Yadira Nadal Naranjo, Entertainment Editor
Biography

Born in Mayagüez and raised in both Aguadilla and San Juan, I consider myself a west coast island girl who can’t live without the city’s craziness but needs the occasional dosage of the west’s relaxing atmosphere. Although I live in San Juan, every now and then I manage to escape to the west and visit the beaches; truly the best remedy for city living.I studied Psychology at the University of Puerto Rico of Río Piedras, where I obtained my Bachelor’s Degree. After graduation, I took time off from school, unsure if I wanted to continue graduate studies in Psychology. I needed to follow my passion. As the niece of dramaturgo Manuel Méndez Ballester, I guess I carried writing on my veins. It was something I enjoyed and spent lots of time on.

After a few years of giving deep thought to my future, I came across the Masters Degree program that I wanted to pursue at the Sagrado Corazón University. It was in Redacción para los Medios (Writing for the Media). Bingo!

At the moment, I am putting the finishing touches to my thesis. In the future, I plan to complete a second Masters in Public Relations.I owe a lot of my artsy influences to my parents. My father, Jorge Nadal Méndez is a very talented painter who, after 12 years living in Northern California, came back to the Island and is happily living in Quebradillas preparing his next art show.

My mother, Mildred Naranjo Ramos, a skilled sales person (this woman can sell ice to Eskimos!), loves music (well mostly Ruben Blades) and used to write a lot in her teaching days when she was younger. In fact, before I was born, she wrote a story about a little boy named Yambele and a litlle girl named Yadira; that’s how she came up with my name.

I also have a sister, Lola Ynes Nadal Naranjo. She’s 22 and lives in Northern California where she works and studies. Lolita, as we call her, also has writing abilities and my wish for her is that she pursues a career where writing is essential.

Today, I work as a reporter for Motorzone, a magazine that focuses on cars, sports and entertainment. Before that, I worked for Vida Actual Newspaper, also as a reporter. So as you can see, writing’s what I most enjoy. Another one of my passions is traveling; I’ve been to Portugal, Belgium, Paris, Amsterdam and most of the Caribbean. I also have a boyfriend, no kids, and a cat named Mia who just had three beautiful kitties.

This is me, I hope you enjoy my words and I will do my best to keep you informed and entertained with the latest social events happening at your Isla.

Hasta luego boricuas!

(Yadira is our Entertainment Editor and writes for both the monthly publication and our website.)

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