Well, I did it and I made it to Level 4, I think.  Got the castle walls upgraded and some trees planted and then, I realized I needed more energy or resources to build stuff.  Just went back and checked my avatar and my code # is 75 9621, name Teeitup (Tee was already taken).  Off to run some errands, pick up a couple of more gifts for the GK's and get a much needed pedicure.  Our weather is supposed to turn nasty tonight so wanted to get it all done before then.  More game playing this aft. I hope.  Now that I am home FT, I lose track of what day it is.  This actually feels like Saturday to me, since that is when I usually did my errand running.

barre - you may get friendship requests from strangers.  I'm not sure how the friendhip list that appears is generated.  Right now, there was just the one quest to add 1 friend and it's unclear as to whether adding friends will be an achievement.  I don't know what happens if you decline a friendship offer (whether that person is lost to you for all time as a friend).

I've got 15 friends so far.  So far, nobody has tried to chat me up during the game, but if anybody gives you grief, you can ufriend them.

I haven't checked out the auction yet, but if it's like Road Trip, friends can come in handy.  If there's something you're looking for, you can put it on your watch list, and if a friend puts it on auction, you will be notified.

Want to add that it costs 42 coins to send a letter/message to somebody (friend requests are sent no charge), so it's not likely that strangers will bombard you with unwanted messages.

sunshinej - at the top by your avatar, it shows the level you're on, the amount of experience you've already eaned on that level, and the total amount you need to get to the next level.