The Ring of Time
You decide to give the class a fake name AND a fake story - might as well begin the year on entirely false pretences.
"The name on the roll for me is Michael, but my real name is Zhuge Liang (pronounced ZHOO-gay lee-AHNG). My parents named me Michael out of fear for the new government in the United States when I was born here instead of in China. Zhuge Liang was a wise advisor born in the 3rd century AD and was known as the "Sleeping Dragon". I was born in the year and month of the dragon on the chinese zodiac, so it made sense. I would prefer to be called by my true intended name rather than my given name. Thank you." The class is silent and you notice more than one mouth open, stunned at your story. It could be your storytelling style, but more likely it is your total lack of resemblance to the Chinese people group - something you'll have to remind yourself to explain later.
A chuckle breaks out from the corner of the class furthest from your own, and before the teacher can restore order and move on, the initiator of the disorder belts out, "Yeah, whatever, man. Zhuge, YOU GAY! HAHAHAHAHA!" The room erupts in laughter, first from his cronies in the corner and then from the rest of the class. You even notice the teacher holding back a giggle. Before your cheeks become totally red, you should probably decide what to do.
Will you...
"The name on the roll for me is Michael, but my real name is Zhuge Liang (pronounced ZHOO-gay lee-AHNG). My parents named me Michael out of fear for the new government in the United States when I was born here instead of in China. Zhuge Liang was a wise advisor born in the 3rd century AD and was known as the "Sleeping Dragon". I was born in the year and month of the dragon on the chinese zodiac, so it made sense. I would prefer to be called by my true intended name rather than my given name. Thank you." The class is silent and you notice more than one mouth open, stunned at your story. It could be your storytelling style, but more likely it is your total lack of resemblance to the Chinese people group - something you'll have to remind yourself to explain later.
A chuckle breaks out from the corner of the class furthest from your own, and before the teacher can restore order and move on, the initiator of the disorder belts out, "Yeah, whatever, man. Zhuge, YOU GAY! HAHAHAHAHA!" The room erupts in laughter, first from his cronies in the corner and then from the rest of the class. You even notice the teacher holding back a giggle. Before your cheeks become totally red, you should probably decide what to do.
Will you...