i know this is much delayed, but i promised someone to post these pictures up soon.  i spent the labor day in cape may and wildwood, nj, with some of my home church kids.  it was another perfect day to go to a beach.  

these are joanna, who became a mermaid, and my little cousin, sarah, who's actually taller than me. they're so cute

this is my sister. she was home for two weeks after finishing her internship in NY. it was so good to have her back home, but she's now back in school in RI. it's always hard to say bye to her at the airport.  i'm sad i can't hang out with her anymore for awhile. but i shall visit her hopefully soon.

i think i'm afraid of heights now.  as soon as the Wheel reached the top, i immediately grabbed the bars behind me just to feel more secure.  i knew just grabbing the bars like that wouldn't help me if the ride were to collapse at that moment.  nevertheless, i still loved the view from the top of the ocean spread across the horizon.  there's something exhilarating about being so high up in the sky.  

it didn't seem all that special when i was on the ground, but the view from the top of the Wheel was pretty awesome.

here are joanna, sarah and david enjoying their ride. david is an awesome older brother to these girls. thanks to him for driving these girls, they were able to have fun that day.

and finally, here's a little group picture.

i wish i could have captured some of the musical scenes in pictures.  taking pictures wasn't allowed during the show because flashes could hinder actors' performances. but here is a picture i took before the show began:

the show was 2.5-hour long, a little longer than a movie. but all the songs were great, and the stage production was amazing and full of special effects.  there were times when the audience wowed and gasped quietly, such as during a masquerade scene and the last scene when a single ray of light shines upon a white mask of the Phantom of the Opera.

i can't forget to mention how talented all the actors were at singing and acting. i saw the show at 2PM, but they had to perform again at 8PM! 

some interesting quotes by the actor who played the Phantom: "Involuntary sneezing and saliva and phlegm control is a big thing for a singer-especially for a song like "Music of the Night," which has long, sustained notes everywhere. You have to know where to breathe and where to swallow."

the Phantom played his role for over 1,200 performances!   i didn't like the Phantom at first because of his seemingly selfish and threatening acts.  but i sympathized him in the end when he let go of someone he loved and was left all alone.   

i didn't see the Phantom of the Opera movie, but i'm pretty sure the musical is much more interesting and impressive than the movie. i would definitely go see it again. other musicals i want to see: chicago, les miserables, beauty and the beast and the wicked.