Customs and my VISA application

So my Temporary VISA needed to be renewed. After taking great pains to get all the paper work in order, I presented for my interview. I made one small error in the process and this was not looked upon kindly by the Border officers. the problem was resolved by using my receptive communication skills. I acknowledged the speaker by maintaining eye contact, kept my body turned to the speaker and gave verbal cues and nods to show engagement. I resisted the temptation to prematurely frame my response ( Didn't interrupt). Lastly, I checked for understanding by paraphrasing what I heard.

Communication is about mutual understanding, even with Border Patrol Officers and now I am happily presenting in New York today!

My Daughter's Wedding

I just married off daughter number 2. With the setting being outdoors in the Canadian Rockies at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, even the weatherman got it right. Weddings are always an interesting time to look at family of origin dynamics. We come into relationships with expectations and our own set of unwritten rules for what relationships should look like. Values play a major role in the success of long term relationships. Each person also have assumptions about the roles each partner is to play in the relationship.

It was a great wedding and great time for reflection on relational wellness.

Do weddings bring that kind of introspection out in you?