Oxford Uni Park: 5 November 2006

A week after Hari Raya AidilFitri, we went to Oxford to visit some new friends. Babah has actually sort of 'joined' in Borakphoto club. Some of the club members are studying in Oxford and a couple live near our house. They made some arrangement to meet up in Oxford for a photography outing.

We woke up quite early that Sunday morning. Sarah and I busied ourselves in the kitchen. We made some muffins as buah tangan for the host. We left our house around 9.30am and reached our destination an hour later together with Ariff and Dina.

From left to right: Dina, Fakhrul, Amer, Kaoru and Alynn

Our meeting point was at Alynn's house, a young and talented future architect. We were soon joined by her friends Kaoru (a Japanese girl), Fakhrul, Amer and Mubarra'. All were photography enthusiast.

Two keen photographers

It was actually our first meeting with each other. Alhamdulillah they were all very respectful and friendly people. They called Babah as "Min", which was fine. But they referred me as "Kak"!

Cis bedebah Oh dear, am I that old? (Just more reasons for me not to publish my photo here!)

The ladies; Kaoru, Alynn and Dina

Mubarra' prepared a heavy breakfast for all of us; Nasi goreng kampung, sup sayur and ayam popcorn. Alynn made cornflakes cookies and Fakhrul made teh-o. Everything was yummy!

To me, Kaoru was so funny that day. According to Alynn she is always like that. Kaoru took lots of photos of Sarah and Amar. She kept on saying the word "kawaii". The way she tried to join in our conversation in Malay was funny too and she was cool enough to try and eat using her fingers.

An interesting shot of Arep and Babah by Alynn

While chatting in the living room, one person took out his gear followed by another person and another. It was a horrifying moment when you realised you were swarmed by paparazzi. Hearing their camera clicked all around you just make you freeze. I remember Auntie De's advice for us to look good all the time in case we were caught on camera.

At the same time, it was really funny too when Kaoru gave a sheepish expression when she compared her cute and petite point and shoot camera to the others' bulky and huge camera. I'm sure it was mouthwatering for Babah too, looking at Ariff's personal collection.

Non other but Sarah and Amar

After our brunch, we all went to Oxford University Parks. It was early Autumn and the leaves have just turned yellow and brown.

I think it was one of the rare occasion when Amar was not seated on his pushchair. It was quite difficult to make Amar walk in the same direction as us. He was more interested in setting himself on the loose. Luckily there were many of us to look after him and looked after Sarah.

The guys who relentlessly looked after the two messy children

I heard Amer saying it was super cold that day. And he was surprised to see the children playing happily as if it was a warm day. And I bet he was even surprised to hear Sarah refusing to wear her coat!

Amar was really enjoying the freedom and the attention he received by so many people. Once I tried to carry him to join back with the group. He cried and wriggled himself free from my clutches. He ended up lying flat on the ground.

I thought he didn't want to be carried. Ok, I said to him he could walk but he has to hold my hand or at least walk in the same direction as the others. Yes, I know he didn't understand but he continued to protest from being lifted up by me.

Until Fakhrul came and picked him up. Amar gave full cooperation and held him tightly. Cis!

Sarah on the other hand was an all rounder. She just mixed with everyone there and fit in very well.

Amar among the beautiful ladies ;)

One of the 'shooting' locations was where there were lots of dried leaves on the ground. Sarah and her older friends buried Amar with the leaves! There were scenes like jumping and throwing leaves in the air. I bet the onlookers must have thought that we came from the Sahara Dessert, huh?

Between them, they took around 900 photos! I've had a terrible time choosing for my favourites. I just hope I could publish them all here. There are more photos on my tabblo, click here for more. Anyway, thanks to Alynn, Ariff and Babah for letting me publish their work here.

It was an exciting experience meeting these new friends. The day was fun and enjoyable. I'm sure Sarah and Amar were the happiest to have met these new friends of ours. I wish them all well for their future undertakings and may success be with them always.