Considering I'm not around here too much anymore, my life wouldn't change very much if Jul magically vanished. But my high school years would have been very different without Acmlm's... I had a social life and great friends despite Acmlm's, but I probably would have participated more in events and activities.

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I got my permit when I was 15, got my license shortly after turning 16. Started driving right after getting my license and car to get to school and work and whatnot. I'm 21 now, so I've been driving over 5 years. Wow!

The stupid permit test almost defeated me... there were a bunch of questions about trolleys and railways icy roads and all kinds of crap that I don't ever see where I live. Luckily I passed on the first try.

The driving test wasn't too hard, I passed on my first attempt. Just made one stupid mistake that cost me 10 points... I made a left turn in the inner lane and ended up in the right lane after the turn. Whoops! The parallel parking was a piece of cake for me, I'm pretty good at that.

Considering how much freeway driving I do, I get road rage quite often. But I've realized that listening to mellow music relaxes me. Talking to someone, whether in the car or on the phone (hands free of course!), also helps. Then I'm not as focused on the douche going 65 in the fast lane or the bigger douche going 95 and cutting everyone off.

This is my car!

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Backspace most of the time. Sometimes the back button if I'm using a mouse.

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The city I live in has just over 100K people in it. That's a lot, considering it's just a suburb city.

Los Angeles is about an hour north of me (population 15 million, second largest in US), and San Diego is about an hour south of me (population 3 million, 8th largest in US), but there's really nothing in between these two cities but suburbia.

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I've been to the Stratosphere in Las Vegas many times, but not in quite a few years. I didn't go on any rides though, I wasn't that brave as a kid. At least the view was awesome.

I also went to the Empire State Building when I was 12. I didn't comprehend exactly how tall it was until I stood on the observation deck. It's such a pretty view of the city and the river.

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Three: my mom, stepdad, and me.

But I'm moving in with me girlfriend in about 2 weeks, so then it'll be just the two of us.

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Oh god I love pizza. I'll eat half the box if I don't force myself to stop. Soo goooood...

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Originally posted by Sine

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It's almost scary how similar you look to me.

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I was totally gonna say that when I saw his pic, but of course you had to beat me to it!

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I went to San Francisco for a 9 day vacation at the end of May with my girlfriend. It was an awesome summer vacation.

As for weather where I live, it's hot. As always.

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Yes, moving! Into an apartment with my girlfriend. Parent free! For those of you that knew me back in 2005 when I was just a wee 16 year old... I'm all grown up now! Yay!

As excited as I am, I'm also terrified. I've lived with my mom being an independent young adult for so long that it seems like such an obvious next step, but in reality I'm only 21. Becoming completely independent is going to be quite a challenge. It's hard to make a good salary while going to school full time, but I have to work enough to pay rent. I'm gonna miss having a free roof over my head and the occasional free home-cooked meal. But in the end, I'm thrilled to open this new chapter in my life.

Who here has been through this process? Any advice? Any stories that I can remember when stressing out on moving day and laugh about?

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Thanks Anya.

Originally posted by Terra

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Does your girlfriend work? Having 2 incomes definitely would help there Also, try to save money, don't spend much, until you're out of school and can work more hours and/or get a better job. How far are you moving?

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She works, but she's in school as well. We're in the same boat money-wise. But yes, having two pitiful incomes is better than just one!

I'm moving about 30 miles from where I live now, but my mom is moving too so I'll be about 50 miles away from her.

Originally posted by Sine

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So far it's been a little weird getting utilities and such set up, but overall the thought of more independence is something I'm slowly getting used to.

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I haven't even begun this process... I don't know where to start! Does it really take a month to get it all sorted out? D:

ps - HI KATTWAH!!! I haven't talked to you in way too long.

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Originally posted by Xkeeper

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Tips for winners:

- Remember to keep calm and don't panic, period
- Always be open and clear about any issues you are having with your roommate/girlfriend, don't let shit build up
- Split the bills
- Remember that making a home-made lunch and taking it with you is almost always far less expensive than eating out
- Help each other out with shit
- Don't be afraid to visit home for a night or two occasionally, you and your folks will appreciate it
- Remember that making things at home is almost always a good idea

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Definitely good tips, thanks. I'm excited about cooking and making lunches, honestly. I'm not really allowed to use the kitchen at my house right now, because my parents (specifically my stepdad) is a grumpy old man who doesn't want noise from the kitchen to interrupt his precious television experience or wake him up if he's sleeping. So I've had to eat out more than I like for the last few years, and I know it's lightened my wallet. It will be nice to have a kitchen I can use! And I am beyond excited to shop at Fresh & Easy, quite possibly the best grocery store ever.

Originally posted by yde

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Wow. How long have you known your girlfriend?
I've moved out twice.. I do miss the stuffed pantries and free rent, but it's still totally worth it. It feels really good making it on your own. And you're already employed, you're all set!
You're gonna love it.

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We've been together for a year and a half. Yeah I'm gonna miss having dinners cooked and the grocery shopping done for me, but I know I'll be fine. I've been wanting to move for years, and now I can finally afford it.

Originally posted by yde

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Does your apartment have a living room, or some other area separate from the bedroom? It'll help a lot if you can be alone whenever you need to. Visiting home is another great piece of advice.

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Yes, it's a studio but the living room and bedroom are still separated. It should be more appropriately named "teeny tiny 1 bedroom" rather than studio. And I know I'm always welcome to visit my mom if I ever feel like making the drive out to her new house (in the middle of the CA desert!!!!!!).

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Between work, school, and other important errands, I am usually forced awake at 8 or earlier every day. If I open at work, I have to be there at 7. :x It's tough for me because I'm not a morning person at all, but you gotta do what you gotta do.
Because of this, I've adjusted my internal clock to go to bed around midnight every night. Back when I had less responsibility, I would stay up until 3 or 4 am without hesitation.

Originally posted by Terra

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Once I went from having no classes before 5:45 in the evening one semester (although I worked afternoons too) to having 10:00 physics class every morning. Not only that, but Mondays were about 10.5 hours of school/work not counting transportation from and to home. At least that was only 1 day a week, hopefully I never have a regular 52.5-hour workweek

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I know what you mean. I have about 20 hours a week of school including transportation time, plus ~26 hours a week of work. That's not even counting homework time... it's exhausting to be a working student. Can't wait to finish my education!

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My name's not a problem if I introduce myself, but if someone reads it off a list (say for example, a teacher) I'm almost ALWAYS called Daniel. It amazes me how often the last two letters of my name are ignored. It's the "elle" that makes it feminine, you fools!

I'm occasionally called Dani, which is weird because I never adopted it as a nickname as a kid or an adult, but I guess it's not a misspelling.

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Bing is the shit. No, I'm not just saying that because I work for Microsoft. It really is awesome. Google clearly agrees!

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I'm going to Spokane, WA in a month for my brother's wedding. Hopefully it's not muggy like it was the last time I went there in the summer.

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You babies, Southern California has 5.0+ magnitude earthquakes on an almost monthly basis! And it seems like there's been one on a weekly these past few months... just gotta ride the wave!

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For a moment, I thought this thread was gonna be about 12/21/2012 and the damages that are OBVIOUSLY UNDOUBTEDLY going to ensue from it.

I was gonna do some serious bitchslapping!



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Three years? Holy shit. I feel like a loser for only being here 15 months of that.

That makes me wonder... when did I first join at Acmlm's? I think it was... 2005?

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