I celebrated my 9 year Sveriversary with dread. I hate being asked the question, “How long have you lived here?” when someone realizes that I am not fluent in Svenska. Both Svenskar and other immigrants respond with slightly judgemental encouragement.

I know the only way to defend my excuses, some legit and some not, is to suck less at this. It’s hard to stay motivated to learn something that has no daily usefulness and is an obligation imposed on me by others’ expectations.