One of my dearest friends Mara loves to plan an outing. We first met a few years ago when we were performing together in a show in Shanghai, China post-graduation. While we were there, there were basically two options each day: you could get out and explore a different part of the city before the show, or you could stay in the hotel and binge-watch an entire television series you bought from one of the many Chinese fake markets and never see the light of day through the city's smog. We chose to explore, and it's so much better when you have an eager partner-in-crime to do it with. (We even snuck to Beijing, Tokyo, Bangkok, and more when we had more than one day off from the show at a time.) Mara loves to research new finds, make plans, and add to her to-do list. i mean, we alllll have those friends with their to-do lists. And one of the things I love most about her is that she lovessss to have something to look forward to. In the monotony of our city life, the ups and downs of auditioning, and the seemingly depressing dating scene in NYC, she finds something new, something positive to focus on. I'll hop on that plan!!
The last few falls she's planned an apple picking adventure out of the city to enjoy some fall foliage, the occasional small town apple festival, a nice little roadtrip, and more apples than you can stomach. Yes, we've had our fair share of orchard photo shoots. We're performers! Sue us! This year, I not only asked if Meg could hop on the train but if my sister and my roommates Christina + and Kristina (aka DJ White Chocolate) could come too. She said yes, of course, the more the merrier- and I love her all the more for that. She added them into the plans as well as newlyweds Michael and John, who we went with last year when they were dating! Third year of our apple picking trip, third orchard, third group... we were ready. Well...until Mara found out that many orchards were OUT OF APPLES. I think she may have had a massive panic attack, but she went straight back to the drawing board, did more research, and rest assured, there were apples where we all ended up that Sunday. She wanted to make sure it was the perfect experience for us all and just as good as the past two years. And it was. Even if the apples were gone, I don't think any of us would have really noticed- we enjoyed the day and the company the most. I guess I've become one to not get too attached to plans, as I know they might change, and heck I might change! But I have some special appreciation for those planners out there. Part of the fun is the excitement building up to it, right?
Check out our little adventure below. Have you started any Fall traditions with your friends?
