Category: Adventure with Engagement AWE

Adventure with Engagement AWE · Family

Homegrown AWE

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What’s special about the place you live? If you put a price tag on value, you are missing the AWE boat.   Because sure as rain is wet, there is a back-story to your area.

This past week we invited most of our ‘kin’ to Lake Martin providing them great family engagement, plenty of food (healthy and junky) and we assigned them corners for ‘adventure sleeping.’ Kids are so adaptable and while nobody got the bathtub, blankets and sleeping bags were everywhere.   Cousins, Aunts, Uncles, Brothers, Sisters, and one or two ‘strays’ joined the party. Aunt Dawn, the promoter of AWE (Adventure with Engagement) left herself no ‘me time’. I was determined that aside from the normal boat trips around the 44,000-acre lake, we were going to find adventure! Together!!

750 miles of Lake Martin is wooded shoreline, provided by a host of funky little islands. Chimney Rock (aka Acapulco Rock) is a daredevil diver’s favorite, and we had all seen the risk takers climb sixty feet up to jump into 150 feet of deep water.   But that was one Adventure we would leave Without Engagement!

Instead we headed deep into the jungles of Goat Island.   We had heard about it – just north of Martin Dam, which has been rumored to be home to a large number of goats. We had questions: How did they get there? How long had they been there? Would we offer an extra bag of Cheetos to the explorer who found the first one?

We quietly approached Goat Island, and began our search. Whispers turned to giggles, and giggles turned to whistles and yells. Yet for some reason the goats remained invisible. We each had our theories about where they were hiding. Eventually, we all got back in the boat and headed around to the other side of the island.

And, ta dah! There they were: Goats. Baby goats, brothers, sisters, cousins, aunts, uncles and a few strays.   We came back with nothing but sandy feet, wonderful memories and stories that get more elaborate with each passing day.  But after all – isn’t that what AWE is all about?

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  THE END

Dawn

Adventure with Engagement AWE · Family · Travel

Flexible

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“Blessed are the flexible; for though they are often bent out of shape, they shall not be broken.”

Probably won’t find that verse anywhere in the Bible, but it’s good theology.  And certainly good advice for any overwrought mom or dad.

These last days of summer have brought me right back to the good old 24/7 moments with my family when we took our 32 country, around the world adventure.  As I’ve told you, I have new respect for Dickens’ words in his book The Tale of Two Cities: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.”  And here’s where I take personal responsibility for “it was the worst of times.”

I can truly admit that there were very few moments in 180 days and nights of our trip that I ever felt it was the worst of times.  Sometimes it was difficult, but isn’t it our job as parents to handle ‘difficult’ with one hand tied behind our backs?   It takes wise hindsight  (I pat myself on the back here) to realize  those times that were most difficult were more so  because I had lost flexibility.

Flexibility in any family travel adventure is vital!   If you see yourself as Captain, imagine  yourself first on the Exxon Valdez and realize, some things are simply unavoidable.  There were days when I did break.  I know that.  Ron knows that.  My kids know that.  But family adventures rarely go according to schedule.  So many of the things I remember – we all remember about the trip – are the things that happened when the schedule went haywire.

If I could have planned every step of the way, I would have missed so much.   We would have crossed every street in Beijing without being terrorized by motorcycles and traffic. We would have never gotten lost.   We would have found our way home ten minutes before we all got tired.  The guys would have loved all the food, no matter how strange it seemed, and they would never have argued or had meltdowns.  Ever!

But as I look back on the footage of our trip now, I realize how perfect those unscripted moments were.  When we checked out our re-runs, we didn’t just notice the one who had a  meltdown;  we noticed the brother reaching out to comfort the brother who was upset.

When it comes to AWE, Adventure With Engagement, focus upon the ‘engagement’ part. Adventures will get you to your destinations faster, but without engagement, you will miss some of the horsing around, jokes, funny mistakes and other ridiculous dilemmas.

Be blessed.  Be flexible.  Cut your family some slack.   After all, without flexibility, even angels’ wings don’t operate properly!

Dawn

Adventure with Engagement AWE · Family · Travel

You spent how much??

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Thirty-second summer recap:  Start, now!   Memorable family vacation?

Awkward side-stories that get funnier each time they are remembered? Good!  Now, how much money did you spend doing that? If you had to do it over again, would you?

Was your family trip an AWE trip, or just a get-away?  Mom’s know ‘the beach’ usually means just another kitchen and laundry location.  We have always looked back much more fondly at our Adventures With Engagement–traveling to unknown places with our family-than the long beach naps under the protection of umbrellas and 50 SPF sunscreen.     Nothing wrong with sand and sun, but those memories tend to fade faster than tans.

We’ve already told you the story of traveling with our family through thirty-two countries for six months.  We had an ulterior motive in ‘telling you.’  We hoped you would consider giving your family an adventure of a lifetime like we did.  If the idea still finds you stuck in neutral, consider putting yourself in gear with these facts: We spent about $6500 pp on each RTW airfare and came away with more than a sunburn,  T-shirt and a faded glo-stick;  we got a priceless education and memories carved indelibly into our souls.

Next year consider pulling a Hirn and hitting a new location —  like China, where you will spend under $200 six people for four nights, and dinner of fresh dumplings for six was about $5.  Trying pulling that off at Burger King!

It’s not too early to begin planning your trip now.    Half the fun is the anticipation of the places you will visit.  And you have built-in educational opportunities.  Make it a family goal:  Save your money.  Clip coupons.  Cut back on eating out and buying junk.

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Save your $$ and build a bit of AWE into your trip!

Dawn

Adventure with Engagement AWE · Travel

Virtual Vacations

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Augmented Reality – they call it.  “Explore cities and towns where you live — even around the globe, to capture as many Pokemon as you can find.”  That’s the pitch.

Just about the time when cities are trying to pass laws to ban pedestrians from using their cell phones while crossing the street, Nintendo came up with its record-selling mobile game Pokemon-Go.  The concept was brilliant – if not too well thought out.  ‘Get these Millennials off their duffs and out in the open air as they interact with this cell phone game.’  Sales have gone bonkers, and unfortunately, so have a few people.  Some have become so lost in the game they aren’t paying attention to where they are going.

All sorts of strange incidents have happened: people are running into trees, walking into fences, not to mention several of the more tragic stories.

Before you hit ‘download’, consider this: Have you been to the truly amazing places the world has to offer?  Seriously. Your personal memory bank will hold more data than your Pokedex:

Have you taken your family to Old Faithful Geyser at Yellowstone National Park?   It erupts every half-hour to two-hours.  Faithfully.  No download required.

The Grand Canyon?   That’s a real life interactive game – from backpacking to pack-rafting, to day hiking.

Stone Mountain Park in Georgia is the largest exposed piece of granite in the world.  This remarkable mound of rock holds a  nine-story carving of General Robert E. Lee.  But size is all relative.  Only one-third of the mountain is exposed, and the rest is ten miles below ground.      If you want more ‘theme-park activity’, you’ve come to the right place.

No doubt, the Hirn boys will be begging for Pokemon-Go.  But as a group, the Hirn family recommends Adventure With Engagement.  (Engagement with your family beats the socks off Augmented Reality.)   The graphics on your phone just don’t match up to some of the sites we saw: The Tunnel of Love in the Ukraine, the tulip fields in Netherlands;  Mendenhall Ice Caves in Juneau, Alaska; Red Beach in Panjin, China; the Bamboo Forest in Japan,  or Angkor Wat in Cambodia.

Take the opportunity to travel, to see first-hand the wonders of the world with those you love.   Nothing you can capture can match those long term memories.

Including Pikachu.

Dawn

Adventure with Engagement AWE · Parenting

Snap!

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“These are the times that try men’s souls.”  Thomas Paine, 1776

Why is it always ‘men’s souls’ that are tried?  What about the women?  We are the ones at home with the kids during the long summer days, left to come up with the creative bag of tricks to try to entertain kids and ‘keep them busy.’  It’s exhausting!  They are relentless!  And the most agonizing words you hear from kids, other than “there’s nothing to eat in this house,”  are the words they fire at you:  “I’m bored.”

This is not a statement really, as much as an accusation that you are not doing a good job as head of their personal entertainment committee.  And you didn’t even sign up for the job.      “These are the times that try women’s souls.”  Dawn Hirn, 2016

When you find yourself ready to pull out your hair, save those luscious locks, take a deep breath and possibly a sip of wine, and take a look at our website Ourbackpack.com. Even though we’ve been through the absolute worst any parent can go through, we still find ourselves losing our patience with our kids.

I just came upon the interview we gave to a film production team who was preparing to tell our story on television, and found some valuable take-aways.  Always nice to hear something you said that makes you proud.  (Way too often, I cringe at the  things I’ve said.)

Ron shared these words with the camera:  “Try to be patient with your kids. I don’t have the opportunity anymore to do that with Ryan. If you make it all about obligation with your kids, it will drive them away.  Their peers don’t do that.”

Ron and I decided to commit to a total immersion adventure plan with our boys.  I saw myself tell the film crew:  “Grief is something that never goes away.”  “If you don’t make a conscious effort to spend quality time with them (your kids) it’s not going to happen.  I mean you’ve got to do it now!”   And I saw myself snap my fingers in front of the camera:  “You don’t really have much time with anybody.  They can be taken from you in a snap!”

Next time summer boredom gets the best of you, before you pull your hair out or say something you will regret,  snap your fingers.

And remember!

Dawn

Adventure with Engagement AWE · Family

Gummy Bears

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What brings your family back to reality of face-to-face conversation better than the dining table?   Sure, you know it, but how often do you do it?  Takes planning, buying, time cooking and (my favorite) trying to please everyone at the table.   You’ve got to make it look good for them to eat it.  Some foods like Brussel Sprouts, have no chance at all.

In 1920, a poor German sugar-factory worker began to develop gummy goo that makes up Haribo’s gelatin candy.  But the stuff didn’t take off till they got creative and shaped the goo into teddybears.  If that’s what it takes to make a kid eat candy, how important is it to make nutritious food attractive?

Moms and dads know the importance of creative marketing.  From cutting sandwiches into cookie shapes to finger flick football, engage!!   The dining room table has a bigger take away than nutrition;   engage them in conversation.

Questions like:  “How was your day,” usually get a one-word conversation-ending response.    Same with “did you do your homework?”   Unless you’re creative, you may loose your kids.   Try and cut up your questions in the shape of interesting things like ‘gummy bears or gummy worms’ for kids to take the bait:

“What was the most embarrassing thing that ever happened to you in school?  (get ready to supply them with your answer, ‘cause it will come back to you)   Or, “If you were a car – what kind would you be?” or, “If you could rename yourself, what name would you choose?”

Stupid questions?  Sure.  But remember, you told them there is no such thing as a stupid question.  And being a fool is usually ‘family friendly’ activity. When you have  brothers or sisters, there is no such thing as the ‘last laugh.’   You almost always have another chance.

Rule that the dinner table is a ‘no screen’ zone and then make time to engage in creative conversation with your family.  Don’t waste precious table time arguing or fussing when you could be getting to know those who will be sitting at their own tables with their own kids, way too soon!

AWE – Adventure With Engagement!

Dawn

Adventure with Engagement AWE · Parenting

Summer vacation

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For months your kids have been telling you they cannot WAIT till summer vacation.  And now, they are complaining:  “I’m bored.”  This of course, is your fault.  You know this because they remind you of each family they know that is doing something fabulous every moment.  And  you are not.   Summer vacation: it’s the best of times, it’s the worst of times.  Take a moment to stop and smell the Chlorine.  And remember . . . .

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And when your kids get older and have children of their own, pass it on!   Remember, AWE, Adventure with Engagement, includes you!

Dawn

Adventure with Engagement AWE · Parenting

Phobias

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Spiders, needles, clowns – oh my!   Do you have a phobia?  And the bigger question is, “if you don’t, does that mean you are not deep?”   

 We’ve drummed into our children the importance of not speaking to strangers and of course it is for their own good.  Some parents feed a phobia by drawing the line way too deeply in the sand, while others attempt to clarify the warning: “When we are not around, don’t talk to strangers.  But when we are there with you, smile your heads off.”  We are strong believers in the “Be ye kind one to another” Bible verse.  And it has paid off again and again.  

 Studying about the people in the world was not enough for the Hirn family.  We were intent on getting to know them, understanding their strengths and weaknesses, encouraging them in their struggles, sharing their laughs and, on a rare occasion, their disdain.  Some people refuse to take a chance to get to know somebody just on the chance of rejection.   And yes, that happens.  But it should only sting for a moment.  Friendships last much longer.

 When we were in China, we realized how utterly foolish it had been for us to have fear of being the free American in a Communist country.  We had grown to realize the face of communism was ugly years ago, but we also learned very early on that the faces within the Communistic community, were wonderful.  The Chinese people were among the most gracious in the world.  Love and acceptance for our strange American family with three sons,   seemed to pour from their smiles and radiate through their eyes, THREE sons!  In a country with a one-child policy, our double-edged, eye-lidded family was an oddity. 

 Phobias are not exclusively imposed by adults onto children;  But it stands to reason a strong fear is likely to rub off from a parent to a child.    “Don’t talk to strangers” is still a good rule for any child who is ever alone; but, when you are with them, interacting with others seems safe enough.  Build’s confidence, no doubt.

 As you know, “engagement” is a vital component to “adventure.”  A catapult, actually!    And what is a good “Pult” without a hearty “Cata”?   They go together.  Otherwise your adventure is just your version of your story.

My mom always told me to do my best, and talking to strangers is one of those things! Do I embarrass my family from time to time?  Of course!  Not everyone is open to my style of  ‘meet and greet’.  But there is usually a great payoff with the ones who are!   And my strange habits of congeniality seem to have rubbed off on my family.  Not a bad thing, really. 

Have a great weekend.

Dawn

Adventure with Engagement AWE

Wazzup? Hey, ya’ll! Yo!

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American’s have a host of greetings – from sea to shining sea.    “Whazzup,” “Hey ya’ll,”“Yo,” and “Dude!” all boil down to “hello.”  Your  greeting of choice depends a lot upon your age, what part of America you are from and your training.   Can’t imagine a presidential candidate addressing a crowd by opening: “Howdy dudes and dudettes.  Sup?”   And if he or she waits for a response to the question, it could be a long night.

Months before we took this world trip, we studied about the places we wanted to go, and in addition to making the boys do extensive reports on the countries we were about to visit, they were required to learn “hello,” “goodbye,”“please,” “thank you” and the equivalent to an apology “excuse me” in each language.

The first country we visited, Japan, was a snap: “Konnichiwa,” they shouted out.  They even nailed down the nod. Then came China and they boys threw out a “Ni Hau” or an occasional “Nay Hoh.” But once we hit SE Asia, we traveled so quickly through the countries, words seem to constantly change.  But this didn’t stop the guys – well, any of us for that matter.  We butchered attempts at “hello,” “thank you,” and “please.”  But it didn’t matter to the people.  They were eager to help us with our pronunciation. And of course, that opened the doors for new friendships.

We were flying through the “Adventure” part of the trip, but never ever lost our enthusiasm for the importance of “Engagement.”  AWE – Adventure With Engagement.  The engraving AWE on my leather bracelet is a daily reminder to me.

Don’t be afraid to practice the words you have learned in an effort to communicate.     Most everyone we approached was more than willing to reach out and engage with someone who is sincerely trying to communicate.  Imagine how honored they feel knowing that you cared enough to try.

So for now — ‘Do svidaniya,’ which means “till we meet again” in Russian.  No idea how to pronounce it?  Welcome to my world!

Talk soon!  Dawn

Adventure with Engagement AWE · Family

Slogan

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Wouldn’t it be nice if every family had their own Theme Song?  Can’t you just see it now- a family enters the soccer field and the music kicks up, so you know without looking, they’re here!   Worked for Sesame Street, the Addams Family and the Brady Bunch, but of course they entered at different times, so it was never confusing.

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Might be easier to stick with a slogan.   We did.  Adventure With Engagement.  It kind of explains our jump into six-months of family world travel as we tried to embrace the world after the loss of our first son. Perhaps this insanity requires explanation.  We needed to make more wonderful memories and family adventures are always the longest lasting, probably because family members are the ones who are there longest. We made a lifetime of memories and highly recommend AWE!IMG_4619

Adventure – When you run out of things to do, your mind will need a place to go.  A sort of ‘mental root system.’  If you have spent no time in development, how can you ever expect to pull up great memories?

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Add Engagement to your Adventure.    Sharing an adventure doesn’t really work unless you have someone to validate the story.  Can I get a witness?   That fish you caught has no real size until someone says “wow, you should have seen it!”  That time you got lost in a country where you couldn’t read the signs or speak the language wouldn’t be told if you weren’t there to provide the ‘rest of the story.’ But people aren’t just interested in the end: they want the whole story, every stupid mistake that led to embarrassment, every discovery that led to surprise, every misstep that took you somewhere you never intended to go.  Most of these stories are the stuff life is made of.

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But the best adventures rarely come scripted.  We all learn as we go.  We bond as we learn.  It all starts with Adventure and gets better with Engagement.  But who knows – you may escalate from your own Slogan to your own Theme Song.  This HIrn would like to hear her family brought in with the Disney Aladdin favorite:   A Whole New World.  But if we have to just go with our slogan,  Adventure With Engagement, I guess I’ll just ‘Let It Go.”

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Stir up some family AWE.

Dawn