. She is a Guiding Teacher at the Insight Meditation Society, and the co-founder of the Vipassana Metta Foundation, which developed the Maui Dharma Sanctuary.In this conversation we talk about: What is equanimity?The most common misconception about equanimityThe near and far enemies of equanimity The power and limitations of setting intentionsFull Shownotes: https://meditatehappier.com/podcast/tph/kamala-masters-rerunWhere to find Kamala Masters online: Website: Vipassana Metta on MauiAdditional Resources:Download the Happier Meditation app today. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.