Present? For me?

I've been wanting a new, fancy schmancy camera. I have a Sony something or other point and shoot camera, and to be honest, every one I've owned sucks.

I've quietly looked around for a dslr, but just thought, I can't afford to pay that much for a camera... I mean, yes, I do take a lot of photos, but still....

So on good ole facebook today, a former student posts one he wants to sell. I inquire about the price, product, etc. He has a Nikon D3000 and all of the accessories for $500, $425 if I buy it today. He also said he'd bought it in January and paid about $700 for it and the goodies. I hee-haw around (do you say that where you are from?), and finally tell him I will take it.

He brings it over to my work, and I'm scared to death. How am I going to learn to work this thing? I just spent $425 on something I don't even know how to use!

Then I think...I take pictures all the time. I always complain about how crappy they are. And heck, let's be honest....I spend money left and right, so it's not like I'm a big tightwad.

I plan on taking some pics this week. We'll see how they turn out.

What do you think? Was it a good purchase? Any tips for a newbie photo taker (not quite a qhotographer yet, ya know)!