Asking About Wudu and Reading the Quran as a New Learner

Salam everyone, I hope you're all well. So I’ve been drawn to Islam for about three years now, just from what I’ve picked up along the way. I deal with a chronic illness and spend a lot of time in and out of the hospital, and honestly, I feel like Islam is calling me somehow. A sister at work shared bits about the faith with me, and those talks really stayed in my heart. About a year ago, she gave me a translated Quran since I don’t know Arabic, and she mentioned it’s better to do wudu before reading it. I did wudu that first time, read a few pages, and then put the Quran up high where nobody could reach it afterward. My question is: as a non-Muslim just trying to learn and see if this path is right for me, do I need to do wudu every time I pick it up? I haven’t touched it again after that first read, because I’m not sure. She also said I could visit a masjid and talk to an imam if I have questions (please correct me if I’m saying that wrong), but I feel a bit nervous, even though she assures me it’s fine. I’m Hispanic, and I worry about how I might be seen, even though I know I shouldn’t let that stop me. Can anyone here advise if it’s okay to read the translation without wudu just for learning and forming my own thoughts? I really don’t want to disrespect this beautiful faith, so I’ve left the book alone since that first time. Jazakum Allahu khairan for any guidance.