now that you mention it; come to think of it; that reminds me; on that subject; speaking of which
junior high school; middle school; lower secondary school
early summer; fourth month of the lunar calendar
(in the) neighbourhood; neighborhood; around; about; for instance; say
taking an examination (esp. school and university entrance)
to interfere (with); to hinder; to be hindered (from doing); to become impeded; to have difficulty; to suffer inconvenience
thinking; thought; idea; notion; intention; plan
don't you think?; indicates question
foreign; abroad; overseas
admiration; being impressed; admirable; praiseworthy; astonishment; being appalled
to speak; to say; to vocalize
embarrassed; self-conscious; bashful; abashed
metropolitan; managed by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government
have to (verb); must (verb); is indispensable; absolutely necessary
envious; jealous; enviable (position, etc.)
to go to and from (a place); to go back and forth between; to go to (school, work, etc.); to attend; to circulate (e.g. blood, electricity); to be communicated (e.g. thought)
subtle; delicate; difficult; complex; doubtful; questionable
university; college; former central university of Kyoto (established under the ritsuryo system for the training of government administrators); the Great Learning (one of the Four Books)
sympathy; compassion; pity
to come near; to let someone approach; to bring near; to bring together; to deliver (opinion, news, etc.); to send (e.g. a letter); to let someone drop by
extent; degree; limit; bounds; (span of) time; (a) distance; the state of
thickheaded; insensitive; dull; thick-skinned
to wager; to bet; to risk; to stake; to gamble
disposition; temperament; nature; mentality; spirit; character
to resemble; to look like; to be like; to be alike; to be similar; to take after
frustrated (over a failure, humiliation or injustice); annoyed; chagrined; (bitterly) disappointed; bitter; vexed
surplus; margin; leeway; composure; placidity; complacency
absurd; unreasonable; extreme; senseless; disorderly; chaotic
trip abroad; overseas travel
here and there; all around; everywhere; to get things in the wrong order (back to front); to become muddled up
to meet (by chance); to come across; to meet (e.g. of rivers, highways, etc.); to emerge and engage (an enemy)
to be open (to traffic); to lead to; to flow (liquid, current); to pass; to be understood; to be comprehended; to be honored
enjoyable; fun; pleasant; happy; delightful
first of all; at once; right away; for now; for the time being
to be able to manage somehow or another
to underrate; to make light of
poor (at); weak (in); not very good (at); not one's cup of tea; not one's favorite
English conversation; school for English conversation
self-confidence; confidence (in oneself)