What I learned my first year of being a real adult.

1. There is an exhilarating feeling of being independent and moving to a new place!

2. When one is "grown up" and begins to pay for insurance, rent, utilities, etc. there is a feeling of accomplishment accompanied by a feeling of depression. All that money described in your salary schedule suddenly doesn't stretch very far!

3. When it rains, it pours. (Referring to medical expenses now that I can pay for my own insurance).

4. I have no advice to give on avoiding a tear to your Anterior Cruciate Ligament...it can happen anytime, without warning- so watch out.

5. Be careful when buying things on Craigslist. You might not find yourself in a dangerous situation, but it could be very, very embarrassing. (There's a reason we refer to our coffee table as the "lesbian coffee table"...if you want the story, just ask! Not one of my finer moments.)

6. It's important to find a church right away, and get to know people as soon as possible.

7. Make sure you find out if an apartment complex requires written notice of a lease non-renewal, or you will pay for it.

8. Sometimes you can get a dining room table and chairs in exchange for a 12-pack of Shiner Bock!

9. Your coworkers probably won't take you seriously if they have kids your age or older.

10. Even though a 1991 Oldsmobile is not glamorous by any means, if you are living on a teacher's salary you will appreciate no car payments!

11. There's a chance you might become a bigger Husker fan when you move out-of-state. Suddenly there's something about you that makes you stand out, rather than being the norm!

12. Make sure you have cash when parking in a parking garage in the evening, especially if there are cars behind you and you can't turn around and leave...

13. Always, always, ALWAYS keep an extra set of car keys with you. If you take them out of your purse for even one day, you WILL lock your keys in your car. Hopefully it's not running if you do (that also happened to me this year).

14. There are some days where Kindergarten cuteness > neediness, obvious questions, snot problems, pouting, etc. And there are some days where that is not the case.

15. Although the cost of living here is higher than Nebraska, Colorado is fabulous. =]