Example:Editorial/Magazine Article- What Would Survive, You or Your IPhone?

By: Fontana Smith on July 28th 2016

How many people do you know that can live without Facebook, Netflix, and Twitter? Honestly, I’m getting to the point that it is a constant hassle to have to deal with social media. I wish something would happen to shut up those notifications for an hour, a lifetime seems like a glorious dream come true. These are the kind of thing I think about sitting on my living room couch at 11:45 on a Monday night after I put my kids to bed. (Doesn’t everyone?) In all seriousness though, our planet has seen 5 mass extinction events since life started to develop in our oceans. Many well-known and respected scientist and experts believe we are on track for number six. 

“More than 90% of all organisms that have ever lived on Earth are extinct,” The first line on National Geographic states on Mass extinction.

That being sad, it’s not all morbid as it sounds –I promise. We have limited real estate here on Earth. That’s pretty common knowledge. Things need to die in order for new life to grow and flourish. But am I willing to just kick the bucket though and say, “Good try chaps, lets die off and see if the chimps can do better?” Oh hell no, of course not.

Everyone has their own reasons they wake up and do what they do day in and day out. Mine­­­, bet you’ve already guessed, are my children. I don’t know what I would do without those, what I affectionately call, my little turd monkeys. But the same thing that gives me my strength, also causes some of my weaknesses. As a parent, I have a consistent, unwavering, and unrelenting fear that something will happen to them. It starts from the moment you hear that first cry and I’m told it never stops. Ended are my days of racing and driving fast and being stupid. I had a new found respect for my life. With this new take on life, I had every reason to make sure I survived.

So with this worry thing previously mentioned, comes my rational and irrational fear of something catastrophic happening. I know you don’t know me so let me reassure you, I am not one of those psycho crazy doomsday theorists. However, I do like to think of myself as a realist. There are approximately 15,375 amount of nuclear weapons in the world according to Ploughshare Fund. Of course the scariest part of that that number is always changing. Just this year Korea successfully tested their first hydrogen bomb, a bomb according to LiveScience to be more powerful than the atomic bombs we used on Japan just 70 years ago. It also is no big secret how our power grid is painfully unprotected. On the West coast, we’ve been due for ‘the big earthquake’ for a while now. I know if you’re reading this article then you get it. Then you also know that it’s truly only a matter of time before something strikes. How prepared are you to outlive it? 

My first piece of advice, and this should be a no brainer even without an emergency. Stock up on your medication now as much as possible. If the world as we know it comes crashing down, say good bye to your easy refills. My mother always said, “Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.” I can’t emphasize that enough here. My youngest has Cystic Fibrosis and takes medicine to break down his food. Without it, he can’t absorb nutrients and would essentially waste way. In a massive event like this, people without their medical needs met will be the first ones to go.

Next, for the love of whatever God, Goddess, Universe, you pray to, learn to grow and hunt for your own food people. I totally get that most high schools skimp out on home economics now, and practically teach you nothing about how to actually survive on your own. Do me a favor and put Youtube to some actual use. Other than endless videos of people failing at, well—everything, please. I know, I know. That new Pokémon game just came out. Just the thought of gardening or ending a small woodland creature makes you want to go jump off a cliff like everyone else. I’m not saying you need to immediately go out and butcher Bambi or grow a real life version of Farmville. You can learn to trap small game, learn to fish for what’s available in your area, and maintain a 4x8 garden with little to no real effort.

You will have to depend on yourself for everything in this new world, and that will be tough enough. You will need that energy and a full belly to be able to accomplish other tasks for survival. If you really want to cover all your bases, invest in some gun safety or archery classes too. You can’t beat something that can feed you and protect you and yours simultaneously. Certain groups are all ready to maim me, I’m sure. I’m not condoning trophy kills or violence in any way. I condone surviving and doing ANYTHING it takes to ensure that my children live. It is at the core of my nature and instinct as a mother. Even in the animal world, it’s survival of the fittest, (that also includes the smartest!)

 Building a stockpile to outlast the initial confusion if you can’t leave before it starts is essential to your survival. There are tons of great websites that can teach how, like this one. I live in San Diego, and San Diego is not saturated in resources like some places. Drought most of the year, little to no forestry, borderline desert, and worst of all it’s completely compacted with people. All those people are going to be fighting tooth and nail for whatever they can get. Last thing you want is to be in the middle of that. Instead of stocking up on water you can save space if you can a nearby water supply and buy a portable water filtration system. It will be useful no matter where you go.

Educate yourselves on something more than the newest movie releases and this week’s sales ads. Buy ACTUAL books on wildlife and habitats in your area. If your safety plan includes traveling to a different location, buy books for each habitat you might cross. Anywhere you think you might go in case of an emergency, you in information on. That kindle does not come with an unlimited battery. Even if you buy them and toss them in your survival stash, and forget about it. That’s 100% ok. When the time comes, you will have it. Those books could potentially save your life one day if something happens, and if not, how much did you really waste on some old paperbacks anyway?

Lastly, get in shape and start eating right now. I’m sure you can guess that those who physically can’t provide for themselves are sure to meet their end after those who run out of their medication. About a year ago, I went from 215lb to 150lb now. I realized then that I couldn’t carry my children for long periods. My hermit-like behavior was keeping them from exercise they needed as well. Ultimately I realized if something happened, and I was to out of shape to physically get my children out of harm’s way—I had no one to blame but myself. I was not, I am not  prepared to live with that guilt. And in reality, I don’t have be the smartest or the fastest. I just have to be able to outthink and outrun you.

Here we are, towards the end, and if you made it this far you undoubtedly have fifty new notifications you are dying to check. But now you have a choice; each day you get a blessing of 24 hours. How you chose to spend it is up to you. I beseech you, do something that could change the entire course of your future with a few of those hours. Those electronics will do nothing for you in the wake of a diaster. Wouldn’t you hate it if you disregarded this article and one day find yourself starving and wishing you could go back in time and trade in that IPhone for anything that could help? I wouldn’t know how that felt. I’ve already made my choice, what’s yours?

Example: Literacy Narravative- See Spot Run

By: Fontana Smith on June 28, 2016

One of the very first memories I have with my Dad involved his first book. I want to say I was around 3 or 4, because I hadn’t yet started school. “Fontana, come here baby girl,” he called from his room. Curious, I stopped playing with my little plastic kitchenette and made my way into his bedroom. “What is it Daddy?” I asked at the door. I took note of the beat-up old box, old pictures, and other miscellaneous memorabilia scattered on his huge bed. I could barely see over it on my tip-toes. “Come here, I want to show you something.” I skipped over to him and he picked me up putting me on his lap. “What did you want to show me Daddy?” I ogled at all the treasures before me, mostly things I’d never seen before. “This,” He placed a thick, yellow, worn, and frayed booking my lap. “This is the first book I ever learned to read.” Apprehensive, I crinkled my nose. “It smells funny.” My Dad laughed, “It’s old and it’s been put up for a long time. I want you to have it.” I flipped it open. The pictures were not as pretty as my Little Mermaid book, but it did have pictures. I remember thinking not many thick books have pictures maybe it wouldn’t be so bad. “Want me to read you some?” I nodded furiously. I loved being read to. “The New Home,” he started, “See Spot run,” his smile was ear to ear.

            Looking back that memory probably changed my entire outlook on books. They didn’t have to be small, new, and be a story tale to be interesting. As I started elementary school, I was frequently told how smart I was. One day my assistant kindergarten teacher asked me to sit down with her at the computer while the other kids went to recess. My immediate first thought was that I was in trouble. “No you’re not in trouble,” she reassured me, “I just want you to tell me a story, about something in your life, can you do that?” “Sure,” I said after a pause, “I think I can do that.” I thought about the “See Spot run” story, it was now one of my favorites. I decided I should tell her a story of my pet. I told her a story of my fat cat, Bobby. My Dad had affectionately named that because he was a bobtail. “I love to watch him play with his ball, and when Daddy isn’t watching I give him milk, but I’m not supposed to,” I said shamefully putting my head down. She laughed. “Are you going to tell him?” I asked. “No, I’m going I’m writing this story for a contest in your name, I think you could win,” she said typing away on her computer. “Oh,” I said like I knew what she was talking about. As it would turn out, I did win. I won for Kindergarten in the entire state of Georgia.

            After the contest I was accepted into the gifted program for my elementary school. I don’t remember the exact point that I transitioned from picture books to actual books, but I can tell you the first non-picture book I truly enjoyed reading. My school had implemented a program that “required reading books” on a point system that tested you on the computer to see your aptitude after reading. By 4th grade I was only doing the bare minimum to not get scolded by teachers. The shorter the books I could find the better, it seemed like such a waste of time. Then one fateful day another gifted student walked in with one of the biggest books I had ever seen a fourth grader carry. “What in the world is that?” I asked her. “It’s called Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. It’s really good, you should read it.” She handed it to me, “My mom has a copy so you can borrow mine.” I was in shock. First, I was scared of my own ability to read after only reading short books for so long. Secondly, her mom read it. In what world could adults and children both share a love of the same book? The Wizarding world of Harry Potter, that’s how. It came alive like a movie, I devoured page after page of the written word. I was hooked, no picture book could compare to my own imagination.

            Until recently I had quite the slump in writing and reading. My reasons for not wanting to take an English class was endless. I hadn’t taken an English since High School. Great, I thought, more papers on things no one cares about and on books no one reads unless forced. I was incredibly pleased and surprised that we were actually writing on recent topics. It helped me rekindle my connection with myself and others. I started to pay more attention to current event and I’m striving to make an impact in my community. I’ve also started enjoying reading and writing more, especially to my children.

            As I write, It’s almost midnight now. I waited until the last minute because I didn’t know how to start or where I would go with my story. “Alright, bedtime. T.V. off, come ‘on babies. Let’s go,” endless whining starts followed by the usual. “We aren’t tired; we don’t want to go to be yet,” they say in almost unison. “I know but it’s bed time. Do you want a quick bedtime story before Mommy goes to work on her paper?” “Yes!” My little boy says, “Let’s go pick one,” my daughter skips to their room. “Okie dokie, go get one.” They head over to their well-stocked book shelf and weigh the pros and cons of each book. “This one,” my son says. “No Beano,” his nickname, my daughter replies, “This one; we haven’t read this one.” I’m lying on my sons bed eyes closed waiting for their choice. “Ok!” he says and they both jump in my lap. Rubbing my eyes and sitting up I look down at the old, yellow, smelly book in my lap. “The New Our New Friends,” I read in almost a whisper. “Dandaddy, left it for us last visit, he said you would read it to us,” my daughter breaks my silence. “Did he?” I flipped the pages to the first story, wiped away a few tears, and started to read, “The New Home.” My smile was ear to ear, “See Spot Run…”

References

Rowling, J.K. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. Bloomsberry, 1997. Book.

Sharp, Zerna Addis. ""See Spot Run"." Time, Multiple Authors Will Fix in Final Due to. The New Our New Friend. Addison-Weasley Educational Publishers Inc, 1951. 7. Book.

Welcome to My Blog!

I'm fairly new at this, but I figured starting with an introduction. Seems appropriate. I created this blog to have a place to organize the editorial articles and stories that I have written and will write along my journey. I named it living undefined because we, as people, tend to label everything. I use to think  if you liked make up and hung out with a certain crowd you couldn't like things like hunting without another more hurtful... wait for it...  label. Like poser, imposter, faker, hurtful labels I didn't want to be associated with. But now, the only opinion that matters is the one I have of myself. So I'm done with labels. I'm going to live my life that's undefined to anyone be me. FYI: I like make up, and rainbows, some high end clothes, full camo, working on car, getting dirty, putting on a dress for a date, and dressing down to pajamas and playing video games with the hubby. This is who I am. I hope you enjoy reading about my adventures, and maybe you will be inspired to have some of your own. If you do, please don't forget to share with me! That would just completely make my year.

Ever since I was a little girl, Daddy's little tomboy really, I have loved being outdoors.

The world we live in is such an incredibly beautiful place if we take care of it. I dread not being able to share it with my children.
As a mother, I have what I consider to be a "natural" fear of anything I can't control... I'm probably misguided in that concept. Anyway, one day I decided that I didn't like that I had no idea how to provide food for myself and my family in case of an emergency -hunting or gardening alike. That scared me, and ultimately lead me to start this journey.


The more I researched the more I fell in love with the idea of hunting, especially bow hunting. I'm an overachiever by heart ,and I love a good challenge. Bow hunting seemed like the perfect fit for me. Once I master bow hunting, I fully intend to embrace rifle hunting as well. But for now, one dangerous weapon at a time. I've learned so much in such a short amount of time. I can't wait to look back a year from now and see how much I've grown.

You will come to find that I am incredibly quick-witted, have a sharp tongue that cuts diamonds when I'm angry (I do my best to rein it in but no one is perfect), and I absolutely detest  being told I can't do something -especially if it's something a man can do. I'm am so hardheaded, stubborn, competitive, and sometimes I forget that not everyone shares my opinion, and that's ok too. Sometimes what comes out of my mouth even surprises me. I also have ADHD. But their is no mother or wife alive that loves their children of husband more than me. I know I'm bias; but the majority of parents and spouses can attest to feeling the same way. I'm also compassionate, and would give you the shirt off my back. I'm driven, intelligent, honest to an unfortunate fault, and raised with great morals. Most of the time, I have the best intentions in mind.

I'm the woman who looks for anyway to teach her children by example. Like having your daughter give your new sweater to an elderly woman waiting in the same ER lobby as your son who was cold; or not driving off with a tank of full gas when I knew it didn't take my card, even though we needed the money; or deciding not to eat my sandwich from Chick-fil-a and offering it to the homeless man on the corner instead. I am most certainly not a saint by any means. But if I do I nothing more than my raise two beautiful children who mature into responsible, compassionate, adults with a strong moral compass like their Momma, that is fine by me!

My husband gave me the most gorgeous, talented, incredible kids. Mia is our first born, 6 year-old drama queen. She is her mother made over. Boy do I dread the teenage years to come. Karma is surely going to be making it's way back around to this house. Leo is 100% a Momma's boy (as he should be). He is 3 year-old and a spit fire that hasn't let his diagnosis of Cystic Fibrosis slow him down one bit. My third child, my bow just kidding, is our Boston Terrier named Cookie. She is a hot mess. Totally a daddy's dog, but has mom eating out of her paw (figuratively not literally -yuck). My kids are my whole world. I have to negotiate time and good behavior at the archery range for park time or swimming. But it's a trade that I won't be losing sleep over anytime soon. They are also my photographers, arrow retrievers, cheerleaders, and complete loves of my life -if it isn't overly obvious yet. Every moment shared with them is worth a thousands lifetimes with anyone else. I enjoy more than anything teaching them about the outdoors. Soon I hope to be a more active part in the #bringakidhuntingcampaign and of course, my two will never be to far behind.

I am married to an Active-Duty Petty Officer of the Navy. He is a Nuclear Engineer, gamer, nerd, and he is my sunshine. But if I have to be honest...we have the most backwards relationship I've ever seen. God graced me with all the common sense, no lie. Luckily, we are were both blessed with book-smarts. I'm a third generation carpenter, and own ALL the power tools in our home. Yes, you read that right -the Home Depot card is mine. I decided to learn to hunt and shoot a bow completely of my own accord. I can't count how many times I've been asked already, "Did your husband/male relative get you into this?" No...Contrary to popular opinion, I do have the capacity to think and act all on my own. Recently, he did purchase his own bow and seems to be having a ton of fun when we shoot together (If the constant smile is any sort of indication of that). Honestly though, I love that man more than words can express. He is opposite and yet my match in every way. My rock. He loves me and gave me the two best gifts in the world. He has always 100% supported me in all that I do. Even if that means being a strong woman that pushes conventional boundaries and will almost certainly come under criticism for it eventually. What woman could ask for more than that? This one definitely can't.

Only little bit on school as there isn't much to tell. I'm a 4.0 GPA, Dean's List student.(I have two very important people to set an example for.) I'm very proud of that accomplishment. I home school my children and go to school over full time credits every semester, summer included. It's never to late, believe me.


Few of my other hobbies include: spending time with the absolute best friends a girl could ask for (when we all occupy the same state country), horseback riding, cooking, water sports, fishing, the occasional MMO with the hubby, volunteering, traveling, hiking, and now writing!

Also from 2014-2015 I went from 215lb to 150lb while my husband was deployed through Nutrisystem. I've kept the weight off for over a year now! I'm not trying to brag and I'm not being paid to advertise this. But without Nutrisystem, I'd still be that miserable, depressed, lazy, person on the couch who didn't even realize how much life she was really missing out on until now. I don't even know her anymore. So if you need motivation or advice on your weight loss journey, I'm here for you!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=teodlPuOLn8



Clubs and Associations:
USA Archery
Roadrunner Archery Club
San Diego Archers
Womenhunters