A Day in the Life of a Bank Teller

6:30 AM: I leisurely open my eyes while stretching and listening to the birds and wind chimes out side of my bedroom window...okay...that's wishful thinking. Usually, I am woken up by one of my "energetic" twin three year olds. Most of the time, they are either tattling on one another or gently tossing random objects like laundry or stuffed toys at my peacefully slumbering body. This is one of those days. "Ouch!" I mutter as I'm whapped in the face by some rolled up socks.

8:45 AM: I deposit the wee ones at the home of my very generous mother, and their loving and patient Granny. What are Grannies for, right?

8:55 AM: Right now, I'm steering my SUV with my knee, and applying an expert, bank appropriate make-up application. I thank my lucky stars for that stop light that usually annoys me when it makes me 10 minutes late -- and luckily, I am able to wrestle my wavy blond curls into a messy (but so in) side chignon.

9:02 AM: Ignoring the time clock as I make my tardy entrance, I start to mentally prepare myself for whatever unpredictable things may happen in the eight hours of my life I will spend here today. It's not just about financial transactions, banking is personal, and more often than not, I learn a lot of interesting things about people. I make a lot of new friends every day.

9:15 AM: The security guard unlocks the glass door that defines the difference between my full time obligations and my personal freedom. That's a depressing thought. I think it's weird that we open at 9:15. My serious thoughts are suddenly interrupted by the urgent looking mob of customers coming towards us. I turn and look over at Jackie, my coworker. "Game on." I gravely declare. Jackie nods and we both turn our attention to the lucky first customers now staring at us expectantly.

10:47 AM: Marilyn, one of our supervisors, calls in the middle of our morning rush to bother me about receiving the tax papers from our new employee that is to start later in the day. Too bad the poor dear has no idea what's happening out here in the lobby at this very moment - masses of people, and malfunctioning machines.

11:34 AM: After a lengthy transaction with an elderly lady, the receipt printer freezes for the third time this morning. Good thing it is easily solvable with a system re-boot.

12:19 PM: Suddenly, I'm put in the drive through window, which is always interesting. First drive through customer sends me a deposit slip, covered in grease and ketchup. Thanks for that one, guy.

1:30 PM: Finally, it's time for MY lunch break. I relax in the break room with my sandwich that was packed for me by my loving husband. Three bites in, and I'm asked to clock back in early due to the after lunch rush. Yay!

2:13 PM: My three bites of sandwich are barely digested when Richie Richton walks in and starts making demands over my authority. I attempt to pick up the phone to call my supervisor for approval, but she calls first. "Hi, do you have the new employee's tax papers yet?" Marilyn says cheerfully, clearly oblivious to the madness on the floor. "Noooooo! TAX PAPERS, AHHH! ---- I mean---Could you please come out here and speak privately with this customer about his credit card rate?" Oops. I turn on the charm when Marilyn comes out, hoping to avoid any conflict from my prior outburst.

2:39 PM: Only lull in the day thus far. Right about now is when I usually study the architecture of our lobby. I count the tiles in the ceiling or the cobwebs the custodians forgot about while cleaning the night before. What else am I supposed to do, count money?

2:40 PM: Marilyn alert. "Are you busy right now?" She asks, obviously knowing the answer to that question. Next thing I know, I'm counting one dollar bills into stacks of one hundred.

3:09 PM: So the new girl is here now, and honestly, I'm wondering what planet she came from. I overheard her ask Jackie which direction the change should face when being put in the change counting machine.

3:33 PM: And...the receipt printer freezes up again. This time, it was when the new girl was printing a receipt. Time for her first reboot lesson. I show her how to fix it, and assure her after powering it off and on five to six times a day, she'll be great at it.

3:51 PM: After training the new employee for awhile, I decide to give her another chance in my mind. Maybe she isn't really a dingbat.

4:31 PM: Time to count my drawer, and man, I am excited for my impending freedom. Unfortunately, things don't go as smoothly as I hope, and the change counter jams. Ever so kindly, the new employee helps me un-jam change counter. She says I put the pennies in backwards.

4:54 PM: I've had just about enough for the day when a straggler customer walks up to me and looks at me with hope that I can help her. "I'm closed," I say politely, and point to the new girl. "This is Cynthia, she'll help you with whatever you need." I hope that my smile looks genuine, because it is. I am genuinely happy to be finally getting out of here!

My life could be defined as crazy, hectic, out of control, and any other word that implies chaos. But you know what? I love it anyway. It's grown on me. Now, I'm off to pick up the rugrats, start dinner, get ready for bed, and prepare for this whole day to happen all over again tomorrow.