what makes me smile....

So, I was having one of those days yesterday - you know, the ones where it's not like anything specifically bad happens, but there's also nothing specifically good either. I haven't been sleeping great for whatever reason, and I'm sure hormones had something to do with my mood somewhere along the line, but regardless, I left work just kinda grumpy and unenthusiastic. My friend, Destiny, and I were planning on going to a hiphop class at the Sydney Dance Company later in the evening, but I decided when I got home from work that I wanted to just go outside and run/walk until then. I figured moving around and fresh air would help. (I think sitting in a desk all day is starting to get to me... my shoulders are knotting in enthusiastic agreement right now.)
So, I ran into the city - always a mistake at rush hour because you're more worried about dodging people on the sidewalk than cars. I got near the Botanic Gardens (which is just east of circular quay and the opera house, and where i used to run to and take fabulous sunset pics) and realized that the gates were all shut for the night. Great. It was about dusk at this point. There wasn't really a sunset because it's been cloudy/rainy the past few days, but the light of the day was at that point where it's just light enough but all the street lights and night building lights have come on. i was rounding a bend on the path at this point, trying to figure out some other way into the gardens and all the sudden i found myself standing at an elevated point just southeast of the opera house and looking right at it and the rest of the harbour... when i say i stopped dead in my tracks i'm not joking. Now, i've seen the opera house and the bridge a million times - day, night, sunset, you name it! - but for some reason, last night was the most incredible view i've ever had! There were hundreds of people lined up on the watersedge, having a cocktail, taking pictures of the giant cruise ship also docked in the harbour, and just relaxing; and for some reason, the lighting on the opera house was subtle enough at this point that it really brought out its true beauty. I stopped running and just stood there with a big grin:)
Still not feeling 100% happy (because at this point i'd only gotten to run stopping and starting for about 15 minutes), i decided to cut through the wharf and up to the harbour bridge and over it. I made it across the bridge and stopped to stretch quickly before turning around - and by this time it's completely dark out - and again, i froze. Maybe it was just me being a total sap (yeah yeah, i am, i know), but the timing of snow patrol's "chasing cars" on my ipod just completed Moment #2. I just stood there for a minute staring at the beauty of this city and breathing...
it's moments like those that remind me how much i love it here - when something as simple as seeing an iconic building lit up at night can change my entire mood.
Lisa the Sap, signing off....