Had my grading today. This time I’m 7th grade (yellow belt with green tip) going for 6th grade (green belt).
I feel I did ok, although I buggered up a really simple mid section punch. When they were “showing” us what move to do, they didn’t mirror image, and I can’t help it but automatically go to mirror everything. Soooo frustrating, because they just don’t understand. I’ve tried to explain before about why I struggle with my left and right, but they just don’t get it 
During the free sparing I’ve discovered I’m too used to being “soft”. I need to toughen up and get more agressive i think? When we do free sparring in class, because I’m so tall I’m usually with a senior, which inevitably ends up being a black or brown belt. Blacks and browns tend to have very good control, so they know how much room to give you.
At a grading you don’t get this luxury. Seems to be a lot of guys full of testosterone that want to be like a black belt, but they don’t have the control. So when I was with one of these guys, I was kinda like “OMG, he’s in my SPACE”. Dunno how to get used to this, I guess that’s what the whole thing is about, self defense when you’re being attacked…..but I just hate to “hurt” any body. As I said…….I guess I’m too “soft” 
Anyway, I can only hope I’ll pass. We only find out our result in the next class we go to, which for me at this stage I’m not sure when that’ll be.
hi mel…
so excited to know that you’re into TKD. been there before…;-)
noticed that it was a year ago you had your grading… hope you still have passion in TKD and be a great fighter. 🙂
I actually didn’t end up continuing it past green belt. I did enjoy learning TDK, but I found some of the training to use quite unsafe exercises. Since I already do so much exercise and have so many niggling injuries, I found it tiring to try and keep myself safe from injury while trying to “obey” their strict discaplinary style.
I was only going to take 1 month off, but then I found myself so busy teaching classes and stuff, and now I work every single evening, so there’s just no way I can fit it in anymore.
ahhhh… i see…. yeah, i can see that. agreed that TKD has many things to obey and to be a great fighter, it may demand some times. 🙂
i can say that I’m glad, ok done with it now. err.. not till 9th DAN of course, keke… just enough to make me equiped. now that, i’ve joined gym in my country, i’m more interested to do combat. keke.. i know combat is not an MA class but it reminds me of the good old days.
anyways… hope to meet you one day in NZ.