one person; one customer; unmarried and childless older woman
competitive entrance examinations for prestigious kindergartens and elementary schools
taking a junior high-school entrance examination
won't (hasn't, isn't, doesn't, etc.); won't you
toilet; lavatory; powder room
person of culture; cultured person
laughing while reminiscing
railway crossing; railroad crossing; starting line; scratch; determination; stepping over the edge of the ring
unexpectedly; suddenly; abruptly
commemorative photograph; souvenir photograph
outskirts (of a town); run-down district
twenty-eighth day of the month; twenty-eight days
one's family (home) background (environment)
to get carried away; to get overly elated; to become over-excited; to get up to speed; to move into gear
bill (at a restaurant); check
there in body, but not in spirit; distracted; in one ear and out the other
to go out for tea (or coffee, etc.)
troupe; theatrical company
not understanding; not knowing
bumping of heads; running into; coming across; encountering
neighborhood; neighbourhood; vicinity
to go with (a companion); to hang out with; to do together
spicy; hot; salty; harsh (criticism); severe (punishment); painful
fully loaded; full load; loaded condition
July; seventh month of the lunar calendar
timidly; nervously; hesitantly; trembling (with fear)
on good terms with; on cordial terms with; getting along well with; to make friends with; to be good friends with; to get along with
to put on (lower-body clothing, e.g. pants, skirt, footwear); to wear; to affix (a sword to one's hip); (arch.) to affix (a bowstring to a bow)
to become stiff (of muscles); to get absorbed in; to develop a passion for; to be elaborate; to be intricate
new work; new production; new composition; new creation; new title
a tiny bit; just a smidgin; a wee bit; very slightly
term; period; time frame; time limit; deadline; cutoff (date)
container; receptacle; case; inserting; putting in
slowly; unhurriedly; without haste; leisurely; at one's leisure
distinction; differentiation; discrimination; discrimination (against people)
mountain stream; valley; dale; wetlands; swamp; marsh
therefore; consequently; accordingly; for that reason