good thing you have plenty of time - that's invaluable commodity when learning to hone.
watch the Lynn's videos on honing on youtube. I think the main page of this site has links. i'd say you need to get your hone flat to start off. as russel said you should be able to get flat enough surface from a countertop - i am a bit troubled by removal of a lot of material, but that's subjective anyways. or wait till you get your plate.

I don't want to comment on the particular way your razor cuts as I can only speculate - hopefully some of the experienced members can help better.