Celebration day at BISS.  The preliminary accreditation report is very good.  “Arts” receives a commendation, so they are struttin’ around pretty good.  Of course the students don’t know what’s been going on, except the teachers have been a little more wired up than usual, and there have been a lot of visitors in and out of classes.  There is huge relief all over the campus.

The trains are better today for me.  Of course, it’s not “prime time” when I’m travelling, so that helps.  Grades are due today, so I’m figuring out how to input everything into yet another confusing grading program.  The hardest thing is to write a personal comment about each student.  With only two classes a week and 13 total class sessions, I haven’t managed to tie all the names to their faces.  I recognize the “trouble-makers” and the active participants.  The majority of the students are quiet and attentive, so they’re lost in obscurity.

Tonight, the drama teacher at BISS, Kelly, is celebrating her birthday.  She works closely with Judy on the musical “Annie”.  She’s invited several of the faculty to join her for dinner.  We meet at “Flamme”, a restaurant specializing in steaks and other “western” specialities.  The food is great and we have a blast.  The accreditation stress is gone, so everyone’s “hair is down”.  There is lots of talk about things that went on during the week.  Also, some of the faculty are beginning to reveal their decision about whether or not they’ll be returning to BISS next year.  Many are undecided.  They feel the lure of a new destination, but fear the uncertainty of cutting their ties at BISS.  It could be March or April before they have a chance at a job, if they get a chance at all.  There’s no guarantee the next assignment will be better.  It’s just another of aspect of international teaching.