Hey guys!
The last couple of weeks have made it impossible to ignore mother nature’s cries for help, and the anger of many of our citizens.

Last Friday saw a business strike and protest in cities worldwide in anticipation for the UN Climate Action Summit, with a turnout in Newcastle of more than 10,000 people. Check out the video below!

September 16th saw the Hunter Valley placed on level 1 water restrictions, with much anger directed at the council for waiting this long to put the restriction in place.
Over the last few days, Scott Morrison has announced that the Australian government is investing $150 million over five years for Australian businesses and researchers to support NASA’s moon to Mars exploration plan. According to the prime minister, this will provide more jobs for Australians, more technology and more investment in businesses which will have a positive impact on the overall economy.

Meanwhile, crops, livestock and entire farms throughout New South Wales are dying, with towns like Tamworth on level 6 water restrictions; some towns at the point of having water shipped in for them.
Worse still, there are approximately 13 million metric tons of plastic dumped in the ocean each year, which is already having a tragic impact on wildlife.

Like any other issue, people have taken to social media to express their anger and concerns. Like any other issue, people are quick to blame the prime minister and the supermarket giants. Yes, there is money being spent on a space program which could be better spent helping those affected by drought. And yes, supermarkets do use plastic to cover many of their produce items. However, the plastic prolongs the life of most produce items, while plastic leafy salad vegetable packs have no alternative. This becomes a battle between the worse of two evils: plastic or mass food wastage.
Precious few are able to admit that perhaps us, the everyday citizens are playing a part in the demise of our precious planet.

Rome wasn’t built in a day, and like this old cliché, the truth is: one single person can’t change the world, and certainly not overnight. However, we can all do our part to reduce our environmental footprint.

1. Recycle everything recyclable. It is easy to accidentally throw recyclables in the normal bin. A milk carton here, a glass bottle there. They all add up, and if everyone allows the strays in, they add up even faster. Go to Kmart and buy three kitchen bins: one for garbage, one for recycling, and one for compost. This will also reduce the number of times you have to go outside to the bins.
   2. Keep material bags handy for shopping. Last year most shops stopped giving out single use plastic bags. While there is still a 15 cent bag option available, this is still plastic, and is only minimising the overuse of plastic, not stopping it. Go for the 99 cent bags and use them as many times as possible before disposing of them, and when you do, they break down much better than plastic.
   3. Be aware of how much produce you buy is covered in plastic. As stated above, in the interest of reducing food waste, it is impossible to rid plastic altogether. However, take notice of when recyclable plastic is being used, and afterwards, ensure you recycle it.
   4. Be conscious of the things you buy. Are the materials either recycled, or biodegradable? Reflex paper even has a recycled paper option available now.
   5. Keep buckets and water jugs around the house. Have you ever washed a load of dishes or taken a shower and wondered how much water you wasted before it heated up? Place a jug or bucket underneath, then use the water on the lawn or plants. This could potentially save you having to hose your greenery to keep it alive.
   6. Time your showers. One great way to do this is to play your favourite song and aim to finish your shower before the song is over.
   7. Think about how often you’re driving. If/when possible, try walking or riding your bike or scooter when traveling a short distance. For the longer trips, give public transport a try.
   8. Join environmental groups. This doesn’t mean plastering hatred all over social media and forcing your beliefs onto anyone who will listen. Many groups are underfunded and underrepresented, and with more people to speak up for them, this gives them the chance to actually be heard, and possibly bring change.

While these actions may seem small, but the small things all add up, and if we all do our part, we can help reduce our environmental footprint and our grandchildren and great-grandchildren will have a chance to live a green, happy life.

The SpiceWorld 2019 tour has just finished, bringing true the dream of millions of fans worldwide to see their idols on stage again.

They first exploded onto the music scene in July 1996. The release of their debut single stayed at Number 1 on the charts for ten weeks. The accompanying music video which was shot in one take at St Pancras Renaissance Hotel London, cost them just £10. The group I am describing is of course the Spice Girls! 

In 1992, five girls: Victoria Beckham (née Adams), Melanie Chisholm, Melanie Brown, Geri Horner (née Halliwell), and Michelle Stephenson responded to an ad calling for a girl band. Originally named ‘Touch’ one member, Michelle left to pursue her studies, and was replaced by Emma Bunton. 

Immediately following the release of their first single, Spice mania set in. Merchandise was everywhere, and in November they released their first album. By Christmas they were releasing their third single, which went straight to Number 1. 

1997 saw the release of SpiceWorld The Movie, four more Number 1 singles, a second album, and their first live concert in Istanbul. 

1998 saw the 103 SpiceWorld Tour kick off in Dublin. The girls would be touring Europe, America and the UK. 

However, on May 31st, fans were shocked when Geri Halliwell, also known as Ginger Spice announced she had left the Spice Girls via a statement from her solicitor. The four remaining girls went on to complete the world tour without her, releasing 3 singles that year, 2 of which went to Number 1. 

 

In 2001, after releasing a third album and 2 more Number 1 singles, the Spice Girls took a break to focus on their solo careers. 

For several years, rumours came and went of a reunion until finally in 2007 there was a dramatic announcement. 

All five Spice Girls held a press conference where they announced that they were reuniting for a world tour and would also be releasing a Greatest Hits album, along with a new single.

The tickets for The Return of the Spice Girls Tour sold out in 38 seconds.

After touring the UK, US and Canada, continually adding dates to meet demand, the tour wrapped up in February, 2008. 

Fans didn’t have to wait long, because 2012 saw the Spice Girls collaborate with Jennifer Saunders to create Viva Forever the Musical in honour of their journey. They also reunited at the London 2012 Olympics Closing Ceremony for an exclusive performance. 

 

Then in November 2018 an announcement fans had long been waiting for arrived. The Spice Girls would be reuniting for a six show UK tour in 2019. However, this time Victoria Beckham (Posh Spice) would not be attending due to work and family commitments. Tickets sold out almost immediately, and once again more dates had to be added to meet demand.

I personally was fortunate enough to attend the very last show at Wembley Stadium in London. One of 91,000 people, I was surrounded by people in Spice Girls t-shirts, pigtails, platform shoes and Union Jack dresses. 

 

Check out my own personal recording of ‘Viva Forever’ from that night below!

So, after over 20 years and two reunion tours, I ask: Why do the Spice Girls still provoke so many hardcore fans of all ages? 

When many people think of the Spice Girls they think of the catchy tunes, crazy outfits, big hair and which girl they are most like. What we often forget is what they did for our society behind the scenes. 

From the beginning, the Spice Girls catch phrase was “Girl Power”, empowering women to be whatever they wanted to be, and not be overshadowed by men. 

During this movement they had to break down barriers for the most mundane music industry actions like getting a magazine cover, making a music video and even appearing on television shows. 

There is something about their energy that is so contagious, and the fact that they were five ordinary girls with ordinary backgrounds is proof that you can do anything you set your mind to. I think this was the biggest appeal the girls had to offer, along with five very different personalities and appearances that everyone either liked, or could relate to. Girl power was so contagious that it spread to become boy power, and people power too.

“I just hope and I believe that the Spice Girls make everyone feel special because we are…we’re all the same.” – Melanie C

However, for me personally the part that brought me to tears was something Geri said, 

“It’s the band for everybody. Everybody belongs in it. As long as you’ve got a heartbeat, you’re in it. That’s it.”

In a world where despite the progress we have made, discrimination is still everywhere, this is the most reassuring thing. That no matter who you are, you know you are special. You know you have a place, and you know that you belong.

If the Spice Girls have taught me anything it is the importance of friendship, love, laughter and having fun. So many things in life need to be taken seriously, but never ourselves. Life needs to be fun, and part of that is learning to take the mickey out of yourself, laugh and enjoy life. Before I wrap up this post, please watch this video interlude from the tour below. To say the least, it was emotional, and brought many fans including myself to tears. (Please note A Word From Brett does not own this video).

With the tour now over, many people are now asking: What next for the Spice Girls? Not only is there a huge new set of merchandise for sale at thespicegirls.com, but the Spice Girls have also teamed with Roger Hargreaves, and released their own set of Little Miss Spice Girls books. Click here to get your own set!

Apart from this, Melanie B accidentally and too early announced a visit to Australia next February, which she later retracted due to family and work commitments of other band mates. There have also been unconfirmed reports of the girls meeting with Victoria to collaborate on another project. Whatever the truth is, the Spice Girls have guaranteed that there is much more to come. When the word is out, I promise to keep you updated.

Hasta manana, always be mine…Spice Girls Forever.

 

Hey guys!

I know it’s been a while since my last post. Suffice it to say, it’s been a hectic year! I got married back in April, and last week I returned from my four-week honeymoon. That’s right, my new husband and I had the privilege of travelling the UK and Europe for a month like nomads! Have a peek at the video below!

As you’ve probably seen from some of my photos on A Word From Brett and my social media, this was actually my third time travelling the UK and Europe. However, this time was very different, because this time I was travelling with someone who had never been outside Australia. Finally, it was my turn to be responsible. I feel like I got so much more out of this trip than any other so far. I don’t mean what I got to see, but what I learnt. What people don’t realise when they go on a holiday is the difference between spending a few weeks in a luxury resort sitting by the pool having cocktails brought to you at infinitum, and flying to the other side of the world visiting several different countries across two continents trying to pack in as much as possible into the limited time you have.

People say, “It’s a dream come true”. While the short answer to this is “Yes”, you need to remember that it is also a reality that requires a level head and sensible planning. In the spirit of A Word From Brett, I’ve compiled a few words on the most valuable lessons I have learnt from this journey.

Public transport is your friend. In my life, I have been fortunate enough to have parents who owned a car. When I was old enough I learnt to drive and then bought my own car. Before you go overseas it is essential to do your research on the public transport available. I find it most helpful to make a list of what attractions I want to see in a particular destination, then research the geography between each one and plan out how I’m going to get to each one. This method will ensure you get to see everything, especially if you only have a day or two in a big city. You don’t want to waste your time getting lost in a big city with no idea where to go.

Budget for absolutely everything. For example, Paris boasts many tourist attractions, including the Louvre where you can see Mona Lisa, the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, and many more; nearly all of which have an entry fee. You do not want to travel all the way to these places and not have the experiences just because you don’t have the money. You might as well have stayed home. You also have to remember the everyday expenses, like visiting the supermarket. You will regularly need to stock up on essentials like food, water, alcohol, and sunscreen. Also, remember that if you want to, say, visit Victoria Beckham’s store in London and buy yourself an outfit, that’s fine! Just ensure you budget for it! One major pitfall with money is eating out. Where possible, try to book accommodation with kitchen facilities, or at least a fridge, kettle and toaster; because you can go to the supermarket, buy a carton of milk, a loaf of bread and have breakfast in your room. Try to limit how often you eat out by getting creative! Supermarkets and corner shops in the UK and Europe always have a great selection of prepacked sandwiches and snacks. Find a park nearby and have a picnic! Or have a night in with Netflix!

Do your research on local laws and customs. One thing that really frightened me was our stopover in Dubai. As many are aware, the UAE has a zero-tolerance policy with the LGBTQ community. Cross dressing penalties range from fines to imprisonment, while acts of homosexuality carry penalties ranging from imprisonment to death. While the airport tends to be a free zone, it is essential not to do anything offensive; hence Jay and I went so far as to put our wedding rings on a different finger. This is probably overkill, but it is better to be safe than sorry. There are many places, particularly around the middle east where it is considered offensive for women to expose their body. In some places it is so extreme that even a t-shirt and pair of jeans just won’t suffice. Taking a stand for things like LGBTQ rights and women’s lib is very noble, however in a foreign country this is just not the time or place. Respect the laws and customs and you won’t have a problem.

Down time is essential! While we always want to cram as much as possible into a short trip, exhaustion is very real, and after a while it becomes physically impossible to carry on. Make sure that you set aside some time to chill, or even return to your hotel for an afternoon nap. When you’re planning the trip, ensure you incorporate rest days, and if you feel up to it on the day, you can go out and do something.

Mental exhaustion is when homesickness sets in. This is probably my biggest struggle. While some will tell you to press on and toughen up, speaking from experience, this will only get you so far. Before you leave, equip your phone with photos of things you love from home like your family and fur babies. When you start to feel down, look through these. It’s times like these when you need to take a little downtime. Go back to the room, take a nap, or take half an hour to lie down and watch something on Netflix. After a little respite you will feel refreshed and ready to carry on.

 

There is so much to learn from travelling. I will admit that travelling has its downsides, but it is the best way to get you out of your shell and see the world around you. When you arrive home the new perspective on life you have is phenomenal. I think the biggest thing I have personally learnt is that travelling isn’t just about relaxing and spending lots of money, even though that’s what you end up doing. It’s about opening doors, getting you out of your comfort zone and breaking down those inner barriers.

 

Anywho, I hope you enjoyed the latest Word From Brett! I can’t wait to catch up again soon!

xoxo Brett

 

Most people most of the time in the Australian setting are proud to be Aussie. After all, we are a multicultural society which over the years has taken in refugees, accepts the heritage of Indigenous Australians, and as of 2017 has legalised same-sex marriage, a huge step for the LGBT community.

However, in the last week my pride for my home country has taken a beating.

I suppose I should start from the beginning. First of all, I do not follow rugby or sport in general. But earlier this year, I saw on the news an uproar over a social media post by a rugby union player. On 10th April, Israel Folau: a member of the New South Wales Waratahs, posted a bible passage to Instagram,

“Warning: Drunks, homosexuals, adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves, atheists, idolaters, hell awaits you. Repent! Only Jesus saves.”

 

As a result, Folau’s $4m contract with Rugby Australia was terminated last Friday.

In a statement issued last week, Rugby Australia stated,

“The content within the post is unacceptable. It does not represent the values of the sport and is disrespectful to members of the Rugby community.”

Below is a statement read on behalf of Rugby Australia.

 

As a member of the LGBT community, I find it hard reading and hearing things from people who express hatred towards our particular lifestyle. I have always felt that as a minority group, people expect to be able to put you down, and you have no right to defend yourself or seek justice in any form.

When I read of Rugby Australia’s decision last Friday I felt victorious: like justice has been served for the LGBT community.

However, I was not prepared for the backlash.

“I will never support Rugby Australia again”,

“Whatever happened to religious freedom?”, and

“I thought we had freedom of speech!”

 

Naturally, a significant level of debate has been sparked by Rugby Australia’s decision. One side of the fence sees Folau’s post as offensive and hateful to the LGBTQ community.

However, there is another side to the fence; a side which argues that Folau’s dismissal was unjust, as the post wasn’t exclusively referring to homosexuals. I am more than happy to address the arguments which I’ve quoted above.

Firstly, there is no such thing as “Freedom of Speech” in Australia. In the US, freedom of speech is guaranteed in the Bill of Rights. Australia does not have this; hence freedom of speech is more of a privilege than a right.

 

The other side argues that Folau’s post was simply a passage from the bible, and addressed several walks of life, not just homosexuals. Furthermore, Rugby Australia is accused of stifling religious freedom which, according to some,

“…religious freedom ended when same-sex marriage was passed”.

But I ask, in the interest of religious freedom, is it acceptable to preach the stoning of rape victims? Is it acceptable to preach the punishment given to women accused of adultery?

With everything, it is essential to move with the times, and while most have moved past the concept of treating women like second class citizens, it seems the same cannot be said for the LGBT community.

 

Moving away from religious views, I feel the need to point out the legalities within Folau’s contract with Rugby Australia.

In the past ten years, employers and institutions have had to move with the times and add the activities within the online world to their code of conduct.

In the case of online activity, it is straightforward. Any negative material posted on social media about the company or organisation you are representing, or any material that could be interpreted as racist, homophobic, sexist, sexually explicit, discriminatory, or of a harassing nature will result in disciplinary action for the individual(s) involved, which may include instant dismissal.

This is not a quote from anywhere, but more a generalisation of the fine print in most contracts of employment nowadays.

To put it simply, if something you have to say is too offensive to say to someone in person, it is also too offensive to say online. If Folau was working in a fast food restaurant and vocalised the material of his infamous Instagram post to a customer, he would expect to face disciplinary action.

 

Anyone who has glanced at A Word From Brett knows my stance on the LGBT community. I believe that all minority groups have the right to live peacefully with equal rights, and not face discrimination or oppression.

The sad reality is that in Australia, 16% of LGBT people aged between 16 and 27 have attempted suicide in their lifetime. In the entire general population, LGBT people are six times more likely to attempt suicide.

 

I was always so proud of my home country. In my time I have seen everyday heroes fighting through floods and bushfires; re-building communities with that old tough Aussie spirit. But in the last two years, I have seen a different side to Australia. It is a side which demonstrates not just an intolerance but a hatred towards minority groups. The last state to de-criminalise homosexuality was Tasmania in 1997, yet on every piece of LGBT publicity, television show, even social media post, there are people who spit at them and tell them they have no right to exist. Even in the past few years our political leaders have faced backlash over accepting refugees whose home countries have been plagued by war. We even see commercials from companies boasting that the employees in their call centres are Aussie, as if people of other nationalities have no right to work and support their families.

When did Australia become so closed minded and closed hearted to other walks of life? Sadly, I feel this has always been the Australian way. We excluded Australia’s first people for centuries, and now we’re trying to exclude LGBT’s and foreigners, to name a couple. As it is, newly elected One Nation MP Mark Latham has stated in parliament that he supports Folau, and believes his religious freedom has been breached. Below is a clip from Nine News.

I am of the opinion that we are all equal and as such deserve equal rights and opportunity. This is why I have never, and will never support Pauline Hanson’s One Nation, as I believe it’s main goal is to exclude minority groups in order to benefit the majority.

 

To sum up the dismissal of Israel Folau, I am completely behind it. Vilification and hatred towards minority groups, whether in the name of religion or not, needs to become a thing of the past. It is particularly disgraceful coming from a person representing Rugby Australia who many young people look up to and aspire to be like. Time will tell if Folau’s appeal with Rugby Australia will succeed.

Please don’t get me wrong. While I do not identify as having a Christian faith, I am still open to people expressing their faith and religious beliefs. However, religion should promote a sense of peace and tranquility, not hatred and persecution.

 

Thank you for reading this week’s post. I realise that not all readers will agree with my point of view, and the fact that I support the dismissal of Israel Folau, but I just wish to convey the LGBT perspective, in hope that people can understand how it feels to be bullied, even if it isn’t directly.

 

My love to all readers until next time,

Xoxo Brett

Hey guys! 

Well, it’s official. As of last Saturday Brett Bichard is a married man. 

I was blown away at just how emotional things got last Saturday. There was so much love, joy and tears in one room it was unbelievable.

I feel that first of all, I need to acknowledge just how lucky I am to have such amazing friends and family.

As you know, 2017 saw love win in Australia, and same sex marriage was legalised. However, leading up to this point and even now, people in same sex relationships are struggling to be accepted and treated like a legitimate couple by their friends and families. 

People don’t realise that while in some cases like mine, I’ve been fortunate to have people who love me and my relationship with Jay as much as if he had been a woman. However, for others it is not as clear cut, and they have to find themselves facing new challenges. 

So many experiences for same sex couples are similar to their heterosexual counterparts, yet some are not, and are often confusing and unpredictable. 

1. Gay people are stereotyped, and as a gay person in a relationship, you’re no exception. You go through your whole life as you. Nobody else. When you come out, your relationship with some people change. Not the most important people in your life who know the real YOU, just the shallow, superficial people. As a gay man, you’re expected to give expert fashion advice and dance around like a princess. As a lesbian, you’re expected to have short hair and wear men’s clothes. In reality, there is no prototype for what a gay person looks or acts like. A lesbian can be feminine, and a gay man can be a masculine football player. Everyone is different, and there is nothing more important than being yourself.
2. Some people refer to your partner as your “friend” or “mate”, because they don’t know what to call them. I have found this most common among the older generations. However, you do need to remember that they grew up in a different time, and even if they do accept your relationship, the names and terms can get confusing for them. 
3. Some people will use any excuse to make reference to your sexuality. For men, this usually consists of sausage jokes when they’re eating, while for women it’s jokes about fingers. 
4. Some people will interrogate you on your sex life. For men in particular, they tend to be grilled on topics like anal sex, and are asked why they would want to engage in something so painful. The reality is that like straight couples, gay couples will discuss their bedroom interests with each other, and will only engage in what they feel comfortable doing. 
5. You find yourself being asked: “So, who is the man in the relationship?” This will sound shocking, but same-sex relationships tend to feature either both men, or both women. I think a better version of this question is: Who is the dominant partner? Of course, in many cases this comes back to the bedroom. With men, you have your “top” partner and your “bottom” partner, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the top is the dominant one; just like how a woman can still be the dominant partner in a hetero relationship. The truth is, we all have our different strengths. One of you might be introverted and shy, but fantastic with book keeping, organising finances and life in general. Meanwhile the other may be extroverted and loud, with no clue how to use a computer but is a handyman with a green thumb. We’ve all got our strengths and weaknesses, and all relationships can relate to this. 
6. When you meet new people together, you have to prepare yourself to introduce your lover as your “friend” or sibling. This sounds really strange, but this is purely because some people still don’t accept same-sex couples, and sometimes it’s necessary to assess whether you’re up for the awkward experience. One experience of mine which stands out is when Jay and I ran into some relatives in a shopping centre. They were talking to some old friends, and introduced us to them, emphasising how exciting it was that we were getting married in 2019. The friends couldn’t wait to change the subject, without so much as a word of congratulations. They tried again, with the same response. It was from this moment I learnt to try to assess people first. 
7. It is nearly impossible to be religious. So many people believe that God opposes homosexuality, yet others believe God loves everyone. For gays, it often tends to be more trouble than it is worth!
8. When you announce your relationship, and then your engagement you have to prepare yourself for an underwhelming reaction. While I was lucky enough to be surrounded by love from every friend and family member, this is not the norm for most members of the LGBTQI community. I think the best advice I can give with this one is that as a couple, it is essential to focus on what feels right for the two of you, not what you feel will please other people.
9. You have to be careful where and when you show affection. I cannot hold hands in public, and even when Jay puts his arm around me, I find it difficult not to feel self-conscious. Thankfully, we’ve never suffered worse than a few filthy stares, but you hear of other people who suffer physical and verbal abuse from total strangers. In extreme cases, you hear of people being victims of drive by shootings. I find this utterly frightening.
10. Having children isn’t so simple. Personally, I have no desire to have kids, so the fact that there are no accidents suits me just fine! However, for those who want to have children this can become quite difficult. Even if they do succeed in bearing a child, they are stuck with the stigma of having an illegitimate child. Logic will tell most of us that as long as your child is loved and cared for, everything else shouldn’t matter. However, for some this still is not good enough.

 

These are just some things which people in same-sex relationships go through, which their heterosexual counterparts do not. I must reiterate just how lucky I am in my experiences with Jay, in that 99% of my experiences have been positive, and I have the best family and friends I could ever ask for.

While Australians have made big steps in the right direction, the LGBTQI community still face battles like this each and every day, and it is something that each of us should be aware of.

 

As for me, I just had the most perfect, magical wedding and I have a whole life of joy and love to look forward to with my new husband. Here’s to love! Thank you for reading.

 

My sincerest love to all,

xoxo Brett

Imagine if everything you thought you knew turned out to be false. I don’t mean your genetics or a maths problem. I mean absolutely everything you thought you knew about the world, from how the economy works, to how people on the outside world relate to each other, whether there is even an outside world, and who or what makes the world go round.

Yeonmi Park is one of over 31,000 registered North Korean defectors registered in South Korea. For the first 13 years of her life, Yeonmi lived in North Korea. A hermit country cut off from the outside world including its rival South Korea, whose capital Seoul is located just 30 miles from the border, North Korean life is a far cry from anywhere else in the world.

In her book, In Order to Live, Yeonmi Park tells of life with her mother, father and older sister Eunmi. Yeonmi’s father worked in the nation capital: Pyongyang, while the family home was located in the town of Hyesan near the Yale River which separated North Korea and China.

Yeonmi tells of a life of brainwashing, propaganda, and grinding poverty under the rule of the Kim family. When she was little, she was told by her mother, “…not to even whisper, because even the birds and mice could hear me.” The rulers are like gods to the North Korean people, who believe they can control the weather, protect them from the outside world, and even read their minds.

Yeonmi and her family lived through the famine of the 1990’s and early 2000’s, where she would see starving children dying on the street. Meanwhile, her own family were struggling Yeonmi recalls going to the fields with her sister Eunmi and eating dragonflies; she loved the aroma when you first lit them and cooked them. During this time, her parents were forced to sell goods on the black market smuggled in from China. Yeonmi revealed that she was fascinated by the smuggled South Korean sitcoms she used to watch, and how different their lives appeared to be. However, she also recalled the execution of the mother of a girl she was friends with. Her crime, you ask. Watching a Hollywood film.

Things took a turn for the worst when Yeonmi’s father was arrested for smuggling banned goods in from China and was tortured for information before being sentenced to hard labour in a concentration camp. After much begging and bribery, he was eventually released conditionally on the grounds of his deteriorating health.

It was at this moment that Eunmi told the family of a broker who could smuggle them into China. From there, as illegal immigrants, they would need to somehow cross the border into Mongolia, where they could visit the South Korean embassy and obtain status as refugees. As the family of an ex-con, and now no economic or social standing, Yeonmi’s family had no way of getting work, and were now destined to starve.

 

With Eunmi crossing the frozen Yale River with her friend into China mere weeks ahead of Yeunmi and her mother, they had no choice but to follow her. The family agreed that after they were settled they would send for her father.

On 31^st March 2007, Yeunmi and her mother crossed the border into China and began a two year life as victims of human trafficking, rape, emotional and physical abuse knowing that the slightest form of protest could lead to their traffickers alerting the Chinese authorities, and being deported to North Korea. Eventually, Yeunmi’s father made it to China, but sadly died months after being diagnosed with inoperable colon cancer.

Eventually, after a freezing cold five day trek through the Gobi Desert, Yeonmi and her mother made it to the South Korean embassy in Mongolia, and in April 2009 were flown to Seoul, where they were finally reunited with Eunmi, who had fled China via Thailand.

Yeonmi described the de-programming she and the other defectors received before they could be integrated into South Korean life. She spoke of the new concepts she never knew existed: bathrooms, daily showers, soap, shampoo, head lice treatment, the exchange of money for goods and services. It was a completely strange and new life.

Yeonmi was under the impression that once she arrived in South Korea, all her troubles would be over. Now, she was to face life in South Korea as a North Korean defector. Here, defectors are discriminated against in schools and workplaces, even on the street, treated as a drain on the South Korean system. Meanwhile, the now fifteen-year-old was to study and receive an education in South Korea with the literacy skills of a small child.

Worse still, after agreeing to appear on television shows telling her story of life in North Korea, Yeonmi has received threats, and has even seen news bulletins from back home, portraying her as a liar and a traitor. Be sure to check out the clip below of Yeonmi Park on This Morning.

Despite the stigma and the constant battles in her new home, Yeonmi is determined to raise awareness and tell the truth about the oppression, brainwashing and total lack of human rights in her home country. Her ultimate wish is to see Korea unified once again.

“That was my Grandma’s dream, to see a reunified Korea, and it was my father’s dream and now it is mine.”

Yeonmi also hopes for the day when she can return to Hyesan, see all her old friends and relatives again, and give her father a proper burial.

 

What strikes me most about Yeonmi’s story, apart from her desperation, and huge courage to find happiness in a new and foreign land, is the enormous hold that North Korea still holds over defectors who fled it. Many other North Korean defectors have even expressed their desire to return to their home country, despite the consequences it would carry. For some, it is for family, for others, it is the way of life they know best, and no matter how hard they try, they just cannot adapt to their new life.

 

In conclusion, this book was impossible to put down and I cannot recommend it enough. It definitely puts into perspective just how much freedom we actually have, just with everyday things like choosing what career path we want to take, and who we want to marry. I consider myself very lucky. While I find myself constantly trying not to shake my head at politicians and the policies they’re trying to put in place, I also remind myself that I am living in a country where it is compulsory for me to vote. I have a choice where in the country I will live, and I have a choice what career path I am to take. I know what freedom is.

There are at least several versions of ourselves which come into play in our daily lives. We make important decisions with them, and our emotions are generally driven by which self is present at that moment.

This is not to say that we’re all suffering with multiple personalities. But think about it: How often do you hear the expression: “I changed my mind”, or “I had a change of heart”. I’m saying that what some of us lack is the ability to use the right self for the right situation. The right amount of self in any given situation will help with our interaction with others and could even help us succeed in life.

As I started writing this, I realised how similar this probably sounds to Disney Pixar’s Inside Out film. However, as much as I enjoyed this particular film (Disgust was definitely my favourite), I think that as we grow into adults, our selves become more complex, but it is most important during adulthood to get them right. Here are a list of just some of the selves you might be familiar with.

 

The Happy Self: This self is similar to Joy from Inside Out. It is pure, uncorrupted and appreciates the small important things in life like family, friends and having a good time.

The Nervous Self: Like Fear from Inside Out, this self is very anxious and only sees the most frightening in everything. However, there is much more to it than that. This self also has no self-worth or self confidence and doesn’t see themselves as worthy or capable of achieving anything in life. Some people are lucky enough never to have this Self, while for others, it is a constant battle.

The Over-Confident Self: This self is pompous, arrogant, rude and is disliked by others when engaged in any serious matter. The most acceptable use of this self is when playing sport and trying to intimidate the opposition. However, the use of this self should be kept to a minimum.

The Angry, Jealous Self: This self sees fault in everything. Jealousy ties in closely with this self because the anger tends to come from jealousy. This self will constantly be asking: Why do they earn so much more than me? Why does she have so many more friends than me?

This self also tends to come as a by-product of trauma and bad experiences.

The Sad, Depressed Self: This self sees the world as a black hole of despair, like Sadness from Inside Out. Unfortunately, this self is the one least seen in adults. Children will cry and express their sadness, however as we grow into adults, this self tends to be suppressed, and comes out in other ways, like the Angry, Jealous Self.

The Selfless Self: This self is not present in everyone, but tends to be more prominent in people who do a lot of charity work. It is kind to others and will work expecting no form of payment. However, this self, like the Happy Self, is also vulnerable to being taken advantage of by others.

The Selfish Self: This self takes advantage of the Selfless Selves of others. It is during this self where the selfless side of others take their worst hit, and also why many stop letting their Selfless Self take over.

The Logical Self: This self is less emotionally driven, and makes judgments and decisions based on common sense and fairness. This self, in the case of people who are very dependent on others comes into play when they are left to organise something on their own, for example, an overseas trip, a business meeting, or even a birthday party.

The Wary Self: This self is street smart, and looks out for hidden agendas in things. The old “If it seems too good to be true, it probably is”, self. This self will question everything, and trust no one.

 

As you probably might have guessed, there is a time and a place where each of the different selves are appropriate in everyday life. While the Happy Self is the most well liked and desirable, it would obviously not be appropriate to bring this self along to a funeral, because everyone would either think you were a nutcase, or that your behaviour was disrespectful.

If you were to attend a job interview, the Angry or Selfish Selves would be inappropriate, while a mix of the Happy and Logical Selves would show an appealing personality, who can also bring valuable skills into the work place.

In the case of the Wary Self, this comes in most handy is during vulnerable situations. The sad reality is, the world isn’t a bed of roses like the Happy Self would like to believe. There are some truly shady characters out there. In the 1970’s, serial killer Ted Bundy would lure unsuspecting young women to their death by wearing a fake plaster cast and asking for assistance to his car. When the young women knelt down to put his belongings into the car, he would strike them on the head with a tyre iron. Bundy would prey on young women whose selfless selves would take over, rather than their wary self. However, we do see examples where people have become too wary, like Mad-Eye Moody from Harry Potter, who thought a wizard was trying to kill him when he offered him a handshake.

 

Which selves do you use the most? It’s something to have a think about anyway!

All the best during this cold autumn!

 

xoxo Brett

Hey guys!

This week’s post is a little bit different. This year, I made a promise to myself that I would read more. If you’ve seen my bookcase, you’ll see a vast number I have bought or been bought, and never got around to reading.

 

While I love fantasy like Harry Potter and A Series of Unfortunate Events, I am absolutely fascinated by true crime.

One case in particular has stunned, revolted, and intrigued people worldwide.

In February 1994, a suburban, semi-detached house in Gloucester, England belonging to Fred and Rose West came to the world’s attention when the bodies of nine young women were found buried underneath the house and garden. This all started when police and social services had become concerned about the welfare of the Wests’ daughter Heather, who had been missing since 1987. The Wests had eight other children, who upon being interviewed, revealed a family joke: that Heather was buried under the patio.

 

Eventually, three more bodies were found in different locations, bringing the total number of victims to 12. It soon became apparent Fred, a 52-year-old builder, and Rose, a 40-year-old prostitute were sexual sadists who had picked up and befriended young women in their car, many from lonely country bus stops, before taking them back to their house, subjecting them to disgusting sexual abuse before eventually killing them.

On New Year’s Day 1995, Fred West committed suicide while on remand in Birmingham. In November that year, his wife Rose was found guilty of ten murders, including that of her own daughter Heather, and sentenced to life imprisonment.

There have been many television documentaries, books and even a few films inspired by the Cromwell Street murders. However, one myth presented by all of these is that when Rose West went to jail for life, that was the end of the story.

 

In 2018, Rose’s eldest surviving daughter (Fred has another daughter Anne-Marie to his first wife Rena, who was also murdered), Mae West with Neil McKay published a book: Love as Always, Mum.

In her book, Mae gives her account of her horrific childhood at 25 Cromwell Street; the mental, physical and emotional abuse at the hands of her mother Rose, and the sexual abuse she and her siblings experienced from their father Fred. Most heart-wrenching, Mae tells of the aftermath of the discovery of the bodies and the trial, as she suffers with survivor’s guilt, particularly over the murder of her sister Heather, and tries her best to live a normal life.

What strikes me is that when you read or watch the opinions of people who have studied this and other criminal cases, the summary is that they are “monsters”.

But for people like Mae and her siblings, this view is not so clear cut. While Fred may have confessed to raping, torturing, murdering and dismembering at least twelve young women, ten of which Rose was convicted, these “monsters” were Mae’s parents. Mae describes her father as having a dark, menacing side to his character, and a side which was jovial, friendly and funny. She also describes her mother as nurturing, caring and loyal, as well as sadistic and cruel.

 

While Rose is serving life imprisonment and Fred is six feet under, I have to wonder who is really being punished for their actions. In her book, Mae describes relocating a number of times through Gloucestershire; able to sustain few if any friendships and relationships because of her parents’ notoriety. Mae has even been turned down for bank loans and fired from jobs because of who she is.

Worse off were some of Mae’s siblings.

In 1992, two years before the grisly discoveries at 25 Cromwell Street, Mae’s 13-year-old sister Louise was lured into a bedroom and raped by her father, Fred.

After telling a friend, the police were informed and a full investigation into the Wests began.

Louise and the other younger West children were taken into care while the legal proceedings were underway. Although Louise and her siblings refused to testify in court, the trial collapsed and Fred and Rose were allowed home, the younger children remained in care.

According to Mae in her book, Louise was in several different foster homes for the next three years; all of whom were paid £300 a week to have her, and each of them made it clear that they did not want her there.

Eventually, Louise obtained a court order allowing her out of the care of social services, so she could live with Mae and her other sister Tara.

The only positive thing to come from Louise’s ordeal was that it drew attention to her sister Heather’s absence; eventually shedding light on the horrendous secrets at 25 Cromwell Street.

 

I would now like to turn my attention to Rose. In 1995, she was found guilty of the murders of the nine young women found at Cromwell Street, plus the murder of her 8-year-old stepdaughter Charmaine, whose remains were found at the Wests’ previous home in Gloucester. Check out the news footage from the day of her conviction below.

The judge stated, “If attention is paid to what I think, you will never be released.”

However, many questions remain, and much criticism has been directed at the prosecution and overall trial of Rosemary West.

First, every piece of evidence against her was circumstantial. Not one person could come forward and tell the jury that they saw Rose kill any one of the deceased victims. Every witness called forward by the prosecution, including Fred’s eldest surviving daughter Anne-Marie, described being exposed to some form of sadistic behaviour by Rose at some point in their lives.

Second, Rose to this day has made no admissions, and Fred even said in his confessions that Rose knew nothing about the murders.

The evidence against her at the time however small seemed damning. In the weeks following the disappearance of Lynda Gough, the first victim buried at Cromwell Street in 1973, Lynda’s mother came to the house looking for her. The door was answered by Rose, who at first said Lynda had never lived there. Mrs. Gough however noticed that Rose was wearing Lynda’s slippers and cardigan. When pressed, Rose admitted Lynda had lived there but had moved to Weston-super-Mare.

The next time Mrs. Gough heard of her daughter was when she was finally exhumed from underneath the bathroom extension at 25 Cromwell Street in 1994.

 

Another piece of evidence came from Caroline Owens, who in 1972 at the age of 16 met the Wests when she was hitchhiking home. She accepted a job from them as a nanny for their children but left several weeks later after being openly propositioned by both Fred and Rose.

A month later when she was hitchhiking home from her boyfriend’s house, Caroline was abducted by Fred and Rose and subjected to a 12-hour ordeal of sexual abuse. Eventually, they let her go and she lied that she would stay silent about her ordeal and come back to live with them.

Caroline went to the police, and in January 1973, after refusing to give evidence for rape in court, Fred and Rose West pleaded guilty to indecent assault occasioning actual bodily harm. They were released with a £100 fine.

Lynda Gough was murdered in April 1973. Just how likely is it, after hearing Caroline Owens’ ordeal, that Fred acted alone? Caroline was able to give specific details of her sexual abuse; very similar to that of the deceased victims, many of which were carried out by Rose, herself.

 

However, the fact remains. A person who is cruel and sexually violates others is not automatically a murderer too. And after all this, no one can say that they saw Rose kill anyone.

This is something which continues to baffle poor Mae West to this day. Now a mother of two in her forties, Mae no longer speaks or writes to her mother. She tells of trying to press her mother for whatever information she can give surrounding the murdered girls, only to be shut down and told how cruel and sadistic Fred had been to her throughout their marriage. This is a picture in stark contrast to the one Mae remembers from her childhood; a woman who physically, mentally and emotionally abused her own children, and showed complete indifference to her husband’s sexual advances towards his daughters. Over the years, Mae has finally realised that despite how many times Rose has professed to love her, she will never love her enough to tell her the truth of what happened.

 

I read in December last year that Rose, now incarcerated in Durham prison is planning to launch an appeal this year.

This has aroused my curiosity, because the legal system is only supposed to convict when an offence is proven beyond all reasonable doubt.

But I ask, was it really proven beyond all reasonable doubt that Rose West murdered ten women and girls?

 

I hope you enjoyed my first Word on Books! I’m planning to expand my book repertoire this year, so keep following A Word From Brett!

 

Until next time,

xoxo Brett

We all have that struggle in life from time to time. We don’t know what sort of person we are, and sometimes we manage to attract the wrong kind of people to us as a result of our own behaviour.

They say that those closest to us, and those not so close to us tend to know us better than we know ourselves. However, if you were to ask them, you would get a different answer each time. If you were to ask your significant other, you would probably be told what an amazing, kind, thoughtful person you are.

However, if you were to ask your ex, or a bully from high school they would tell you you’re nothing but a stuck-up snob.

I feel like one of the most significant issues to this question is the culture in which we live. Some old-fashioned folk will only give a man positive credit if he works all hours of the day and night, and a woman is at home keeping house and having babies. Some religious folk will tell you that a “good person” preaches God’s (supposed) word to everyone he comes across; that all gays should be executed for not following God’s wishes.

Meanwhile, the modern secular person will tell you that people who do this are not good people, no matter how much they preach. The more modern secular person will tell you that karma plays a huge part in our lives. If you are a good person, good things will come to you.

 

But how do you tell the truth from the lies? How do we know who is right? Can you say, with conviction, that you are a good person? This is a tough one, because nobody is perfect, and we’ve all drifted from the good side in our weakest moments.

 

1. Be honest with others. By this I don’t mean telling strangers that you’re ten years younger than you actually are, or that you tell your children Santa is real. There are some forms of dishonesty that are, to an extent, acceptable. For example, if your best friend has put on weight and she asks you if she looks fat, the polite thing to do is to lie and say no. However, there are more severe forms of dishonesty, which can take on many forms:

– Finding a $50 note on the ground and pocketing it rather than handing it in.

– Manipulating a situation to make yourself look like the victim, rather than taking responsibility for your actions.

– Blatantly lying to someone for personal gain.

2. Put others first. This can be something as simple as holding a door open to let others through. Other things might include giving to charity. Nothing here is set in concrete, it is just a matter of putting others needs ahead of your own. Ask yourself: in your day to day activities, who is the first person you think of: yourself, or the people you care about?
3. Think about how often you have conflict with other people. Ask yourself, why is this? We all like to think we’re not the instigator of conflicts. This could be a fight with a neighbour, family member, or verbal disagreements with workers in retail outlets. The fact is, if a similar sort of conflict has befallen you on more than one occasion, chances are it is either something you are doing, or you are attracting the wrong kind of person to you.
4. Take a long hard look at your circle of friends and acquaintances. By this, I mean, do all your friends have similar negative qualities? Worse still, do you feel like most, if not all your friends have up and left you? Chances are it is something you are doing wrong. It is impossible to control other people, but we can play a huge part in how others view us by the way we conduct ourselves and treat others.
5. Love and respect yourself. This sounds very self-indulgent, but the truth here is that it’s impossible to love or respect anyone until they’ve learnt to love and respect themselves. This is a massive cliché I know. The fact is, if you believe you are cheap and worthless, these vibes come through to the people you meet, and all you will get in return is being treated like it.
6. Be positive about life in general. This is often difficult, but the first step in doing this is to list ten things you are thankful for in life when you wake up of a morning. The fact is, positivity is contagious. Negativity is exhausting, and leaves people itching for that first excuse to leave.
7. Treat others how you would like to be treated. Another infamous cliche, yet oh so valuable. If you dropped $50, you would love an honest person hand it in to the lost and found. If you were working in a shop and had to deal with an unsatisfied customer, you would like them to be gracious and polite to you.

 

This probably sounds judgmental of me, like it’s easy to throw everyone into a category as a result of the things they do. At the end of the day, it is every individual’s duty to decide when they get up every morning what kind of person they are going to be. I hope you’ve enjoyed the first Tip From Brett for 2019! I can’t wait to bring you more!

 

All my love,

xoxo Brett

Every decade is distinctive in our minds. The 1960’s were full of women with short dresses and bee hive haircuts, the 70’s were full of flower power, men with long hair, and jeans with huge flairs. The 80’s made its mark with its mullets, big perms, shoulder pads, scrunchies and stonewash jeans.

Then came the 90’s: a decade that introduced Microsoft Windows, Furbies, Tamagotchi’s, and the lineup from the So Pop concert making its way around Australia.

Last Friday night saw A Word From Brett travel to Sydney to see the second instalment of So Pop. The concert took place at Quodos Bank Arena next door to Sydney’s ANZ Stadium; the air electric as viewers mainly aged from 25-35 made their way inside the arena. What struck me was how many girls arrived wearing pig tails and face glitter, jumping and singing in excitement as Aqua’s Doctor Jones and Spice Girls’ Wannabe played over the loudspeaker.

 

Sadly due to other life commitments, A Word From Brett arrived in time to see the second half of Two Unlimited’s performance. This was followed by Eiffel 65, best known for their hit singles Blue (Da Ba Dee) and Move Your Body.

The further on the evening progressed, the more nostalgia and memories returned to me as a child enjoying this music.

The Irish girl band B*Witched enlightened fans with a beautiful performance of Rollercoaster, Weatherman, a cover of Ed Sheeran’s Galway Girl, followed by C’est la Vie; the song we were all waiting for from them.

Boy band Blue delighted the audience with several of their cool, romantic hits before The Vengaboys took to the stage, bringing every audience member to their feet with Boom Boom Boom Boom and We’re Going to Ibiza!

For me personally, the entire evening was a suspense building exercise as I waited for one of my favourite bands; a band which could only ever be eclipsed by the Spice Girls: Aqua.

This Danish (just like the pastry) band starring Lene` Nystrøm, René Dif, Soren Rasted and past member Claus Norreen. They formed in 1989, and from 1997 achieved worldwide success with singles like Roses Are Red, Barbie Girl and Doctor Jones, also releasing two albums: Aquarium and Aquarius.

In 2001, after selling 33 million copies of their albums, the band went their separate ways, but reunited in 2008 and performed 8 shows in Denmark. In 2009, Aqua released Aqua: Greatest Hits, which featured three new songs. The group went on to release their third album Megalomania in 2011.

In 2016, it was announced that the group would be reuniting to tour Canada with two other 90’s bands and would be performing as part of the So Pop lineup.

 

I have never been able to understand why people cry and faint at concerts, but after watching Aqua perform at So Pop, I think I understand.

I was one of many to know every last word to My Oh My, Barbie Girl, Doctor Jones, Cartoon Heroes, and every other hit on the setlist. However, my emotions peaked when the piano started and Lene` began to sing Turn Back Time. The sadness and passion behind this song, complemented by Lene`’s strong vocals throughout was definitely the highlight of the evening for me. Check out the recording below!

 

The entire evening was surreal and incredible, and in all honesty I left on a high with nothing but a smile on my face as we left the arena.

As I’ve gotten older, I have come to believe that taste in music is generational, and what you grow up with definitely leaves its mark on you as a person.

I must wonder what my grandparents first thought of bands like ABBA, and the Bee Gees when they first came out. Did my parents and others their age get the usual, “What is this garbage you’re listening to?”, as they blasted it on their old boomboxes? I must laugh though, because we will probably never have a straight answer to this. The sad reality is: every generation feels that theirs is better than the last and the next.

However, one thing I know for sure is that it takes an incredible person, or group of people to make music which evokes such emotion and reaction in people like Aqua did to me last Friday night. So, I just want to say a huge kudos to Aqua and every other band from So Pop concert, and all the best with the rest of the tour!

 

All my love until next time,

xoxo, Brett