I would never forgive myself for staying in Odessa, where teachers are hard to find and a teaching job for life is almost guaranteed, but where no one wants to come and visit. I would never forgive myself for planning to pay rent until I die and/or buying an overpriced home in an area that lacks natural and man-made beauty. Still, I am thankful for those people who have allowed me to start my teaching career and move forward with these plans. I will never forget the people who helped me get a job, helped me while on the job, and allowed me to advance in my career.
Non-stop flights to almost anywhere on this planet, world-class museums, wooded areas, skyscrapers, parks, restaurants, stores, and fall foliage make the Metroplex the nicest area in Texas, rivaled only by the Houston metro-area. While I certainly won't complain about all these perks, I look forward to happy and effective days in my science classroom, as this is what holds my future. I would never forgive myself if I got these perks without having at least most of my students enjoying my class and growing academically. I would never forgive myself for not properly giving back to the community that I will be serving. I will totally forgive myself only for the things that I cannot control.
