I am also glad to hear your messing with the camera. You have received the best advice to where to start your hunt for what is comfortable and works for you. Remember, there is No right or Wrong just if you/others like the results then your doing fine. Its the Exposure Equation that works, and now in Digital Photography you now have White Balance to include that you already have the advice for in the above comment.
Keep in mind that the Aperture Scale for Depth of Field will play an important part of your shot. You may want to go a bit more to get more in focus, but not to worry if you have no experience with it. There is a link here somewhere for an Online Depth of Field or DOF Scale. OK, just found it here:
Online Depth of Field Calculator
Also, dont be afraid! Be very Afraid.... Sorry, I couldn't resist.
Just play, if your shot is too dark then up your ISO. It all depends on what effects your looking for. Just remember that the higher your ISO the more Noise in the image you will have and then that leads to Noise removal in what ever program your using. But the benefit will be a faster shutter speed so you wont have camera shake or blur.