lol I wouldn't say I'm a programmer in training; I'm a straight up coder. Or more specifically, a developer. I got interested in it because I love computers, and I wanted to do it since I was a kid. Unfortunately I had no experience with coding prior to actually taking the class, whereas many others did.
And yes, sadly there is a misconception that making a game is as easy as playing one. When I was in my first year's coding class, we must have had about 40+ kids inside the class. After the first assignment (our professor makes it do we spend at least 10h on it), over half of them never showed up again.
That's fine. If I wasn't in classes and such, I'd be up for it since I'm usually up, browsing the internet or something.
Feel free to add me on any IM clients, by the way. The only times I'm not free to talk is when I'm in class or if I'm driving. Otherwise, I chat while I'm at work/home.