Rika Masuda Singh

Class of 2028

It was just around noon, so the first order of business was getting some food. Umpleby's Bakery Cafe is my go-to spot when people are new to Hanover—it's the quintessential small-town bakery and the food is absolutely incredible. Jaimie got a sandwich, lemon tart, and a latte, and I got a soup and London Fog (as usual). We ate and talked, catching up on our first terms of college, and laughed about the funny things we would do as five-year-olds.

Alt text: A cozy café meal featuring a sandwich with cheese and lettuce, a pickle, a bowl of soup with a roll, two frothy lattes, and a lemon tart on a wooden table. Alt text: A young woman in a brown sweater smiles while holding a lemon tart at a c

The perfect meal!

It would later be revealed that Jaimie truly has the most impeccable timing, as that day was the day of the Laundry Day concert, which happened to be one of the most fun nights I've had on campus. Jaimie was definitely not expecting a full-blown concert in Hanover, but she went with it and had a lot of fun.

Three young women smiling and posing together at a concert, with a stage featuring musical instruments and a drum set in the background

Jaimie, Alex, and I at the Laundry Day concert

The next day, I took Jaimie on a "Woccom" (walk + Occom Pond) to show her around the north end of campus. We walked around the frozen pond and the golf course before heading down south to grab some Thai food at Tuk Tuk Thai. I introduced Jaimie to my favorite Thai noodles, Pad See Ew, and we happily sipped our Thai teas.

Two young women pose for a selfie on a wooden platform by a frozen lake, surrounded by a winter landscape. One wears a white jacket, and the other a red coat with pink earmuffs.

Brrr!

A winter landscape showing a frozen lake surrounded by snow-covered ground and sparse trees. In the distance, houses are partially visible among the trees under a cloudy sky.

Occom is Frozen!

A plate of stir-fried noodles with chicken, broccoli, and carrots. In the background, there are glasses of water, a bowl of soup, and a plate of crispy folded pastries.

Pad See Ew

A young woman smiles as she holds a glass of iced coffee. She is seated at a table with a plate and silverware.

Thai Tea!

Returning to my previous point about Jaimie's impeccable timing, a few hours after dinner, a mysterious email appeared on my phone from a certain "Theodor S. Geisel" (aka Dr. Seuss), addressed to a "Robert L. Frost." The email spoke of a snowball fight that was to occur at midnight. I couldn't believe it! Our once-a-year snowball fight was happening that night, and it was one of the two nights Jaimie decided to stay over! It was indeed a stroke of luck. We prepared by donning snow pants and gloves, braiding our hair, and putting on hats. The snowball fight was truly out of a movie. It seemed like the whole student body was on the Green (Dartmouth's main quad), anticipating the first hit once the clock struck midnight. We waited. And waited. And then, it was chaos. No one was safe. I had snow on my face, in my hair, and shoved into my shoes. It was truly everywhere. But it was so worth it.

Three friends pose for a selfie in a snowy, nighttime setting. They are bundled up in winter clothing, with snow gently falling around them, and a crowd is visible in the background with lights illuminating the scene.

SNOWBALL FIGHT!!

The following day, unfortunately, it was time for Jaimie to leave. We trudged along the snow, still tired from the exertion of the snowball fight, and hugged goodbye. I watched as she entered the Coach headed towards Boston Logan and waved until I couldn't see the bus anymore. Getting to see Jaimie after half a year at my new home was a surreal experience, and it truly made me realize we will be best friends forever!