I've started practicing again recently, so I can talk about myself as a newbie. Even though, I remember about 4 or 5 lucid dreams I've had in the last years, and the best memory I have of them is that moment of becoming aware of being in a dream. At least for me, was like suddenly believing in magic and letting your inner fantasy flow.
That's why I would like to know about the moments you became aware of yourself dreaming through a reality check or a similar mechanic. How it was? How did you feel?

My last experience was of myself in my room. I remembered to look at my hands to do a RC, and I found out something extrange. My ring and little finger from both my hands were shaking in a quick and extravagant way (that movement remembered me of Silent Hill monsters). Then, my hands started to turn darker and darker until black, and I started to distinguish a cosmic landscape (with stars and galaxies) in them, like my hands being some kind of window to the outer space I was looking through.
Then, I realized I was dreaming. I felt amazed of how eccentric visions my mind could create, and I stayed for a while just enjoying the sight of my hands.

As a begginer, Id love to know about your RC and how did you live them during your dreams :)
PD: I used the search tool first, I hope this thread is no repeated!