Brighter Than The Sun

"It’s true, some days are dark and lonely and maybe you feel sad, but Pinkie will be there to show you that it isn’t that bad! There’s one thing that makes me happy, and makes my whole life worthwhile."

Smile, Smile, Smile! - Pinkie Pie Daniel Ingram

I'm back with my super-ponified life! Have a Friendship report!


Dear Princess Celestia,

Today was an especially special one. I learned that the magic of friendship transcends even our age and gender. Never before have I and my friends been invited to parties where little fillies and colts had fun. Usually by norm they think it’s awkward, but true friends are willing enough to be there for you no matter how awkward he situation is.

My job was simple. I got to Sugarcube Hill a little earlier. Pinkie and I helped each other to blow balloons up for the party. Our cutie marks really do represent our talents because ponies have told me that I may have a talent that I don’t like, but what sets a cutie mark apart from just a talent is that cutie marks represent what we love. I’m sure you love raising the sun for everypony just as much as Pinkie and I love balloons.

When the clock reached 7, most of the fillies and colts started to arrive, many of them were anxious to meet our friends who arrived a little later. As the place filled up, an entertainer arrived to help keep the colts and fillies entertained. Although Pinkie Pie is great with foals, she could always use a little hand  when there are many of them around.

The birthday filly looks up to Rarity as her inspiration. So because of that, Pinkie ordered

a cake that looks exactly like Ponyville’s resident fashionista.

The cake was delicious and I cannot lie, it was hard to cut a cake so beautiful.



 Of course, a fair share of our friends shared with us the talents that they had. Just as how the cutie marks of Pinkie and I were reflected in the balloons all around, some ponies shared with us their ability to draw and they do it really quickly too! There was another pony who could make videos too! He showed us how he took extra caution in every step of the way to make something beautiful. He is known by many other ponies as the one behind this masterpiece: link

Another thing i learned today, Princess, is that when your friends are better at you in something, it doesn’t mean that they outshine you. If we all glowed in the same colour, it would look boring, but when we all glow in our true colours we become even more pretty than a rainbow.

The magic of friendship really showed in the meetup. The elements of harmony are not just locked up in Canterlot Tower. Wherever there are true friends, there the elements will be. All of us were so reluctant to leave that Mrs. Cake had to ask us to while she closed up. Pinkie also didn’t want to see us go.

Before we left, Pinkie wanted us to take home a little something that reminded us of the night. She brought out a box of vanilla cookies that were pony shaped and gave one to each of us. We all went home with something more that night. Everypony had a little more friendship in their hearts that kept us smiling all week and that, for sure, filled Pinkie Pie’s heart with joy and sunshine!

Your loyal subject,

St. Pinkie

So no you all know what I'm up to these days. I'll update more soon! No worries!

Love,
D.A.niel

You've Gone Big, Now Go Home -Part Two- The Energy Beneath

Witness, I got the heart of 20 men. No fear, go to sleep in the lion's den. That flow, that spark, that crown, you looking at the king of the jungle now."

Good Feelin' - Flo Rida

So I hope some of you picked you your cameras and got to work on that photography competition!

I threw in my little bit. I suck in photography and all but there are some things that can survive my hand. I took about 300 shots with my DSLR to get something like this:

You've Gone Big, Now Go Home -Part One- Reimagining Energy™

"Ever since I was boy I swore to the Gods above I would rise above the adversity and show em love."

Been Dreamin' - Mike the Microphone

The phrase "Go Big or Go Home" was pretty popular around the internet during my early teenage years and I am quite sure it kinda still is.


I believe that a lot of us are trying to go big. We're all trying to live the dream. Some of us are already there while some of us are trailing behind. Nonetheless we are all trying to attain the dream.


I've talked enough about dreams in my life and no, these aren't the dreams that Leonardo diCaprio can enter and turn upside-down. I'm talking about things that you wanna do and who you want to become.


So if you're not already aware, Chinese New Year is right around the bend. It's gonna be the year of the Golden Dragon very soon. You can usually see the signs: Shops are extending their opening hours, banknotes are being exchanged for new ones in the financial institutions, mandarin orange seeds are being launched out my car window as I drive and many more. The hustle and bustle is crazy.


But come Monday, which is the first day of the new year, this town is gonna be dead. You can plank on the road during rush hour and there won't even be a motorcycle in sight. You'll most likely be at home with your family - the people who love you mutually.


By now you may be packing your bags and gearing up for the weekend. Chances are you've set course for home. Your story may be different but I've mentioned it before. We all have different ways of describing home. Home isn't necessary the house where you eat and sleep and become mayor of on FourSquare. Home can be anywhere.


To me, home is where love is. Home is where the people whom I love the most are. For me, that would be my family. I call Malaysia my home because I [sincerely] a proud to be Malaysian. I've changed from my old self.

This Chinese new year, a special message comes from a party that is most likely the one that takes you home. The company that gives life to the automotive that will carry you to wherever you call home. This video is touching to say the least. It's a great clip to show your overseas friends, especially Malaysians.

Datuk Mohammad Medan Abdullah, the Senior General Manager of the Group Corporate Affairs Division of Petronas gave us the explanation of the message behind the Television Commercial (TVC). Honestly, I can always relate to Petronas commercials. I've been a Petronas customer all my life especially after the launch of PriMAX95 Xtra.


I'm infamous in my family for running the petrol tank in the family car to rock bottom. I can't seem to do that anymore with PriMAX95 Xtra. Seriously, the mileage is so much better.

This year, Petronas wants to wish you a happy Chinese New Year in more ways than one. In the true spirit of Reimagining Energy™, it's time to disseminate our diligent side and put in more effort into going home to our family. Malaysians are a unique bunch. We want to advance and see the future while staying true to our roots and that's what we're famous for and this is not only for those who celebrate. It's a public holiday and most schools take an entire week off. The national spirit of togetherness that surrounds us is manifested at the dinner table at the family reunion that happens once a year.

Yes. Especially during the Loh Sang.


In reality I might just be a little too ambitious. Not all of us may have this habit, but there's one thing I know for sure - that sometimes in life, all we need is a little push -a little reminder.


I almost flipped when an invitation to a press conference arrived in my mailbox. It's not every day when I get something like that and for me, this was something really different. It wasn't a corporate product launch or some wild publicity stunt. It was a message that was close to my heart.

They even had a really unique lion dance. When was the last time you saw a lion dance that moved over 3 stories in a shopping complex?

Plus, notice the kompangs on the ground. This was a really interesting addition - A lion dance with both traditional Chinese AND Malay instrumental backing. It's just another way of Petronas showing their spirit of Reimagining Energy™.


Being a company that stood strong since establishment in 1974, Petronas is a body that reflects the spirit of resilience that lies in our hearts - the spirit to excel in whatever we do.


My home is here in SS2, where I grew up. It's only after this when I began to see the true spirit in this town - the energy that brings it to life 24 hours a day. I truly understand how Reimagining Energy™ can bring us to the future while letting us stay true to our traditions.


It's now your turn to capture this spirit. While I sit here and write, you're most likely better in pointing and shooting. Don't lie, your phone has a camera which you use for every other thing.

Petronas in partnership with Leica have RM2000 up for grabs for whoever can capture the spirit of Reimagining Energy™ in a photo and yes, everyone can enter: Amateurs, Professionals, students and even Petronas staff!


So what's your excuse for not sending something? Go out and anywhere, anytime you see something that reflects this spirit, just point and shoot.


Submit your photos here: http://www.facebook.com/petronas1?sk=app_354326444581364. After submission your photo will be queued for submission approval. When approved, you have 3 days to send the high-resolution picture to petronascny2012@gmail.com.


Happy Chinese New Year y'all!


Love,
D.A.niel


Credits to Petronas for giving me this experience and reminding me of what's important - home :)

Reimagining Energy™ is a registered trademark of Petroliam Nasional Berhad.

The Energy Never Dies

"It's all the money the you're saving while the good life passes by. It's all the dreams that never came true cause' you're too damn scared to try"

Hit The Lights - Selena Gomez & The Scene

So today has finally come. I've dreaded this day for years already and it's finally upon me. 2012 really is the end of the world for me.

If you're here for the first time, or if you have never come across my overly open profiles on Friendster, Twitter, Foursquare or Facebook, I become my true inner pessimist today. I'm one day less than 2 hours from the end of my teenage life. I turn 20 tomorrow and I sure as hell hate this feeling. It's like how my friend on Facebook described trying to remember a dream. It's like trying to grab hold of a fistful of sand. You want it so badly, but the tighter you cluch, the faster it seeps away.

Since my birthday is so close to the beginning of the year and because I haven't done a recap of 2011, here goes.

JANUARY: I turned 19 and the fuse that is nearing it's end today was lit. Out of college and unemployed, I basically didn't know what on earth to do.

FEBRUARY: Another Valentines Day spent all alone. No big deal. I'm used to it. Started University. A whole new life began. It never felt better to go back to studying.

MARCH: Went with the choir to Vietnam. Best trip of the year. Everything was amazing from the opening concert till we left for the airport.

APRIL: Rebecca Black went even more viral that I thought she could ever get. Nice song, terrible artist. I rest my case. Crammed with assignments and research work all day all night.

MAY: DriveTheSensation.com went into cardiac arrest and needed to be recovered. I initiated a campaign that made me post at least once a week. It worked...sorta.

JUNE: The Stayin' Alive campaign fell flat, but I still had a little faith that I could manage my time better, so I rebooted the campaign into Round 2.

JULY: Some long-awaited blogger event passes came, making it an awesome month. Someone tried to get me to work. I can't sell water to an Arab...you seriously want to trust me!?

AUGUST: Ramadhan. My second attempt at fasting. I only pulled off 2 weeks because I went to Australia to visit my aunt. Family trips are insanely inefficient because of the compromise we all have to do. The currency exchange was not helping either.

SEPTEMBER: SOCialites @ Taylors University Psychedelic Prom 2011 committee was on full throttle to spearhead the event. Going to University never felt better.

OCTOBER: I became a full blown brony! MLP:FiM took over my life and gave me that little push I needed to be all I could be.

NOVEMBER: Finals in University. Friction between us in the class got so hot that I cracked under the pressure of dealing with people whom I have not talked to since the semester ended.

DECEMBER: First ever cosplay experience. Never felt more love in my entire life and I owe a lot of it to the Marelaysian Bronies Society for all the support!

And that's the story of the last 12 months, up until today. Hey! You wanna hear about today?

Of course not. You won't like it. There's nothing happy about letting childhood go. 19 years of priceless moments are going to be over in...just about an hour's time.

So yeah. I have nothing much to say. Slowly, as every minute passes, I'm trying to accept it more and more. Hopefully by midnight, I'll be ready to see a new sunrise...It's gonna come whether I like it or not.

And now I shall begin wrapping up 2011. Yes. Now. It's come the time for my teenage life wrap-up.

Goodbye for now! You won't be seeing a teenager updating this blog anymore!

Love,
D.A.niel

Magic Makes It All Complete

"Hands on our bodies gonna keep our skills warm. We need social reform 'cause we're just so criminal. Linguist subliminal, damages minimal "

20 Percent Cooler - Ken Ashcorp

Dear Princess Celestia,
Happy New Year! 2011 must have been a crazy year! Your sister's homecoming and Discord breaking loose certainly made it a year to remember!

We gathered on New Year's Eve on the roof of a Treebrary in Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur. We had a magnificent aerial view of the city and could see fireworks as far as Putroughjaya.

At about 7pm I arrived at the Treebrary to help set up. While waiting for the rest, three of us played Mahjong. By about 9 most of us had arrived, and we decided to go to the mamak coffeeshop nearby.

Once we made it back to the Treebrary, we took a vote of what to do. It was a split between a drinking game and decorating. We started pouring drinks and soon enough, it was 5 minutes to midnight. All of us, including the non-bronies in the house, gathered on the balcony to witness fireworks deployed all across Kuala Lumpur. Sone started a little too early, some went off a little late. The fireworks were so beautiful that they could rival Trixie's crowdpleasing magic shows.

Right after the fireworks died down, all of us prepared to launch our wishing balloons into the sky. One by one the colorful balloons, each with our favorite pony drawn on them by Vincent Fang, took to the clouds. All were launched successfully except for Twilight's balloon which didn't make it past the balcony.

Rainbow Dash

Fluttershy

Pinkie Pie (and the artist who drew all of them on the balloons!)

Surprise (Mine!)

For the rest of the night all of us just hung around and talked. We shared what we did and toasted to a great 2011 full of ponies. At 2:30, half of the group left and we turned in for the night.

Later that morning after the party, Azman and I decided, it isn't a brony meetup...

...until we raided Toys R' Us.

Marelaysian Bronies Society 2011 NYE Countdown was one helluva success.

Roll-call:
Daniel "Surprise" Anthony [Organizer]
Ian "Twilight Sparkle" Cheah [Host]
Vincent "Pinkie Pie" Fang
Aaron "Berry Punch" Lee
Azman Ariff
Rick Brony [Birthday Boy]
Ng Guang Zhe
(Not Present) Michelle Barbour [Co-Organizer]

Your Loyal Subject,
D.A.niel

P.S. I hate writing formatted works. I'm gonna enjoy these holidays...A LOT.

You're not gonna see me this crunked for a long, long time.

Give A Little More, Take A Little Less

"It may look bad, but I don't see it that way. I see a lot of hope in the words you don't say that you won't tell me, shows me you care."

It's The Thought That Counts - Lobo

This is way later than overdue, but I'm gonna post it up anyway.

In the cloud city of Care-A-Lot, roughly 50,000 feet above sea level, they call it the Giving Festival. There isn't any Santa Claus or reindeer, only the spirit of giving and a visit from Princess Starglo. Starglo is the boss who basically handles all the paperwork and is the higher management for all the wishing stars in the sky. So when all the Care Bears gather in Care Square and it's all lit up, they're having a party that involves a lot of giving and fun. 

A little lower down is a hillside metropolis called Canterlot. Though the names sound the same, this is where ponies from all over the nation of Equestria gather to celebrate their beginnings as a united land. The celebration was given the name of Hearthwarming. Carols are sung and gifts are exchanged in a fiesta of friendship and harmony. Gifts as simple as little favours and hugs count towards the love and friendship that (literally) burns and lights up the night with a lovely pink heart-shaped flame.

Closer to home, in the United States of America, giant balloons and floats parade down the streets in November for Macy's Day Parade. Also known as Thanksgiving, families get together from all around the country, exchange gifts and give thanks for everything they have.

Here, we call it Christmas. It's basically the birthday of Jesus Christ. Religion aside, Christmas was never a celebration that was restricted to Christians. It's commercial, it's intercultural and it's fun.

So the shopping malls put up decorations and everything to usher in the holiday season. In the United Kingdom, it usually snows during this time, rendering it a holiday for many students and anyone who is unable to access the road.

People don't discriminate on whether you're Jewish, Muslim or Christian when it comes to Christmas sales in malls. This is because there's a sense of togetherness in this festive season - a sense of giving.

There are many tales that lead up to why we give during Christmas, but do we really need to hear any of them? While some of us are looking for an excuse to give, some of us need to learn how to give.

I grew up in a Catholic family where giving during Christmas and birthdays became so routine that these times of the year seemed more like a season of receiving. It took me a long time to learn that it's time to give back to the karmic scale.

So this year, let's all celebrate December, the month of Giving. It's never too late to give, so you don't really need an excuse like Christmas to wrap something up for a friend or anyone. Just remember these three things:

1. IT'S NEVER TOO LATE

Shut up and give. Seriously. So what if it's too late? Are you gonna send your gift back to the shop?

2. IT'S THE THOUGHT THAT COUNTS

So maybe someone else got your friend something worth 10 times more than what you have up your sleeve. Don't let that discourage you. No matter how big the gift, it is always the heartwarming intent that is behind it that makes the difference. Sometimes, it's best to ignore all that notions of a cheapskate present because really, not all of us have money to throw around.

3. LOVE AND BE LOVED

If you've been receiving all your life, it's time to balance it out. Give a little more, take a little less. Where have you heard that before? Ok, maybe you haven't. It's from the credits song from movie "Care Bears: Oopsy Does It!".

It's been a really awesome year of 2011 that was more wild and crazy than ever. It's one of those years that I would love to relive just to enjoy making all the same mistakes again.

So if I fail to update again by tonight, I'll sign off now to be safe. Have a wonderful new year everybody, and stick around because I'm not going anywhere!

Love,

D.A.niel

The Fire of Friendship

"From Sweden to UK, we will bring our song. Australia, USA, and you people at Hong Kong They have heard, This made it all around the world."

Caramelldancing - Caramell

When you try something new, it's not always the easiest thing to do it in public. Part of the reason is because you're dead scared you'll screw up. I always thought it would be worse when you wanna do it in front of experienced people who have done it a million times.

It's like that dancing/parapara game in the arcade. You know, the one that you have to step or wave your hands to the beat and score points? It looks easy and people are queuing up like nobody's business to get their shot at the game.

So what are you gonna do if you're a new player? Pretty much humiliate yourself if your hand-eye coordination is shitty, or if you need time to adjust like me.

But sometimes, when you're not going to fight to see who has the most awesome skill but rather cheer each other on and laugh with one another and of course, just tease without intent of destroying other's feelings.

If you have not heard of ComicFiesta, it's basically the Malaysian equivalent to the world famous Comic Con in USA. And I'm not gonna be covering the event since I was stuck outside for half the time, but I surely had the time of my life.

Meet the me at CF 2011. I went as Surprise from My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. If you haven't seen her in the show, you'll see that her cutie mark is very close to that of Pinkie Pie. Surprise was the original drawing made by Lauren Faust for the character that is now Pinkie Pie.

Ok. From that angle it's hard to see my full costume. Here's a better pic:

Meet the Marelaysian Bronies' Society. They're a bunch of awesome people :)

Being in costume was something different for me. Through out all them plays, dramas, sketches, concerts where I played some weird role on stage that never suited my character, this was totally different.

Shakespeare said that all the world is a stage. When you're in costume and walking around, you'll feel the same. It feels amazing to break free from a scripted life and be in character not because your grades or your salary depends on it, but because you want to do it with all your heart.

I always thought costume playing (or cosplaying) was something light and just for fun, and that there was no good reason to do it. Somehow, it was all different once I got into that outfit and got out there among everyone else at ComicFiesta.

You may be someone from totally different shows and series but nothing is going to stop you from interacting. It felt like jumping right out of a TV into some other show and having fun. it's like that feeling you get when you are hating on your computer screen because it's that fourth wall that prevents you from mingling and playing with all those characters in the shows you watch just disappears.

If only my wings were operational, it would be totally compete. The whole journey of over 3 months preparing to become a pony was damn well worth it. Every cent spent on my costume and all the time I took to work on it was not wasted at all. I blew a lot of cash on that one weekend but it was freaking worth it.

The irony of this is that I always had something against fashion and modelling partially for what it does to you. The thing is, cosplaying is a whole new adventure. You're not graded for your own beauty but for how well you take on someone elses character. In true spirit, heck you're not even graded at all of you're not competing! You're just being the closest existent charater to who you are inside or who you want to be. It's like playing dreams in real lifee.

Being Surprise was the most awesome feeling I had. It's along the lines of having the spotlight on myself during my solos when I sing, but this time the sun is my giant spotlight and the world is my audience. I still can feel as if I'm wearing my wings, that my balloons are still tied to my wrist and that my tail is still trailing behind me wherever i go.

Not only was being out there in costume fun, but doing it with friends made it 20% cooler. Jimmy and Tash came dressed up as well and it was all really fun. (Waiting on sources for pictures). I honestly thought more people would do this but hey, it was still one helluva fun. Being able to wave and mix around with characters like Mario, Naruto, Domokun and so many more that I didn't know was priceless. Absolutely priceless. Even those who trolled on us were silly and all in good fun.

Now if I went as myself I would have fried in a few minutes. The management of CF was pretty badly done in terms of traffic handling. I left the hall to answer my phone at 11:30 and due to overload I could only wriggle back in at 5:30. That stuff was worthy of my ranting for hours about how shitty things were and you would hear my rant flow from management to Malaysian attitude to the government. Somehow, i only had it for a split second and as if it was automatic, I responded just like how Surprise would have: smile and have fun wherever possible.

I owe a lot to Zach Morris (a.k.a. WillDrawForFood1). He's an amazing talented guy who sparked my love for Surprise and is completely responsible for me choosing Surprise to be the pony I was gonna cosplay. Her personality is one that i am in love with and I would marry her with half a chance. Such a simple and adorable webcomic reached out and touched me so much. Thank you Zach, for this blessing. You're my hero. Go check out his awesome blog here: http://asksurprise.tumblr.com

I never was the same again after CF this year. A whole new world opened up to me. What I thought was just a simple way to have fun was more than just putting on a costume and jestering around a hall. It had so much more to offer. Being a brony, it was hard to reach out to the rest dressed in full army wear or brandishing swords taller than they are being a party pony whose name already inspires fun. Better yet, Surprise isn't in the show, but she is very much a part of the community. It was totally priceless to hear people identify and just ask me "Are you Surprise?" or even shout out "Look! It's Surprise!" and hear me squeal like a little girl.

Ponies, in general, have turned my life upside-down this year, and meeting bronies from all over the world gave me a little something more to talk about. There's just so much love and friendship that when I left the convention I didn't take off the costume. I was in it all the way to the LRT (Light Rail Transit) station that I disembarked at.

I miss being Surprise. Real bad.

Love,

D.A.niel

P.S. More pics may come soon as they surface! :)

I Used To Wonder What Friendship Could Be

"Why is everybody so obsessed? Money can't buy us happiness. Can we all slow down and enjoy right now?"
Price Tag - Jessie J

Jeez. I thought Monday being a pubic holiday would lighten things up a bit. Turns out I need Sweetie Belle a dictionary to tell me what the word "holiday" means.

I used to think that my friends love me very much. But as the days have gone by I realized something. Being friends could have been a hindrance. Why? Friends, especially fresh ones, are scared of being blunt with one another. I tend to be quiet about this because of three reasons. The first is because I'm paranoid of losing friends. As I've mentioned before, my 885 friends on Facebook aren't all friends. I don't know a fraction of them, I've met more than half of them only once and the rest are well, acquaintances. Nothing more. The people who matter to me are just a little number that I always remember in my heart.

My second reason would be because I have this notion where I feel hurt when I hurt others. Sounds familiar? If you've read this blog before, you would see that it's part and parcel of who I am. It's something I cannot shake off. It's my soft spot. I can talk cock all day about beating the shit out of some folks, but I never do it.

What's the third reason? It's also something that isn't new. In fact, it was the whole reason why this blog still exists even after my URL got snatched. I believe in acceptance. I believe in accepting people for who they are and who they want to be. We all say the same thing. In fact, we even know what we should do, but we just don't put it into practice.

I have been offended before and most of the time I just shut up. I only have something to lose if I put up a fuss about it so why bother? I may bitch about it a little but that's kinda where it ends. We all need to let off steam.

We tend to fail to see how much tolerance we put into our daily life and that is where the problems begin. When something is bothering you, don't walk away. Instead, confront it. Tell people to the face what you don't like, but don't do that and then plug your ears to what that person says about it. Maybe there is a good reason for your friends is doing that bothers you so much. Once you state your point, it's time to be the listening party.

Yes, you read that word again. Tolerance. Tolerance is a bitch that destroys us. Tolerance is a test of patience and faith that isn't necessary. The difference is almost worlds apart because acceptance and tolerance are opposites of one another. If you are tolerating someone, like I said, your balloon is going to pop soon. There is a limit to both, but acceptance doesn't bottle anything up.

If you've seen me around with the shirt that has this blog's URL printed on it, read what it says and follow it. Trust me, it'll do you a world of good.

If you haven't seen it, it says STOP TOLERATING.

And on the back, it says

START ACCEPTING

Love,
D.A.niel