New Player: Need Friends, Guidance, Etc.Follow

So I've just picked up FFXI off of steam and begun a character on Cerberus tonight. I did play FFXI back when it first released and had a 75 Samurai and 60 Paladin, but I quit literally weeks after the CoP expansion was released so I never really experienced that content or anything that followed. For those reasons, I am essentially brand new to the game as virtually nothing is the same anymore. Just since logging in tonight I've noticed so many differences and now at level 11 I'm wandering towards Valkurm Dunes and see that there are no parties or anything like that so I'm pretty much lost and just soloing around for now. My name in game is Craine and I'd love to join anyone who has patience for a complete noob. I play mostly during EST hours but am a bit of a night owl for those who are located further west. Send me a tell if you wouldn't mind helping or want to party together or anything. This game is more fun with friends, that much I remember.