Fastmail Review: An Alternative to Gmail

My Fastmail Review in 2015What is Fastmail? I am always looking for alternatives to services in case I want to switch. However, finding an alternative that was as fast and smooth as Gmail was not easy. I tested various other services such as Outlook, GMX, as well as the now closed Lavabit service. My goal was to find a service that was reliable, secure, and more private than Gmail.

My Fastmail Review

I’ve been using Fastmail for a little over two years now, and I’m happy to say that it is a great alternative to Gmail. That’s why I decided to write a small review of some of its features.

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Learn to Read Japanese News Websites

Read Japanese News (Not as hard as you think)Trying to read Japanese news is probably scary for most students of Japanese. Wouldn’t it be great if you could read current Japanese news instead of the usual stuff found in textbooks? I want to talk about some ways and resources that can help you learn to read Japanese news websites and blogs.

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The JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test)

jlpt class study
Are you stuck in your Japanese studies with no motivation? Are you overwhelmed with the amount of material don’t know what to focus on? The JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test) could be what you need to give you a clear goal. It’s not as scary as it sounds, so let’s talk about it.

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Pickup: A Retro Mega Man Toy Surprise

Retro Mega Man Box Toys!I had gone out of my way to travel to Osaka’s DenDen Town to make a visit to Super Potato, one of the best retro game shops in Japan, only to discover that the store had relocated somewhere else. I didn’t have time to go to the new location, but I didn’t want to leave empty handed, so I spotted a smaller retro video game store and went inside.
I wanted to pick up a little something to take home and that’s when I discovered a small box with 8 bit Mega Man (Rockman in Japan)  on it. Looking closer, it said “Mega Man Rubber Mascot Collection”.  How could I pass up the opportunity? Find out which Mega Man toy was inside the box!

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Japanese and American School Differences

If you have ever wondered how different the education systems are in the United States and Japan, you are not alone. Many people are curious about the similarities and differences between these two countries, especially when it comes to schooling. I saw a post on Mental Floss that mentioned Japanese and American school differences, and I wanted to do my own version. What’s the deal with school uniforms, and do students really clean their own schools without janitors? Let’s find out!

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Limited Edition Super Mario Gum

Limited Edition Super Mario Gum

Time for something fun. I knew as soon as I saw the news about limited edition Super Mario Bros. gum, I just had to buy it. I showed the announcement to a friend of mine and he said that the gum was sold out at his nearby convenience store. I thought I would test my luck and go to one near me. I was in luck! Both the Mario and Luigi gum were in stock.  Which one tasted the best?

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Guide to Applying for the JET Program

I came across an article on Tofugu about the pros and cons of joining the JET program and wanted to complement that with a small outline and guide to the application process.

For those that don’t know, the JET Program is an organization for people to teach English in Japan. The first year I applied, I made it to the interview and ended up on a waiting list, but didn’t get a placement. The second year I applied, passed, and was placed in a high school in Japan where I worked as an ALT for 5 years. I gained valuable experience and wanted to share some tips with people who are considering JET.

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