before one knows it; before one realises; without one's knowledge; without noticing
inside story; the real story (behind something); story not generally known
oh well, fine; fine, I guess; alright, I suppose; OK, then
what is to be done?; what should (I) do?; what (am I) to do?
cavity; hollow; void; hollow (voice, smile, etc.); blank (eyes, look, etc.); vacant (expression, stare, etc.)
to leave (someone) alone; to leave to oneself; to leave (someone) be
spring break; spring vacation
soba noodles eaten at night on New Year's Eve
to stick; to paste; to stretch; to spread; to form (e.g. ice on a pond); to fill; to swell
even if; no matter (what); if; though; although; supposing
near; close; beside; vicinity; proximity; besides
to boil (something in hot water); to treat with medicinal steam (a swelling, etc.)
important; momentous; essential; principal; major
somewhat; to some extent; to some degree; some; part; portion
thirty-first day of the month; thirty-one days
New Year's Eve; December 31
year; counter for years (e.g. of an era), grades (e.g. school); period of an apprentice's contract (usu. ten years)
conclusion; end; completion; summing up; supervision
major cleanup; spring cleaning
busy; hurried; confused; flurried
equipping; installing; fitting; mounting; putting on
osechi; food eaten during the New Year's Holidays
making; producing; appearance (attire, make-up, etc.); build; physique; sashimi
contrary to expectations; or so we thought, but ...
work; operation; manufacturing; fatigue duty
surprise; astonishment; wonder; amazement
frequent; continual; constant; great; intense; strong
pretext; history; past; according to ...; ... says
removing one's hat; admiring someone greatly; "taking off one's hat" to someone
to cut corners; to be shoddy
to boil; to simmer; to stew; to seethe
cooking stove; burner (gas, electric, etc.); range; cooktop; hob
even; even if; even though; because of; on the grounds that
to accomplish; to fulfill; to carry out
to include (in a group or scope); to instruct; to make one understand; to include (a nuance); to put in (an implication); to put in (someone's) mouth
electrically powered; electric
thanks (for coming, helping, etc.); glad you could make it; tiredness; fatigue
physical work; manual labour (labor)
pain; anguish; suffering; duhkha (suffering)
having one's hands full; not having any room to do more; at the limit