Preethi’s Polambalgal: Somewhere Between Chennai and Melbourne

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Life is a beautiful mess when you’re a mom of two, juggling sippy cups, code reviews, and cardio—all while adjusting to life between Chennai and Melbourne. Join Preethi, a full-time developer, part-time fitness warrior, and forever full-time amma, as she hilariously navigates motherhood, work-life chaos, and a social circle that mostly includes her husband (and sometimes the friendly barista). In each episode, she shares her porattam (struggles) in a light-hearted way—whether it's managing Zoom meetings with a toddler on her lap, decoding school lunchbox drama, or trying (and failing) to find

Episodes

  1. 08/06/2025

    Snow Way Out – A Mum's Road Trip Adventure to Mt Buller

    Buckle up for chaos, cocoa, and cold toes as I take you on our 4-hour road trip from Melbourne to Mt Buller — with two kids, one over-packed car, and zero chill (literally). From foggy mountain mornings that looked like a scene from a horror movie, to unexpected animal crossings and the endless "Are we there yet?" soundtrack, this trip had it all. We survived:❄️ Tantrums at 110km/hr⛄ Our first tobogganing and skiing attempts (let’s just say we weren’t Olympic material)🥶 Soggy mittens, snow fights, and ski-boot meltdowns🌌 A return journey down pitch-black, horror-movie-worthy roads where the GPS lost hope before we did Throw in some mum-mumbling, hot chips, and “Where’s the nearest toilet?” moments — and you’ve got a snow trip story that’s equal parts magical and mildly traumatic. Tune in for laughs, parenting survival tips (don’t follow mine), and a snowy slice of Aussie road trip life.

    17 min

  2. 07/17/2025

    Food Polambalgal

    “Food Polambalgal” Ever tried to make upma and ended up with edible cement? Struggled flipping dosais that defy gravity? In this episode of Food Polambalgal, I vent the daily chaos of South Indian cooking — the burns, the lumps, the never-ending kitchen clean-ups — all served with a side of gratitude. But this isn’t just about culinary blunders. It’s a heartfelt reflection on privilege: being able to grumble about imperfect idlis while knowing millions can’t afford a single meal. I share my attempt to bridge that gap — creating an app that could tackle food insecurity and offer support to those in need. Spoiler: dreams collided with reality. Funding and time were tighter than maavu in a broken grinder. Through burnt pans and broken plans, this episode is a reminder to be grateful for what’s on our plate and to share with those who don’t have one. Tune in for equal parts laughter, empathy, and a small dose of hope. 🍽️💬

    6 min

  3. 06/25/2025

    Fitness Polambalgal

    In today’s episode, Preethi finally swaps her home uniform (a.k.a. oversized T-shirt and pajama pants) for something that actually zips! It’s Office Day in Melbourne—a rare event that feels like a mix of freedom, fashion show, and identity crisis. She puts on her best jacket, spritzes a little too much perfume (because freedom smells amazing), and even dusts off those long-forgotten heels. The tram ride feels like a holiday. No screaming kids. No dirty dishes. Just her, her thoughts… and her lunch packed with guilt-free quinoa (okay fine, leftover biryani). But the moment she steps into the office, she sees people looking toned, stylish, and suspiciously fresh-faced. That’s when it hits—while she’s in a constant mental fitness battle, her stomach is still in naan mode. Join Preethi as she hilariously unpacks the drama of going to work in a foreign land, the pressure of “looking put together,” and the eternal dilemma: should I eat salad or just accept my tummy as my emotional support system?

    7 min

  4. 06/25/2025

    Foreign Polambalgal

    In this episode, Preethi takes you on her desperate (and slightly dramatic) mission to spot another Tamil soul in the wild streets of Melbourne—whether it's someone saying "vanakkam" at Coles or playing Ilaiyaraaja in the parking lot. All she wants is one good Thamizh friend to share filter coffee and complaints with! But there’s a twist—her ever-logical husband keeps whispering, “Please da, respect their privacy, don’t randomly wave at strangers just because they look Tamil!” 😅 Preethi opens up (with her usual humour) about how moving abroad completely flipped her social life—no impromptu terrace chats, no kuthu dance at weddings, and definitely no “enga veetu suvai” in daily life. Just cold weather, colder interactions, and Google Maps as her closest companion. If you’ve ever tried to find your people in a foreign land (and almost scared them off in the process), this episode will have you laughing, nodding, and possibly waving at strangers too.

    3 min
  • 4 Episodes

About

Life is a beautiful mess when you’re a mom of two, juggling sippy cups, code reviews, and cardio—all while adjusting to life between Chennai and Melbourne. Join Preethi, a full-time developer, part-time fitness warrior, and forever full-time amma, as she hilariously navigates motherhood, work-life chaos, and a social circle that mostly includes her husband (and sometimes the friendly barista). In each episode, she shares her porattam (struggles) in a light-hearted way—whether it's managing Zoom meetings with a toddler on her lap, decoding school lunchbox drama, or trying (and failing) to find

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