Great write up! Learning is hard and so rewarding! It took so much technique to ride the older boards well, they gave you tons of negative feedback when things are not going right. The new boards are not as finicky when it comes to technique, but when good technique is applied it is an absolute joy. The modern board builders have done so much to make this sport so much more forgiving and fun. Many of us here have had major breakthrough hopping on your first modern construction board.
The next breakthrough in new generation boards has already started. Boards that do not need to be pedaled or weigh shifting forward/ aft, thus a lot less energy to ride. If you get a chance to ride a Thirst, do a bunch of unlearning... roll it on to edge, stay centered and roll it even more to tighten up the turn. Simple.
The magic of this sport is those breakthrough days when things work out. So excited for you to get that day!
Fun Fun Fun! And that is the point of all of this... FUN!