SackOHammers, great to hear you are thinking of building! Once you feel the satisfaction from watching something fly that you created you will never want an ARF again.
For your first kit, you need to skip the scale stuff and pick a simple model that builds easy. My best recommendation is a Sig Kadet LT-25. Yes, I know it's a trainer, but build it with a flat wing (no dihedral) and clip one bay off each wing panel and it will be a fun sport plane that is easy to build, transport and fly.
http://www.sigmfg.com/cgi-bin/dpsmar...FV4.html?E+Sig
Another one that comes to mind is the Something Extra. They build easy, fly well and there are a number of build threads here to help you out with the details.
I know it is easy to want more than you can handle (I do it all the time...
), but your best shot at success is a small, simple sport model for the first time. If you don't care if it flies, the Herr Engineering rubber powered models have laser cut formers and generally go together very well. You would get a lesson in covering with tissue, as well.
Mark