Open Water Certification

I've gone on a few "discovery/resort" SCUBA dives (in Mexico, of all places,) but that's like going to kindergarten without an "accredited graduation." I've always wanted to get certified so I could go on cool dives on my own, and my boss was getting his family certified so now was the time. It was going to be a cram, though, as they were going on a vacation where they could dive within a couple of weeks. It took a few hundreds of dollars, 8 hrs in the classroom, 8 hrs of pool work, a written final exam [100% and a free T-shirt!!!], and 5 open water dives - all signed off by a certified instructor. And we did all of it within 8 days.
Here's some pics of the day "I graduated" of my final open water check-out dives at Falling Rock Quarry in LaGrange, KY).
Some memorable moments of the dives - all of the skills/exercises required to get a cert, a navigational test that brought us to a sunken Louisville Metro police car, a few free dives through sunken treasures such as various boats, household appliances, sculptures, etc... and a personal solo dive to the bottom (max depth of 45 feet.) Never did make it to the phone booth or culvert, though.
Next up: thinking about after-grad work (specialties!)