My mom said I need to blog

I was just skyping my mom, who is in England with my family at the moment, and she said "you haven't been blogging lately." Which is correct, I haven't. I suppose it is a combination of being busy, and also I have been Twittering.

Not that there hasn't been a lot to blog about. We have done loads more certifications, had some fabulous dives. Chris went to Florida to look at a new diving boat, and all lights point to go.... so it looks like we will have a new diving boat soon. We will still take out the same small groups, but the new boat will be a lot more comfortable (more room, more storage space, a more stable hull design, better entry and exit from the water). So that is really exciting. I don't want to post the actual boat, or put photos of it up, until it is signed, sealed and delivered. But, as you can imagine, we are all very excited!

We've been working a lot with Christian lately. Christian is a PADI IDC Staff instructor, and also a French Brevet d'Etat Educateur Sportif (this is the french rating that I went to France to obtain, for those of you who need a recap). He is also a super nice guy... He will be working for us full time next year, but for the moment he is only working part time. Although the last two weeks part time feels full time! He was originally working for the competition (the audacity!), but then decided to take a break from diving to do something completely different. After a few month, however, the lure of the ocean brought him back, and luckily we were able to snab him.

Distinguishing characteristics about Christian are... he loves to sing, and seems to know a million French songs. He has joke about everything, and they are normally really funny! He is excellent with students as he is so patient and has a way of explaining things really well. (I know this from what his students have said about him, and also from team teaching with him). He is fluent in English! He has traveled extensively, and in consequence has a lot of great stories. And... He has a wetsuit that has a skeleton on it! We are really happy that he decided to come back to the diving industry. I need to add him to the website on the About Us page... I am adding this to my "to do" list right now.

You can see Christian here below with his two students Tony and Patty. They were really great people and we hope to see them again soon. Patty was a little nervous at first, but Christian soon fixed that, and you can see them here, definetly not skittish underwater.

We have also ordered some more t-shirts, as we have sold out of loads. We are getting some more designs and more colors as well. Hopefully they will arrive soon. We are having them made on island (in support of local businesses) but alas, this sometimes takes a long time!

Also, my photos are going to be published in a magazine. I took a whole bunch of my photos to a company that publishes magazines for Saint Martin. You know, all the free magazines that are left in your hotel room or villa. Well, they really liked them, and in exchange for free advertising in the magazine (this is how they make all their money) I am letting them use some of my photos. They just emailed me back to ask if I have any good photos for a cover shot! So maybe I will be on the cover!

You know, I should have a blog book on the boat. I come up with the best ideas about blogging when I am under the water, but then by the time I get back to shore, unload the boat, kiss and hug the divers goodbye, the idea is gone. woosh!

I want to say thank you to Tony, for letting me use his photos, and because he and his wife were such a nice couple.

Okay, back to work. I am looking for that perfect cover shot for the magazine!

(sally wrote this blog :) )