When I was about 5, I first started to watch the Nightmare on Elm St. movies and I had nightmares every night...and every time I would wake up screaming my head off for mommy, at which point I would crawl into bed with her. Somewhere along the line, I began to actually observe and judge the surroundings of my nightmares - I became more aware of what was actually happening and therefore could wake up with a conscious memory of it, rather than just a fervid state of panic.
Another dream that helped nurture my awareness was a particular occurrence of wetting the bed. In the dream, the house and everyone seemed normal. I was standing in front of the toilet...but the door was open and my brother was like standing in line behind me saying "Hurry up! Just pee!" It was just like any night at bedtime. I knew something wasn't right though and I kept holding it and holding it. I felt like I was about to burst so I finally just started peeing and instantly woke up just as it was happening.

But only since last September have I intentionally studied and begun to understand what it all is. I'm still growing...

/ I thought I remembered this from before, too. But oh well