as the car past by cedar college at east coburg today once more, i was reminded of the word- strength.

i like how plants and flowers are named. or rather, i like to know the meaning of behind the names of the plants, cos more often than not, it carries the meaning, or characteristics of the plant.

so for example, since my secondary school days at Cedar girls', i wondered what is the characteristic of cedar tree. but i never really bother to find out, or ask. all i knew was, the cedar tree at the school porch will always remain as short as it is in the hot weather of singapore.

it was when i became a believer, and sometimes the word 'cedar' jumps out in some verses, that i came to know the cedar is a tree of strength.

prolly what i've heard is not accurate, but still, i choose to believe that it indeed, is a tree that signifies strength. (:

and since then, i like cedar even more. for better reasons than the blue blouse, grey skirt and tie.

few years back. when i was prepared to go for water baptism, i was praying about the name that i wish my life will anchor by. of cos, biblical names were thought of, and probably, i hadn't had a character in the bible that speaks to me yet there and then.

so naturally, it came back to the basics for me- plants and flowers. and i immediately thought of the english name that my mum has given me, but one that i seldom use in my schooling years. simply cos of the common connotation of 'poison' with it, i disliked it. revisited the meaning of the name, and suddenly at the age of 18, i finally felt the sense of ownership of the name that i've chucked aside for many years.

a simple reason for why its chucked aside then? cos i thought i feel closer at heart when i am known by mingxiu. (: but now, i will still want to anchor my life upon the characteristics of this plant, for the rest of my journey with Him.

Ivy

- love, fidelity, friendship, affection, new promise