Re: Tiling newbie
You already have a level to work from, the worksurface.
Start with a full tile at the bottom, that way if you have to cut a tile it will be at the top, under the wall cupboards. If the gap is only small don't even bother with a cut tile, it will hardly be seen.
I disagree with Meg here, Start with a full tile at an 'open' end and have the cut in the corner.
When cutting tiles, score the FRONT of the tile, that's cutting through the glaze. Do this with a cheap tile cutter from where you buy the tiles. Place the tile on a solid surface with a matchstick under the score mark, then apply even pressure to both sides of the score. The tile should just 'snap' in two. As Meg says, make sure you have some spares.
Apply the adhesive (tile cement), in the UK you can buy it ready mixed (we have to mix our own here, no such luxury as ready mixed), to the wall using a tiling float. You can buy this from where you buy the tiles, it has one edge and one end 'toothed'. This will give you an even spread of the cement. do an area big enough to lay a few tiles at a time.
Offer the tile to the cement and apply an even, light pressure, don't ram the tile onto the wall. Have a length of 'straight' timber available long enough to spread over about 4 or more tiles, keep offering this across the face of the tiles to make sure they are 'flat'. Nothing worse than having a corner sticking out (or in).
You can buy plastic spacers or use matchsticks, use 2 per tile edge, put then about 10mm from each end that way you should get a nice even gap.
Make sure there is no cement sticking out of the gaps between the tiles.
Grouting; again you can buy ready mixed and follow the instructions on the tin.
There is no benefit in being heavy handed when tiling.
Good luck, I find it quite therapeutic as you can see results quickly.
Please don't be afraid to ask if you want more advice, as this is a very 'potted' version.