There's definitely something romantic about shooting in film. I found a roll of slide film and decided to develop it. I had no clue when it was shot and what was on it. It turned out to be from my last trip to Japan five years ago. Color was faded, but some are still beautiful pictures because they were from my favorite old city of Kamakura. It was kind of like running into an old lover. Missing a little, but it's something I left behind.

So I really wanted to make it to Bronx Zoo before summer ends. This seemed to be our last chance. Last few times when I asked Taiyo, he didn't want to go there. But this time he agreed. He wanted to go. So we did. But this became a doomed trip. I wanted to try the express bus, but he insisted on subways. Oh boy he loves subways. The ride was smooth and uneventful. But when we got off the station and headed toward the gate, I could see a crowd blocks ahead. It was a donation day, free admission, and it seemed like every large-numbered minority family from five boroughs gathered there for a convention. There was a long line down the block from the entrance, which was inching ahead. As we made a slow progress to the zoo, thunder roared. I managed to purchase an umbrella, just a minute before it began to rain, soon harder and harder. The $4 umbrella was so leaky it was terribly uncomfortable. But soon the line suddenly started moving. People just pushed themselves through the gate, and we were in! But it was raining so hard we just stood under a little tree which wasn't giving us much of refuge for 20 more minutes. Then we just got so sick of standing around, so we went to nearby indoor exhibit. Despite we got a little wet, Taiyo was in good spirit. Then we saw some mice, butterflies, giraffes, rode the bug carousel, and went to eat. By the time we sat down it began to rain steadily again. We were outside but under a roof. We ate, and sat- for a long time. It didn't stop for quite some time. I decided not to look at the clock. Taiyo found some friends - he makes friends everywhere - a cute giggly toddler girl with amazing Afro hair, and older girl with beaded braids. They chased each other around, which was such a cute sight, like kittens playing in a ball. After they left, Taiyo was already tired. I was also wet and tired. I wasn't sure Dinasaur Safari was supposed to be operating in the rain. Even though that was the main reason to go there before the end of summer, we had to let it go. I got him a mini light sword at the gift shop, and we were heading home- when I realized, "Taiyo, where's your kitty?" He took his stuffed kitty with him today "because the kitty's never been to the zoo." This was his favorite grey kitty he slept with almost everyday of his life. The kitty was his baby. The kitty was his love. We lost the kitty. This was a disaster. Taiyo probably left it at the cafeteria. I was tired and wanted to just go but of course Taiyo wanted to go look. We did. We couldn't find the kitty. Taiyo dragged feet to the subway with his head hanging. I was impressed that he didn't go nuts over this event. When we got onto the subway, he just wanted to sleep. So the ride home was pretty quick. When he woke up after getting off the subway, of course he said, "Mama, I want the same kitty." So I searched, after he went to sleep at night, and it's like another internet miracle, I found the same kitties sold on eBay. The new originals are not in production anymore, but used ones are listed on auctions. Taiyo once decided to call it "the famous kitty" and it was true. It was a famous kitty. It was a character from a children's book, and it was kind of a "collectible." So of course I ordered one and it's on the way! I think it will end well after all.

I've been sleeping without A/C this week and it feels like summer is quickly fading away. I was just compiling "Things to do before summer ends" list last week- which turned out to be the exact headline for TimeOut New York this week. We checked off "beach" on Wednesday; we took a commuter ferry to Rockaway. It was a perfect day, a bit windy but ocean was calm. One-hour ferry ride was beautiful, giving us a tour of New York city shoreline. I've never taken this ferry before, and now this will be one of my favorite summer outings.

Today we headed out for the last installment of "Summer Streets," which has always been on my "must-do list of summer." It's another unique experience of the city I enjoyed for years. Before Taiyo I did the long run all the way up to the Central Park. With Taiyo we always did at least part of the route on bike. It was another perfect day with mild temperature and blue sky, but this time I found it hardly enjoyable because it was too crowded. There were simply too many people, and too many bikes. It was like all these people who rarely ride bikes came out all together. Gang of blue Citi bike riders of course made the situation worse. And walkers who were in the bike lane would not move when I rang bell. It was annoying and stressful that I moved Summer Streets to the "Do-Not-Bother" list.

It was exciting week after all, starting Monday's hospital day. Taiyo finally made it to the operating room experience for his teeth. We had to wait for four hours for the procedure, but the waiting room at Mount Sinai hospital was the "bestest" as Taiyo described. The room for children waiting for operation was equipped with wonderful toys and even two attendants who were at his service since he was the only kid in the room. I just sat and read newspaper while two ladies entertained Taiyo. Then after two hour operation he came out with six fully silver covered molars. He was already half-awake calling me when he came out of the operating room, but quickly fell back to sleep for two more hours. When he finally woke up, he asked me if he can go back downstairs and play some more.

So here we are, at the beginning of the last month of the summer. Mercury is already easing down to tell us the end if near. Last week I decided to replace the old and not-efficiently-working air conditioner. The day I put in deposit for the replacement turned out to be the last day of heatwave. The new unit was installed yesterday and it's so fabulous I'm very happy with my purchase. Another happy purchase this week was Wolverine 35mm film scanner. Since I wasn't able to use my old film scanner which was of much better quality but seriously painfully dreadfully slow on this new computer, I couldn't scan some of my b/w negatives. Last night I've done four rolls in about half an hour and I just loved it. Like Taiyo would say, quite often these days, "I love it! I loooovvve it!" Details b/w can capture is simply incredible, and I still shoot 35mm film and develop them in my kitchen late at night. So thanks to my new little super gadget(it's just a little box!), I found some old pictures from last year, like the one above at the Aquarium in Coney Island, and we were there a week before Sandy. It was somewhat eerie to see these pictures because of the time significance. We haven't gone back there since. This will be on the top of the list of things to do before the summer ends.