signs of good fermentation

what are some signs that my fisrt batch of beer is doing just fine, its been fermenting for 4 days now. what should i be looking for..

also my kit came with a clear plastic bucket, is that bad? it always kept in a dark place

as long as you kept the bucket in a dark place your fine. many of us ferment in a clear glass carboy or better bottle.

well if there is foam on the top of the beer your good. if the solid stuff floating on top is a nice brown/tan color your good. if your SG is lower than your OG your good. (if it stops falling then your done fermenting). i suggest you leave your brew alone for another 17 days. then bottle.

I have never heard of a clear plastic bucket. Bet that looks cool.

As long as you followed all the basic rules of homebrewing (cooled wort to ~ 70 degrees, aerated, kept temps around 65-70, etc.) you should be fine. Don't realy on airlock activity like many folks unfortunately do. Leave it be for 3 weeks and check the FG. Should be 1.010 or so and you are ready to rack to your bottling bucket/keg!