Experience South America

EXPERIENCE SOUTH AMERICA 

Janice Zajchowski has been an Executive in the High Technology Industry for 10+ years. She started her career in the IT field but transitioned into an Executive Global Account Manager. Ms. Zajchowski's diverse educational background aided in her transition. She holds two Bachelor's Degrees and one Minor in Computer Science. In addition, an MBA in Enterprenurialship from Babson College in Wellesley, Massachusetts. Her history has since 1999; she has had several leadership roles in the industry. Her most recent executive leadership role has been at Oracle. Oracle is an industry leader in the cloud from an infrastructure, application, and hardware perspective.  

Ms. Zajchowski's role was to manage a Fortune 5 conglomerate. Her specialty is providing Analytical solutions to her clients. Analytics aid her client's in driving their business forward to achieve positive ROIs.  

In addition, to her professional role, Janice Zajchowski has traveled to several destinations throughout the world. One of her most cherished destinations has been South America. 

She has visited both the mainland of Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands, which border Puru and Columbia. The visit to South Amerian is one both of history and adventure.   

Ecuador is a developing country and a middle-income representative democratic republic. The country's income is based on commodities such a petroleum and agricultural products. The people of Ecuador are warm and friendly. However, to tour the most saute-after sights, a tour guild is recommended. Ecuador's experience ranges from the Equator's expertise, the volcano at Cototipaxi, local farmers markets, lodging at wild horse ranches, Amazon Jungle, to mule rides into Quilotoa Lagoon.  

Quiltotoa Lagoon is one to remember. Quilotoa Lagoon is a thrilling ride to get to the base. Quilotoa Lagoon was formed when a now-extinct volcano collapsed, and the resulting crater was filled with a startling emerald-green lake, the color resulting from volcanic minerals. Today there are two options to get to the base. One can hike to the bottom to decide to take a mule ride. Both are exciting and thrilling. For those weak of heights, the recommendation is to walk. The path leading to the base is on the track that is adjacent to the volcano. The course is approximately 4 feet wide, windy, and steep at times with significant drops. The mules are accustomed to multiple daily journeys along the path. Hiking the trail is physically challenging, with the need to share the track with the mules.  

On the way down, and once you reach the base, it is breathtaking. Bring a light lunch to enjoy. The guilds are friendly and eager to share the history of the volcano.

On your journey back to the top of the volcano, be sure to stop at the shop for trinkets and a well-deserved light meal.  

It is an experience of a lifetime that words can not explain. Please make it a point to visit as it one of the unique places in the world. You will not regret the experience. This is just one of the places to start as South America offers much more.

MEDITATION AND COVID - NOW?

 Meditation has helped millions of people during COVID 19.   Several families, professional lives, and individuals have benefited from both the mental and physical aspects of meditation.

Janice Zajchowski, an avid meditator, has helped her balance her work life as an Enterprise Account Executive.  Janice has been helping Fortune 10 Account overcome these challenging times.   There has been a dramatic shift in the business from Account Executives being on-site with their clients to going to a "Zoom" world.   The days are long and tiring, "Zooming" for hours on end with no real personal interaction.  

How do business individuals, fitness instructors, medical professionals deal with this daily?   The answer is MEDITATION. 

The best way to start and end your day is with meditation.   Even if you are a beginner, some apps can help you learn.  It also does not have to be something that takes hours.  As little as 5-10 minutes a day can project one in the correct direction and create a calming feel as one overcomes challenging times.

Please think of the individuals at the beginning of Covid 19 when the world did not know what we faced upon.  The brave front line works like - policeman, fire department, EMTs, grocery works, delivery people - the list goes on.  It was critical to keep our supply chain working, and they did.  Not know what the world faced.  

Not being a front-line worker or faced with the realities of being in the "field of helping people and distributing supplies."  Meditation and exercise was an excellent way to be grounded.

Meditation offers both physical and mental advantages.  

Mindfulness is a form of mediation.  It is physical exercise for the mine.  It is straightforward and as one only needs to follow one's breath and calm the mind.  It is ok for the mind to wonder.  Just focus on your breathing, and your focus will come back to a soothing environment.  As time goes on you mine strengthens the muscle, and it becomes easier and calmer.  One mustn't judge your thoughts or force your brain to leave a moment.  Think of t as a cloud; just let it pass and enjoy the moment. It will give, do not resist it.

A helpful skill in meditation is to ensure that an hour before and after you go to bed, you do not participate in "screen time".  One should not watch TV, be on the computer...etc.  If possible, do some stretching, low intensity of exercise, or something as simple as taking a walk to enjoy the air. 

In addition, to the mental gains of meditation is the physical aspects.  Meditation helps lower the heart rate, which decreases high blood pressure and stroke. 

In closing, with or without a pandemic, meditation is a therapy that has been in practice for years.  One does not know the earliest record of meditation practice, but it is believed to date back from approximately 1500 years BCE (Before Common Era).   Meditation comes from the earliest forms of Vedic, early Hindu, or India.  Thank you

 

AMERICAN RED CROSS BLOOD DONATIONS FROM VETERANS INCREASE

Janice Zajchowski, an Oracle Account Executive, is committed to Analytical software. She selected analytics as her focus due to the ability to provide hard ROIs to her customers. Janice Zajchowski has been highly successful in her field. She has earned several awards, Top Analytics Account Executive in North America in 2011. Janice Zajchowski also actively participates in various volunteer efforts. One of the organizations she holds highly is the American Red Cross.

The American Red Cross is very well known worldwide. The American Red Cross was established in 1881 out of NY. The American Red Cross provides over 30% of blood donations in the US. Hospitals and community blood centers offer close to 70% of all donations. 

The American Red Cross is committed to veterans, military personnel, and their families for the service they provide to our country. Their commitment dates back to the Spanish-American War, which was over 135 years ago. The American Red Cross has served over 1 million military families since 2011. The American Red Cross's serves are available 24X7. They have been provided services at their homes, military bases, and military hospitals in over 35 installations worldwide. The benefits are both provided when they are in the US and during deployment. There is also a focus on continuing these services as they transition to veterans.  

In June 2020, the US Food and Drug Administration updated its blood donation policy for active military, veterans, and their families. Previously the military members were not allowed to donate blood. The reason was that these military member spent time in countries where 'mad cow disease' or also known as Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) and variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (vCJD). The FDA has simplified its standards, realizing that the low risk of transmission and the regions deployed as low risk. Now millions of military members can donate blood.

Many of our military members were eager and willing to give blood, but they were unable to donate due to serving our country. They felt donating was a selfless gesture that could have a high impact on humanity. Numerous military members had blood donating engrained in their upbrings from prior generations. To them, donating is an emotionally positive experience. As a result, many military members felt like they want to make up for the lost time. Some are even donating close to double of their prior commitments. As a result, they feel that they are saving lives.  

There are still some restrictions in place based on location and duration of time spent in certain countries. For example, if a military member was stationed in the UK between 1980 and 1996, they could not donate. 

Please download the Red Cross Blood Donor App for more information on giving blood; visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS. If you were previously unable to donate blood due to these restrictions and are healthy, please contact the Donor Support Center at 1-866-236-3276 to update your donor profile.   

These policy changes serve as an essential step toward ensuring a safe and sufficient blood supply is readily available for patients in need both in the US and worldwide.

 WHAT IS BOSTON CARES? WHAT IS THE BED PROJECT

Janice Zajchowski a seasoned software account executive with over a decade of experience managing Fortune 10 accounts for Oracle.  Janice Zajchowski is Boston-based and also is a philanthropist who volunteers for several local non-profit organizations.  One organization close to her heart is Boston Cares. 

Boston Cares is an organization the recruits volunteers to engage in the community.   Boston Cares leads and trains volunteers to help accomplish goals that have a positive impact on individuals.  They partner with schools and organizations to identify and prioritize the needs of the Boston community. 

Through their positive efforts and impact, they inspire and gain additional volunteers.  As the organization grows, it further heightens the importance of the community's needs and activities.

The Boston Cares Bed Project has several core goals.  Some of their goals include ensuring that young people succeed by impacting their environments both from an educational and recreational perspective. Providing tutoring to adults to overcome poverty, ensure culture and environment preservation, contribute to the community's health and wellness, provide shelter and food, and respond to emergencies.

One of its flagship projects is the Boston Cares Bed Project. The Boston Cares Bed Project has a long history.  It was initiated in 2014 and has engaged volunteers and companies.  The goal is to construct a twin or toddler bed frame from start to finish.  The built beds are then distributed to organizations that help individuals transitioning out of homelessness. The Boston Care Bed project has constructed close to 2000 beds since its inception. 

Boston Cares Bed project is rewarding to the community and their volunteers.   Volunteers get to work in a team-building environment and have fun at the same time.  They also get to see the fruits of their labor through the construction of a bed.  For organizations, they get to contribute by hosting sites where these beds are distributed. It is an uplifting event for all the employees.   Finally, these beds are essential to individuals transitioning out of the struggle with homelessness. 

Of the 13,000 families experiencing homelessness, children under 18 make up over 50 percent in Massachusetts.  A sad but realistic statistic.

It is critical to experience a good night's sleep as it can lead to long-term issues.  Studies have proven that insufficient sleep can impact the physical and emotional health of children. Poor sleep can interfere with normal growth and development.  Underachievement and behavioral problems at school, depression, anxiety, and social interaction can result.  Besides the emotional impact of sleep insufficiencies, physical issues such as diabetes, obesity, and the ability to fight off infections can result.

The lack of something as simple as a soft, warm bed that a child can call their own space can have a long-term impact on a child's physical and mental capabilities.  

The Boston Bed Project is one of several or organizations nationwide that has recognized the critical need for beds.  Numerous other organizations offer free beds and furniture to low-income families.  Low-income families may also want to reach out to Cribs for Kids, Bed4Kids, Furniture for Families, local churches, and non-profit organizations.