I just bought the same bike in the 07 version. I love it!
And like you, I want to become an awesome mountain biker. I am still in the screechy skeered stage. But this bike can do a lot, don't you think? I was amazed last night when, at the direction of a fellow rider, I pushed down and then pulled up to get over a 6 inch log, and this bike just breezed it.