My Other Name

"Yuung...Ray.....Chi......?"

The American teacher stood there, butchering my Chinese name.

I bit back the laugh that was rising in my throat.

"Madam, it is Yang-Rui-Qi."

The teacher did not seem impressed.

Also, this is why I have an English name.

I don't want people butchering my other name.

My parents, on the other hand, suffer much worse.

My mom is called Xuhong.  Shu-Hong.

People always say: Zoo-hong!

My dad is called Yuqing. Yu-Ching.

People always say: Yu-King!

Oh, well.......

They don't know Mandarin anyways.......

I guess I have it easier than my parents.....