not all bad; not as dissatisfied (or annoyed) as one would have others believe; not completely displeasing; fairly pleasing
imitation; fake; phony; pseudo-
close; intimate; on good terms
profile; face in profile; face seen from the side; (personal) profile; (biographical) sketch; outline (of someone's life)
leaving (on, open, unfinished, etc.); (doing) continuously; constantly; keep ...-ing
one face; one surface; the whole surface; one aspect; one side; (on) the other hand; one broad, flat object
desperation; struggle to the death
setting the table; laying the table; setting up; getting one's ducks in a row; running interference
(in the) palm of someone's hand; (under) someone's complete control; (at) someone's mercy
from what I've heard; according to reports; from what they say
important person; influential figure; big shot; big thing; big one; big game
mankind; the human creature; fellow creatures
(reciprocal) communication; (coming to a) mutual understanding
trivial; not amounting to much; not a big deal
local specialty or souvenir bought as a gift while travelling; present brought by a visitor; something unpleasant that one is given (e.g. an illness while on vacation); unwelcome gift
to loosen the reins; to let up on (someone)
to change (with time, the ages, the seasons, etc.); to shift
to bloom; to blossom; to become lively (esp. of conversation); to become animated; to experience a golden age
fine weather; fair weather
fallen leaves; leaf litter; falling leaves
district; region; the country; countryside; civilian society
Chinese "star" constellation (one of the 28 mansions); Singapore
type (of goods); sort; (taxonomical) form; breed; variety
euphoria; eudemonia; euphoric
ingredient; component; composition
to boil; to decoct; to infuse
tea (esp. green or barley); tea break; teatime; tea ceremony
taste; feel on the tongue; manner; demeanour; demeanor
round; circular; spherical; mellow (flavour, voice, etc.); mild; smooth
enthusiast; fan; lover; devotee; aficionado
prizing; valuing highly; esteeming
royalty and titled nobility
great erudition; extensive knowledge; vast stock of knowledge
(for) one's own use; personal use; private use
to be bulky; to be unwieldy; to grow voluminous
preservation; conservation; storage; save (to storage)
talkativeness; garrulity; loquacity
white heat; incandescence; (emitting) white light; becoming excited; getting heated (e.g. of a discussion); reaching a climax
to lend an ear; to hearken; to give an ear to; to listen carefully
to get used to seeing; to become accustomed to seeing; to be familiar with