In the same vein, I am loath to leave behind the friends around whom I feel most comfortable--those whom I've known for years. The academic year provides too few opportunities to visit people at other schools, and so summer seems to be the only time to have barbeques and reminisce with high school buddies.

Before rushing off to the professional life that surely awaits me, I'd rather spend these summers in the only community I can truly call my own. There will be plenty of time later to construct a satisfying career.

So although I'm tempted by the allure of a summer job in a new place, I don't plan on rushing over to the Office of Career Services first thing in September. Call me scared, or even lazy, but so far the reasons to spend my summer with my family far outweigh my desire to move elsewhere.

I have a sneaking suspicion that, when I'm old and gray, I'm going to look back on these summers and think about exotic locales and prestigious positions. I bet I'll wonder what would have happened if I'd taken a different job offer or traveled to the farthest reaches of the globe instead of staying close to home. And then I'll settle back into my comfortable chair, glance out the window at the sunset, and heave a contented sigh of relief.

David M. DeBartolo '03, a Crimson editor, is a government concentrator in Lowell House. This summer, he's enjoying home-cooked meals and rooting for the Red Sox.