About The Blogger

My name is Tammy Lim and I am an award winning blogger from Top 10 Malaysia Magazine and Cleo Malaysia Magazine. I have been blogging since 2008 and I am also the founder of a local Malaysian beauty & lifestyle community called The Butterfly Project. People often tell me that I'm a wonder woman, but in reality - if it's something you love, you can do wonders.

When I'm not wondering, I'll be on my computer searching for the next fountain of youth or hunting down a fantastic deal. I'm also a shopaholic, wanderluster, spa enthusiast and proud hipster who loves planning special occasions and surprises for her loved ones.
  • Top 10 Female Bloggers in Malaysia Award
  • Cleo's Next Top Blogger Malaysia Award
  • Founder of The Butterfly Project Malaysia



  • Baby G Is Every Girl's Dream Come True

    5.01.2018

    we're turning three this June

    This June marks the 3rd anniversary of my bf and I (lovingly known as Baby G). If this sentence brings a sense of deja vu, you're right because last year I wrote about the relationship quiz sharing how Baby G and I met (thanks to Prudential). This year Prudential invited me again to talk about my relationship and financial planning as a couple. I thought this would be a good idea to continue the conversation, touching on an important aspect of the relationship.

    1.1 in Gianyar, Bali (Ubud) with the 💖 of my life on my birthday 🎂 Our love story is a one in a million encounter. We met in the most unexpected way, a traveller (him) who stopped by KL for a day or two. He lost his wallet at the airport & ended up eating rice mountain with dhal curry and a Texas fried chicken! We met online & exchange stories. I felt sorry for him and rescue him from being on the streets! (He denies this). He fell in love with my heart and I for his courage. His stay in KL lasted a month before we kiss goodbye & exchange our confessions at the airport bus stop. I held my tears, couldn't believe this was happening. We didn't think we would fall in love with each other from his ordeal. He flew back Ireland but after 4 months came back before my birthday 🎂 He took me to Bali to celebrate. Our love story begins and ends with every moment we shared. Thank you Gareth Tucker for being my New Year's kiss come true & for this wonderful romantic Bali trip #durexmy #ourloveplayground @durexmy
    A post shared by @Malaysian Blogger (@hellotammylim) on

    Like every fairy tale, Baby G and I met in the most unexpected way possible. I would thank God for this unbelievable chance, crossing paths, with one-in-a-million scenarios of how we would not have met. Every year, during our anniversary Baby G and I would talk about our love story.

    It was fate that brought us together, a love story that you wouldn't believe if I told you. A lonely traveller who lost his wallet at the airport and the lonely single gal fresh out from an unhappy relationship.

    For a guy, he's not the stereotypical male who's all he-man. I joked about this, referencing that he graduated from the Irish Finishing School because Irish men are popular for their banter, romantic sweet nature, and diabetic wordplay. Baby G is probably every girl's dream guy if you know him.

    Irish Finishing School anyone?

    Not a day goes by, without a hug or kiss from him. He would wake me up with a kiss, kiss me when I leave home to work, kiss me when I come back, and kiss me before I sleep. He also lives on cuddles, which if I count on average, he would want to snuggle and cuddle up every hour - once. This happens every day, and at first, I was annoyed at him for being so "sweet" I wasn't used to someone loving me unconditionally (yeah I have love handles and have grown into a dumpling, but he still thinks I'm the prettiest girl on earth). He respected, loved and cared for me.

    After a while, his sweet nature infected me. I became the kissing, cuddling, sweet talking machine under his "mentorship" and at times, he would be shocked I have improved so much.


    will you leave your country to be with the person you love?

    We tried long distance after he left Malaysia. It was a month after we parted ways at the KLIA bus terminal in 1 Utama. He went back to Ireland (his original plan before being stranded in Malaysia, losing his wallet at the airport and all). For 3 months, we chatted online but I couldn't take long distance anymore. The time difference wasn't helpful, and when I came this close to ending what we have, he took the plunge and flew to Malaysia to be with me.

    Baby G flew over 10,000km to be with me

    Well to be accurate, he took a long bus journey from his hometown to Dublin, then a 10 hour ++ flight to Dubai followed by a 7 hour ++ flight to Kuala Lumpur. I waited at the international arrival hall for him, all panicking and nervous like a young girl again. Then I saw his face and I lived happily ever after, we hugged each other tightly and kiss. Sounds like a romance movie Julia Roberts would be in.

    what makes or breaks your relationship?

    But this isn't a movie, and we have to "adult" up. With him sacrificing his plans just to be here with me, would mean he wouldn't be able to work in Malaysia (working visa, etc). It may not be practical as well because he gets far more working in Australia or in the U.K. Financially, I was stronger since I have a great job, comfortable for the both of us. I'm also giving allowances to both my parents (Asian kid duty). I don't own a car or a property, or have children so that would require future financial planning if things were to change.


    roles have reverse, I'm Richard Gere now

    I joked about being the Richard Gere in the relationship, and Baby G being Julia Roberts. My last relationship, I was always put down and insulted for not earning more and for domestic duties as the "woman" (taking care of him, laundry, household chores, etc). Having this role reversal in my current relationship, gave me a sense of power and confidence (sometimes I bully Baby G - ops sorry Baby).

    We did the talk, and it was agreed that in this situation, we would share responsibilities together as a couple. Baby G isn't my toy boy or "bf", he's the one, my partner and companion and I respect and value him being here with me. He's not made of money but he's definitely not penniless. I'm not his sugar mommy (some people speculating this). He has his own money which he buys groceries and food. The money he saved working in Australia for two years while traveling and seeing the world.


    those days where women had one role


    these days men can be house husbands too

    Since I spend most of my time dedicated to my work and taking care of the Butterfly Project community, I basically do not have time for anything else. Baby G brings balance to this. He's what you call the modern "house husband". He takes care of all the domestic duties - cooking, groceries, cleaning, laundry, and sometimes blogs for me as my co-writer. If he's the yang, I'm the yin.

    luckily for me, my man doesn't do this


    I worry about this every day


    both of us has gained over 10kg being together lol

    But I do worry about the future. I worry about the what ifs? What if I lose my job? What if something were to happen to me what would happen to him? What if we marry, would he be able to get a job here? What if he decides to go back to his country - with me. Will I be able to continue working? What if we have children? Sometimes I wish he's the Crazy Rich Angmoh version of the upcoming Crazy Rich Asian movie.

    It'll be great if one day, he says "look, baby, I'm actually filthy rich,
    let's go buy that crazy rich apartment in Mont Kiara".
    photo source: ew.com

    Well, that's just a joke. I love him for who he is, if he was filthy rich, that would just be a bonus so I don't have to worry about our future. Baby G is to me, my soul mate, my life partner, my companion, my everything. I thank God, his divine wisdom, and blessing for letting our paths cross.

    In Australia, our relationship would be defined as a de facto relationship, without needing to sign some paperwork to be legally married. In Malaysia, there is no such thing, and one would need to marry in order to be able to live here on a spousal visa. I wouldn't need to worry about him not being able to stay here, he would be able to get a working visa to help pay the bills.

    Relationship Struggles: How To Adult

    Our relationship isn't the only one facing challenges. Many couples experience this hardship in Malaysia. The cost of staying in a relationship isn't limited to just everyday expenses but also the cost of being together, making it work especially when you're in a long-distance relationship. Being in a serious relationship is the start of many things, including the most important factor - the future.

    take the relationship quiz

    Are your relationships a two-way street? Find out if you're #IntimateAllies, #DutifullyStuck or #RapidlyUnravelling with your partner, family or friends with this quiz, and pinpoint the exact relationship types in your life! Do the Relationship Quiz here!

    Curious how Malaysians fare in the relationship conundrum? Download the 2017 Prudential Relationship Index Malaysia Report for more information.

    5 comments:

    1. I knew it... I shouldn't have read this.. See! Now my standards of a man is going to increase... Oh well..any single years more to come for Yana... Lol

      ReplyDelete
    2. Oh, this is too sweet, but also filled with adult responsibilities that can make perfect love stories a little harder (but still perfect nevertheless!). Thank you for sharing your story with us. I think you're such a well-rounded, amazing, and incredibly capable person. So, if he were to move back to his country with you, you wouldn't have much difficulty finding a new job anyways. ^^

      ReplyDelete
    3. Omg Tammy, i read from the top till bottom. That is too sweet!

      ReplyDelete
    4. totally a fairytale came to life! i can imagine it being in manga version!
      i'd totally dig this cute love story! <3 so happy for you! i always think that the most important thing in a relationship is to be able to be yourself and open communication!

      ReplyDelete

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