It is ok, I am getting used to it, but I can already feel my character writing getting better. I want to use my Wacom to write Chinese characters in some kind of document (Ideally I am trying to write the word on skritter and the sample sentance dictated to me on word). Is there any Mandarin writing program out there for word, openoffice, or anything like that? Thanks!

Which OS are you using? if using Vista/Win7 you can install the chinese handwriting input recognition system even if you don't have a premium version of windows by using the free software called vistalizator;
http://www.froggie.sk/
Note you don't have to change the display language of your pc, just enable the new input method after you download install the new language pack. This will allow you to handwrite into word or any other software.

Just found this site which may help explain the windows input method bit;
http://www.wfu.edu/~yipcw/atg/ime/w7/

I just got the Wacom Bamboo, too!
Instructions for "How to install and configure handwriting recognition in Windows XP" are at:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306906

I don't see "Microsoft Office XP" on the list at Add/Remove programs in the control panel.
So, how can I "change" it to "expand features"?

I downloaded the following two programs and can now "draw" in a little box with mouse or tablet.
I don't yet know how to get it to "recognize" foreign handwriting or how to enter the program properly.
How do you do this?
I tried to download the "recognizer pack" first, but it said it needed the "development kit 1.7" before it could download.

Update for Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC Edition Development Kit 1.7
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?familyid=69640b5c-0ee9-421e-8d5c-d40debee36c2&displaylang=en

Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005 Recognizer Pack
Microsoft® Windows® XP Tablet PC Edition 2005 Recognizer Pack adds international handwriting recognizers to a Tablet PC or other personal computer.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?familyid=080184dd-5e92-4464-b907-10762e9f918b&displaylang=en

Skritter recommends these settings for Wacom:
http://www.skritter.com/wacoms/settings

I have the Wacom Bamboo MTE-450 and don't see the "Press and Hold" or "Flicks" settings which are mentioned for possible adjustment. It seems to be working all right for me, though.

I just started with Skritter and am using the vocabulary from the book, Chinese Express: Talk Chinese. It came with two CDs and I got it on eBay from China. I like the nice pleasant format mixing dialogs, exercises, and graphics. I'm hoping that Skritter will get me into good practice to do the written exercises.

It might depend on your version of Windows, Confuxxx. The Flicks and Press and Hold may not be included in the XP Tablet edition; I'm not sure.

Welcome to Skritter; hope you get into a groove with your studies. Especially with the tablet, if you can manage to get everything figured out, you'll definitely see steady progress. If you learn all the words from your textbook, your Chinese will be off to a great start!