Squashing the Rumors

[miked]

Best of luck in your studies/internships. That difficult area of endeavor seems to be more and more in demand.

 

[Lowrus]

I grew up in MN and my family is still there, the winter will be terrible but the summer there is wonderful. There is (very cold) wreck diving in Lake Superior and the area up there is beautiful.

 

[lionfish-eater]

I don't know your shoe size, but if you wear enough layers of socks these might work.
I bought them for my son. but he outgrew them before he got to wear them.
Happy to trade them for some diving.
Welcome to winter .

 

[Christi]

I don't know your shoe size, but if you wear enough layers of socks these might work.
I bought them for my son. but he outgrew them before he got to wear them.
Happy to trade them for some diving.
Welcome to winter .

View attachment 558896

I bought myself some bee-u-ti-ful SOrel's, a few hats, some gloves, some mittens, and a LONG Northface Down Coat - so I think I have that stuff covered - hahaha! Thank you though! We're finally going to get to have that coffee! Working in Plymouth, living in Maple Grove so I don't have to drive far to work and I can take the main roads all the way.

Also have a "kit" for my car which is a RAV4 - so apparently it's a good snow driving car with salt, extra coat, blanket, extra mittens, extra hat, shovel, scraper

 

[Catito]

Happy New Year Scubaboard!

It has come to my attention that there are some rumors going around through a few dive shops and the marinas that Blue XT~Sea is closing and that I am leaving the island permanently. NOTHING could be further from the truth. Here is a true story, straight from me, the owner's mouth. This should help clear up any rumors you may have heard or may hear.

In early 2002, I started Blue XT~Sea Diving from the ground up as arguably the first "boutique" operation on the island - several have followed my model since then. Admittedly, we had a few very rough years between 2009 and 2013 due to my own battle with alcoholism and addiction to Xanax, which I beat in October of 2013. By the grace of God, I haven't had a drink or drug since then. Fortunately, I have had a solid, and unconditionally supportive and loving team before, through and since my struggle. I am grateful for them every single day. To that end, not only are they stellar human beings, they are well seasoned and tenured (almost 2 decades) professionals who love their jobs and know their jobs well. I pride myself on having built an amazing team, who are like family now. I provide the resources, tools, policies and guidance for my team to deliver exceptional experiences and service for our divers, but they have autonomy, and I trust them each to do their jobs and take pride in their roles. This is why entrepreneurs build businesses, to create, nurture, and grow the business, which allows for additional opportunities in life when the business is established. I had another dream as well that I finally decided to pursue.

As some of you already know, I started a graduate program in MN last January (Counseling for Co-Occurring Disorders which is addiction and mental health counseling). I have completed the first year of my program online and with a few trips to MN for classroom and residency. I have reached the point in my program where I have to be on campus more regularly as well as complete 900 hours of clinical internship before graduating. With that said, I will be spending a majority of my time in Minnesota until I graduate, complete my clinical hours and obtain my licensing (LADC & LPC). I will still be making frequent trips to the island.

As a Mexican citizen, I am eligible to obtain a Professional License here as well (Cedula Profesional "CP"). My ultimate dream and goal is to complete my graduate program and become licensed in Minnesota, which will allow me to apply for my CP here in Mexico. Here on the island, I will be able to be of service to the growing numbers of alcoholics & addicts, as well as those suffering from depression, anxiety or other mental health disorders. More will be revealed.

The only changes you will notice are that Pedro Pablo will still be DMing, but he will also be our Operations Manager fulfilling the same role he fulfills when I am away on vacation or school. Julie who has been with us since July will be managing reservations and billing; and Norma, my administrative assistant will continue her role in accounting, licensing & permits, and administrative support. I will still be in contact with my team on a daily basis for anything that they need from me. My management team as well as the other valued team members will continue to deliver exceptional experiences for our guests.

So in summary:

1. No, Blue XT~Sea is NOT for sale and it is not NOT closing - most will notice no changes and will receive the same excellent service from my team.
2. My house is not for sale, my car is not for sale - I have some dear friends house-sitting for me while I am away.
3. Finally. I am not leaving the island permanently. I will just be spending more time in the USA for the next 12 - 18 months while I fulfill the requirements to follow my other dream and passion in helping others recover from debilitating addiction and illness.

If anyone has any concerns or questions, please feel free to e-mail me personally at info@bluextseadiving.com

Happy New Year!

Peace, Love, Health and Prosperity to all for 2020 and beyond!

BTW T- 3 days - This Texas born Cozemeleñian is heading to the cold tundra called MinneSNOWta on Saturday, Jan 4. 2020! Wish me luck because I don't know how to DO winter! But I think it's a small price to pay to receive this education from the gold standard in recovery and addiction and to follow a dream! It's been a bittersweet few weeks as I get ready to leave - for now!

Congratulations. Stay strong. As a Floridian currently visiting Quebec with 1 ft of snow and 0C temp I say: invest in good boots, coat, and gloves!

 

[lionfish-eater]

I bought myself some bee-u-ti-ful SOrel's, a few hats, some gloves, some mittens, and a LONG Northface Down Coat - so I think I have that stuff covered - hahaha! Thank you though! We're finally going to get to have that coffee! Working in Plymouth, living in Maple Grove so I don't have to drive far to work and I can take the main roads all the way.

Also have a "kit" for my car which is a RAV4 - so apparently it's a good snow driving car with salt, extra coat, blanket, extra mittens, extra hat, shovel, scraper

You are better prepared than I am, and I have lived here for almost 40 years.

My winter survival plan is a one way ticket to CZM.
Let's have that coffee soon, I'm heading back in a week or two.

 

[lionfish-eater]

I will also have a short commute.
Staying on 10 N and 45.
Diving from the downtown pier.
And I won't need a scraper!!
But until I go I need to buy a new scraper as I broke mine clearing the windows from last weeks ice storm.

 

[Altamira]

@Christi You are a very positive example for all to follow. All of us can get ourselves in a jam, but not everyone can recover and excel as you have. Best wishes in your new life adventure.

 

[DandyDon]

I bought myself some bee-u-ti-ful SOrel's, a few hats, some gloves, some mittens, and a LONG Northface Down Coat

Long johns are cheap essentials.

Also have a "kit" for my car

Add a bag of kitty liter for when you get stuck, and spray windshield deicer.

with salt,

Join a monthly car wash plan and drive thru weekly or more to rinse that off.

 

[Christi]

Congrats on having the necessary drive to peruse something so important but so hard to do. Not many can set aside their regular life to start such a commitment. As someone who does do winter & has for 7 decades it's not fun sometimes but we do survive & here in the Great White North there are no mosquitos during winter. Like they say, take it 1 day at a time, dress for the conditions & forget about style, but most importantly don't drive when you don't need to but even then is it that important it's worth risking your life when you don't have winter driving experience?
On another note give my Congrats to my good friend Pedro for his new position in the business. He's one in a million.

I actually have driven it it, but not on a daily basis to work. When I was there in February for Residency there were 3 snow storms that totaled about 2ft of new snow. I had to drive short distances between school and hotel NE of the twin cities - I also practiced in a big empty parking lot - but the driving is probably the scariest part for me as far as "winter" goes. I do have TEXAS plates on my car for now (until I get a MN license and register my car there - I think I have 90 days to do that) - so that may buy me some grace when I'm driving like a 95yo woman LOL. Fortunately, if the weather is too bad to drive, I will be working in a place that won't make me drive in - or if I'm AT work when the weather comes in and I can't leave, I'll have a place to stay. When I was there in the Fall, I bought a good snow car (2016 RAV4), and all of the winter essentials - so I am set there.

@morecowbells - Thank you! Yes, I will be able to have empathy and compassion for those I work with. And other than the extreme winter, I actually love Minnesota - I already have some of the expressions down: "wanna come with?" LOL and yes, I'm familiar with "pop" and "hotdishes" - I had never heard "davenport" before - LOL

@Windlaker - Thank you and CHECK to all of the above

@ everyone - thank you for the kind words of support and encouragement - I promise to post a picture of me in the snow with my big coat, hat and sorrels - LOL

@DandyDon - I have all of the above, including the unlimited carwash plan for $24.99 a month - but I actually have a bag of salt in place of the kitty litter - it actually melts the ice