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 again,

Demi, oh dear, it seems like you're not feeling that well either. I hope you're on the mend soon or at least before the HSC exams start.

Is it just my imagination or is this (epic) post-HSC reading list of yours forever growing? 😉

James, aw, that's a very nice sentiment. I agree that these casual (and sometimes wonderfully left of field) conversations are fantastic.

Nah, I haven't read the new Harry Potter play. You guys will probably beat me to it ha, ha.

I'm not surprised that you're in Ravenclaw 😊

Zeal, indulge your inner child! I support that! The Hufflepuffs had some of the nicest people. It's a very kind house. A dolphin patronus is pretty awesome! And your wand sounds cool.

I'm a cross between Ravenclaw and Gryffindor (depends on which online quiz I take but my scores for the 2 are generally pretty similar regardless of which house I'm sorted in).

So I've decided to combine the 2 and create my own house- how does, uh, Ravendor or Gryffinclaw sound to you guys?

Dottie x

[Guest_322]

Ahw and Grace, I hope you're both doing okay. Thinking of you.

All the best with your HSC studies, Ahw! Rooting for you here 😊

Dottie x

[Guest_322]

Hi Zeal,

I noticed your status has changed from Youth to Community Champion 😊

CONGRATULATIONS 🎉🎈⭐️🎀🎁✨🎉

Don't get me wrong, Youth Champion is amazing too but I'm guessing this is some sort of milestone thing. Well done!

Thank you for always being here for us; consistently posting is a big commitment and you've demonstrated that time and time again.

I propose we throw a virtual party in Zeal's honour! 🎉⭐️🎉⭐️

I left you a post on the "Introducing...our champions" thread 😊

Dottie xx

[Zeal]

Hey Dottie,

Thanks so much for your kind message - you are an absolute gem! Here's the funny thing - I have always been a Community Champion since I volunteered here. When I first started, there were only Community Champions, and then later the Youth Champions, Carer Champions and Rainbow Champions were introduced. I am the youngest Community Champ and age-wise I could be a Youth Champ, but I remained a Community Champ even after the Youth Champs joined us.

I really appreciate your sentiment though Dottie! We can still throw a virtual party, for all of us here!! 🙂 Thanks so much for your continued kindness, support and insight. We really appreciate having you here 😄

Best wishes,

Zeal

[james1]

I like parties! 🙂 I can bring some burnt brownies (I don't know how to bake without burning)

[ahw309]

Hey Dottie!

Nausea is definitely on my post HSC reading list! I have actually been looking for it for the past month or so whenever I go to a book store, but I haven’t been able to find it yet! Thank you for the advice, I will keep in mind that it may be quite a dark, intense read.

Yeah, the fact that introverted people are always shy seems to be a common misconception people have. I guess that doesn’t affect me too much though, seeing as I actually am a shy and socially anxious introvert haha!!

Re my withdrawal, other than just the need to have time by myself, I think it’s mainly due to my anxiety/depression and not wanting people to worry about me, and also the fact that I feel like I’m constantly bothering/burdening people by interacting with them. I also feel like people generally think I’m an overall okay person, but if I get too close, they will find out that I’m actually mean, annoying and rude. I know this probably isn’t true though, and that as humans, we all have our flaws, but I’m sure most here will understand that sometimes it’s hard to stop thinking things, despite knowing it’s irrational or untrue!

Yes, I’ve read both 1984 and Animal Farm. They were the first two, and probably most famous two, of Orwell’s works that I’ve read. I always thought I disliked dystopian novels like Animal Farm and 1984, as well as Brave New World, Fahrenheit 451, etc. but over time I’ve realised that they are the stories which leave me thinking, and the ones I find myself randomly recalling a month or two, or even more, after I’ve read the book. So even though I wouldn’t say they are my favourites first off, I actually really like some dystopian or satirical novels. In a way, they shock me a little, and raise a lot of questions which challenge me and gets me thinking.

Hope you’ve been well and that uni and work has been kind and hasn’t been too stressful!

[ahw309]

Hi Demi! Thank you for the recommendations! I read My Sister’s Keeper around the time the movie was released (so quite a while ago). I agree that she is a great writer, and her stories are very emotional. I have heard of Handle With Care, but not Nineteen Minutes, but they are now both on my (never-ending) list of books I want to read! 🙂 Seeing as Virginia Woolf is one of my favourite writers, I recommend anything by her haha, maybe To The Lighthouse, or The Waves.

I’ve also read Waiting for Godot as I was studying it in 3u english (before I dropped it halfway through the year)! ‘Simple, funny, and raises very intriguing questions’ - yes I agree!!

I hope your cold is gone and that studying is going a lot better for you than it is for me haha! All the best and take care 🙂

Hey Tara! I’m so glad you had fun rollerblading, and that your friends cheer you up. They sound like great friends, especially this one close friend that you are very grateful to have! What a great friendship!! She must really care about you very much 🙂

I hope you’ve had a good start to the term so far. Yeah that’s the funny thing about holidays - after you go back to school, it always feels like you never left! It’s just strange how quickly we can go back into the familiar school routine without question, even after the long summer holidays!

It’s great to have so many readers around! Like Dottie said, 9 books is impressive, and all 400+ pages! 🙂 I have good memories where I’d have a stack of books at the start of the holidays and finish them all by the end just like you!! I’ve been reading less the past 1-2 years though, as I’ve been busy with school and everything else, and have also lacked the motivation, patience, and concentration.

All the best for your rehearsals and performances on your presentation night! Wow, 5 pieces - your musical talent is quite amazing 🙂 I’m sure you will be great! Excited for you!!

I hope you’ve been well and thinking of you!​

[ahw309]

Hi Zeal 🙂 Yeah, having a mix of both introverts and extroverts (and everything in between) is great, and creates a much needed balance!

I remember joining Pottermore a few years ago and I was sorted into Slytherin but I can’t see any qualities in me that would lead to that outcome! After seeing your post, I tried to go onto my account again, but I forgot which email and password I used, so I created a new account, and this time I got sorted into Gryffindor! I also did some random online quizzes, and for the first one I got Hufflepuff, and the second I got Ravenclaw hahaha! So I don’t really know what house I would be in. I personally think Hufflepuff (I value hard work, patience, loyalty and fair play) or maybe Ravenclaw, but Pottermore seems to think otherwise 😛

I hope your boyfriend’s birthday was fun, and that you’ve been okay! Hoping that this fairly persistent head cold of yours goes away soon!

Hi James!! I agree - this thread is great!! I’m so grateful for you, and everyone here 🙂

I haven’t read the new Harry Potter play, but I haven’t heard many good things about it, so I’m a bit hesitant to read it. I heard it reads a bit like a fan fiction.

I don’t really know how to bake at all, so you’re ahead of me in that regard hahaha! Also brownies are pretty great and probably taste good even if they’re burnt, right?

Hope you're okay and have been taking care 🙂

Grace - I hope your holidays are going well and thinking of you!

[dark_unicorn]

Wow you've all been busy posting! Where to start...

James - Yeah I like the name, and I consider all of you new friends if you don't mind. 😊 Oooh Ravenclaw! I'm a Gryffindor myself, (also Pukwudgie in the new Ilvermony school). My wand is Laurel wood with a Phoenix feather core 14 ½" and Rigid flexibility! My Patronus is also a Goshawk (there's a new Patronus Pottermore Quiz by the way...) yes, I am a big HP nerd, but I'm proud of it! No! I have not yet read the new play, Cursed Child, but I am absolutely desperate to! All my friends (AND MY SISTER) have it but no-one is letting me read theirs 😭 Although I have a feeling that someone is getting me it for my birthday...I'll let you know! And those brownies sound nice. I love brownies (burnt or unburnt 😝)

Zeal - Yay! You joined Pottermore! You may already know, but Hufflepuffs are considered loyal, hard-working, especially kind and patient and dedicated. Famous Hufflepuffs include Cedric Diggory, and Tonks. If anyone needs to know anything about Harry Potter I suppose I'm the one to go to haha 😂 I hope your head-cold is dissipating, I know how terrible they can be. Make sure you stay warm, and have lots of hot drinks, but keep your water intake up 🙂 And wow! Congratulations on your Community Champion achievement! Thats amazing!! It's nice to know you're being recognised for your service 🙂 If it's alright with everyone, I'll bring banana and blueberry muffins 🙂 one of the only things I can cook besides spaghetti bolognese haha 😛

Tara xx

[dark_unicorn]

Dottie - Yes my friend is wonderful - she constantly is a pillar of support. Wow, I'm sure your hair looked great while it lasted! I can't wait until I leave school and can dye my hair. At the moment I have shoulder-length brown hair, but I'm hoping to go pixie-cut soon. I think I'd like to go lighter? And then when I feel like being adventurous maybe I'll go red or blue 🙂

I don't seem to have a particular genre with books? I seem to just read whatever I like but I do love Crime/Mystery Fiction. And thank you for your kind words! Yes hopefully all goes well Friday, we had more rehearsals today with some musicians from the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra which was exciting! Unfortunately the 3 that came were all string players, so their advice didn't really apply to me, but it was still interesting to hear their life stories! And yes, I will make sure I keep you all updated on my condition 🙂

ahw - Yeah I wasn't looking forward to school at first, but I suppose I am kinda happy to be back. I thought they were going to give us a pile of homework, but they've actually been surprisingly nice and have just been easing us back into working. The routine definitely has not changed! Although we have 4 new girls which is pretty cool, 1 in each class.

Yes, I'm an avid reader 😛 I love to lose myself in books, and it keeps my brain occupied so I think that's why I tend to read so much. Hopefully if your work load lessens a bit you can read more. I believe that reading is really good for your mental state, I find it helps me calm down when I'm stressed.

And thank you all for your well-wishes for Friday! Here's to hoping it all goes well 🙂 One of my other close friends are receiving an award so I'm very proud of her.

To Grace, Demi and anyone else reading: I hope you are having a good week, and that you are feeling well physically and mentally.

Love to all,

Tara xx