I've compiled a few gems I've learned these past few months..

Time flies faster as you get older -- A male friend recently told me, hey, I'm not the one with fallopian tubes..so you know I'm just focusing on me.  It seems most people in my broad age group, considering I tend to spend time with people who are all younger than me, are at the same mentality as I am.  Whether you have fallopian tubes or not haha.  I think as a good rule of thumb, we should all focus on ourselves.  Find your inner being and unleash it.   Is there something you haven't tried yet that you've been wanting to do?  What makes you happy?  Spend time doing YOU.

Take a bicycle -- I've always been a driver.  Some people credit their wedding day or their graduation as the happiest moment of their lives.  Getting my drivers license when I turned 16 was better than my prom.  Here was this vehicle that would help me escape the bounds of my quaint city and allow me to venture off into the rest of the world.  But the world as we know it is changing.  We should learn to use other means of transportation to help the environment and hey you save a little money on gas.  Another friend reminded me, hey if you don't believe in change or making an impact whether its great or small, then what is the point of living?  Though I won't be able to ride my bicycle everywhere, it will be nice to try and do more local trips as an alternative form of transportation.

Seize good deals -- With the economic downturn, keep your eye out for great coupons and offers, don't settle for paying full price.  Though we can't prevent housing foreclosure or people who tend to spend more than living within their means.. we can at least try and do our part to take less from our own pockets.  I like Warren Buffett and his frugal ways and favorite quote from him? "Rule No. 1: Never lose money. Rule No. 2: Never forget Rule No. 1." My blender of 10+ years finally had its last hurrah, an I'm waiting on a good coupon or deal for one.  Subscribing to Living Social, Amazon Local, Groupons.. these are modern ways of finding good deals but be wary of what you bite into.  Make sure you read up on reviews, check the expiration date to see if it meets your needs, etc.  Snagging a good deal is a commitment to buying something, is it really something you need, and are you really getting a good deal on it?  Oftentimes, some people get caught up with the marketing pitch when it's really not something they absolutely need.  Do your research, then buy.

Stop making excuses -- There are distractions, desires, and sometimes plain pleasures that we get caught up in because we're young.. we want to go out, enjoy life, and play.  I'm not saying we can't play but don't let playtime override the things you need to do to get ahead.  It's about making necessary sacrifices to get things done.  It is a fine balance.  But finding myself play more than I work means I have to re-focus and bump up my priorities.  You can still have fun.  Just make limits where you can and capitalize on the opportunities to achieve your goals while you can.  As of this year, I've taken up an opportunity to open shop and I will propel ahead!  Thanks to another friend for his take:  "if this business is my future then I would be spending all my time on it"

Your impression is everything --  I'm on the lower maintenance side of the spectrum when it comes to my daily routine.  I tend to use little to no make-up, throw my hair in a convenient ponytail, and I'm out the door.  Having to wake up at 5:45 am on weekdays has trained me to get ready in 15-25 minutes.  However, for days, events, outings that require meeting important people, or doing something pretty important, your first impression is critical.  Though another friend was applying this to events I'll be putting on, his nudge you "gotta make a good first impression" is applicable to all aspects of life.  People's perception of you does hinge on initial impressions.  Dress the part.

Take a picture -- A still photo is one way to capture a moment in time.  A time that you would love to look back on and say I remember when..  I just asked a friend about this delicious plate of banh xeo he had a photo of, and he replied, "My bad ass photog skills".  Yes, there's a photographer in all of us.   Some of us are just more keen than others.  I don't hesitate to bust out my phone, or sometimes my iPad for that matter(to embarrass my friends more than myself), to take a quick photo and publish it, or send it to a friend.  Smile!