Boy in the Trash Can

#37 - Off to Langley and Settling In:  This episode lays the foundation for the next assignment at Langley AFB, with continued antics through story telling. It's a good start and the recognition from Osan comes in 9 months later.   #airforce #langleyafb #hqtac #majcom #asianamerican Thank you for listening.  Please share and your rating is greatly appreciated. Princess Kona! invites you to vi...

#38 - Leadership Lessons & Asian American Challenges : This episode starts my new assignment at Langley AFB in earnest. Quickly learning some leadership lessons and impacting policy were first takes. Being back in the US after two years in Korea also raised renewed bias as an Asian American and continued to shape my views of why these perspectives existed. We also have some fun at work!   #pod...

#36 - Thailand, Wrapping up Korea,  and Are my orders right?   This episode wraps up my assignment at Osan AB in Korea. I take a trip to Bangkok, Thailand that was just amazing. In wrapping up two years in Korea, I'm getting ready for the next assignment and there is some drama with how that plays out!   #podcast #korea #adoption #asianamerican #koreanamerican #bangkok Thank you for listening...

#35 - A Strike, Wheelchair BBall, and a Trip to Indy . This episode shares a bit of a continuation from last week. I share my personal perspectives on being in Korea and seeing the culture and contemplates the what if's and the what was! In addition, there is an employment strike on base, the amazing athletes in the 1988 Paralympics, and more experiences in Korea. I learn that I win the Air F...

#34 - A Rice Cooker, Special Guest, & Huge Award! This episode is another exciting one with special guest Ken Bryson who was stationed with me in Korea. He shares both amazing memories and reflections on his time in Korea. In addition, my unexpected run in with potential black-marketers. The episode ends with some of the most significant recognition both in my Air Force career and that became...

#33 - I'm 30? & How Long is One Year? This episode continues my tour at Osan. We're pretty busy and I turn 30! It's traumatic. Then, the time comes to decide where I"m going next. You won't believe where I choose. A little shopping and getting into the darker side of Korea.   #podcast #asianamerican #koreanamerican #adoption #airforce #korea      Thank you for listenin...

Going to the Holt Orphanage! A very exciting episode. This is about my first visits to the Holt Orphanage in Il-San. I have a tribute for my Mom and learn a lot - more than I ever knew growing up. Most exciting, two very special guests. Joanne Coleman was also visiting Holt and Korea at the same time and I brought along Ken Bryson who was stationed at Osan with me.    Heartfelt thanks for Joanne a...

Lovin' Rice Paddies, a Car, and Workin' Hard! This episode shares more of the arrival at Osan Air Base in Korea and learning more about the Korean culture. I buy a car in Seoul, and start my job in earnest through the departure of one boss and arrival of another. A lot is swirling in my mind wondering about the what if's.    #Korea #KoreanAmerican #AsianAmerican #podcast #adoptee. ...

Golf Tourney Win & Off to Osan AB, Korea: As I leave Randolph AFB, I win the Tom Terrific Golf Tourney and pack up to leave my first assignment. Off to Korea, the next couple of episodes were in many ways very significant in my career and life in learning about where I was born and my ethnic background. The new job was both challenging and rewarding. This episode provides a foundation for the...

A Big Decision & Finishing At Randolph. This episode finishes my time at Randolph AFB and how I made the decision between the options for a one-year overseas assignment. I meet an influential general, have more career experiences and more recognition topping off that first year and a half.   Thanks for my special guest, SMSgt John Miller, III (USAF, ret) for his insights on leadership.   #podc...

Plane Crash, Playing Banker, & Big Award! This episode has so many events! We continue my first assignment at Randolph and how I depended on friends. MWR is responsible for both programs and activities across the entire base population; also has the exciting role in major base-wide entertaining events, so there are lots of adventures.  In addition, there is more purple rain as well.  Yet, even...

Name Change & General, Was That YOUR Foot?  This episode has me learning about my new job and responsibilities. I change my name for the fourth and fifth time,  make some great friends, and some lieutenant antics.   This is the start of what will become not only the greatest career of my life; it would provide opportunities that I would never have had the chance to experience had I not returne...

Commissioned! & A Call To Action, This episode finishes up the time at Officer Training School with a special guest, Colonel Ken Bryson (USAF, ret) who was in my class with his perspective. I get my assignment information and we graduate! The Call to Action is important as The Boy in the Trash Can; we have several recent headlines of infants in a similar situation. We can and must do more to h...

#25 - Officer Training School . This episode sadly speaks to a baby thrown in a dumpster.  Unlike me, it was not along time ago in a land far away. It was in the US, a week ago. The baby was found alive, though critical. Then, this episode takes me back into the Air Force and a second career as I embark on Officer Training School. A couple of antics and some help on the firing range. It's the...

#24 - More Chi Chi's, An Intruder, & Off to OTS : This episode takes me back to the Hampton Chi Chi's, and then a surprise stint in Richmond. I'm accepted to OTS, and not before we have an intruder in our home! It's a roller-coaster ride as I finish the two years out of the Air Force.   Last week was the best in 9 weeks! Thank You and please keep sharing the podcast!  It&ap...

#23 - A Bigoted Customer and Two  Moves. This episode is a little short because I pulled my back earlier this week, so please bear with me. This episode continues my career at Chi Chi's in Hampton and a move as a plan for upward mobility. A story how I dealt with a bigoted customer.  This episode is dedicated to Javier, a dedicated dishwasher who took pride in his job.   #restaurant #manageme...

#22 - Grandmothers and Chi Chi's! In this episode, I'll share some stories with grandmothers and experiences in the first year or so of Chi Chi's. I hope you'll find some humor, leadership lessons, and unique experiences from the early 1980s.  Over the holidays, we had a nice number of listeners and that was so wonderful including adding the 33d state, Oregon. The podcast keeps...

#21 - With Love to Barbara Ann Holton Terwilliger, 1935-1983. 1983 was a major year in my life.  So many rainbows and three purple rain, rather thunderstorms. It was one of  the most turbulent year of my adult life. I leave the Air Force, loose my grandfather and Mom, and earn the first three academic degrees.   Come on the journey to see how my life is turned upside down, and then we will explore...

#20 - Zipping Through School and An Adoption Surprise.  As a listener warning, this episode contains content which some may find disturbing.   The episode updates where I am in advancing in the Air Force and mostly on how I earned my undergraduate degree on hyper-drive. Additionally, you’ll hear about how two of my adopted siblings are reunited with their natural sister. There is a lot happening i...

#ST 11 - Alaska - Fjords, History, and an Orca! This is a an amazing state and a must see.  From the fjords to the culture of the Russian Orthadox Church to indigenous animals, there is so much to see. There is something for everyone in Alaska. Episode photos really add to the episode!   #alaska #travel #fjords #traveltips    Thank you for listening.  Please share and your rating is greatly apprec...

#19 - More AF Jobs and Trips Back to the Farm. This episode continues my Air Force career with transitioning to a new job, continuing my academic career, and trips home. There is a poignant story when Mom and I take a road trip.    This episode is dedicated to Jeanne Marie Terwilliger, 1959. While she didn't experience life in this world, I learned she was always part of who Mom was.    Thank...

#ST 10 - Aruba - The Happy Little Island . Short Takes are back after a week hiatus for the holiday. This week we are going to the Happy Little Island known as Aruba! I’ve been to Aruba at least a half dozen times and we’ll explore what I love about this island. This week's Travel Tip is know your credit card!   #travel #aruba #traveltips   Thank you for listening.  Please share and your rati...

#18 - Air Force Supervision & Chicken Head Soup! This episode will explore my experiences at Langley, more time at Pizza Hut, and starting school.  That is a whirlwind to be sure! Being a new supervisor has its challenges, new food experiences and how much college can I test out of?   I’m dedicating this episode to MSgt Tommy Campbell. As the dining facility supervisor, he took me under his wi...

#17 - So Long Nellis - Hello Langley! This week is a day early and I first send my American listeners a hearty Happy Thanksgiving Day and to others, a happy festival holiday according to your national celebrations of thanks! This week’s episode is a little shorter and we’ll be back to normal next week!   This week, we’ll wrap up my time at Nellis AFB as I have re-enlisted and ready to start anothe...

#ST 9 - Penguins and Wine and the Beach! This week’s Short Take finishes up my visits to Australia and this week, of my trip to Melbourne. Featured is Brighton Beach, the Little Penguins, and Yarra Valley Wine Country. This was also the last trip I took before the pandemic hit in November 2019.  From traveling 130,000 to 150,000 miles a year to zero has been a major change in my life. The travel t...