@liztai it's always interesting to hear what your experience learning Mandarin is like, because mine is so similar and yet so different. We're both heritage learners in Southeast Asia, and we're both trying to level up to HSK4.
But you have a great foundation in speaking Mandarin. I sound like a 3-year-old! I did calligraphy and Mandarin in school, so I can copy beautifully. But I did the bare minimum for school, so I can't read the newspaper even at my snail's speed.