2. Unfortunately you'll have to do a couple things before getting Blue Mage, this includes: getting one of your first six jobs to 30, getting Aht Urgan access, and of course, actually completing the Blue Mage Job quest. This will take a while like all things in this game, but this makes it all the more rewarding when you finally get there.
3. Choosing the the right combination of both race and nationality can grant you some neat items.
Mithra or Tartaru from Windurst =
Galka or Hume from Bastok =
Elvaan from San d'Oria =
These rings are pretty awesome for level one rings.