Much to everyone’s happiness, summer is right around the corner. In other words, no sitting in classes all day, an escape from the snow that plagues much of the East Coast, and the chance to get a nice golden tan as sun becomes a regular occurrence and temperatures rise- well, this last part is only true for some.

I do not count myself as one of these people who might begin the summer with a light skin shade only to transition to a much darker one by the end of August. On the contrary, I look essentially the same all year round. There is probably at least some change in color, but really just not enough to be too noticeable. I pray to God there is a slight difference this year as the grey shade I have developed under constant exposure to nonexistent sun is not the most flattering.

Maybe I’m bitter because I inherited every Irish gene my parents had to offer their three children. Or maybe it’s because 3/5 of my family turns a lovely shade of dark gold when they step foot in the sun, relinquishing their barely-there sunburns within a day to a lovely tan color.

Is it the biggest deal to be pale? No, it’s really not. Being tan isn’t the holy grail of appearances, and when I’m feeling especially bitter about the whole situation, I like to remind my family members who tease me that they’ll be the ones fending off wrinkles and other skin problems years from now. And I’ll be sitting pretty with my pale glow and flawless complexion (not likely, but a girl can dream).

Anyway, it’s not necessarily being tan that upsets me, although a natural color boost would be nice. It’s more the struggles that come with it. For one, the sunburn problem. At this point, it doesn’t make a difference how long I am in the sun for. Twenty minutes, two hours, two seconds - either way, I emerge from my time in the sun with a magnificent shade of pink/red. And do not underestimate the time frame during which this may occur - I received my greatest burn between the ripe hours of four and five pm while simply attending a swim meet approximately three years ago.

The effects of the sunburn problem also take form in my need to be in possession of suntan lotion at all necessary times. For example, I was recently forced to purchase 70-euro sunscreen at a train station drug store in order to prepare for my predicted skin sensitivity in the barely 70-degree sun of the Amalfi Coast. You would think such money would buy the ultimate sun barrier, but no. Scattered, bizarrely located burns did still occur after an entire day under the cloudy skies.

I mention this next point last because it is more social-media oriented and therefore feels less important, though I will admit it ranks high on my list of concerns regarding paleness. Honestly, sometimes I just want to capture an obligatory summer pic, one in which I look carefree and relaxed after an awesome and fun day in the sun. However, this is not usually what ends up happening. Particularly in pictures with my sister or my friend Natalie (wait for it... her last name is Tanner), I transition between resembling an albino and a lobster.

At this point, I know it would be most beneficial to accept and embrace my paleness. There are many other worse things in this world and at least I don’t have anyone’s expectations to meet after going on vacations to tropical places. Anyway, the term “pale” is so derogatory anyway. I prefer porcelain.