Secrets of My Nomadic Heart: Growing Herbs

600km Walking Pilgrimage through Spain

Written by Denise Chng Lisan & published on September 2 2008

From the moment I discovered an ancient pilgrimage path in Spain in June last year, the attraction of walking hundreds of kilometres towards an assured destination grew on me daily. My eagerness to go on a month-long journey on foot across the steep slopes, lush valleys and forests of the Pyrenees, and through countless small towns and villages, was part of a subconscious quest to find depth and meaning in my life. At the age of 33, I was approaching – prematurely, perhaps – what seemed to be a mid-life crisis.

Straits Times Life! Article,Denise Chng Lisan,Camino de Santiago,Camino Frances

Letter from Quebec: Preserving Heritage

Written by Denise Chng Lisan & published on November 8 2008

'TRAVEL is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living,' wrote Miriam Beard. Life in Quebec is now my teacher, pointing out my knowledge gaps and honing my ideas of living - be it language, culture, life-skills, or the environment.

Growing Herbs

Posted by Denise CHNG Lisan On Sunday, June 22, 2008

This is the first time I planted my own herbs, with Richard's help. Basil, oregano, mint, chives, chilli, tomato and cucumber. It's really exciting to feel the earth and to be able to grow what you eat. Somehow, the life energy of that process seeps into you. Everyday I watch them grow a little bigger, with the hope that one day i will eat them. =) It's such a satisfying feeling. In my over eagerness, I risk putting more than enough water into them - drowning them with my love. I will have to watch myself, as I once had the reputation of plant murderer - quite the opposite of green fingers.