Class.

First Class, the prestige status of every airline passenger on every airline going to every country in the world. It's something a few do regularly, and a lot dream of achieving one day. 

I've never flown first class. It always appealed to me. Whenever we travelled to India and passed by Business Class, I'd always end up thinking to myself, "If Business Class looks like this, I wonder what first class looks like". The arrival of the A380 took that to a whole new level. With Emirates, the local airline of Dubai releasing advertisement after advertisement on its First Class facilities including a 15-minute spa/shower session.. well that was something. 

I'm going to be in the USofA for 4 years. I'm going to probably come to Dubai in the Summer and in the Winter each year. That makes 2 Round-Trips a year, for 4 years. Considering what I've heard about British Airways' [BA] frequent flier/Miles system, I'm super excited. Miles can be transferred, meaning that the miles my parents collect on this trip will be transferred onto my account. That, along with my own miles, will ensure a Business Class upgrade when travelling at least for One of the two trips. 

[By Now I'm Sure You've Guessed, I love travelling, especially By Air].

So it got me thinking, If I, once in the 4 years (Most preferably in the last year after my graduation) buy a business class ticket to Dubai [Which is a 14 hour flight, mind you], I'll be able to upgrade myself to First Class. Agreed, its not A380, but its still First Class. Something everyone wants to experience, but few actually do. 

Now you must be thinking, where the hell is all this coming from? My dad and I were discussing the loyalty program Emirates Airlines has for its fliers. Its called Skywards, for those who don't know. I was aware of 3 categories up until now. Blue, Silver and Gold. I had absolutely no idea that they have a Platinum category as well. But that's not what shocked me. What shocked me was the SKYWARDS IO [Invite Only] Tier. That's absolutely insane. It's all hush-hush, not even mentioned on their official page. They have their own lounge at the Dubai Airport which is so well concealed most of us have never even seen it. 

Here's a glimpse of what it would be like if you were invited:

Somebody from the Emirates office shows up at your office unannounced with your package. Inside the package is your kit. A thick, heavy dark rede at grey/brown membership card with matching Luggage Tags. A Mont Blanc wallet and a personally signed Letter form Tim Clark, the CEO of Emirates Airlines welcoming you to the club. 

There is also a private number on the back of the membership card which has a personal number for you. When called, the operator on the other line is dedicated to you and answers the phone with a "Good Evening Mr. ______"

Sounds a lot like what Up In The Air [Movie]'s 10 Million Mile system was based on. And it sounds absolutely Phenomenal. I'd like to meet someone with a Skywards IO card someday. 

That's 2 Posts in 12 Hours. Woah.

Until Next Time,

Parichay 

The Uncertainties of University

I realised that I haven't blogged since April. Its been a while since Yas, and boy do I miss that place. But this post isn't based on how I miss the past 2 months. I'll save that post for when my summer comes to an end. For now i'm going to talk about what lies at the end of Summer '13. Particularly, at the end of August. 
And that is: 

University Begins.

Yep, University time is finally approaching. And I'm pretty sure it's what every high school graduate is thinking about. It's the "next big step". It's what will "define who we will grow up to be." 4+ Years of Undergraduate study will shape us into the new generation. 

But that's all roses and flowers. There's a lot we're not prepared for. There's a lot we're taking for granted. And there's a lot that we've been told to consider, but we just don't. 

Independence just doesn't come like that. After spending the first 17(or 18) years of your life in a secure bubble with your friends and family, it'll be one hell of a shift. We have the luxuries here that we'll long for once we're there. I can't say I know how that feels because I still have to experience it. Seniors and their parents can try all they want to explain it to us, tell us to brace-ourselves and to expect a lot. But that's all we can do, brace ourselves. We cannot experience it unless we're actually there. 

There's a lot to learn. A lot to experience. Things that we'll need to survive out there. Sooner or later we're going to have to see the independent life. The life without the "bubble." Be it at the age of 18 or at the age of 22, we're still going to experience the same experiences, make the same mistakes and do the same things. We can't learn if we're spending time feeling secure. 
Some people prefer seeing that life at the Post-Graduate level, but all I feel is that you'll be going to the university with no independent experience and a lot of knowledge from undergrad. That's it. 

I will miss everything here, my family especially. It'll be insane spending 4 months without really interacting with them and our conversations limited to instant-messaging and Video Chats via Facetime or Skype. But we'll handle that obstacle when we get to it. For now, we can just brace ourselves. 

With that, I look forward to the first 5 months at college. The new life. The restricted yet unrestricted life of a college student living in a dormitory within the Campus away from all securities and previously known luxuries. I look forward to Fall 2013.

Until Next Post,
Parichay

P.S. BBM's coming to iPhone. My "Predicament" [See earlier post] has been solved. Huhu.

Yas Waterworld - A Review

So this past weekend, my family and I decided to go up to Yas Island and check out Yas Waterworld - The newest addition to the "Things to do" category of the UAE.

Yas Waterworld, managed by the same group of people that manage Yas Island’s other big attraction Ferrari World, is a treat for both UAE residents and tourists. With an entry fee of AED 225 per adult and AED 185 per child under 1.1meters in height. 

The Premium pass, which allows people to essentially ‘skip the queue’ might just be worth the additional AED 160 depending on when you decide to go. The weekend or a good sunny day will lead to a crowded waterworld, meaning longer queues to each attraction. 

Next thing up, what to carry and locker services. A small square locker comes at a cost of AED 35 while a longer rectangular locker comes at a cost of AED 55. Unless entering the park carrying valuables, the locker service proves to be quite an unnecessary one. You are allowed to carry bags into the park, which are checked but nothing is really removed. Carry a bottle of Coca-Cola or water if you wish to and just place it in the bag along with towels. Towels in the park can be obtained for a rental fee obviously. Each towel can be rented for AED 20 which seems to be quite outrageous, especially since you are allowed to bring your own. Try to leave your valuables in the car before coming in and if possible, leave the mobile phones/cameras there too. 

Next up, Food. There’s no limit to the number of small ‘shacks’ where you can buy food. The food/snacks joints include a designated snacks store, an ice cream hut, and sweet store serving doughnuts and muffins. “Chubby’s Kitchen” and “Dana’s diner” being the main 2 joints to pick up filling food such as burgers and pizzas. 

The Attractions: Boasting of 43 attractions, Yas Waterworld has enough to keep one busy for a good 5 hours. The idea of 2 different kids areas for younger kids and older kids seemed to be a good one in comparison to those of Wild Wadi and Aquaventure both of which just have one play-area for children. 

The park classifies its attractions into 4 distinct categories:

1. Young Fun [For Children]
2. Moving & Grooving [For the more older category who visit to relax rather than exert themselves]
3. Exciting Adventure [Categorized as a High Thrill Level with rides to make you enjoy the park]
4. Adrenaline Rush [The Extreme thrill level for the roller-coaster and adventure lovers] 

Instead of going into details of all 43 attractions, which can prove to be quite long and boring, I’m going to highlight some of the attractions you must catch when there.

The Dawwama - A 6-people-one-raft attraction which includes a 20 meter high open funnel giving the person in the raft a tornado feel. It really is something, though the extremely long line for this one would make you think, “Why didn’t I buy the premium pass?” 

The Dawwama.

The Liwa Loop - A No-Tube-Required lopping attraction which starts with a near-to-vertical-start with a hydraulic floor which opens up unexpectedly. Note: This is not for the faint hearted]

Liwa Loop.

Hamlool’s Humps: An exact replica of Wild Wadi’s older Jumeirah Sceirah. Fantastic nonetheless.

Hamlool's Humps.

Jabel Drop: This one’s an exact replica of Aquaventure’s “Leap of Faith” , [Yes I know my Blog has the same name], without the aquarium to pass through though.

A Near-to-vertical drop on Jabel Drop.

Sebag: A ride where 6 people race down to the finish with watermats. All 6 start together to see who can finish first. A common concept in water-park’s all over the world but a first for waterparks in the UAE.

Race your Friends&Family on Sebag.

Slither Surprise: The first 4 slides are said to be common ones, though i didn’t go on them. The last slide though, you will fall in love with. Not because of the thrill, which it doesn’t really have, but because of the way it has been designed. when inside, you’ll actually feel like you’re in the belly of a snake!

This is the one I was talking about.

Yadi Yas: Your normal Lazy river, with a twist. The waves. Torrents keep coming in sending you into a wave-filled lazy river. Once again, a copy off Aquaventure.

Yadi Yas.

That’s my top 7 rides.

All in all, Yas Waterworld will prove to be a fun-filled outing for both families and friends. Essentially a wonderful combination of both the competing water-world’s in Dubai, it gives one a reason to come here instead. 

The only downside i felt in Yas Waterworld, was the stairs. Each attraction being quite high up and the only way to reach each attraction is by climbing stairs. Initially it’s not such a pain because you’re full of excitement, but later on in the day, it starts to become a real problem. So keep in mind.

That’s all for my review, do check it out soon. Enjoy!

Parichay Swarup, A Bored Ex-Student. 

Poetry at its Best.

So, A friend of mine's too scared/embarrassed to upload her childhood poem. 
She wrote it at quite a young age, so we all understand why she's embarrassed. 

I'm sure you'll all love it :')
Here it is, you be the judge:

"My hair, My hair,
It looks like a square,
Hair Jel, Hair Jel,
Is any Jel There?

Knots, Knots, 
Not knots in a robot,
Knots in my hair, 
They are everywhere,
HUH, Just a dream?
Or could it be? A Horrible Scheme? NO, it was just me." 

P.S. You are welcome.

Oh and do check her blog out at: http://breakingoutofacage.blogspot.ae/

Freedom at Last? Or is It?

Well the ISC Boards ended 21 days ago. Lets just say its been a month since my boards ended. And as expected, they've started..

Yes, I'm talking about the statements which say, "Don't waste your 5 months", "Do something productive with your time", "This time is ideal for some work" etc,

Now what people need to understand is, We don't want to undertake something that will require too much work. I know what most people reading this will think.. "Now that's just being Lazy", but trust me, we want to be lazy. We don't mind the occasional swimming or jogging or cycling or whatever, the exercise is fine. But expecting us to make it a productive 5 months is just way too much to ask for us.

Asking us to "brush up your mathematics", or "take up some courses at a local college to help with your first semester" is just being unreasonable. People manage every year without all this. Infact, I know very few people who willingly decided to undertake any of these ventures. It was all forced down upon them. And its just a buzz-kill..

Here's to everyone having a fantastic 4 months off,
Carefree, Hakunamatata.
Parichay. 

The Predicament

So 12th Grade is Over. We're in the transition period between school life and university life. Dependence and independence. Childhood and adulthood. And there are so many choices people in this transition have to make. Where to go for college, what to pick as a major/career, how to spend these 4 months of nothing-to-do; but being the retarded tech-junkie, my toughest decision is regarding the tech I need to pick up for college.

With Several Mobiles/Laptops/Tablets to choose from, the choice just keeps getting harder. Waiting for a rumour regarding a new model to turn into reality, waiting for an announced product to be launched into the market and finding new products at every nook-and-corner. 

In a case like this, ignorance really is bliss. Not knowing the smallest of details can actually be a pain in the decision. 

I guess what's making me overthink this is GITEX- Gulf Information Technology Exhibition. Its the largest Technology exhibition in the Middle East. What it includes is basically offers that you wouldn't really see otherwise. The prices don't necessarily drop, but the same product will be offered with extra items. For instance  a laptop costing 4000/-will still cost 4000/-but will include a hard-drive, printer, etc all worth maybe 500/-free. Now that's worth considering. Items that you'll need for college anyway, getting it for free with the primary product. But then again, if GITEX was in July, I'd be the happiest going-to-college-kid there will be. But sadly, life isn't that easy ;) 

With that this post ends,

All the best with all your respective decisions and choices,

Parichay

Auf Wiedersehen Aaron (:

The First to go. Why. Of all the people who are going, why do you have to be the first one to leave? I just don't see the point.
But there's nothing I can do about it, you're going so you're going.

I know the past year has been a bit of a blah period. And that sucks, but it doesn't change shit. You're still my best friend. Always were. Always will be. Italy/Greece, HMUN, 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th. It's been an amazing 4 years with you. 4 years of friendship that I wouldn't trade for anything.

I really hope you come back for a week. April, May, or June. Then I'd actually accept the fact that you're going. This is premature. It's not legit. You have to come back for a proper send off.


In the event that you can't make it back for a bit, god forbid, then All the best Aaron Basil. I hope you have a fantastic first few months at college. Be all cool-cool like you always are. I'll see you in December.

I won't say goodbye, that's not the right word. I'll say "auf Wiedersehen" - Until I See You Again

I love you,
- Parichay

Post Summer Uncertainty.

Well, it’s been bothering me for a while now. So I thought I’d blog about it.
Summer 13’s going to be an INSANE one. No school work. It’s going to be 5 months of nothing-to-do-but-chill and have a good break. 
There’s a lot planned, a lot we hope to do. Some thins with friends, others with family.

But what happens after Summer? Post-August 2013, we’ll all be going our own ways. Some to India, Some to the US [WHICH IS A HUGE COUNTRY IN ITSELF], Some to the UK, Some to Canada, Some to Australia, Singapore, and some even decide to attend college in Dubai.
We all go our own ways, promising to stay in touch through the several forms of social networking websites. We promise to “Skype” and “BBM” often and that we’ll always be as close as we were in school. But let’s face it. That doesn’t always happen. College comes, and it’ll probably hit us hard. We’ll make new friends who we’ll spend the next 4 years of our life with. We’ll only meet our school/classmates during the summer. And what’s that compared to meeting everyday? We’ll all end up drifting apart even if we don’t like it.

Over the past 2 years, I’ve made some FANTASTIC friends. Gotten to know some absolutely incredible people and was a part of their lives, as they are a part of mine. What happens when we leave? Its the one question that’s stuck in my brain. “What happens when…?” The uncertainty of the future really is irritating at times.
I’ve reassured my friends and myself that no matter how far off, they’re going to have a hard time getting rid of me. I’m not letting go that easy. And I honestly hope that they don’t either.

On another note, Happy Valentine’s Day Everyone! EAT CHOCOLATES AND GET FAT! ITS THE PURPOSE OF TODAY.

A Cappella

There's something about A Cappella, something that makes top my list of favorite genres of music. The art of creating music without musical instruments, relying solely on the primary music making technique, the voice. 

Particularly, University/College A Cappella groups. Young Talent and absolutely fantastic. They're entertaining, fantastic, and give "some" of us the inspiration to continue singing. 

Here are a couple of University based A Cappella Groups you need to check out:

- Penn Masala [University of Pennsylvania]  - http://www.pennmasala.com/ & http://www.youtube.com/user/pennmasala

- Chai-Town [University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign] - http://chaitown.org/ & https://www.youtube.com/user/chaitownUIUC

- The Doo Wop Shop [University of Massachusetts - Amherst] - http://www.umassdoowopshop.com/ & https://www.youtube.com/user/mikoma77

The thing I like about these A Cappella bands is how they're signature songs are always a "Mashup" of 2 or more songs. Its a different level of creativity. Singing a song is one thing. Finding 2 songs that mash together perfectly and then singing them is something else entirely!

Check them out. Hopefully you'll love them as much as I do!

Graduation '13

So, I'm a tiny part of the Batch of 2013. A batch that graduated from Dubai Modern High School last night at around 8pm.
And sitting up there, on stage, as the speakers announced, "ladies and gentlemen, we present to you the batch of 2013". Now that was something. We've been called a lot of thing, and p referred to as a lot, but until yesterday we had never really been called the "Batch of 2013". It has a ring to it.

I guess this is less of a "how I loved graduation" and "how I'm going to miss school life" and more of an apology.
Yesterday was a day of memories, and laughter and pictures. And I didn't get to completely enjoy that memory. There was just so much to do in so little time.
So many friends to take pictures with. Both of my batch and the batch below. So many parents to meet. So many teachers to meet. And I didn't get to meet them all.

Don't get me wrong, I loved the ceremony. Every bit of it. But I hated how we had so little time to meet everyone and have pictures taken. It hit me in the car ride back home, that I would never get to take a proper picture with these 11s and teachers again. I can't really do it when they're in school, and I come to visit as an ex-student.
It's not the same, I had one shot. And I blew it. And it sucks.

Going to end this one here, before I go on ranting.
See Y'all around.