Marina Hardy Case #1 page 3

Early the next morning, Marina ran down the stairs and was headed for the door, when her mother stopped her. “And just where are you headed off to?” She asked. “Well I was going to meet up with some friends…” “Not till that garage is spotless.” “But moooooom!” She protested. “Get going.” Her mom replied. On the way outside, her brother stopped her. “Hey Marina, you go do what you need to do, and I’ll cover for you. I don’t mind cleaning the garage.” “Oh, thanks a million, Kyle!” She said ecstatically. “I owe you one.”

“So, why’d you call us here?” Link asked when Marina and her friends were all together in the park. “I found Thompson’s hideout, but the other agents don’t believe me, so I propose we go on a stakeout on our own.” “That sounds like it could be dangerous.” Sara said. “Yah Marina…” Zelda said worriedly. “Won’t you get in trouble for that?” “Guys, this is more important than rules or safety.” Marina said firmly. “I have to do this. Now, who’s with me?” Slowly, Brandon raised his hand, followed by the others. Marina smiled. “Thanks, guys. You’re the best.”

All that afternoon, the five friends got ready for the big night by training and packing supplies. After Marina told her parents she was having a sleepover, everything was ready. “So here’s the plan…” Marina told the others as they walked to the place where they would be camping. “We’ll each take turns keeping watch through my heat-sensor binoculars in half-hour shifts. I’ll take the first watch.” Once in the woods, they set up a tent for Link and Brandon, and another for the girls. Marina kept here eyes diligently peeled for any sign of Tim or his men. The hours seemed to drag by as it got darker and darker, and each person had taken at least one shift; still with no sign of anyone. Marina sighed as she handed Link the binoculars. "Maybe this was a dumb idea." She said. "No, wait..." Said Link suddenly. "I... I see someone! Come look." "Oh my gosh..." She whispered as she peered through the lenses. "That's Tim himself; I'm going after him!" And with that, she scrambled to her feet and ran towards the warehouse.

3rd Person Day Randomness

Today, Secret Agent is speaking in 3rd person. And Secret Agent just thought of something random she wants to share with everyone. "If someone said to you, 'Is "no" going to be the next word you say?' and you had to answer truthfully, what would your reply be?" Agent asked her blog readers. "Get it?" she wonders. Now Secret Agent will fill out one of those question thingies for something to do.

Eating: Chicken burrito/ frozen orange pop
Thinking about: The cupcakes on the counter.
Wearing: A camo Superman shirt
Watching: A Star Wars Wii game being played
Waiting for: Tonight when I hopfully will get to watch Star Trek Voyager
Loving: 3 Minute Song by Josh Wilson

Secret Agent tells her readers goodbye.

Trying

I'm trying to be hopeful in a world without hope. Trying to be happy in the midst of sadness. Trying to share God's light in a world of darkness. Trying to love when there's not a lot of love left. Trying to fill my life with the things that really matter. Trying to keep my friends close and God closest. Trying to be strong when I feel so weak inside. Trying to stay sane while living in the middle of craziness. *sigh* Keep pressing on, friends. Together we can make it. -Me

Marina Hardy Case #1, page 2

Marina burst through the door, breathless. “Marina!” Zelda exclaimed as she set down the romance novel she’d been reading. “What’s wrong?” “On my way home when I was walking through the woods, I spotted this guy, and he looked suspicious, so I followed him, and I found the building where the guy we’re after and lots of his workers are operating their evil plan, and I need to use your phone so I can call headquarters and tell them where to find him!” She said all in one breath. Zelda smiled and handed her the cordless phone. “Commander James?” She said into the phone. “This is Marina. I found this underground factory, and I think I might have seen Tim there! You should send the crew over to check it out immediately.” “Marina…” The Commander replied. “I appreciate your enthusiasm, but I highly doubt it was the man we’re after.” He gave a little laugh. “But…” Marina protested. “Now go get some rest; it’s late.” He said. “Commander! I-” But before she could finish, she heard a click. He had hung up. Marina sighed as she set the phone down and walked towards the door. “Bye Zelda.” She mumbled.
Marina was feeling very depressed as she trudged down the sidewalk.
“Commander James thinks he knows everything.” She thought to herself.
“I should just go straight to the Captain.” But who was she kidding; he was too important of a man to listen to a mere lieutenant. Not even the commanders had ever gotten to see him, let alone those in lower ranks. No one even knew his name. “Where have you been all night, young lady?” Marina’s mother asked as soon as she walked in. “Do you know what time it is?” “Oh sorry… I was um, at Zelda’s house.” “This is the third time this month you’ve been out past curfew. As punishment, you have to clean the entire garage tomorrow. Now, off to bed.” Her dad said. Marina scowled as she went up to her room. That wasn’t fair! All those times, she’d been on important training missions. “It’s no thanks to them the world isn’t controlled by bad guys!” As she lay in bed awake, she couldn’t get her mind off the events of that day. “I HAVE to catch him!” She thought. “And I WILL! No matter what…”

Marina Hardy Case #1

I'm pretty sure I already posted this page a long time ago, but now I have edited it a lot and changed the whole story line, so here it is, and more to come later. ^.^


Marina’s fiery hazel-green eyes sparkled in the bright moonlight, as she crept from her hiding place in the bushes behind the old warehouse. Tonight was the night! She just had to catch the notorious villain, “Tim” before it was too late! A few minutes later she spotted someone, and quickly ducked behind the building, hoping he hadn’t seen her. She held her breath, waiting to see what he would do. Nervously glancing over his shoulder, the man reached into his pocket and pulled out a key. Still watching the man, Marina cautiously inched closer. The man shoved the key into the warehouse door, and went inside. Knowing the door might lock when it closed, Marina silently and quickly stepped into the warehouse. The man, obviously preoccupied, didn’t notice, and kept walking. Marina hid behind a metal barrel where she could watch from a safe distance. She saw about two- dozen people in lab coats working while two other men supervised. When one man turned his head, she thought he sort of looked like Tim! Squinting, Marina tried to read the faded lettering on the barrel beside her in the dim light. “ Fenoc BVS Operation” it said. “This is it!” she whispered
This was a very important discovery, and she needed to tell the other officers about it. Now, if only she could find a way out… A quick glance at the door she came in showed her several different alarms. “Well, I sure can’t go back that way.” She thought “Too bad I don’t have my alarm disarming kit with me.” As she tiptoed into what appeared to be an abandoned packaging room, she spotted… could it be? Yes! Towards the left, near a corner, was a small window. Peering back to make sure no one was there, Marina carefully moved a nearby crate closer to the window, so she could use it to climb out. After slowly making her way out the window, she broke into a run and headed straight to her friend Zelda’s house, which was only two blocks away.

10 Things About Me You Probably Didn't Know

1. I point out every Asian person I see on TV, mostly to annoy my sister. I luv Asians. ^.^

2. I never actually call my baby brother by his name, but by his nickname; "Mr. A-bebby-pants. (Idk why, I'm just a random person.)

3. Me and my sister usually always greet eachother and such in a "chicken" voice, and call eachother "chikun puffs".

4. My imagination literally only works when I'm in bed. (This can be annoying when an idea hits me at 2 am.)

5. I talk to my stuffed animals more than I talk to people.

6. I like to eat re-heated pancakes and muffins for lunch.

7. I like giving birthday presents to people that hardly know me.

8. I collect paint samples just because.

9. I have a phobia of one certain bug, I think called a house centipede. (Google it if you've never seen one.)

10. I'm actually very outgoing, I just have trouble talking to people sometimes because it usually turns out awkward. And half the time people scare me, staring at me with those hole-burning eyes.

Okay that's all for now. It's been hard thinking of stuff Zeruda doesn't know. So hey Z let me know if you knew any of this stuff already. And BTW it would be cool if you made a list like this, too! ;)

Post #100!!!

TAH-DAAAAAAAAH! This is my 100th post, YAY! Just thought I'd mention that. Although I like the number 72 better. I missed that one, whatever post it was. I guess I'll shoot for 172 now. ...still talking to myself and Zeruda till we gets more blog readers, I suppose. Hi Zeruda. Hi the rest of the world. K byes. -Me

Random Ramblings

I have decided I should definitely post more often. Even if I have nothing to say. And no one to read it. Why? Um, because it makes me feel like I'm accomplishing something, I suppose. Oh but even if there is no one to read this, hey; I don't mind talking to myself, I do it QUITE often. (Hey, there's no one else to talk to!) So anyway, these days I find myself: sad, with my mind wandering, sometimes into thoughts of pure nothingness, hoping for more friends; people that are like me and who understand me, thanking God SO SO SO SO much for the wonderful friends I do have, trying to be inspired for the hobbies I have in which imagination is needed, feeling angsty that all I ever do all day is sit here on the internet. But really thinking about it, what difference does it make if I do nothing outside, or slightly less of nothing inside? Yes my fellow bloggers, this is the real me; highly strange and depressed. There's no sense in hiding who I really am, take it or leave it. To the world: Whoever you are, wherever you are, I wish you happiness forever (unless you're a freak then you don't deserve it) and may you never have to go through the evil I have been through. Good luck in this harsh world. But always know there is hope and comfort in Jesus. Well, these truly have been "thoughts of mine". Awkward as it may be, this is what I came here to do. This blog has fulfilled its purpose. In closing, I love ice cream, it's cold in here, I can't wait till American Idol tonight, and the dog is barking like an idiot because she is. ^.^ (No offence to her.) I talk too much online. Sayounara peeps. -Me

In God We Still Trust

This is my new fave song at the moment! It's got super powerful words, and the tune is great. It's by Diamond Rio, check it out on YouTube sometime!


You place your hand on His Bible, when you swear to tell the truth
His name is on our greatest Monuments, and all our money too,
And when we pledge allegiance, there's no doubt where we stand,
There is no separation, we're one Nation under Him.

Chorus:
In God we still trust
Here in America
He's the one we turn to every time
The goin' gets rough
He is the source of all our strength
The One who watches over us
Here in America
In God we still trust

Now there are those among us, who want to push Him out,
And erase His name from everything, this country's all about,
From the Schoolhouse to the Courthouse, they're silencing His Word,
Now it's time for all Believers, to make our voices heard.

In God we still trust,
Here in America
He's the one we turn to every time
The goin' gets rough
He is the source of all our strength
The One who watches over us
Here in America
In God we still trust

True Beauty, page 6

Before they knew it, it was time for Erikah to go back home. We’ll miss you.” Aunt Kay said as she hugged Erikah goodbye. “Now you be sure and come visit us again soon, ya hear?” Erikah smiled. “Oh I will.” She said.

As she walked up the path to her house, Bridget popped her head over the fence. “Erikah, you’re back!” She said cheerfully. “I really missed you!” “I missed you too, Bridget. Ask your mom if you can come over to my house and play.” That afternoon the two of them had lots of fun playing together. “I should have done this ages ago.” She thought to herself.

Back at her own school the following day, Erikah’s English teacher asked the students to write an essay on an important lesson they had learned. “Oh, this is an easy one!” She thought as she began scribbling away. Something I have learned is that how you act is far more important than how you look. Most people tend to avoid people with disabilities, and try to be like the pretty and popular people, but that’s not how it should be at all. The world would be a friendlier place if everyone followed the golden rule; do unto others as you would have them do unto you. God is the author of that rule, and He wants us all to follow it. I used to just try to fit in with everyone else and be just like them, even if what they were doing is wrong. But then I learned that we should only follow those who are doing what God wants them to.

THE END. (Unless I decide to write more someday, which I might. But it could be a few years.) ^.^

True Beauty, page 5

The next morning, Erikah asked, “Aunt Kay, would it be alright if Daina and I went to the animal shelter with Amberly after school?” Daina grinned from ear to ear at her. “Yes dear, that would be fine.” Aunt Kay answered. To their delight, the lady at the animal shelter put them in charge of feeding the baby animals. “I never knew helping could be so fun.” Erikah said as she bottle-fed a newborn kitten.

Later, while the girls were walking back to the house, they saw a teenaged boy picking on his little sister. She screamed and cried as her brother chased her around with a hose, spraying her in the face. “We should do something.” Daina said. “Oh God, please help me.” Erikah prayed silently as she walked into the yard. “Hey!” She yelled. The boy stopped and looked at her. “Leave your sister alone!” Erikah hoped she sounded firm, even though she was shaking. He dropped the hose and marched up to her. “Why should I?” He asked irritatedly. Erikah gulped. This boy was much bigger and stronger than her. “B-because the Bible says to treat others how you want to be treated, and you wouldn’t want someone getting you all wet.” The boy sighed and rolled his eyes. “Fine, whatever.” He put the hose away and went inside his house. “Wow, that was pretty brave.” Daina said. “Yeah… I never would have done something like that before.” Erikah told her. “But I think it’s high time I started caring more about what’s right.” “Right on!” Daina said happily.

SUPER IMPORTANT!!!

I am taking a survey to see how many readers I have. It seems like no one really reads my blogs, except maybe Zeruda. This is one of the reasons I don't post much anymore. And I probably won't continue blogging unless there are people to read my posts. SO IF YOU ARE READING THIS, YOU ABSOLOUTLEY MUST COMMENT SO I CAN COUNT YOU!!! Please please please comment; this will determine the fate of my blogs. Thank you.

True Beauty, page 4

Erikah watched as one of the boys stuck his foot out and tripped another boy, causing him to drop his books and school papers. The bully and several others began to laugh, but Amberly and her friends glared at them until they got up and helped him gather his things.

Right before math, Erikah noticed three boys offering to carry a girl’s books for her. “Why do they like her so much?” She asked Daina. “That’s Lillian.” She said. “She is considered the prettiest girl in school, because she’s always smiling. That’s what’s different about this school. When you focus on people’s hearts instead of what’s on the outside, you learn what true beauty is. I mean really, why would anyone want to be like them?” She nodded towards a group of boys who were playing catch with the pencil case that they had taken from Amberly. Erikah shuffled her feet uneasily. “The world would be a better place is everyone saw people the way God does.”

That night when Erikah read her Bible, she came across a verse that stuck out to her. It was 1st Samuel 16:7. “…For the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.” She was gradually beginning to realize that she was seeing things all wrong. If God only cared about the way people acted, and not how they looked, then that must be the way He intended things to be. Tears rolled down Erikah’s cheeks as she thought of the way she had treated Bridget and laughed at Carl and the others. “But that’s all about to change.” She thought determinedly.

True Beauty, page 3

Girls, time to get ready for school!” Erikah’s aunt called. Daina and Erikah hurriedly got dressed in their uniforms and ate breakfast, and then Aunt Kay drove them to the little middle school in town. “It looks a lot like my school.” Erikah thought. “Maybe this won’t be so bad.” But as soon as they walked through the door, she knew there was something very strange about it.

She rubbed her eyes and took another look around. She couldn’t believe what she was seeing. Everyone looked exactly the same! “W-what’s going on?” She asked her cousin wide eyed. Daina cocked her head to the side. “My mom didn’t tell you? Our president is running a scientific experiment. He wants to compare the differences of a normal town to a town where there are only two sets of DNA.” A girl identical to Daina waved to them as she walked by. “Come on, we’d better get to class.” She told Erikah as the bell rang. When their social studies teacher (who, of course, bore a striking resemblance to Aunt Kay) introduced Erikah to the class, they began furiously whispering to each other and giggling. She tried to ignore the stares from the other students as she shyly walked to her desk.

During lunch, Daina pointed to a girl and whispered, “That’s Amberly, the most popular girl in the whole school.” To Erikah’s surprise, Amberly began walking over to their table. “Hi! Mind if I sit here?” Daina scooted over to make room for her. “You must be Erikah.” She said smiling. “I’m Amberly. It’s nice to meet you.” Erikah was taken aback. This girl seemed genuinely friendly, but how was that possible? “This month I’m volunteering at an animal shelter. If you like animals, maybe you two could come with me sometime. The kittens are so cute! Well, I’d love to stay and chat, but I’d better get going. I have to help pick up all the empty cups and wrappers because the poor janitor broke his leg. My mom and I are going to visit him in the hospital after school. See ya later!” After she left, Daina sighed. “I wish I could be more helpful and friendly like her.” She said.

True Beauty, page 2

As soon as she stepped off the bus, Bridget, the girl with Down’s syndrome from next door was waiting for her. “Yoo-hoo, Erikah!” She called as she leaned over the fence and waved. “Welcome home!” Erikah waved quickly as she dashed to the door. “Hi, dear.” Her mother greeted her. Spike, their German Shepherd ran to her and began wagging his tail happily. “He’s been waiting all day for you to get home. Why don’t you take him for a walk?” Erikah clipped Spike’s worn leash to his collar and peeked out the window. She wanted to be sure Bridget was gone before she went back outside.

When she finished walking her dog, her dad was just hanging up the phone. “That was your Aunt Kay, Erikah. Your cousin Daina’s school is having an exchange student program, and they thought you’d be perfect.” “But I’ve never even met them.” Erikah said. “You have; you were just too young to remember.” He said. “They live in a different country, so they can’t visit often.” “This is a wonderful educational opportunity.” Her mother said. “And I think you’ll have a lot of fun spending time with your relatives.” Erikah sighed. It looked like she had no other choice. “I’ll go pack my suitcase.” She muttered.

Soon, Erikah was flying through the sky in an airplane, on her way to some little place no one had ever heard of with her aunt and cousin. “So, what’s your school like?” Daina asked her. “Well, it’s just a typical school, I guess. Unruly boys, bullies, geeks, popular girls…” Daina nodded. “It’s the same way at my school pretty much. By the way, I met your neighbor, Bridget when we came to pick you up. She seems like a very nice girl.” Erikah fidgeted uncomfortably in her seat. “You disagree?” Daina asked puzzledly. “She’s nice and all, it’s just that… well…” “Well what?” Daina persisted. Erikah sighed. “Oh, never mind.”

Spring-Time Loveliness

Here are some pictures I took a few years back at the peak of flower season! Spring is just around the corner, folks!!! :D

True Beauty, page 1

Sorry I haven't been blogging much in the past few months... I've had to use a different computer, and that makes things all "scrambled". (As I like to say.) But anyway, the other day I realized I hadn't put my new short story here yet, and while it's not very good at all, at least it's something, I guess. I don't even know if anyone reads my blogs, LOL; but anyways, here it is! ;)

13-year-old Erikah grabbed her pink backpack and raced out the door as the school bus screeched to a halt in front of her house. She moved to the back of the bus and tried to block out all the noise so she could study her spelling words one last time. “I buy all my clothes from designer boutiques.” One of the cheerleaders said smugly. “Where did you buy your outfit, Erikah?” Surprised, Erikah looked up from her spelling paper. She didn’t want them to know she shopped at thrift stores. “I don’t remember.” She replied. Cheerleader Girl flipped her movie-star blonde hair with her manicured hand and began texting away on her cell phone. “Probably some lame local place.” She said as she rolled her sapphire eyes. Erikah slid down further into her seat and ran her fingers through her plain brown hair. “Why didn’t God make me rich and beautiful like them?” She thought.

During science class when everyone was choosing a lab partner, all the popular kids scrambled for each other, leaving her with Carl Smitty… the geekiest kid in the whole school. Erikah sighed as she made her way over to his table. “Big surprise...” She mumbled to herself. “Aaaaalright students, today we will be studying bacterial growth.” Their teacher, Mr. Clarkson said. “Oh, cool!” One of the boys shouted. “Thank you for your enthusiasm, Jason; now please be seated.” Mr. Clarkson said firmly. “This is fascinating.” Carl said as he looked up from his microscope. The class immediately broke out into an eruption of laughter. Some prankster had put something black on the eyepiece of the microscope, leaving a dark ring around his eye. “Hey Smitty, did somebody punch you in the face again?” A boy named Mike yelled. “Order! There will be order in this classroom!” Their teacher bellowed. “Carl, go and wash that off and come right back.” Carl’s face glowed red with embarrassment as he trudged out of the room.

Nearly all the kids spent the whole bus ride home making fun of Carl and some of the other less popular people at school. Erikah didn’t find it the least bit funny, but she laughed along with them anyway.

Last Winter

Here are the pictures I took at our house after the ice storm last winter. Cuz I can't think of anything else to post right now LOL.

Little Something While Ya Wait

Sorry I haven't been posting lately... I am still in the midst of a situation that leaves little time for my imagination to think up anything blog-worthy. But I will leave you with this thought for the time being...

Proverbs 25:9 says, "Debate thy cause with thy neighbor himself; and discover not a secret to another." If we have a problem with someone, God tells us that we should talk to them about it instead of gossiping to our friends. This is something that is easily forgotten, especially by me.

It's Ready!

My new social network website is up and running now, so be sure and check it out! http://mytomodachizone.ning.com/