Even though I paid for the membership subscription in World of Warcraft, I'm still limited, help?

i just downloaded World of Warcraft and the Burning Crusade from the blizzard website and paid for a one month subscription. While in game whenever i try and say anything it says I don't have permission to speak or that i can't send unlimited messages because i have a trial account. Somebody said that i have to wait 24 hours for the membership to kick in and its now been around 32 or so and still no luck. someone help because i want to enjoy the full extent of this game :P.