Yatta! やった And I'm getting good at reading in Hirigana now. I've struggled with that in the past but I seem to be breaking through finally. 
I've also been playing 'learn Japanese while sleeping' videos from YouTube every night. They lace them with binaural beats. I think they help, but even if I'm not settling into the language through them, they are giving me a VERY good night's sleep.
And before the inevitable comment is made, I'll add: And yes, I'm aware of the kerfuffle about AI and Duolingo. They aren't getting a penny out of me, I'm doing this on the free level. I know how to ignore ads and rack up the free plays. For me, this is what is helpful and affordable for my continued learning.
Do I wish AI wasn't involved? HELL YEAH. But I won't kid myself. It's everywhere. I can't let it block me from personal goals.
とても良い
luna_y_gatos: Arigato gozimasu, Tsuki-san!
Good for you! 
That's great! I loved learning Japanese on Duo. I've been concentrating on French for work, but good going!
add me! Thinbrim
isle: I'll add you! My first friend that I actually know!!
Ceejay - I think I found your account and sent you a friend request
Did you previously have an account, because I found a LoriAldenH who was studying Japanese?
Heh. You could have asked me... A month ago. I quit Duolingo then, cause it was too repetitive, and I didn't get to learn new things. One of the big downside of Duolingo is it doesn't explain the grammar. Before, we had access to some discussions where we could get the missing explanations, but no longer.
So... Yeah. I got myself some "learn German" books, that explains the new vocabulary and grammar as we encounter it, so now that I am done re-reading Ascendance of a Bookworm, I'll get working on that.
StereoNacht: Ive noticed since the last update that whenever I get an answer wrong, I get a choice of 'continue' or 'explanation of why I was wrong" (paraphrased) so that might help.
Qwis: That's so weird! This is my first and only account. But that would be me, wouldn't it?
StereoNacht: I can see where it's not for everyone, Stereo. For me, it works well. Back in the 1980s I had a passable knowledge of enough Japanese to have simple conversations, but that was a long time ago, and I'm no longer working at the Japanese company I was at then.
Me with my team outside our surimi processing plant in Tacoma Washington. (But we worked in the corporate offices in Seattle). I'm on the far right.
So Duolingo is a part of my getting back into getting more fluent. I'm also into some Youtube channels, dug out all my old materials from the 80s (still have them!) and last night I rewatched Tampapo for the zillionth time. 
I like having a variety of learning tools going at once.
I like having a variety of learning tools going at once.
Oh, it did help me get started. But it only got me where I can decipher some German. I can talk a bit. But it won't get me where I want to go: I want to read Goethe in its original language. So I have to move to the next thing: reading more than a phrase at a time.
StereoNacht: You have a good solid goal! May you reach it and enjoy that book very soon!
I'm always feeling quite pleased when I can pick out words in dialogue or some other random sample of Japanese. I'm stubbornly refusing Hangul at the moment.
That's great! I've been plugging away at German for a few years now, staying pretty consistent. It's slowly paying off and in another few years, I might be able to better communicate with my German colleagues. Right now it's an adventure! 
Of course, doing more than 5 minutes a day would also help.
Of course, doing more than 5 minutes a day would also help.
SFFCorgi: it's sorta a tiny endorphin rush when a word in another language pops out clear as a bell, isn't it?
MaudelineKranfel: Most days I just do the one lesson since I always have a thousand tasks pulling at me. But now and then I go for a second and sometimes a third, if time allows.
CeejayWriter: it feels like uncracking a secret code! I love that I can naturally understand French customers now, and tell them about the park, lighthouse, beaches etc and book people in who don't speak any English. Once I got over my shyness of speaking, it just blossomed. I love it. I also enjoy various methods of learning, Duo plus Zoom classes,
Even Spotify and other audiobooks. Going to start reading French books as well.
isle: Yes! Cracking a secret code! I keep thinking, as I persevere to memorize a tricky symbol or word, that Japanese schoolchildren master this on a regular basis. And I've never been one to let a kid beat me at anything!
CeejayWriter: Yeah!
Just remember those Japanese schoolchildren also have to pass English (even if they forget most of it as quickly as possible). 
SFFCorgi: And they probably study longer each day than I do!
They have plastic little minds. Mine has petrified into solid coprolite.
