A year and a half ago, a young, innocent and slightly naive country girl moved to Chicago - me. I had just graduated college and had never lived on my own before.

Of course, like many first time renters, I faced a lot of new experiences and tough lessons which were accompanied by laughter, tears and even the occasional choice word as I found my way through them.

It’s been a crazy ride since my first few months spent as a lowly couch dweller. I accomplished a lot during that time, though, from landing my first job to finding my first apartment - a feat that took much longer than expected.

I’ll never forget those months of bad apartment tours and the challenging lease negotiations followed by that exhilarating feeling of signing a lease and moving in to my first apartment.

Moving proved to be more difficult than expected, too, as I hit snag after snag. Nothing was going to stop me, though, not even a 7-foot futon strapped to my car and the wild ride that ensued. So, with a little determination and a lot of help from family, friends and a few good Samaritans, my apartment became a home.

Unfortunately, I also had to learn the tough lesson faced by all young adults. As it turned out, money really didn’t grow on trees like it seemed to in college. The reality of big bills and tiny budgets hit this inexperienced renter quickly. One particularly bad day, when my landlord made an accounting error that nearly emptied my bank account and cut my budget in half, still haunts me. I made it through, though, and even managed to grow a little of that city backbone not needed in quieter country life.

Luckily, my good humored nature has always allowed me to laugh at my many mistakes. This was especially true when I found myself using clean dishes to keep the disgusting water I’d just washed them in from spilling out of a broken sink and when I proudly finished assembling my new bookcase only to realize that I put it together backwards - I still think it looks better my way.

My first experiences in Chicago weren’t all bad, though. As I became acquainted with the city, I quickly found a special place in my heart for it next to the family and friends I’d left in Ohio.

I found out just how great those family and friends were as many of them continued to visit me here. In fact, one of my favorite past times has been showing them Chicago and my life here, and this past New Year’s stands out as a favorite as I welcomed 2011 in my new city surrounded by great friends - both new and old.

Some other favorite moments have included fest season and its many adventures, watching the Bears fight their way to playoffs, hosting way too many people in my apartment at once and experiencing Chicago’s 3rd largest blizzard on record - a once in a lifetime experience.

Though my time living in Chicago has been short, I’ve already gained a lifetime of wonderful memories and have watched myself transition from that young, country girl who took a chance into a city girl whose ready for the many adventures and experiences that still lie ahead - starting with apartment hunt number two. What were your most memorable lessons and experiences during your first year on your own?