One more thing Lisa- a lot of the responses here to take it slow and get more experience are based on your initial post, and what I am sure many people took as a bit of reluctance on your part. You should find in diving that the advice should be conservative, with a few "just go for it's" thrown in. Diving should always be done within the level of your training, ability and equipment. That said, there is certainly nothing about the TA trip that should be above your ability, provided you stay within your training and comfort level. That might mean siting out a dive, or a few dives, depending on the conditions. But certainly there is an advantage to diving multiple times on consecutive days, your learning curve goes up sharply because you get to practice what you learn right away. If you have a good (in this case that would mean patient) buddy, that is willing to stick with you and help you along, you could enjoy the trip immensely and come out of the trip a much better diver.
