Dear Magazine Publishers:

Please print more images Quarter-sized.





Sincerely,

Lena

An only slightly sarcastic guide to banking.

When dealing with a Teller face-to-face:

1. Please give your account number. I know that not all institutions use deposit slips, but we all need to know where we are going.

2. If you are asked how you want your cash back and you say "I don't care." You had better be serious. None of this, "Oh wait, can I have two ten's?" crap.

3. Don't assume we screwed up. If we ask you a question that doesn't seem to make sense try asking us to explain. Either we misunderstood or we have some other steps we have to do to get there. Bare with us.

4. **Very Important** Don't get mad. It only makes us hate you. If we messed up, we feel bad enough, and know we need to fix it quickly. Having you yell at us or continuously point out the mistake only makes us hate you more. And we WILL call you names when you leave. Just so you know.

5. Please count your cash before leaving the building. If there was a mistake, it is your word against mine whose fault it was. If you count it before leaving, it can all be rectified within seconds.


When with a Teller through the Drive-Up:

1. Please, PLEASE give us all the information you can. If you can, fill out a slip. If not, write the account number on something. It is always hard to hear you through the tube mic's, and I hate yelling at you. Also, I will never turn down an ID. At the very least, I know your name.

2. Always remember that the drive-up is first and foremost a fast way to complete transactions. If you need a photocopy of your check, a print-out of anything, cashiers checks, money orders, or any extensive research on your account, please come inside. The people behind you will thank you. **Exception** Mothers with multiple/sleeping kids in the car. I know that hauling everyone in the bank is not always an option. But try to still be courteous.

3. If I ask you to repeat yourself because I can't hear you, saying it again exactly how you just said it is not going to get us anywhere. Be louder, or write it down.

4. It is not worth changing lanes. If you are in one lane and the other finishes faster, 9 out of 10 times it is not faster to move. Chances are there is really only one teller working both lanes, so you still have to wait.


When waiting in the lobby:

1. If accompanied by children, please try and keep them under control. If you bring them with you to get a loan, know that there will be some waiting time, and some time in the office where they will probably get bored Please be prepared for this. It does no one any favors to have wrangle your kids for half an hour. Oh, and don't let them mess with stuff like the blinds, the bulletin board, or the line dividers. That makes us hate you too.

2. Understand that if there is only one loan officer you may have to wait a long time. Know that we are not doing this on purpose and that we will get to you as soon as possible.

3. **General Rule** DON'T TALK ON YOUR CELL PHONE!!! It is so frustrating to try to do business with someone who is not paying attention to me. Our time together will be minimal, there is no reason not to tell your friend that you will call them back. That is all.

Can you tell that I have had a hard day at work?

In the beginning...

I'm just going to come right out and say it. Nik and I joined a gym. Mostly for me. Well, I say that cause its because of me that we actually went and signed up. Not that Nik was not into it too. His complaining about gaining weight was really getting to me. So, I am there to get back to being able to get out of bed, or get something out of the bottom drawer with out hurting myself. You laugh, and well, you should. I laugh too. It's pretty ridiculous when I can't get out of my car without twisting something. I used to be able to do stuff like that. You know, MOVE.

Anyway, I picked this particular gym because it has convenient yoga classes. And I finally made it there last night for the first time. I don't even know how to describe how this class went for me. It was only an hour long, and I think I spent at least 20 minutes in Child's Pose. And that is not counting the 10 minute cool down that I spent on my back. I can handle the easy stuff like Warrior One and Pigeon Pose (though, keep in mind here that I have to hold myself off the ground a little, cause my hips don't bend like that). But when we started doing Eagle Pose, I started sitting down. There was no way I was getting my body into that position and staying upright! And when I opted to not do the Headstand, I found that the alternative was worse. She said, "If you don't want your feet to leave the ground, just spread your feet and bend over, place the top of your head on the ground and try to put some weight on it." Oh, yeah, just bend over and put your head on the ground. I got my head to about waist level. Let's just leave it at that.

I love yoga, and I really don't want my lack of abilities to stop me from continuing to go. I know I need this. And I know that it just takes time. Maybe I just need a friend to come with me. Any takers?

R.I.P.

Sushi, we only knew you for a few days, but you will be missed.

Hopefully we will have another fish to help heal our pain by tonight.

**edited to add** I picked up a new fish after work, and he is really pretty. A little nontraditional for a male Beta. Kind of pink and iridescent. But don't worry, he's all man.

What they MUST be thinking....

"Wow, look at that line for Drive-up! It goes all the way around the building! And hey! There is no one in the parking lot! I guess I will go inside."






"Why are the doors locked?"

Wait, what day is it again?

I am once again stealing from other people's blogs. I promise I will give credit...does that make it better? Anyway...

Today my sister-in-law Laurie posted this line about gratitude: "it turns what we have into enough, and more." How true is that? When we count our blessings, we start to realize just how much we have. It is so easy to fall into a routine of comparing ourselves, or our lives to others. They have more money, a better car, a house, a great TV, even a great marriage, or perfect kids. And we always lose when we do that. There is always going to be someone who has more than we do. If we can't see what we have for its value, we will never be happy. Never. There are always things to be thankful for. Here are a few of mine:

* Our jobs.

* Two cars.

* My own computer.

* Pets.

* Food in my house, even if I don't cook very often.

* Blankets. One of which I have wrapped around me now...

* My sleeping husband.

* Our apartment, as much as I complain about it, its keeping the cold out.

That is just a small list compared to what I could say about what happened this summer. Too many blessings to count.

And that brings me to my next act of plagiarism. My good friend Dan (I call him Danny, cause I have since 3rd grade, sorry Dan.) said this about blessings: "In everything around me, I can see the blessing of Heaven, when I look closely." His post was about seeing the Savior in everything, even eyeglasses. And if you have ever taken seminary, you know that you can do it. You can relate everything to the Savior. And should. When you notice how many things we take for granted reflect Christ, and what he has done for us, you can really start to see the blessings in the little things.

I loved these two posts, and I love the people who wrote them. I am so grateful for my family and friends. I could never make it without them. I am so imperfect, and I know it. If I didn't have all these wonderful people around me, helping me be better all the time, I would never complete my journey here. I would be here forever trying to learn my lessons. Thanks to everyone who has stood by my side. I love you.