Is it just me or am I leveling EXTREMELY slow?

Try this training guide:

10-20 Golems
20-25 Scare Crows
25-40 Cds
40-50 Jesters
50-60 Sand Rats(1.5 exp or higher only)
60-70 Roids
70-90 MP3(or aliens if you can get in early)
90-110 Aliens
110+ LKC

Make sure you use 1.5exp or more.

You could leave LHC/LKC past 165 really then train/PQ. Then at 179 start leveling at HoH/PQ to 200.