About Me

HELLO! My name is Elisha and I write Eli Shares.

About Elisha
I'm a Lun Bawang from a small city in Northern part of Sarawak called Lawas. Currently I'm living in Kuching, the capital city of Sarawak which is 1200km away from my hometown, where I pursue my studies in Business (Management and International Business) at Swinburne University. Previously I lived in Miri, Sarawak, where I spent 5 good years studying Electrical and Electronic Engineering at SM Teknik for SPM, and RIAM Institute of Technology for Diploma.

Being the eldest son in the family, I have one younger brother, I've been victimized to become a lab rat, but well they're a little bit too late I was borned in the year of Ox - hard headed, rebellious, remarkably stubborn but in some other way I possesses innate ability to achieve great things - wink. That makes me sounds like I'm a very bad ass dude, as the likes of Adolf Hitler, but I still have the softer part in me - I'm easily approached and I'm friendly - wink wink.

About Eli Shares
I've started Eli Shares in 2007, aiming to share about my personal experiences, thoughts, ideas and feelings. It's also a place for me to  practice the art of writing, discovering my groove, style, sound and approach. Encouraging my mind doing creative exercises, making cobwebs into cables.

Eli Shares is a personal blog which covers many topics on my personal self development, growth, goals and other interests - reflecting my life's journey and in the same time entertaining you about my personal life.

To keep in touch with me, please kindly email to elishares at gmail.com

This is the link to my default About Me page.

Reflecting back on 2008

The day has gone past pretty fast these days and now it's the end of another year. It was both a good year for me and also a difficult one. Today I would like to share my exciting moments and memories of 2008.


Family

It has been 7 years already that I've been living in other city far away from my family and this year I live together with them again under one roof.

Celebrate my brother's birthday.

Photo courtesy of Virtual Tourist.
Went for beach retreat with my family at Sematan Palm Beach Resort.

Play bowl with my family.

Partied with my cousins at Sematan Beach.

Friend

Visited my university mates house during Hari Raya.

Joined Swinburne's outdoor activity for the first time. Beach Bash '08 at Permai Rainforest Resort!!!

And won 3rd place in Treasure Hunt!!!

Having high time at the beach and get myself wasted.

Myself

Celebrating my 23rd birthday with my family.

Learned how to steam fish.

Learned how to cook chicken curry.

Worked as an intern at Konsortium Bumi Consultant and Services.

Permed my hair for the first time.

And the second time.

Broke up twice...

Weighted 76kg!!! Broke my previous record - 71kg.

Transformed into a vampire on Halloween.

Photo courtesy of Jungle Mike's Site.
Experienced kayaking for the 1st time.

Photo courtesy of Swinburne Sarawak Football/Futsal Club .
Participated in Swinburne's Futsal team selection. Just made it through the 1st wave.

Get on board on one of the oldest ship - The MV Doulos.

Well I have plenty sweet memorable moments throughout the year and of course I did encountered few problems and some painful memories. But I don't want to dwell upon the past or blame the whole year because of some difficulties. Instead I need to learn from my mistakes and the experiences that happened to me. I really appreciate and grateful with the happy moments and the experiences with my wonderful family and friends.

Was 2008 a good year for you?

MV Doulos - The Floating Bookstore

A chance in a life time that I can't miss to experience and behold the oldest passenger ship, the MV Doulos.

I've heard about the floating bookstore years back when I was a kid but I didn't have the chance to see it. So this is an opportunity that I couldn't pass as the MV Doulos is going to retire in 2010

A bit history about MV Doulos ...

• She was built back in 1914 and was named the SS Medina.
• In 1948 she was acquired by a Panamanian company and renamed her the SS Roma.
  
• In 1952 she was again resold and this time acquired by an Italian company. They converted her from a steamship to a motor vessel and renamed her the MV Franca C.
• In 1977, she was acquired by a German charity organization GBA and renamed her the MV Doulos (Greek for servant).

I felt so excited as I arrived the dockyard. I can feel the blood rush in my body, my heart is pumping harder and faster, witnessing the remarkable ship that has sailed across the ocean for 94 years (2 years younger then the Titanic). I just can't get my eyes off the ship, it's so huge!!! This is my first time ever to witness a huge ship like this. Amazing!!!

Hopped out from the car and went straight to the parking attendant for a family picture with the ship behind as the background.

As we walk in, we pass by a row of paintings welcoming the MV Doulos to Kuching. I didn't really take a look on those beautiful paintings because my attention is only on the ship. One thing in my mind is I wanna get on-board as soon as possible and check out the book - The Alchemist.

Time to get on-board. The journey into the ship wasn't easy for those who has fear of heights like me. But that doesn't stop me from climbing up the rocky stairs and I made it.

"Enjoying" the view of Sarawak river from the bow of the ship. Actually there's nothing nice to see though, all you can see are the floating houses across the river and few cargo ships.

Then we proceed to the bookstore. It was so crowded inside. Even the old folks doesn't miss the chance to get on-board. I was wondering how on earth did they climb up the stairs.

In the bookstore, they price-tag the books using "unit" and then convert it to the local currency.

100 UNITS = RM 8.00
200 UNITS = RM 16.00

It was really hot inside and everyone's sweating, a cup of ice cream and lemonade might help you to cool down a bit.

As we're about to go home I saw some of the crews are selling tickets. There's an event going on inside the ship. Luckily that we didn't leave so soon or else I will miss the chance of a lifetime to get into the ship. They only have events like this on Saturdays and I'll be leaving Kuching the following Saturday. Should I pass the chance? NO, gimme the tickets I'm going in!!!

We're a bit late and the show has already started. It's an international cultural show where you were entertained by the crews with cultural dances and musical performances.

Dance from Mexico.

This guy is blessed with the special ability to play guitar and harmonica at the same time. I can't even sing while playing guitar.

Gum Boot dance from South Africa.

While enjoying the shows, I've talked with some of the crews sitting nearby me. They happily shares their experiences during their service on the ship. It blows my mind when I learn that they're working in the ship as volunteer and they even have to support themselves financially on their own. Most of them whom that I talked to are 18 years old, I was really surprise and admire them that at this young age they leave everything behind (families, friends, college opportunities, luxuries) and become a missionary and reaching out people out there and change their lives. RESPECT!!!

After the show's over, I grab this opportunity to take a photo with these two young missionaries, Kaitlyn from the United State and Liesl from South Africa.

The book that I wanted is not available in the ship. So I browsed for other books and got myself these two books that really interest me. 24 Keys That Bring Complete Success and Coach Wooden's Pyramid of Success Playbook. Something unique about the books I've bought in Doulos is that they also includes Bible verses in it. It is something rare to have in a normal bookstore.

Eli Turning 23

I have been kinda slow with blogging recently, but I can't miss to post an entry for my 23rd birthday.

I didn't throw a party for my birthday this year but unexpectedly kinda celebrating it at my cousin's place on the eve of my birthday with my beloved girlfriend, our friends, Debbie and Nick and of course my cousins, Mathew, Eliezer and Simon.

As the clock struck midnight, I'm now officially 23 years old!!! No cakes to blow, but we have alternative to replace it. Mathew prepared a shot of "flaming Chivas" for me as an alternative with the flame represents the candle and a straw to represent the cake cutting ceremony. After I make my birthday wishes, I got to drink up the "flaming Chivas" using a straw and instead of blowing off the flame I have to finish everything including the flame itself. It feels like burning in my mouth and I don't really like the taste of it. But anyway, thanks guys... I appreciate it a lot!!

Actually, my parents has quietly planned a birthday party for me but not on the exact date of my birthday because my dad went for traveling and won't be around until Friday. So they throw the party on Friday night and invited all our closest family members. It's an "only family members" dinner but I can't miss to invite someone who's important to me, my girlfriend, but unfortunately she can't make it.


Matthew's putting on the candles...




Lighting on the candles and a closer view of my birthday cake. It's just a simple but yet a nice and sweet birthday cake.








Dad's reading some bible verses for me.


Singing along the birthday song...






Family picture, with my parents and brother.

Done with all the birthday ceremony, it's DINNER TIME!!!!