Well, Hello again. I wanted to tell you all about the interview that I had last Saturday at CHLI. When they called me to say that I was a finalist, I was thoroughly surprised to have them say that I should plan to be there three to three and a half hours. Wow, I don't know what I could say for 4 hours. But actually I did have a lot to say. But the interview or should I say interviews lasted only about 20 minutes each and there were two of them, but I got there a little after 10am, and left at about 1:30pm I was the last one to leave. They grouped the finalists in sets of 6 or so. There were 6 in our group, 2 men and 4 women. There was a folder for each of us with a lot of promotional materials and an individualized itenary of what would go one for the next several hours.
First there was a '"readiness to begin" questionaire. It questioned whether you were really into beginning to do something, or you were there because someone else wanted you to be. Then there was a tour of the facility. Even though I have been to the Institute a number of times, I didn't really see all of the facilities and the grounds. We started out in the teaching kitchen where people were taking a cooking class to learn to prepare healthy meals. It is really impressive. Then we continued on downstairs to the fitness area with pools, locker rooms, and lots of the spa facilities and services. The spa is beautiful. All the things that one loves to see. Plenty of rooms for relaxing and relaxed progress through whatever you are doing there. There is a salon, two swimming pools, indoor and out, with appropriate lounging facilities, and even private cabanas you can rent for a day or half day for provate services, or parties. The locker rooms should really have another more elegant name. The whole thing is absent of the clanging one usually assocites with the sound of locker rooms. Showers and surrounding are simply elegant. The ante-room/waiting room for services have several lounges facing a shallow pool with lots of potted orchids everywhere. I wonder who is in charge of keeping the orchids at the peak of perfection. I never have any luck with mine. I guess there is not enough moisture in the air at my house. There is a red laquered footbridge in the area near the outdoor pool. Quite a feast for the eyes, as is everything in the hotel and especially the CHLI and SPA. One can see that "no expense was spared". I wonder if dinosaure come out there to frolic at night after everyone is asleep.
Then there was some down time before we were summoned to speak individually with the experts panel, and the marketing panel. The experts included the head of the fitness services, one of the doctors from the medical arm, the head nutritionist, and another young woman whole title I didn't get. The doctor remarked he was expecting to see me in green, but truthfully, it is not my most flattering color and I wanted to look my best. Questions included what we thought we would most use if we were chosen, and what was something that we feel was a long term major accomplishment in our life, and what we would like to accomplish with this. I have to say that I was pretty comfortable with it all.
Then I waited for the last interview with the marketing group. A group of very nice young women, also asking why I would want to do something like this program. My answer is one I have discussed with my BFF, that I want women my age to know that it isn't all over, that we can take on new challenges and accomplish them. Of course, that isn't the only reason.
It was an interesting morning, and it was fun. I have to admit that I was pretty tired when I came home. But I was OK enough to tackle some of the garage stuff. I have had a bath renovation and the garage was of course the staging area, which took the brunt of the mess.
It will be very interesting to see who they decide to choose for this Personal transformation, and what in the final analysis will be involved. As I said, I would be willing to have my story told, but I am not into humiliation. I will keep you posted on the outcome. I see my nutritionist tomorrow and she might be able to tell me how she thought I stacked up. I'm sure that she cannot give away anything.