Friends Cafe - social space for members under 25

[Kazzl]

Hey! Welcome to Friends Cafe.

This is a chill and chat space for young BB members to talk about anything and everything and make new friends.

When school's getting to you, uni or work has got you down, parents, partners, friends don't understand, and especially if you're feeling alone or lonely - come and relax awhile and talk to others who know just how you feel.

Our minds can cause us trouble, but they can also be amazing things that imagine beauty, love and fun. This cafe has everything you can imagine. To start with it's, well, a cafe. So there's chairs and tables, comfy couches for flopping, a big screen tele, unlimited download on computers for games, Spotify (or an old-school jukebox if you prefer), every movie you can think of on instant demand ... whatever you want, it's here. Post and tell us what'd you'd like.

Plus, there's an infinite menu of whatever food or drinks takes your fancy. And it's all free!

To kick it off, today we have a special range of Monster Milkshakes - those thick gooey shakes topped with cronuts, chocolate bars, cake, cookies ... whatever you want. And if you can get through one of them, you're a legend (and probably feeling a little bit sick LOL!)

Welcome friends.

[Guest_322]

Hi,

Zeal, yes, I'm glad you approve of my title for your boyfriend 😊

James, thanks for indulging my nosiness, ahem, I mean, my curiosity. There's nothing "nerdy/geeky" about wanting to study law from an academic standpoint. It just shows you enjoy learning, that's all; nothing wrong with that.

Psych, well, you're surrounded by current and future psych students here. That could be an interesting path for you.

Well, some things can't be measured in dollars and cents (unless you're a forever broke, struggling uni student like me) 😉 When I'm much older and retired, my plan is to go back to uni and study non-award units (like you take units but they don't count towards a degree) purely for my personal interest. I would probably take a lot of philosophy courses and argue with the lecturers ha, ha.

Hope you both enjoy your Friday night and the weekend!

Dottie x

[Guest_322]

Hi,

Tara, glad you enjoyed rollerblading. Keep at it as you have with the bike riding and you'll be a pro in no time 😊 And you're most welcome, Queen of Cool.

Yes, I'll have to check out Halsey. Oh happy birthday to her- she's about 2 years older than me (give or take). Awesome, please keep us posted on how things go. We are here for you.

Ahw, lovely to hear from you 😊 I know this was more addressed to Demi but I love dancing too!

It's wonderful to hear that your family and friends are supportive. But sometimes family and friendship dynamics can be tricky to navigate. It's hard when you feel out of place. Maybe over time, you'll figure out where you fit. If it's any comfort, we always have a place here for you at BB. Sounds super corny but it's true.

Dottie x

[Guest_322]

Hi,

Tara, I listened to Halsey's Castle and Colours (they were the 2 you recommended right?) while I was getting ready for work this morning. Amazing stuff! Sad songs, I think but amazing. I haven't had the chance to listen too closely to the lyrics yet but will get around to it.

I also listened to Ghost. That song reminds me of my ex-boyfriend ha, ha. Maybe Halsey also dated him at some point 😉

Zeal, James, Demi, Ahw, Grace and everyone else- happy Saturday! Hope you're all doing okay.

I'm starting work soon. Bit of a mad rush this morning because I didn't pack food. I was originally thinking that I'll just go home afterwards for a late lunch.

But changed my mind and have decided that I'll go to the uni library (again) after work. Hence the frantic food packing ha, ha.

Dottie x

[Guest_322]

Hi,

This is kind of a random post. Work went well today and I got some uni work done at the library (so exciting, right?)

So I realise that I've never really given you guys a proper intro about myself. I mean, you've gotten snippets about me here and there (mostly me complaining about how stressed I am about my studies or how broke I am ha, ha). So here are some fast facts about me:

- my favourite subject in year 12 was ancient history

- my least favourite year 12 subject was math

- my favourite units at uni (so far at least) have been cognitive psych, biopsych and social psych

- music is my soulmate; I turn to it when I'm happy, sad and anywhere in between

- my favourite book is Nausea (Satre)

- I'm going to get into so much trouble from all the Jane Austen fans out there ha, ha. But I can't read an Austen book without falling asleep. This is not based on any criticism of her work; I think she was a brilliant writer. BUT it's just not my cup of tea, that's all.

- I love fashion; I see it as functional art.

- I tend to butt heads with people who have very conservative values

- I'm extremely strong willed (stubborn as a mule ha, ha)

- I love modern art museums

- I drive my lecturers mad with my endless questions ha, ha

- I am not shy about asking questions in a full lecture theatre 😉

- I love flowers (but I don't like receiving roses- so cliched)

Now my random thoughts:

- love is often very fragile and a marriage certificate isn't a guarantee (or not by itself anyway)

- Most situations aren't black and white in my opinion

- actions speak louder than words

- absolutely no one has it all figured out

- I'm a firm believer in letting people make their own mistakes in life. That's how we learn 😊

Dottie x

[ahw309]

Hi Demi! I don't really have one favourite book or author (I don't really have a favourite anything haha - I am extremely indecisive) but Virginia Woolf and George Orwell are two authors that are amongst my favourites (even though they are so different!) Woolf for her amazing way with words and the fact that she makes me feel understood and not so alone, and I'm able to relate to all her characters, even though they are all so different, and Orwell for his ability to encourage me to confront and challenge the way I think and view the world around me.

Hi Dottie! I really enjoyed reading your post and learning more about you!! I hear you on the music, and I really love flowers too. I've been wanting to read Nausea for soo long but haven't yet, and now I want to read it even more! Jane Austen isn't my favourite either, but I don't mind her too much. Haha, I wish I was less shy about asking questions!! Also, your random thoughts really resonate with me, I agree with you on all except the first one - I'm undecided about that. 🙂

In relation to what I said before, I think the distance I feel with the people around me is mainly because of my highly introverted personality and also my tendency to withdraw, so in a way, it's self-imposed haha 🙂 But thank you both for your kind words! 🙂

Zeal, James, Grace, Tara - hope you've had a nice day and are going okay!! 🙂

[Guest_322]

Hi Ahw,

Thanks for the lovely post 😊 I'm glad you enjoyed my random post.

I'm glad that my thoughts on music and flowers resonated with you. I remember you mentioned music in a few of your posts of I'm not surprised ha, ha.

Maybe after the HSC exams, as you'll have more time on your hands, you can add Nausea to your epic reading list. Wait, it was you with the epic reading list, right? Sorry, bad memory ha, ha.

Oh yeah, I'm pretty shameless when it comes to asking lecturers questions ha, ha. But everyone is different. I know some people at uni who keep to themselves and wouldn't be comfortable asking a question in a full lecture theatre (and that's perfectly okay too). What some people do is they'll quietly approach the lecturer at the end of a class to ask him/her or send him/her an email; maybe that's something that you could consider if you go to uni 😊

I'm pleased that my random thoughts struck a chord with you, and if not, at least gave you food for thought. You'll figure out your stance (or maybe you'll have multiple stances) on no. 1 in good time, I'm sure.

I'm impressed by your insights on why you feel distant to most people. You've answered your own question (so to speak). There's nothing wrong with introversion 😊

I'm introverted too in the sense that I enjoy my own company, need time to myself to recharge and (excess) people contact leaves me feeling drained. But I'm not shy; I think people always assume shyness goes hand in hand with introversion although the that's not always the case. I'm a good example- introverted but not shy.

About your withdrawal, I've confidence that you're insightful and intelligent enough to that you have figured out- or will figure out- why you do it. Feel free to share you thoughts (but only if you're comfortable- no pressure).

I'm doing uni work today so please try to contain your jealousy everyone (also please note my sarcasm ha, ha).

And side note: I realise this was addressed to Demi but I take it that 1984 (George Orwell) might possibly be one of the titles you've read? What about Animal Farm (Orwell too)? I rather enjoyed Animal Farm (but I still haven't gotten around to reading 1984...uni holidays maybe).

You and Demi take good care of yourself especially during this he tone HSC period. You can do it!

Zeal, James, Grace and everyone else- thinking of you 😊

Dottie x

[Guest_322]

*hectic HSC period

And I realise that they are many typos in my last post. Apologies but you should still be able to make sense of it 😊

Dottie x

[Demi1]

Hi Dotti,

Lovely to get to know a bit more about you 🙂 I also love music (like I'm sure we all do.) I will definitely have to add Nausea to my post HSC list! Is it a play? If you enjoy unusual/satirical plays I definitely recommend 'Waiting for Godot.' It is simply, funny, and raises very intriguing questions. I also am severely stubborn and strong willed haha but I guess that allows us to be forthright and independent. I on the other hand hate flowers; unfortunately they remind me of sad events in which friends and family showed their condolences through bouquets. Now I struggle when people buy me flowers for good reasons/things worth celebrating because they simply remind me the sad times. My lovely mum, knowing how much I dislike flowers always buys me a book to congratulate me on things like getting my P's or Graduation haha it's actually quite funny when my friends continue to ask why she always hands me a book to celebrate; I would have it no other way though.

Hi Awh,

Hope you're having a good day, you too Zeal and James. What are you all up to today?

You have such a mature taste in literature Awh! I'm impressed! It reminds me a bit of myself. At 13 years old, I was reading 700+ page long medical fiction. I highly recommend any novel by Jodie Picoult, she is an extraordinary writer 🙂 My favourite novels by her are 'My Sister's Keeper', 'Nineteen Minutes' and 'Handle With Care.' I would love to hear what you recommend 🙂

Have a lovely day all of you xx

Demi

[Guest_322]

Hi Demi,

True, music is something that almost everyone enjoys 😊

Nah, Nausea isn't a play. It's fiction but somewhat on the darker end of the spectrum as far as books go. It's a thin but intense and bleak read although it gets the brain juices going.

Thanks, I'll have to google Waiting for Godot. I've never heard of it before but I'm definitely intrigued 😊

Oh yeah, I agree that I can relate to the forthright and independent side of our shared stubbornness ha, ha. I remember many of my friends commented on my stubbornness in my year 12 book that they signed. Teachers were more tactful and described it as my being "driven" and "determined" in my year book 😂

Thanks for sharing that you don't like flowers. It makes sense that you don't love them if it's associated with grief and sadness. I guess for people like me- even though I have been to funerals before- I don't have that association in my head. But it's eye opening to hear a different perspective.

And I think it's a really nice tradition where your mum helps you celebrate with books instead. It's very thoughtful of her and you love it too 😊

Dottie x

[dark_unicorn]

James, Zeal, ahw - It's cool to hear you’re all familiar with Harry Potter! Something we all have in common 🙂 I hope the past few days have been good, and uni/work have been kind to you.

Demi - Thankfully I don’t have to worry about the driving test for another year! I’m just very excited in advance 😛 But yes, I will look at practise tests beforehand.

I didn’t actually want to touch the crocodile at all at first! But when I saw it had it’s mouth taped closed I was ok. I didn’t want to be bitten! Haha

Yes you’re not the only one! As I’m writing this, my dad just said to Charlie ‘Raus mit der kleiner Hund’! (out with the little dog, telling him to get out of the kitchen).

Hey Dottie - Yes rollerblading was so fun! It was great to catch up with my friends, although 3 out of the 5 of us were 3rd-wheeling, because the other 2 are dating but that was ok, we still had tons of fun.

Yeah Halsey’s songs can be a bit sad and intense but I think they’re pretty cool 🙂 Haha that would be kinda cool I suppose, you could tell people ‘I dated Halsey’s ex!’ haha 😛

In response to your ‘intro’ post, I’ve never heard of that book. As a massive bookworm myself, I might go check it out! Do you mind giving me a brief synopsis? And those random thoughts are great. ‘Most situations aren’t black and white…’ - I totally agree with that.

Just an update on me generally - I’ve been a bit up and down lately (more downs than ups unfortunately), and I'm not exactly looking forward to school tomorrow…so hopefully my friends can give me a bit if a pick-me-up. I wish the holidays were so much longer! These 2 weeks went way too fast 😞 We have our big school presentation night on Friday, which involves lots of music! I'm performing in 5 different pieces which is pretty fun, a mix of singing, drums, and the xylophone. I had a rehearsal today for about 3 hours, which was good because I had nothing else to do today! Although I would've liked to spend more time outside as it was such a gorgeous day. Oh well 😞 I hope everyone is doing ok and that you are all powering through the days!

Tara x