All about me

Getting Frenchified

by Matthew

Getting Frenchified – A new term that’s happily happening to me.

The first week (re)learning French has been exciting for me. I’ve lost a lot of what I thought I knew but also remembered quite a bit. Feel quite positive at the moment, I’ve only had two lessions so far my next one will be today (later in the evening).

Last week Monday, I was nervous about getting started with my first French lesson. Whilst waiting on the platform at Southbury (my local) station I heard a Belgian girl talking about Belgium with her companion. I got talking with her and she mentioned that she was from Flanders and how I would like Vilvoorde if I go to Brussels. I would have liked to speak to her more but didn’t get her name or number!

Anyway, I’m determined to get more involved in French culture, aka getting Frenchified. I’ve been given a great opportunity by the Institut Français who have given me a free year membership along with my study of the language. I want to meet French people, talk French and feel more comfortable talking French. Right now, I don’t have the confidence to talk French to people (in particular natives) except for a couple that I am really comfortable with. I’ve kind of become involved with meetup.com, to meet and socialise with more French speakers. I’m also interested in socialising with Belgian people in London more. Going to try and find groups and people that I can meet 🙂

Regarding the Institut Français, I aim to make use of the cinema. To watch French films, The prime one is Timbuktu at the moment and its subtitled so should help. I also want to explore other ways of connecting with French people and getting involved with French culture there. If anyone can suggest other ways in which I could get more Frenchified please comment.

I’ve got to work on my numbers, and French grammer a little more. My pronounciation is not too far off.

I’ve met a French girl that lives just outside of London. She’s pretty cool and it’s interesting getting to know her. Hoping to see her some more 🙂

This week in images

I also ended up eating indian food at a restaurant for the first time that I can remember last week Friday. No snaps unfortunately.

Edit: I started writing this on Monday 15th and only published it on the 19th! I went to Brussels again on the 16th and so I will make a seperate post about my journey. Pics and videos to come! It’s been a hectic few weeks for me. Bit unusual and I’m not coping! 🙂

Out of interest I need some business cards. I have a very basic design, could do with a little tweaking but simple is best and all that. They are going to be used for a wide range of purposes from professional job app to more informal encounters. If you a designer please comment below or mail me using the contact form.

I’m also thinking of writing a Economic paper (my second after my university report) about the Economics of developing countries focusing on the continent of Africa. If I do, the paper would be published and released here.

What I’ve been up to..

by Matthew
Studying French to C2 level.

Studying French to C2 level.

I’ve enrolled onto my French course for the summer. The aim is to learn French right up to C2 (Fluency). I’m excited, and start on the 8th June. So, next week! I’ll also be in Brussels in two weeks, so, a lot to look forward to.

Today, I also officially completed my project for DD309 with the Open University. I will be driving up to Milton Keynes to hand it in on Tuesday morning (tomorrow). It’s all been printed and bound, after a lot of blood, sweat and tears.. well not entirely true but almost! 😉

I’ve enjoyed this module immensely my tutor has been great. Assisting me through Skype/Email and face to face at our session at the London School of Economics. The project involved huge amounts of research regarding Environmental Economics and Carbon Trading. I’ll never look at the European Emissions trading scheme in the same light again.

On the way, I learnt so many things about how the EU operates. From using their direct line service (for help on EU matters) and Email. All of which delivered exactly what I needed. I feel that like most things regarding governance most of the information and is there if you ask for it.

I’ve also become more aware of how deeply important the environment is to us as a public good. Not just due to climate change, but the air we breathe, the views we enjoy. The things we can’t make excludable and struggle to protect. In conclusion, I found the EU ETS did assist with reducing emissions but only by a marginal amount and it maybe a little too early to say we collected any meaningful data. As the ETS has only been running 10 years. Environmental policies tend to take many years and not show improvements in short or even the medium-run. Many weaknesses within the EU carbon trading system can be solved by EU policymakers (which I will reveal in another blog post when I have my results back 😉 ).

It’s been incredible this module and I want to thank friends (some who are no longer with me), close family for the support. It’s been tricky at times to self-motivate myself. Many times I’d have a beer and watch question time doing little else. My degree is not over but it’s been an amazing journey so far and I feel everyone in my life is part of it. I’m so lucky to have you all. So, thank you!

My Pictures of the Month are below

Few notes: EMA stands for end of module assignment it’s basically my project for my Economics module. The intimate relations thing is an economic valuation I guess! How much time we spend and the net effect of those things, Got a few vanity shots… I don’t often go vain but I thought I’d go against the grain a little. And protect the NHS, our human rights might be disappearing but can we at least protect that? Too bad the tories got in.

My blog may be down at various points over the next month. It really needs an overhaul a nice new theme, it needs to be mobile/tablet friendly (hint, hint can anyone help in any way? 🙂 ).

Also, I’m taking action to address why the blog is slow loading. The database has pretty big over the years. I know the comment feature is not working properly for all readers. I’m trying to fix that too.

Whilst reading I was listening to:

Danke, Merci, Thank you

Britain’s Racist Election

by Matthew

Readers, its General Election time in the UK in May 2015. This documentary lays bare the human classification of race and the dangers it poses for any election. After watching it fully through I shall review it.

The story of the anti-immigration campaign in the 1964 General Election – featuring one of the most infamous slogans in British history – that made a small Midlands town notorious around the world

Link – http://www.channel4.com/programmes/britains-racist-election/on-demand/59088-001

Surviving as a busy guy!

by Matthew
Keep calm and stay busy

Keep calm and stay busy (I’m trying!)

Yea, I’m a busy guy these days. When it’s not all university work and retail work.. I’m busy learning French (self-study), I also want to enter go-karting events this year but haven’t been gymming for years (being too busy!). Entering a championship like I did in 2013 is a pipedream now!

But.. I’m still here and I got many posts that I’d like to get online but simply just don’t have the time to refine them. I’m currently at the beginning of my project for Economics. Lots of research involved. I’m also massively behind on an assignment that’s due on the 10th March, (why am I writing this then? Haha).

A few weeks back I had jury service. It was a very interesting and eye opening experience. Better then my current part-time job!

I’m currently also planning my summer, I need to get to C2 (fluent) level in French by next year to have any chance of applying for a decent career role after my European Voluntary Service (EVS). German some point in the future. I’m aiming to do my EVS for a year. I’ve decided to take French lessons with the Institut Francais rather than Alliance Francais. A visit to the Institut Francais made the decision for me. It’s part French government funded and you can really see as it has excellent resources (Cinema, Library etc) it looked clean and modern throughout. It’s slightly cheaper which is big bonus! 😉

To be honest now, I can’t wait to leave this country. Everything here has just sapped me. I’m gonna be happy to get out and I’m determined to do so.

I will not be available at all tomorrow. Friday 6th March 2015 as I will be focusing on my Environmental Economics assignment all day. I will write a blog post about it though because it’s an area of importance for me. stay tuned.

I’m so excited for 2016, it feels 2015 is just a filler year before my life really begins! But a lot of hard work to put in this year 🙂

DD309 – Economics TMA2 Marked :)

by Matthew

DD309 – Economics TMA2 Marked 🙂

Econometrics, Economics Bleh!

Econometrics, Bleh!

My second assignment for DD309 – Doing economics: people, markets and policy came back marked yesterday (11th Jan) and I was pleasantly surprised.

I’d been struggling with this TMA as I left it too late. I did a lot of my research the morning and the night before it was due in! So, I really am surprised to get a 2:1 for it and I’m shocked I did so well in the gretl (statistical component) of the assignment.

I did poorly on the game theory part which was a bit of a worry. I’m considering doing Environmental Economics for my project, and am looking to incorporate some game theory. I really need to brush up on that now 🙁

I’ve started thinking of my project and just jotting down useful websites and books. I’m excited but also very aware of the challenge but I’m so looking forward to it! Who thought I could enjoy studying eh?? It’s all down to the Open University. I’m not going to say that I’m shocked to have gone this far, because I started this to get a degree in something I love. It’s just amazing how time has passed from late 2011 when I was considering the Open University to the stage I am at now.

Graduating next year! May 2016 😀

Anyway, this module still needs to be completed and so does DD313 – International Relations. If you are considering university, especially the Open University. Do it you won’t regret it! I know so much more than when I began my degree. I find at the OU.. I’m treated like an adult then at the brick university I attended from 2008 to 2010. I’m responsable for my study much more, no lecturer whines at me. All my tutors either face to face, or over email (and phone) have been incredible.

To top it off, I do feel intellectually challenged with every chapter of my module materials I read, every external book I read and assignment I complete. I have more and more confidence in myself, the fact that I can have a fulfilling career, and not one that just pays well, but also helps a lot of people! 🙂

Running the level 2 and level 3 Economics modules one after the other was the right decision in my opinion. I was able to keep thinking about Economics over my small break between my Politics module ending and the level 3 Economics starting!

Tomorrow and for the next few weeks, there are lots of library days planned for my third assignment and research project! That’s it for now. Have a great weekend readers :p

*Note: TMA stands for Tutor Marked Assignment for those not familiar with Open University terms.

It’s 2015

by Matthew
Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year everyone. I can’t believe I bought the domain mixedmatt.com back in 2007. I never believed I’d still be blogging now.

Hope you all have a happy peaceful new year and all your wishes come true! 🙂

Matthew

It’s my Birthday!

by Matthew

Yep, Time seems to move too fast! I feel old.

At 0:02am a while back… the mixedmatt was born!

I’ll let my readers figure out my age. Comment just below. If nobody does then I won’t spill. Please don’t make me look like a loner! Ha 🙂