What was the project that made you feel skilled in Python?

[Ned Batchelder]

Hi all, I'm trying to come up with more project ideas for intermediate 
learners, somewhat along the lines of 
http://bit.ly/intermediate-python-projects .

So here's a question for people who remember coming up from beginner: as 
you moved from exercises like those in Learn Python the Hard Way, up to 
your own self-guided work on small projects, what project were you 
working on that made you feel independent and skilled?  What program 
first felt like your own work rather than an exercise the teacher had 
assigned?

I don't want anything too large, but big enough that there's room for 
design, and multiple approaches, etc.

Thanks in advance!

--Ned.