After reading this, I may give it another go. I tried up until this past year to learn Chinese and only got to the 2nd level of my University's classes, but then my interest fizzled out when I realized how far behind I was in relation to the rest of the class. The biggest thing for me was it being hard to get certain sounds out of the words. It might have to do with me trying to read from the pinyin, but it was incredibly hard for me. Also might have been the self-conscious pressure i put on myself while fumbling trying to get the words out in class in front of others. I am sure for you that one year of intensive study was probably really helpful since it really forced you to get into it and speak?