Staying organized for school can be a hassle, especially when you have so much going on. When you have a job, school, a sport, church, plus the numerous clubs and musical productions you have top attend to, you don’t really have that much time. One thing that can really help you schedule your events and many special occasions is a planner. I know, I know, “A planner? What am I, thirty?” But you have to realize that planners are a key component in staying organized for school. It helps you keep track of events, reminder, and your homework you have for your four or more classes. It also has helpful calendars so you don’t forget what day it is. Many planners like the Plahahead planner- recommended by Mcgraw-Hill textbook you use in school- is a great tool to use for organization. It has a student resource section of the planner that has a map, periodic table, and tips on how to study for school. You can buy it for about four dollars at your local Big Lots while supplies last.

Another useful thing is the night. The time between getting home from school and going to bed can be greatest tool to staying organized. Think about it: you have all the time in the world (at night) to get everything you need done, but in the mornings you have about an hour or so to get ready for school. Usually you’re running out to the bus, but you still forgot your textbook for world history. This probably wouldn’t have happened if you would have planned ahead the night before. You save so much time and worry by setting your clothes out the night before. Another thing that helps is to pack your lunch the night before as well so it can be nice and cold for the next day. It helps so much so you can get dressed and maybe take a shower the next morning in a timely manner. One more thing you can do (and you can even do this after you’re already in bed about to go to sleep) is go through the next day in your head. Figure out what you’re going to do in each class, what you’re going to eat for breakfast, what you want to do in practice. It helps more than you know because you are prepared.

To be healthy and fully rested helps keep you’re head on during the school day as well. For one, you never miss school due to being sick and you don’t fall asleep during class. It also keeps you more alert and focused, letting you soak in the wonderful lesson from your teachers.

Now that I’ve given you ideas on how to stay organized, make sure to use it to the best you can!

Did you know that Bugs Bunny was actually a saving grace for Schlesinger Productions (Later to be known as Warner Bros.)? After many failed attempts to create a cartoon character that the audience would be partial to, finally they introduced the rabbit to audiences, giving it a high laugh and pitchy voice that voice actor Mel Blanc would use later for the character, Woody the Woodpecker. The rabbit itself (still not named) was entirely white unlike the later version that we know and love.

Bugs was given his name after Bugs Hardaway, one of the directors of Hare-um Scare-um. One of the lead animators, Charlie Thorson, named Bugs “Bugs’ Bunny” implying that Bugs bunny was his property and should get credit for it. Ever since then, Bugs has been known as Bugs Bunny.

Bugs has been featured in many carton shorts, movies and television shows over the last eighty decades. He has been featured in “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” in the 1980’s skydiving off a building as the main character of the movie falls from a ledge. He was also featured in Space Jam as a basketball player that helps Michael Jordan defeat an evil villain.

Bugs Bunny also possesses magical powers that can be used only for good. With these powers, he can bend into any shape, amend reality at will, and defy the laws of physics. Even though he possesses these powers – as I stated above – he can only use them for good. When he tries to use his powers for evil or for mischievous reasons, they disappear. Known to be wise and cunning, Bugs Bunny is also one of the smartest cartoon characters of all time. No matter what seems to come against him, he always finds a way out of the problem.

Bugs Bunny will always be known and has become a Loony Toon Legend! He was the first ever cartoon character to get his own postage stamp, he has a star on Hollywood Blv. and loves carrots! So, what’s up doc?

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Disney’s new music collection of 2010 sets the new standard for teen music in Disney Mania 7 as it is released on March 9th, 2010. Featuring Disney stars such as Demi Lavato, Selena Gomez, Mitchel Musso, and Drew Seeley putting a new tune to old songs that many people consider classics. Though there are many opinions of the new album, Sparkling Stars decided to tell you what we thought about Disney Mania 7.

Disney Mania 7 featured many known Disney stars singing re-makes of original Disney songs. Though some versions are not as good as the original, many stars on the album were able to pull-off a new and improved way to rock out the songs we all know and love. Some songs, like Hakuna Matata performed by Debby Ryan, created a different side of the song because they took an up-beat song and created a slower, down to earth feel; she pulled it off amazingly.

Other songs, such as Under the Sea re-done by BooBoo Stewart, were a disappointment due to the fact that this song had been previously re-made by another Disney Channel singer, Raven Simone. Raven gave the song a Jamaican-like sound, closer to the original version sung in ‘The Little Mermaid’ where as BooBoo gave the song a rock-like feel which regrettably did not sound as good.

All in all, the album is a success in the eyes of Sparkling Stars. It wasn’t their best album ever but it is still in the top three. If you would like to preview the album, you can listen to samples of the song on Amazon.com, search Disney Mania 7. Thanks for reading Sparkling stars album review on Disney Mania 7!

Sherlock Holmes- Of course everyone knows who Sherlock Holmes is- how can you not? Sherlock Holmes was mostly known for his famous mystery solving as one of the most famous detectives known to England and America. Sherlock Holmes’ story has been told in countless books, cartoons and comics over the years since created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Originally published in the late 1880’s, Sherlock Holmes’ life is recorded by his cohort Watson. The story is fictional of course, but the books in which Sir Arthur Conan Doyle wrote are structured in such a way that makes it feel real.

Scooby Doo- Scooby Doo where are you? The Scooby gang is one of the most famously known detective agencies (other than Olsen and Olsen Mystery Agency featuring Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen) since the seventies. Fred- the hot-shot, Velma- the brains, Daphne- the damsel in distress, Shaggy- the cowardly stoner, and Scooby- the face of the mystery gang. The group of friends always traveled together in a retro-looking van called The Mystery Machine. They would go out on assignments or just take a vacation and find themselves caught up in a mystery. This group has been broadcasted as a T.V. show and countless movies becoming a national phenomenon for the last few decades.

Harriet the Spy- The second detective is the infamous Harriet the Spy. Though the title says “spy” she is really more of a detective as she tries to solve the problems of her local neighbors. Starting as a book written by Louise Fitzhugh, Harriet the spy became a famous journalistic detective who like to get her nose into things that definitely were not her business. In 1996, Harriet the Spy hit the big screen with a live action movie; about Harriet who is always looking for adventure, she studies her local neighborhood drama, always keeping a journal of their activities. This journal was considered absolutely top secret for it contained all of her thoughts and opinions of everyone around her including her best friends. When the journal lands in the wrong hands, Harriet gets into a lot of trouble. She goes though trials that might be considered the worst troubles of her life. Due to her nosiness, she briefly loses her best friends, losing her adored nanny Ole, going to counseling and even losing her right to keep a diary! This story of a girl in the seventh grade inspires many young people to have a sneaky side and discover their inner detective and spy.

Batman- I’m pretty sure you know of Batman, otherwise known as The Dark Knight. If you are not aware of this famous marvel comic book character, here is some information. Batman is the rich Bruce Wayne of Gotham City who becomes a defender of good and deliverer of justice to those who deserve it. Unlike Superman, Batman doesn’t have any powers what-so-ever. He prowls the night, solving crime for the local police department. Batman is forced to hide his identity to protect his loved ones. On the occasion, Batman will take up a cohort, most famous one of all being a young man Dick Grayson/Timothy Drake also known as Robin. Batman is also an inspirational character to those who want to be a superhero by using brains, detecive skills, and athletic ability.

These famous fictional detectives inspired many people to work in the detection or crime solving field. Many of these shows and characters showed many people over the years to solve problems for themselves or make a difference in the lives of others. The detective business is a great career to be a part of and shows and fictional characters like these help inspire those types of dreams. I hope by reading about these famous fictional detectives gave you a broader perspective of what it means to be a detective!

Other great detectives!
Nancy Drew
The Hardy Boys
Detective Conan’s Shinichi Kudo/Conan Edogawa (Jimmy Kudo)
Detective Conan’s Heiji Hattori (Harley Hartwell)
Simon and Simon’s A.J. & Rick Simon
Diagnosis Murder’s Mark Sloan
And so many more!

Credit for the drawings go to: Aeterne (Sherlock Holmes), Dpdagger (Scooby-Doo), Kicksatanout (Harriet the Spy), Spiderguile (Batman), and Medge (Magnifying Glass and Books).

Electronics
Nikon Coolpix S70 12.1MP Digital Camera with 3.5-inch OLED Touch Screen
The IPOD Touch 8m
The Macbook laptop
The Nintendo DSI (including built in camera)
POD NANo w/ camera

Movies
Seventeen Again
The Unborn
The Hannah Montana Movie
Up
Orphan
Coraline
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian

Music
Taylor Swift- Fearless
Flyleaf- Momento Mori
Paramore-Brand New Eyes
New Boyz- Skinny Jeans And A Mic
Miley Cyrus- Time Of Our Lives

So, whether or celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, solstice, or if it’s just your birthday, here are some awesome Ideas for your ’09 Wishlist