Maintenance - I wash my hair every two weeks and I always let it air dry. I spritz it when needed with water or leave in conditioner. I sleep with a hair bonnet on to keep the lent at bay and I retighten every 4 weeks. It doesn't get any easier.
Styling - After two years I am more in love with my hair than ever before. It's a decent length that allows me to feel comfortable styling now. Before I was only comfortable free styling with an occasional loc loop curl set; but now I love the spiral curls that I have discovered with the wrap-loc tool. My hair is so bouncy and sassy that I don't mind the time it takes to dry naturally. However, the ponytail still alludes me.
Live and learn - The biggest lesson that I've learned is not to wait too long between retightening my hair. The one time I went between 6-8 weeks my roots were so thin on some locks I became a little worried. The other lesson I've learned is not to scratch my scalp no matter how much it itches. I'm sure this has contributed to my thinning roots. I thought my days of an itching scalp was over a long time ago - but alas it has returned.
All and all - I love my natural hair!