I have that beginner desire to want to jump right in but want to be smart about it, so my thought process is to really focus on paying off the loans and in the meantime learn the most I can about real estate investing and find a mentor to work for on the side and learn from in the meantime.

Searching on your own is a little hard for beginners.

You can do this through the Bigger Pockets beginner guide, or by google.Once you understand the basics just jump right in. 

Make sure to read the Ultimate Beginner's Guide to REI.

If you haven't yet, be sure to check out the The Ultimate Beginner's Guide to Real Estate Investing and The BiggerPockets Podcast.

I am a newbie, beginner, etc...so don't be too hard on me (I've been reading people bashing wholesalers but that's another post LOL).Am I making sense here?

Are there any popular beginner threads I should take a look at?

"Bigger Pocket's Ultimate Beginners Guide to REI"4.

Get started with The Ultimate Beginner's Guide to Real Estate Investing and soak in The BiggerPockets Podcast.

I'm only looking to buy and hold properties for now, with maybe a little single house flipping down the road once I've gotten my feet wet into this venture.Thanks in advance for replys, I can't guarantee I'll have internet access to respond all the time but certainly enjoy the enthusiasm this website has towards helping and educating beginners to become successful.