up until now; as recently as the present
dad; daddy; papa; pa; pop
modern times; the modern age; this day and age
even if; if; though; despite; even
definitely; absolutely; without doubt; absolute; unconditional
to write (prose, etc.); to compile (an anthology)
mum; mom; mummy; the missus
lately; recently; nowadays
engaging in (work); pursuing (e.g. studies); following (a profession); being involved in
third year (college) student; junior
to graduate from a university
aimlessly; unexpectedly (showing up); slowly swaying; staggering; moving feebly
to find out; to discover; to select; to pick out; to look out (from the inside); to be wide-eyed (in surprise, anger, etc.)
ex post facto report; report after the event
scholarship; stipend; bursary; student loan
last month; previous month
to have a taste for; to be fond of; to enjoy (in moderation); to be modest; to be prudent; to watch (e.g. one's behaviour)
drinking at home (as opposed to going out)
being produced in a particular region; local specialty
cuisine with fresh seafoods
sashimi (raw sliced fish, shellfish or crustaceans)
dried fish (or shellfish, etc.)
rolled Japanese-style omelette
good-bye; see you later; bye-bye; then; and then; and
granny; grandma; gran; old lady; old woman
rice cracker; senbei; Japanese cracker; rice cookie; wafer
to come of age; to become an adult; to become fully qualified; to stand on one's own
easy to drink; easy to swallow; quaffable
shōchū highball; cocktail of shōchū with tonic water
helm; (ship's) steering wheel
to dodge (e.g. a question); to evade; to sidestep; to give (someone) the slip
to blow up (i.e. wind); to blow upwards; to spout into the air
to carry (a child) on one's back; to piggyback; (arch.) to take on (a job, responsibility, etc.)
private enterprise; private business; private company; private firm; private-sector business; private-sector corporation
expert; knowledgeable person; authority (on a subject)
comprehensive; inclusive; encompassing
engine; agency; organisation; system; facility