2025

Yearly recaps are not usually my thing, but 2025 is one I can’t let slip by without noting. 

Looking back, I have nothing but gratitude and love for everything that unfolded. Like any other year, it came with its own challenges. There were moments where I caught myself thinking, “nape macam ni ek” or “susah kan hidup ni.” But I always found my way back to what I already had, and to the quiet knowing that I have pushed through difficult seasons before. So I did what I always do. I lived, I learned, and I moved forward.

Professionally, I stepped out of a place I had known since I was 24. I joined my firm right after I was called to the Bar, and for the longest time, I thought I would stay there forever. When I decided to set up our representative office in Seremban, I was leaving behind years of familiarity, routines, and support, and stepping into something I had never done before. I was (and still am) scared of not knowing enough, of not doing things right, and of whether I was making the right decision. But I learned to let go and to trust God with what I could not control.

This year, we moved into a new home that we actually purchased when I was pregnant with Irene. The keys came at the right time, just as Irene was entering her most “active” toddler phase. Watching her have a playroom of her own still makes me emotional. I remember all her toys used to be scattered in the living room of our old apartment, and her little car or unicorn scooter could barely move a few steps without hitting the walls or furniture. And yet, she was the happiest kid. Now she has her own space to play, explore, and make a mess, and that alone feels like a quiet victory.

Looking back, many of my decisions in 2025 were made with Irene in mind. I set up an office closer to home because I wanted to see her grow before my eyes. I wanted to come back from work and still be able to take her to the playground. To be present in the small, ordinary moments. Choosing to be a mother first before a lawyer may not fit every expectation, but for me, at least in this era, it was the right choice.

None of this would have been possible without Hilmi. He is the real unsung hero behind everything I do. 

Yes, I plan and design the renovations for our house, but he is the one paying for it all. Sometimes he pays and still ends up being the one who gets scolded. On days when I am buried in submissions, he takes care of Irene, packs her things, sends her to the babysitter, washes dishes, irons clothes, and somehow still finds the energy to make jokes. When I come home late, Irene is already fed, clean, and happy. Hilmi is not perfect. He has many flaws like everyone else. But his willingness to help his wife and love his child wholeheartedly is why his life always feels dipermudahkan, and why his rezeki flows the way it does.

2025 taught me that courage is not about being fearless. It is about stepping forward even when the path is uncertain. It taught me that family is my anchor, and that I can pursue my dreams without losing sight of the moments that truly matter. I love being a lawyer. It has been my dream since I was small, and at the same time I love and enjoy being a mom. I hope that one day, when Irene grows up, she will learn that it is possible to have both a career and a family, and to love both fully. 

Moving into 2026, my vision is simple: to keep building, learning, and loving with intention. To be present for Irene, to grow as a professional, and to embrace every challenge with faith and gratitude.