Nisha Advani's Blog

March 2015, Ferrari World, Abu Dhabi: I can feel the slow, familiar rise of adrenaline coursing through my body, seated on the front row of the world’s fastest roller coaster, Formula Rossa. Buckled in and pumped about experiencing more g-force than astronauts do during a space shuttle takeoff, I look over at my co-rider. “Pa, when was your last time on a roller coaster?” My father nonchalantly shrugs and shakes his head. “What?! You’ve never been on a roller coaster before?” A lurch at the pit of my stomach that has nothing to do with the imminent ride makes me realize how particularly ill-timed my question was. How utterly irresponsible of me to allow my theme-park novice dad, well past sixty, to ride one of the craziest coasters ever built! I stare at the tracks in front of us, swallowing the nervous lump in my throat as the countdown to launch begins. My self-reproach is quickly taken over by a feeling of being in charge. “Keep your eyes open throughout. If you feel giddy, focus o

May 8, 2020:  A very special day. I’d turned in my final assignment in the wee hours of the morning and managed to catch a few hours of sleep amid the churn of anticipation leading up to my crowning moment. The celebratory fervor in the auditorium was palpable; excited murmurs were audible, as proud family members from all over the world waited for their freshly minted MBA graduate to walk the stage. I adjusted my cap and straightened my robe for the umpteenth time. I felt a surge of adrenaline as my name was called and I walked onto the stage – confident, proud, and very conscious of all eyes on me. I beamed, skimming the crowd in a futile attempt to locate my parents. I waved at my professors, grateful. The resounding claps reached their peak, everyone sharing in my moment of glory, before fading into the distance as I exited the stage…   “Nisha Suresh Advani”   My laptop screen welcomed me back from my subliminal trip.  My photograph and name on a slide marked the culmination of my