Working Woman

I'm sure most of you have heard by now. I mean, this is big news - I don't know how you haven't heard, if you haven't. I figure you've at least seen the billboard I commissioned. Anyway...

I quit the bank.

It just wasn't worth it anymore, I tell you. Not worth it! Unhappiness was oozing out of my ears and making messes all over the place.


So I've been gone for about a month now. It's beautiful, man. I've even stopped yelling (or at least wanting to yell) at complete strangers because they are making/have made/were going to make my life completely miserable at the bank. Also, birds sing. They sing the "Hallelujah Chorus" in the back of my head whenever I don't have anything else to think about. It's quite magical.



Of course, quitting left me without a job. And I needed a job. I needed a job that would give me a lot of work - full time work, to be exact, since we are trying to qualify for a new house. I thought I'd get there with American Eagle, where I've been (off and on, part time) for about 3 years now. But, uh, no. Not even close. Not even close to close. It kind of pissed me off, to be honest....

So there I was, needing a job that would (1) give me at least 40 hours a week, (2) hire me like, right away, (3) not be completely miserable and horrific, and (4) wouldn't mind that I was (a) pregnant, and (b) probably going to leave the job after the summer since I am (i) having a baby and (ii) going back to grad school in August.

I got discouraged. This did not seem possible. Dallin, however, remained the picture of positivity, and spread the word to everyone we know - and their mothers - that I was on the hunt.

Turns out, it's a good thing word got to the mothers.

Enter our lovely friends John and Ceri. Ceri's parents run a Montessori preschool in Chandler, and they had been having "problems" (mysterious, deep-dark problems...I don't ask) with their office manager. Well, something(s?) happened to push everyone over the edge, and the school was left without an office manager right before the beginning of summer school.

40 hours a week. Starting right away. Paying me enough. Not needing to carry me over into the fall semester. At a preschool - and I'm going into Early Childhood Education.

Prayers. Are. Answered.

I've been at the school for only a few days, but so far, it has been a fantastic job! I'm doing my best to learn everything, and they're being very patient with me. The people are great, and I get to do a lot of organizational type stuff, which keeps me busy and helps me feel all neat and accomplished. I also get to spend a little time with the kiddos, which is FUN!

*Side note*: I am not making this job sound great just because I know the people I work with read my blog (hi guys!). If you think I am, come talk to me personally to get the "real story." I will then proceed to re-tell you everything I have written here, since it is all true. *End side note.*

The point is, this is exactly what I needed, exactly when I needed it. It's amazing how things turn out for the best when you have a few good friends, a little positivity, and a whole lotta faith.

Or at least, when your husband has them. Dang, I got me a good man.

A Day in the Life

Hello and welcome to Bank of America! My name is Katie and I'd be happy to help you right away. How are you today?

(........)

Oh, I'm sorry to hear that.

(........)

Yes, I'm sure the line at the bank didn't help. But hopefully, I can! So what can I do for you today?

(........)

There is nothing I'd like more than to help you withdraw money out of your account! Do you have a debit card with you?

(................................)

Oh. Well I didn't realize debit cards were so dangerous. I'll be sure to shred mine when I get home and advise everyone I know to do the same. But sir, I still need a way to pull up your profile on my system. Do you know your account number, or do you have a checkbook with you?

(..)

What is your social security number?

(...........?..........!)

Well would you mind writing it down? I can shred it for you as soon as we are done.

(.......!......!)

All right. But I do hope you know that once we do pull up your profile, your social security number will be available to me, so I will be able to write it down, take it home, find a way to use it to my advantage and steal your identity, and get fired. Until then, I can search for your profile by name. What is your name, sir?

(........)

Ok. As long as there aren't any other John Smiths with Bank of America accounts in Arizona, we should be able to find you without any trouble. (after a minute) Oh, it seems there are several people with your name, Mr. Smith. What is your address?

(.......)

All right. Give me a moment to search through the list, and we'll find you.

(3 minutes later)

I think I've found you, Mr. Smith. Could you tell me your date of birth, just to make sure?

(........)

Ok, I have your profile! It seems you have 2 checking accounts and 2 savings accounts. Which account would you like to pull money out of?

(........)

Oh, you don't know? Well, how about I just make a guess then so the next time you come in you can complain about how the teller took the money out of the wrong account. Ok, sir?

(..)

Ok. How much cash do you need?

(........)

All right, 200 dollars. Do you have a form of identification I can see?

(!........!........!........!)

I understand that you've been banking with us for 20 years, Mr. Smith, but I've only worked here for 3 months. So you see, I don't really know anyone. Don't you have a driver's license or something I can see?

(.................................................................................)

(.........................................)

(....................)

Thank you. How would you like your cash?

(.....)

(chuckle chuckle) Oh yes- green! Haha that's very funny. Yes. Wish I hadn't heard it six times already today.

(.....?)

Oh nothing, Mr. Smith. Nothing at all. So if you don't care how you're getting your cash back, I'll just give you hundreds, ok?

(..)

Ok. Here you go- one, two.

(.......?)

Sure, I can break one of those hundreds into 20s for you. 20, 40, 60, 80, 100.

(.......?)

Sure, I can break one of those twenties into 5s for you. 5, 10, 15, 20.

(........?)

Sure, I can break your other hundred into twenties for you. 20, 40, 60, 80, 100. Could you please tell me why you didn't tell me this in the first place?

(..)

All right, I guess you don't have to.

(.......?)

Of course I can let you know your balance! You have $365 in your account. Have you ever thought about getting signed up for online banking? That would let you check your balance from home!

(........!)

Yes, sir. You go to heck too, sir. Thank you for banking with us, sir! Have a nice day, sir.

end scene

It's really not so bad once you get used to it.