By Jennifer Droese
 
From tweeting on Twitter to religiously following the Twilight saga, after polling 4,500 people, check out the countdown to the number one obsession they couldn't get enough of in 2009.
 

 

#10: Zhu Zhu Pets

Meet Patches, Chunk, PipSqueak, Mr. Squiggles and Num Nums, lifelike hamster toys known as Zhu Zhu pets. They are cute, furry and every kid wants one. In addition to five hamsters, customers can purchase accessories such as the Hamster Funhouse, Wheel and Tunnel right down to the Hamster Mobile and Garage. These pets allow kids the ability to create custom hamster habitats, while giving them a simulated pet experience. In the end, less mess, no shedding and countless hours of hamster fun...plus they can’t get squished.

#9: Energy Drinks
 

Everyone needs a little ‘pick me up’ now days. Energy drinks have continued to be all the craze this year. From the various energy-packed drinks out there, one of the top selling picks is Red Bull. College students and adults alike, there’s no wonder why the can filled with energy goodness is such a hit.

#8: Dancing with the Stars

No, we aren’t talking astronomy here. Dancing with the Stars, a popular dance competition show on ABC which first aired in 2005 features celebrities paired with partners who compete with vigorous dance routines. Originating in the UK, the show because a hit with A-list American celebrities. The couples fight for top spots to strive to avoid elimination. Currently, the show is in its ninth season. Some dancers include Cheryl Burke, Kelly Osbourne, Aaron Carter and Emmitt Smith.

#7: Nintendo Wii

Welcome to a revolutionized world of playing video games. Nintendo launched this system in 2006, and has sold millions worldwide. Wii is the first fully interactive game which allows the user to be physically active and more stimulatingly involved while playing a game. Hand controls allow a player to swing, jump, hit, or kick objects in the game. Talk about a new entertaining way to stay fit; this brings a whole new meaning to the term “active gamer.”

#6: Smart Cars

As gas prices increase and the amount of money in people’s pockets dwindle, many people have resorted to trading in their gas-hogging vehicles for Smart Cars. Not only do they have a better economic impact, but they are compact, and get sufficient mileage per gallon. Smart Cars have similar features as gas cars such as an anti-lock braking system, skid control, and a 5-speed manual transmission. The cars, which cost roughly the same as a normal car, average $13,000 to $20,000. The cars are designed with more unique features such as the Hill Start Assist, which allows the driver to pull away on a hill without applying the hand brake. Once the foot is lifted from the brake, HSA holds the brake for several seconds to give the driver time to move their foot to the accelerator. There are other avid features that make this car brilliant. Now that’s one smart car.

#5: Facebook and Twitter

Tweet, tweet it’s Twitter. With more than 5,338,245 active users Twitter has become increasingly popular alongside Facebook, another social networking site. Facebook allows users to add photos and upload home videos, where as Twitter consists mainly of status updates. The number of members of these sites has increased dramatically. People now have their messages forwarded to mobile phones. Warning though, both are addicting: the need to update everyone on your current status is apparently overwhelmingly necessary. Enough said.

#4: Michael Jackson and Taylor Swift
 

Okay, so he died, and she won a CMA, the public is at a complete hype over these two musical entertainers. One star dims yet inspires many while another star continually shines. Young in her music career, Taylor Swift has been through it all. From rapper interruptions to winning a CMA, yet she remains under much criticism for her success. While many celebrate her achievements, they remember one's life. Michael Jackson, like Swift, has had many musical accomplishments including songs such as “Thriller and “Billie Jean.” Jackson’s death has been continually publicized while under investigation. Swift too, has been in the limelight with her current winnings. Both, contributing greatly to the music world, and will continue to be worshipped by their fans. Dead or alive, winning or losing, seems as if this ‘King of Pop’ and ‘Juliet’ will remain a thriller for quite some time. 

#3: Brett Favre
 

Is he purple or green, or somewhere in between? Is he retiring, or lying or simply not deciding? Brett Favre hasn’t been number four lately, but rather number three. Given his recent switch from the Green Bay Packers to the Minnesota Vikings, Brett has got some ex-fans in a huff. Some die-hard Brett fans have made the switch from Packer fans to rooting for the Vikings. Many have moved on all together. For now, many Brett fans are still rooting for the number 4, despite the fact his jersey is no longer green.

#2: Swine Flu

So much hand sanitizer yet not enough vaccines. A panic epidemic that has swept the nation continues to be a top story. When Swine flu first surfaced, many people pointed fingers immediately at Miss Piggy. With the confusion, scientists have renamed this flu, H1N1. What most people don’t realize is too much sanitizer destroys the normal flora bacteria that humans need to fight off infections. For now, the public will still be obsessed with Swine Flu, sanitizer in hand or not. Rest assured, there will plenty of piggies still to blame.

#1: Twilight

What is a love story without a blood-hungry vampire? The Twilight series is the craze of 2009. Based on the popular book series, the Twilight saga has wowed moviegoers and hardcore Twilight fans alike. The new Twilight movie will be in theatres soon. Merchandise sales have skyrocketed and include items such as T-shirts down to tennis shoes...all this for a romance with a vampire in the twilight? Apparently so.