The Shark Agenda

We were never meant to die. We were meant to continue growing, exploring, living and loving.

  • Blog
  • About
  • Portfolio
  • Projects
  • Contact

¡Boricua! sign in San Juan, Puerto Rico, taken by me. July 25, 2025

Long, overdue visit back to my mama's home country, Puerto Rico

August 08, 2025 by Vanessa Young in The Life

It cannot be overstated enough: my mom’s family is really one of the best families in the world. They will fly to help each other in crisis, give each other the clothes off their backs, support each other financially, feed each other, just going above and beyond what most families do. At least, most American families anyway.

I specify that last point because my mother’s family is from Puerto Rico. Which, while a colony of the United States of America, is not an “American” culture. And for that, I am so grateful and thankful for. Fuck all that nuclear family, keeping secrets, and letting things fester until they kill you bullshit. My mom’s family refuses to let people fall by the wayside, they will always step in and help.

I am my father’s daughter, more than I care to admit, and have become so hyper independent and self-sufficient that I forgot what its like to let myself be taken care of by my family. And man, do they take care of you!

IMG_6266.JPG
IMG_6268.JPG
IMG_6269.JPG
IMG_6274.JPG
IMG_6275.JPG
IMG_6276.JPG
IMG_6277.JPG
IMG_6278.JPG
IMG_6279.JPG
IMG_6281.JPG

Recently traveled to Puerto Rico (and then on to Florida) for my husband and I’s 10 year anniversary (can you believe we’re in the damn double digits?!) with our daughter. And we were surrounded by so much love and kindness, it was a bit overwhelming. I came to a realization this is why I value community building so much, why I see friends as family, because that’s how my mama’s family rolls.

The second my mom’s cousin heard we were planning to stay in a hotel in San Juan, she immediately offered her house for us to stay. I was emotional when my mom first told me about her offer, because honestly, I never expect much from anyone. (Is this a negative frame of mind? Maybe.)

IMG_6284.JPG
IMG_6285.JPG
IMG_6286.JPG
IMG_6287.JPG
IMG_6288.JPG
IMG_6289.JPG
IMG_6298.JPG
IMG_6290.JPG
IMG_6299.JPG
IMG_6291.JPG
IMG_6292.JPG
IMG_6293.JPG
IMG_6294.JPG
IMG_6296.JPG

I haven’t been to Puerto Rico since I was 17, so being back here with my made family and my mother to share it with was all kinds of special. We went to Old San Juan (including El Morro), Cataño, Bayamón, Guaynabo, all the way up to Cerro Las Tetas, and into Guavate in Cayey. All of it was magical. The food wasn’t even the best part, which is shocking, but to me, the music and the dancing was everything.

View fullsize IMG_6302.JPG
View fullsize IMG_6303.JPG
View fullsize IMG_6306.JPG
View fullsize IMG_6307.JPG
View fullsize IMG_6308.JPG
View fullsize IMG_6309.JPG
View fullsize IMG_6312.JPG
View fullsize IMG_6314.JPG
View fullsize IMG_6316.JPG
View fullsize IMG_6317.JPG
View fullsize IMG_6320.JPG
View fullsize IMG_6321.JPG
View fullsize IMG_6322.JPG
View fullsize IMG_6323.JPG
View fullsize IMG_6326.JPG
View fullsize IMG_6328.JPG
View fullsize IMG_6393.jpg
View fullsize IMG_6358.JPG
View fullsize IMG_6360.JPG
View fullsize IMG_6361.JPG
View fullsize IMG_6363.JPG
View fullsize IMG_6364.JPG
View fullsize IMG_6365.JPG
View fullsize IMG_6367.JPG
View fullsize IMG_6368.JPG
View fullsize IMG_6376.JPG
View fullsize IMG_6379.JPG
View fullsize IMG_6382.JPG
View fullsize IMG_8991.JPG
View fullsize IMG_6384.JPG
View fullsize IMG_6396.JPG
View fullsize IMG_6397.JPG
View fullsize IMG_6400.JPG
View fullsize IMG_6402.JPG
View fullsize IMG_6406.JPG
View fullsize IMG_6412.JPG
View fullsize IMG_6414.JPG
View fullsize IMG_6416.JPG
View fullsize IMG_6418.JPG
View fullsize IMG_6424.JPG

It feels like there’s a rhythm pulsing through Puerto Rico and every resident knows it, feels it, and moves to that beat in their own way. No matter where you look someone is dancing and singing, encouraging someone else to join in, sometimes with a plate of food or a drink in their hand. Magical place, I tell you!

Another thing I noticed was how many Afro-Puerto Ricans were around. Boricuas who are pushed into fame tend to look like Jennifer Lopez or Ricky Martin, the lighter ones. It was a refreshing reminder that Puerto Rico is home to Black people too.

Being able to experience everything with my daughter and especially seeing my mom share it with her granddaughter is a privilege I know a lot of people don’t get to have. One thing I will say is this whole experience has motivated me to get more confident in speaking Spanish, so I can keep sharing that with my kid.

August 08, 2025 /Vanessa Young
puerto rican life, travel, puerto rico, family, motherhood, mom life, my life
The Life
Comment

Life-ing normally when your country is regressing at a rapid pace

March 06, 2025 by Vanessa Young in The Life

Living life in a weird place (the place being America).

Read More
March 06, 2025 /Vanessa Young
my life, mom life, friends, daughter, family
The Life
Comment

Last-minute mountain dinner; first time the kid sees the snow

February 16, 2025 by Vanessa Young in The Life

Introduced my kid to mountain dining life.

Read More
February 16, 2025 /Vanessa Young
family, vegas local, mountains, my life, daughter
The Life
Comment

Posting less on social media and more on my own site.

January 22, 2025 by Vanessa Young in The Life

It’s time for a more permanent social media declutter.

Read More
January 22, 2025 /Vanessa Young
family, social media, vegas local, las vegas, america
The Life
Comment

It's nice to be bored, it's a privilege, actually.

January 12, 2025 by Vanessa Young in The Life

Being bored in Las Vegas is a true test of wills.

Read More
January 12, 2025 /Vanessa Young
family, daughter, my life, las vegas, vegas local, Vegas
The Life
Comment

What My 9-12 Months Baby Is Eating

November 11, 2023 by Vanessa Young in The Life

Cooking for my little girl has brought more joy in my life than I thought possible.

Read More
November 11, 2023 /Vanessa Young
food, daughter, family, mom life, parenthood, cooking
The Life
Comment

The Family’s First Halloweekend

October 31, 2023 by Vanessa Young in The Life

Ivy’s very first Halloween was a good old time.

Read More
October 31, 2023 /Vanessa Young
halloween, kids, family, vegas local, las vegas, Vegas, dita von teese
The Life
Comment

Missing Family, Missing Ohio

October 17, 2023 by Vanessa Young in The Life

Missing family something fierce back in Ohio.

Read More
October 17, 2023 /Vanessa Young
family, ohio, moving, travel, daughter, mom life, columbus, cleveland
The Life
Comment

She's Here! Baby Girl Has Landed!

December 15, 2022 by Vanessa Young in The Life

First-time mom life has officially begun!

Read More
December 15, 2022 /Vanessa Young
pregnancy, daughter, family, my life, husband
The Life
Comment

Pregnancy Diaries Entry No. 4: Getting Everything Ready for the New Arrival

October 04, 2022 by Vanessa Young in The Life

Pre-motherhood anxiety is REAL.

Read More
October 04, 2022 /Vanessa Young
my life, pregnancy, me, marriage, husband, family
The Life
Comment
  • Newer
  • Older
 

All rights reserved © 2018 The Shark Agenda
Powered by Squarespace