This time yesterday I was furtively changing in a boys toilet wracked with nerves ahead of my forthcoming grading.
The boys toilet thing was very accidental - it was in a hall I'd never been to before and there was no sign on the door saying men's/women's or whatever. I saw the urinals and thought maybe it was a mixed area...
Turns out it wasn't but no-one saw me and I saw no-one so that was one trauma out of the way.
Moments later I was called to the front desk by our club's assistant instructor for the theory part. But, having never had more than one lesson with a female instructor, I was totally clueless as to how to address her. Should it be miss? Mam, Ma'am?
So I asked her - and totally flummoxed her. But at least now I know (the answer was miss btw). I answered my theory questions - what's the Korean for knifehand, the definition of Dan Gun and the Korean for 'L' stance ( and didn't answer Soggy Ninja lol).
Then it was the technical test. There were about 25 grading in total from white belt to red stripe but I never expected to be first up. It was a mixed group including a white belt, three yellow belts, three green stripes and a green belt... so instead of the normal 10 minutes or so, it lasted almost 20 minutes.
We did everything - it was surprisingly hard work having to keep up the intensity and technical focus for that length of time - but I did my best and didn't mess up. 
After we finished I stayed behind to watch the juniors and the higher grades. It was a really good opportunity to listen to Mr Walton (the examiner) giving advice or asking for certain things from some of the students - and the comments made will certainly be useful as I progress up the ladder.
I did have to feel for the poor junior though who, clearly very nervous at only his second ever grading, shouted out his name and grade.... but added Miss instead of Sir at the end. Mr Walton didn't look that impressed - but the lad himself, who must have been perhaps seven years old, doubled up on the spot in shame, hastily correcting himself with his head in his hands.
His parents were sat just in front of me and they, as with everyone else, struggled to hide their smiles at such an innocent mishap. I get the feeling that story will be marching back into his life in about 12 years time when he brings his first girlfriend home to meet the folks.
It's true what Baby_Huey said: it's not the military. So I think it was okay to smile 
I'll find out Wednesday if I passed...
Jx
Tags: Jinxi Yellow Green Stripe Grading TAGB Leeds
