On a roll with posts so I will bite -

1) choose a target on the horizon (assuming this is not out to sea!!) which is at 90 deg' to the wind. There is a limit to how far you can go upwind I have never worked the angles out but without big fins on a board (designed for them!!) probably around 15 degrees would be really good. Look at your target and your wake for that matter and this will give you a good guide to how much you are going up wind.

2) If you are going up wind and slowing up you need to do 1 or both sine the kite to generate more power, drop off the wind a few points to regain your speed - a bit more weight on the front foot / less edging.

Carving up wind is used to 1) slow down - particularly when learning 2) to build up pressure on the kite just before popping.

Try carving an "S" wake by edging more then less (on/off/on/off etc). If you are getting a lot of power sining the kite you naturally respond to this by edging more / less as the power comes on (down stroke) / off (up stroke) - much more obvious on older "C" kites.

A tip you might have your back leg bent too much try straightening up a little - and face your shoulders forwards (the way you are going) a bit more.

Cheers
AP