I'm really happy to be making this log entry, I'm in the midst of a breakthrough in French and it is amazing!!!!!!
Sorry for all the exclamation points, but I'm just really excited.
Lately, I've been finding that as I watch videos, listen to podcasts, and read books/articles in French, I'm really starting to understand more and more. I was honestly just putting in blind faith that trying to memorize the 1000 most commonly used French words and immersing would work, and it is starting to pay off. I have just surpassed 1000 cards of 5000 in the Anki deck, and honestly, I don't know if I will finish it, but I do think I will keep going, as it is very useful for reviewing content, and of course, building my vocabulary. I think in a month or so I would like to try sentence mining, however, in order to start REALLY seeing words in context and learning how native speakers phrase things. In a way, I am doing this with Glossika, which I have started using (and am really enjoying), but with Anki it will be more personal, more tailored to what I would like to learn.
It is the most exhilarating feeling to be sitting down and watching a video in French, without subtitles in French, and being able to mostly get what is going on and what is being said, and knowing that, if I continue with what I have been doing (which, I don't imagine why I would stop), the veil will only be lifted more. I feel like I am really seeing a reward come from my language learning as we enter my 4th month. It's frankly amazing.
Don't get me wrong tho! I still have a HUGE way to go, but I know if I continue on this path of consistency and pleasure, I will reach a state of being able to converse and understand with French speakers... which brings me to my next point:
France this summer??
I've been looking into exchange programs and I am going to apply to one in Toulouse for 8 weeks this summer!! My parents and I talked about it and they encouraged me to do it so I can immerse and stay with a host family. After talking about it with them I had such a great flow of motivation and happiness, and I am really grateful they are encouraging me to have this experience. I think before it starts I will be in England for a school trip (also amazing, we are going for 2 weeks to watch Shakespeare plays and discuss) and then have ~8 days in between the end of the university trip and my exchange. I think I will spend the week between Lyon and Geneva, which is also super exciting.
I think immersing in the summer will be a great opportunity to experience much more colloquial French, and while, of course, I can always watch sitcoms or videos, it's not the same as being able to spend time in the country with the people who speak the language. And the fact I have around 8 months to save money (gotta get to work!) and really prepare my French is also exciting, as I can probably get to a decent level by the time I get there. I am so excited to share this journey with everyone once I go.
Ancient Greek was fun to try, but I dont know if it was really my thing, it was nice reading about it and learning about it. No loss there

On another note, been looking into Russian very secretively. Maybe even spent a little money on an Assimil book entitled Le Russe, so perhaps my Language Laddering journey begins in a week or two when it gets here. Until then I am working a little bit through "Teach Yourself Russian," an Anki deck or two, a wee bit of Duolingo, and a few words a day on LingQ. In a month or two I'll try Glossika with it, but that is something you need a base in before you just dive into.
I know, I know, Duolingo- but it is nice as a way to get a start and dip your toes into a language, and also... its fun ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
The Russian is going alright, but I think the Assimil format will help a lot. I've been getting back into my Assimil French book lately too, treating it very low stress... it's nice. Currently on level 57. I regret stopping, but also, if I didn't, I would have begun to resent it, which would have been horrible for my learning. I find that starting in a Language can be pretty tough, it's super exciting at first, but then once you start to get into the nitty gritty, it can be a bit off putting. That's why I'm taking Russian pretty slow, putting in time over the course of the day that adds up to maybe an hour. I've taken Prof. Arguelles' advice (welcome back to him!!!!) and have been doing French and Russian on and off each other in shorter doses, allowing me to get used to switching between. I think, though, if I am learning Russian through French, then I will be successful in not confusing them- but only time will tell.
Hope everyone has been well. Best of luck and go with peace!