Sabtu, 21 Juni 2008

Sonic the Hedgehog, Long Live The Legend

by: Kristen Crane

Sonic the Hedgehog truely is a legendary video game icon. He smashed his way onto the gaming scene back in 1991 when SEGA first brought you the super fast, blue blur character.

Known for his rebellious attitude and signature speed, Sonic has made a name for himself in the gaming world and has no plans of fading away anytime soon.

Not only can you find Sonic games on the original SEGA console, you can find Sonic games on next generation consoles including the Wii, PS3, PSP and Xbox 360.

Sonic and the Secret Rings was released for the Wii console on February 20, 2007. Sonic brought his trademark speed and rebellious attitude to the Wii in his first solo adventure since he was first introduced, back in 1991. The gameplay is simple, but challenging and sonic soars through the game at top speeds!

Sonic the Hedgehog is the title for the Xbox 360 and PS3 consoles. This video game was created in order to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise. It was released November 14, 2006 for the Xbox 360 and January 30, 2007 for the Xbox 360.

Sonic Rivals was released November 24, 2006 for the PSP handheld console. Custom built for the Playstation Portable, Sonic Rivals is a unique head-to-head racing experience!

While these newer games are all the rage, you can also find great sonic games on other consoles as well, including the PS2, Gamecube, Xbox, Gameboy Advance and Nintendo DS. The SEGA mascot brings fun and excitement to all the video games and drags some friends along for the fun. Some friends included are Miles Tails Prower, Amy Rose Hedgehog, Shadow the Hedgehog, Knuckles Echidna and Cream the Rabbit. And, of course, Sonic's arch enemy, Dr. Eggman, shoves his way into games as well.

Oh, but wait! The fun does'nt stop there. Die hard Sonic the Hedgehog fans have created fun and exciting Sonic Flash Games for gamers to play online. They are browser based games that are creative, fun and addicting. Yes, you may find yourself playing these games for hours on end! One of my favorite Sonic Online Games is Ultimate Flash Sonic. It's an amazing remake of the classic SEGA Genesis game, Sonic the Hedgehog.

To learn more about Sonic the Hedgehog games and play Sonic games online, visit the Ultimate Sonic the Hedgehog Fan Site, http://www.SonicGame.info

Refinance Your Student Loans

by: Sarah Russell

If you’ve recently graduated from college, you’ve probably been bombarded with mailings and advertisements urging you to refinance (or consolidate) your student loans right away. But wait, what is loan consolidation? And why should you do it?

If you’ve just graduated from college, you’ve probably got a number of different student loans, all in different amounts from different lenders at different interest rates. Loan consolidators (which can be private banks, lenders or government agencies) pay off all your individual loans in exchange for a single loan in the same amount issued to you. So now instead of all those different loans, you’ve got one loan that you repay to the consolidator.

Refinancing your student loans reduces your monthly payments and locks in a fixed interest rate. In most cases, student loans have variable interest rates set a few points below prime. As interest rates go up, so will the interest rate on your loans. When you refinance your loans, you lock in an interest rate based on the current market conditions that will be set for the life of your loan. Therefore, it’s important to evaluate the market before making the decision to consolidate. Right now, interest rates are low, but they’re going up and most economists predict that they’ll continue to go up for awhile. So for many people, this is a good time to refinance.

Your credit history will also determine your eligibility for loan consolidation programs. Loan consolidators can be picky in who they accept for their programs, so the option to refinance is usually only available to individuals who have established good credit by paying their loans back on time. If you’ve missed payments or made payments consistently late, you may not be offered the best terms, if you’re accepted at all. If your application is denied the first time, call the consolidator and talk to a loan officer about the reason for your rejection. The officer may offer you advice on how to qualify for their program at a later date.

If you decide to refinance, be sure to consolidate federal loans and private loans separately from each other. When you consolidate your loans, you’re typically offered a rate that’s 1-2% lower than the average rate of your loans. Federal student loans often carry much lower interest rates than private loans, so consolidating them together can bring up the average interest rate of your loans and leave you with a higher fixed rate locked in. If you only have one private loan, it may not make a difference, but it’s important to assess your options before committing to refinance.

Is there anyone who shouldn’t consolidate? Let’s look at a scenario. Tracy has 2 loans for $5,000 each that are scheduled to be paid off within 5 years. She can afford to make her monthly payments but wants to see if she can save a little extra cash each month by consolidating. She finds out that she can refinance the loans into a $10,000 consolidation loan to lower her monthly payments and she’ll be eligible to extend her payments over 8 years. But because she’s extended the life of her loans, she’ll be paying interest over a longer period of time and may wind up paying more overall than if she had kept her loans as they were.

It is tempting to pay less per month but if you can afford to pay off your loans in a shorter period of time, then you’ll likely save money on interest in the long run. Obviously every situation is different and you won’t find all your answers in a short article like this. But if you think loan consolidation might be right for you, check out the Student Loan Network’s site at Studentloanconsolidator.com for more information or speak with a loan officer or financial planner to see what your options are.

Getting a Job as a Teen

by: Sarah Russell

If, like most teens, you’re looking for a little extra cash for the movies or the mall – or for something larger like a car or college – you’ve probably thought about getting a job. Getting a job as a teen can be a great way to build up your resume and demonstrate your reliability and dependability to colleges and future employers. But before you embark on the glamorous lifestyle of hairnets and fast food, take the time to learn about the process of getting a job and decide whether or not it’s right for you.

Before you start looking for a job, you’ve got to find out if you can legally work as a teen. Every state has child labor laws which may limit the jobs you can do based on your age and the number of hours you can work during the school year or summer break. In most cases, you’ll be required to fill out a student work permit in order to work as a teen. Check with your schools or local government offices for more information.

You’ve also got to consider whether or not you can handle a job on top of your regular commitments. It’s hard to work as a teen. When you get a job, you’re expected to show up for your shifts, whether you’ve got a big exam the next day or a big date scheduled for the same night. You’ve got to go to work when you don’t feel like it, and you’ve got to keep up with your nightly homework on top of everything. Be realistic with yourself – if you’re already struggling to keep your grades up, a part-time job probably isn’t best for you.

If you’re legally able to work, it’s time to start looking for a job. If you’ve got friends who are already working, ask them which employers are good to work for and which ones aren’t. Search your local newspaper for part-time listings or walk into your favorite stores and ask if they’re hiring. It’s best to apply for lots of jobs, including ones you want and ones you’d just be okay with, since you won’t get every job you apply for. Always look your best and be polite with everyone you talk to when you’re applying for jobs.

If an employer is interested in you, you may be called for an interview. Interviews can be scary, but you can do a little preparation ahead of time to be ready. Most employers will want to know what you think are your strengths and weaknesses, what interests you in the position and what kind of schedule you’ll be able to keep. Never, ever lie to the interviewer, but be realistic with your answers. Remember, the goal of the interview is to find out if you’re a good match for the job.

If you’re offered a job, you’ll probably also talk about your schedule and the amount of money you’ll be paid. You’ll get an introduction to the business and be briefed on what your responsibilities will be. Pay close attention during your training and speak up if you have any questions. If there’s anything you feel uncomfortable with, let your manager know – you may be able to take on other tasks instead.

Check in with yourself regularly once you start working. If you feel overwhelmed, talk to your manager and see if you can reduce your hours or change the nights that you work. However, you’ve got to respect that your manager has his/her own needs in running the business and may not be able to accommodate you. If not, you may need to find another job. If your grades are slipping, it’s time to seriously consider whether you should be working or not. You can always make a little extra money with odd jobs like babysitting and yard work that you can do on your own time.

And speaking of the extra money, why not put some of it into a savings account? Sure, spend a little on a new pair of jeans, but by setting a little aside for more important things, you’ll be developing financial skills that will help you tremendously as an adult.

8 Tips For College Students Wanting To Apply For A Credit Card

by: Mario Churchill

High school life is over. You’ve moved away from home and you’re starting a brand new chapter in your life with college. Independence feels great, but it’s sure to feel greater if you’ve got your own credit card, don’t you think?

8 Tips for College Students Wanting to Apply for a Credit Card

Here’s what you can do to make the credit card application process as hassle-free as possible.

Tip #1 Prepare proof of identification. Have your photos ready as well as all your valid IDs. Credit card companies will always have to verify that you are indeed who you say you are before you can proceed any further. IDs where your age is stated are also preferred because you have to prove you’re at least 18 years old as well. If you have any bills under your name, take them with you as well because they can serve as proof of residence.

Tip #2 Prepare proof of schooling. Credit card companies generally prefer to issue credit cards to students who belong to accredited colleges and universities. If you belong to such a school then you’re in luck. If not, you can compensate it by showing your previous records – if they’re excellent, that is. Just like when you’re applying for a driver’s license, credit card issuers also take academic and extra-curricular excellence as a sign of maturity and trustworthiness in your part.

Tip #3 Prepare proof of financial assets. Student credit cards tend to charge higher rates than usual, but you might be qualified for lower rates if you’re already working or you have money and a bank account in your name. Either way, make sure you can submit documentary proof of your work or assets.

Tip #4 Speaking of interest rates, the first thing you should look for in a credit card is the lowest possible interest rates. This might mean not being able to enjoy a reward-based credit card, but at your age, you might not yet afford the higher rates charged by credit cards offering reward points. If you see a 0% APR credit card, make sure to check how long the offer would last and what the standard APR is afterwards.

Tip #5 A number of credit cards allows you to apply even without a cosigner, but some of them tend to have stricter application requirements. If you don’t want to go through the trouble of submitting additional requirements, simply ask your parent or legal guardian to act as your guarantor when you apply for a credit card.

Tip #6 Always look for a credit card that allows you to manage your account online. This will allow you to check your account balance regularly and know when and how much you have to pay for your credit card every month.

Tip #7 There are a few additional perks that you might deem necessary. If you are fond of shopping online, look for a credit card that offers you fraud liability guarantee at no extra cost. Other credit cards offer you “thank you” points for being a prompt payer.

Tip #8 Now that you know what you need from a credit card, find one that matches your preferences and then submit your application. Remember to be courteous and answer all their questions honestly. You’re sure to have your application approved in no time. Have fun with responsible swiping!

Ever See A Plant That MOVES When You TICKLE IT?

by: Larry Chipkin

Ever Grow the Plant That MOVES When You TICKLE It?

“Daddy come quick my plant just moved when I tickled it” my daughter Rebecca screams from her bedroom. You can imagine the excitement in the house. My daughter Rebecca and I have successfully grown TickleMe Plants™ that close their leaves and lower their branches when we tickle them. With proper care they can even produce pink puff ball flowers

Here is all you have to do to grow your own TickleMe Plant™!

Materials:
* TickleMe Plant™ Seeds
* Flower pot or cup with hole on the bottom
* Soil

Directions:
1. The day before you plant your seeds, soak them in warm water overnight.
2. Fill a flower pot or cup ¾ of the way with soil.
3. Plant three to five seeds by covering them with 1/8 inch of soil.
4. Water your seeds gently.
5. Place your newly planted seeds in a room that receives bright light or sunlight for part of the day.
6. Temperatures in the room should be above 70 degrees.
7. Water before the soil dries out.
8. That’s it! Your plants will begin to grow in less than a week.

The first two leaves will not be ticklish. In about three weeks, the second set of TickleMe Plant™ leaves will appear and they will move when you tickle them. TickleMe Plants™ are best grown as house plants and can even be placed in a bright location outside during the warmer months. They are frost sensitive, so be sure to bring them inside before the cold weather arrives. They produce pink puff ball flowers.

TickleMe Plants™ can live for a year or more and grow to about one foot plus in height.

Native to Brazil, TickleMe Plants can be found growing wild there and in other tropical areas. The scientific name for the TickleMe Plant™ is Mimosa pudica. It also has been called shy grass, sensitive plant and other names throughout the world.

To learn about the natural history of the TickleMe Plant™ go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sensitive_plant

Don’t be surprised if you find yourself and your children more sensitive to plants. To learn more about growing TickleMe Plants™ or to order seeds go to www.TickleMePlant.com

Hottiedots! Brand Beauty Marks!

by: Miki Lanese

One of the hottest new products to be introduced on the beauty scene this year is Hottiedots! the glamorous peel-and-stick beauty marks owned by Primp Co. of Orange, CA

Hottiedots! are great for women of all ages but they are especially creating fun for the hip "tween" market! Their love affair with Hottiedots! has already started and is sure to explode within this demographic segment following upcoming marketing and advertising campaigns being generated in the weeks ahead.

What Can You Expect with Hottiedots!? Instant Beauty that last!

Thanks to NEW Hottiedots! brand beauty marks you can apply the perfect color for you in seconds! Hottiedots! stay on until you take them off. There's no smearing, no smudging and no re-touching. Go on! Be creative and have that exotic beauty mark all day and all night long!

Hottiedots! Are All About FUN!!!

"I never noticed that fabulous beauty mark next to your lips" Your beauty mark on your cheek is so cool!" Your friends will want to know all about it! It is so much fun to decide just where you will put Hottiedots! What kind of mood will it suggest? Playful? Exotic? Unique?

Hottiedots! are Safe Glam that is Instant and Easy to Use!!

Hottiedots! are specially formulated, skin tested material, backed with a safe, non-toxic body adhesive. There is no permanence, no objection from parents when it comes to wearing Hottiedots! When it is time to remove them simply peel off and discard. For more information, go to http://www.hottiedots.com/faq.html.

The BEAUTY of Hottiedots! Is Timeless!

Once you choose the perfect shade you will always enjoy wearing a beauty mark with confidence! Hottiedots! are 16 to a package and created in 3 delightful colors:

* Midnight Kiss- Off Black
* Chocolate Kiss- Dark Brown
* Toasted Kiss- Light Brown

And coming soon- Glitter Hottiedots! in Stars and Hearts in pastel colors for the young girls who want a touch of Glitter and Glam!

New Hottiedots! Are Definitely Pop Culture!

For countless decades wearing a Beauty Mark has been a sign of allure and continues to add glamour for women of all ages. Read about it at http://www.hottiedots.com/history.html. Hottiedots! make it easy for girls and ladies to add that perfect touch, no fuss, no mess. Exclusively available at http://www.hottiedots.com.

Teen Chat: 7 Ways O Believe In Yourself – Part 2

by: Christine McGogy

Hi Teens:

Check out a better way to look at yourself!

Here are some examples of adjectives to describe a better way of thinking about yourself. Throw out those old, dark sunglasses you have been wearing and put on a pair of new, super, great-quality sunglasses that will let you see yourself in a much better light!

Alert Appreciative Attentive

Caring Compassionate Considerate Courteous Curious

Determined Dependable Disciplined

Endurable Enthusiastic

Fair Faithful Flexible Friendly

Generous Grateful Gentle

Helpful Handy Honest Hardworking

Imaginative Joyful Just

Kind Loyal Loving

Organized Outgoing Open-minded

Punctual Patient Persevering Positive

Resilient Resourceful Reliable Respectful

Sense of Humor

Trusting Trustworthy Truthful Tolerant

Understanding

Start giving yourself the credit you deserve.

Notice the things you do well every day.

Recognize that you get to school on time every day, pay attention in class, and take care of your school assignments. These actions show commitment, responsibility, organization, an open mind, self-reliance, and more.

How are you getting along with people? Do you show your friends you care about them? Do you remember people's birthdays? Do you speak well of others? If you do, you are demonstrating kindness, caring, honesty, generosity, and thankfulness.

Please take the time to think about how many positive words you could use to describe the things you do with the above adjectives and add some more. Since we aren't trained to think this way, we need to rethink our thinking!

Also, please go back to what you wrote earlier about situations that you were in and comments that were made about you, and change the unhelpful me-beliefs to more supporting ones!

Do write down all the positive attributes you can think of about yourself starting with "I am" and then say them out loud.

YOU CAN CHOOSE TO REPLACE THE OLD, UNHELPFUL ME-BELIEFS WITH NEW, HEALTHY, SUPPORTING BELIEFS!

Tip #1: Be aware of your old negative beliefs, because those beliefs have kept you in your comfort zone. If you start believing in yourself, you will go and try out for the volleyball team. Of course, there is always a chance that things won't turn out the way you want them to, and then you'll have to deal with disappointment, something that is outside your comfort zone. It's far more comfortable to stay where you are then to take a chance. Most people have built-in resistance inside of them, and it keeps them where they are with negative me-beliefs. Be aware of this resistance and be prepared to fight it! You are enough!

Tip #2: Before falling asleep and when you wake up, think three positive thoughts about yourself. To help you remember to do that, write the number 3 on a piece of paper and put it by your bed.

“You're a perfectly valuable, creative, worth-while person simply because you exist.”
St. Francis de Sales

“You can be pleased with nothing when you are not pleased with yourself.”
Lady Mary Wortley Montagu


“I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship.”
Louisa May Alcott

“Love yourself first and everything else falls into line. You really have to love yourself to get anything done in this world.”
Lucille Ball

“Contrary to popular thinking, being worthy isn't something you earn, it's something you recognize. And once you do, you won't be able to think, speak
or behave in any other way than as if what you most wanted was meant to be.”
Mike Dooley

This article is part of the Teenacity Teen Chat Guide “Get what you want and break free” – 6 ways to help you unleash your greatness no matter what your life is like now! Go to HTTP://WWW.TEENACITY.COM – The # 1 Place for Teens – Where You Are Accepted For Who You Are – and get your copy now free of charge!