I need some video game help?

I've wanted to do something with designing video games since I was 6. Next year I'm going to be in this class for game programming. I wanted to know if anybody knew of any websites that could help me with video game design? And also are there any xbox game suggestions? I want to get some new ones that are somewhat like Fallout or Gears Of War or anything that either has a storyline or you getta kill things. XD Oh and also I've been wanting to go to a video game convention err something like that, but my computer is kinda lame and I can't find any. Preferably not in California though. And yes I'm a girl xP