I learned C++ programming (and a lot of other game making related things) at school :D Only had it in my first year though. But I loved doing it! Had been doing mostly graphics before that and had to rely on software like gamemaker to make games so writing code was something new and exciting :D So I...
A small one is good enough :) I got myself a Bamboo One back in 2008, it was Wacom's cheapest tablet (Google it and you'll see how basic it is). I still have it and use it mainly for digital painting (haven't used it for any game graphics yet). That Intuos tablet you showed looks good :D I'd say: go...