For the last couple of weeks I have been binging Gossip Girl on Netflix. For those of you who haven't seen the show, it is about a group of friends growing up on the Upper East Side in NYC. The friends - Serena, Blair, Chuck, Nate, and Dan - are constantly under the watchful eye of Gossip Girl who documents their every move on her website for the world to keep up with. Gossip Girl, Serena, Blair, Nate, Chuck, and Dan have all taught me some lessons these last few weeks and I am going to share them with you.

#1. Have you heard the saying "secrets don't make friends?" Well its very true and proven on Gossip Girl. The friends keep many secrets from one another and once they are revealed by GG the ties of friendship become strained.

#2. Things aren't always as they seem. Too many times have two people been seen together and GG puts up a blast telling the world that the two are having an affair.

#3. People can change. As both Chuck and Serena have shown us, people can totally change. Chuck, formerly the bad boy of the show is now sweet and caring and wants only the best for his friends. And Serena, formerly a party girl who slept around is now searching for a real relationship and sober.

#4. Rules are meant to be broken. As Blair learns prior to graduating high school, rules she made for the halls of Constance School for Girls no longer apply without Queen B.

#5. Fairytales don't come true. In season 5 when Blair marries the prince, she learns that he isn't who she thought he was and that she doesn't really love him. Her prince - Chuck - is out of her reach now that she's on the throne.

.

#6. Relationships come and go but friendships are forever. Through the many, many MANY, relationships the characters have, through all the breakups and heartbreak, their friends are their refuge. They always stand by one another.

#7. People are crazy. Enough said.

#8. Dogs - and ducks - are man's best friend. Blair finds comfort in feeding the ducks at the park when she upset. These unusual companions keep her spirits high when times get tough. And Chuck's dog Monkey keeps him company when he struggles through his many breakups with Blair.

#9. Friendship is the key to survival. When Blair suffers from bulimia, Serena overdoses, Nate's dad goes to prison, Chuck's father dies, and Dan learns he has a child, friendship is the key thing that keeps each of them strong through their trials.

And finally...

#10. Someone is always watching. No matter what they do or where they go, they are always tracked by GG. We are all always under observation by someone. So remember to always be on your best behavior friends!