I Break The News | News, Creativity, Life and Travel

Hello everybody and welcome back!

I have just returned from my first international trip after the worldwide situation that affected us all. For me it was a necessary trip since I need to keep my UK documents in order. Let me start off by saying this trip did not go smoothly but during times like this you kind of expect it. Especially at the airport. I was nervous before the journey but generally just glad that I was able to travel again at all.

When you read about a form you have to fill in before your trip, make sure to expect it not to be a paper and pen situation at the airport or a screen at the terminal you can use.* Expect an enhanced digital process with at least 5 steps, a scan and several other pieces of information you must submit via your own device. My 3 printed documents nobody cared about. *most likely depending on your airline

When I arrived it was already super dark outside. I wanted to see how London is doing during these difficult times. In which way has this city been affected. First Brexit, then the pandemic. Generally during my stay there, there were less people out and about than I remember. A lot of stores closed down and companies folded. Yet many of the main grocery chains are still intact. I bought a snack there!

I am normally a person with a positive mindset but I have to say it was emotionally challenging. This is a city I was living in for 4 years. I went to visit a few of my favorite places and I have met some interesting people along the way. We talked about how the pandemic has affected us personally and what we can do despite the limited options we currently have.

It takes some kind of resilience and sometimes you need a break and some positive experiences to keep going, simple things like an honest conversation over a meal with good people. They told me they miss that too. Not only is the uncertainty regarding the future hard to deal with, they said the loss of connection and human interaction in real life is even harder. I agree.

There are a few things that are non-negotiable when I go on a trip like this. A chocolate milkshake at McDonalds is one of them. So is the Döner Kebab during my stop in Berlin. I go on the top floor of a London double-decker bus instead of the tube (subway/underground). It is like a city tour. Normally I also enjoy going to the museum but this trip was too short for that.

When I left Germany for the UK, it was after the spike of numbers. The day I left was actually the lowest point. When I just checked for the numbers now, I saw that there was a new spike. So I don't know how long this will still go on. When they interviewed an epidemiologist, he said he is expecting this to be the last big wave before the pandemic is coming to an end. Let us hope he is right with this prognosis.

PS. Even though it is possible to travel internationally again, I would say, only do it NOW if you absolutely have to. You can tell there are processes in place but their execution is still somewhat unclear and chaotic. So if you have a choice, I think Spring and Summer would be a much better time to travel again. Maybe for a nice vacation. Thank you for stopping by here today!

all photos © IBreakTheNews.com

Hello dear readers! Today I want to share some of my thoughts with you. Maybe 10 or 15 years ago, when there was a new tech invention, without any hesitation we started using it and included it in our daily lives. It is new, it is an innovation, it must be good right? Without questioning we integrated it because everyone and their dog was doing it too. We get older more/countless new things are coming our way. Now I don't know about you but I think for myself. I hope you do too! :) I stopped succumbing to peer pressure when I was around 13 or 14 years old. The concept that you have to wear what everyone is wearing, you have to listen to the music everyone else is listening to. To share most commonly accepted opinions. To not stick out - because it is easier. And at that age range it was. With cell phones taking over it started with calls and messages (SMS we call them in Germany), later it continued with e-mail and data. As I previously wrote on my blog I avoid watching/listening to the news because my life is just better without it. (Try doing that in Germany where you get them EVERY HOUR on EVERY radio station) If it is relevant to me, the information will reach me. I do not need the doom, panic and uncertainty enhancing news coverage that is mostly clickbait to gather more views and trying to put all the negativity of the world into my brain and the weight of the world on my shoulders. I am just unavailable for that. I try to fill my brain with helpful information, I like to read books or listen to the audiobook version of interesting topics that can help me evolve, learn, get better and make the most of my life. During the US election and the beginning stages of the pandemic, I would still get news and e-mail alerts. Bringing the chaos into my home 24/7. Who needs that? I took a hard look at it and asked myself: How does this 'innovation' improve my life, well being and mental health. Don't get me wrong, I am not saying live under a rock. To catch up once in a while with a reputable news source is enough. I disconnect digitally as much as I can. In fact, I recently bought a sealed Blackberry Classic with a REAL KEYBOARD before they stop selling them forever. I have always been a big fan of the Blackberry physical keyboard. This phone is so beautiful - I love it. :) I am not one for the gentle tap on a fragile touch screen where the buttons are so small and close to each other you get 5 typos in 1 text. I like pushing actual buttons. I have installed WhatsApp and can get messages through it and even international calls/video calls. No Instagram. No Twitter. My main personal e-mail is connected to it so I get only things I am interested in and have signed up for. The point of this article is to say, should we blindly include any new app or technology into our lives just because it is new and everyone is using it? Why not take the time to ask yourself is this thing actually making MY LIFE BETTER? Or is it really just a meaningless distraction that keeps you away from working on and achieving your real life goals while the app is clouding your mind, collecting your personal data and making other people rich while doing so? Finally, I want to say, we have an amazing brain that is capable of so much if we only use it. That is it for today. Thank you for stopping by.🙋

Hello there and welcome back here. Today I have something special for you. As you may or may not know, I am a creative person which also includes being a singer and songwriter. Returning to my truest self is also returning to music. I have not recorded anything in 5 years but because I had some time this year, I took on this project. I produced a remix of the final AUDITION in the movie La La Land. One of the best movies EVER MADE! :D Even though, I have been creative in different ways over the years, music had to take a back seat. You experience a few setbacks and disappointments and are supposed to grow up/get over/forget/deny your dreams?! A dream of self expression and creating something new. It is a sensitive yet very meaningful topic to me. In my younger years I knew it was my calling. You try to figure out how to combine your calling with your occupation. The question from the outside world is, why and what is it good for if it does not secure your income? They can't relate. But ALL CREATIVE PEOPLE know EXACTLY what I am talking about. You must do it. It is your assignment, it is your duty. If you are an artist, singer, rapper, songwriter, director, poet, filmmaker, dancer, etc. the gift is in telling your stories and expressing your talents when and wherever you get the chance to do so for the pure joy of it and to move and hopefully inspire other people. Being able to do so, is reason enough to be thankful for any creative abilities. That said, NYC had the best Karaoke places. Not London (with their private, little Karaoke rooms). Not Toronto, even though there was 1 good one I found. NYC had the big open, bar or lounge like places where you could just perform. This scene in La La Land moves me every time! I recorded this remix during the lockdown to make sure the universe knows I actually do understand my assignment. After all. Danke.

🎄 I wish you all a Merry Christmas, 🎄

a Happy New Year and better times to come for all of us. I hope you are doing well. You are not alone in this.

Frohe Weihnachten! Sincerely, Ivonne