Seriously, 2023 has been a whirlwind of craziness.

Work has been a wild rollercoaster, with four work trips back and forth to Borneo, and one conference trip to the Philippines! Talk about some serious air miles. On top of that, we’ve been hustling hard in the office, bidding adieu to the work-from-home era. As the workload piled up, I found myself speaking up more and being true to myself. Oh, and did I mention my style upgrade? Yep, I’m rocking square scarves and a whole lot more colors these days. Can’t believe I don’t rely so much on the black hijab anymore.

Beyond the nine-to-five grind, family time has been my saving grace, with my ever-so-romantic-yet-occasionally-annoying husband, frequent girls’ day out with Hannah, and boys’ day out with El Amer and Hannan. Alhamdulillah. This year, we’ve hit up the Lost World of Tambun and kicked back at a chill villa in Port Dickson with the kids. To make life easier, we brought in a driver for the kids and even hired a maid. Less chores, more quality time. Turns out, it’s cheaper to have someone cook for us daily than ordering in all the time. Win-win!

But it’s not all rainbows and sunshine. Physically, I’m feeling the weight of time creeping up on me. Those backaches and shoulder pains from sitting at my desk all day? Yeah, they’re not going away anytime soon. On the upside, my spiritual and emotional game is getting better (I think). I’ve found a different kind of peace in my spiritual routines, and my PMS isn’t throwing me for a loop as often. It’s done wonders for my relationship with the old ball and chain, too. Breakdowns and tantrums? Yeah, they’re a thing of the past.

Now, financially, it’s a bit of a gray area. We’re not exactly living hand-to-mouth, but we’re not stashing away the big bucks either. Maybe it’s time to get serious about saving up for that rainy day, huh?

…and the most recent thing, the situation in Gaza has hit me hard. It’s tough to watch from afar and feel like there’s not much I can do. But that doesn’t stop me from doing what I can. Sharing social media posts, donating what I can spare, and sending some prayers their way—it’s the least I can do. It’s a stark reminder of how unfair life can be for some, and it’s hard not to feel a bit guilty about all the good things in my life.

You know, this whole thing has got me thinking. We all need to be ready for whatever life throws at us. With everything going on in the world, it’s clear that anything can happen at any time. It’s a wake-up call for all of us to stick together and be there for each other, no matter where we come from.

In the end, I truly believe that even the smallest acts of kindness can make a difference. It’s a reminder that even though we might not be able to change the whole world, we can still make an impact in our own way. So, here’s to spreading some love and hope in a world that could use a little more of both.