My genomic self

By STEVEN PINKER, foto J Riedel for the NY Times
In the coming era of consumer genetics, your DNA will have much to tell you about the biological bases of your health, your physique and even your personality. But will this knowledge really amount to self-knowledge? ONE OF THE PERKS of being a psychologist is access to tools that allow you to carry out the injunction to know thyself. I have been tested for vocational interest (closest match: psychologist), intelligence (above average), personality (open, conscientious, agreeable, average in extraversion, not too neurotic) and political orientation (neither leftist nor rightist, more libertarian than authoritarian). I have M.R.I. pictures of my brain (no obvious holes or bulges) and soon will undergo the ultimate test of marital love: my brain will be scanned while my wife’s name is subliminally flashed before my eyes. Last fall I submitted to the latest high-tech way to bare your soul. I had my genome sequenced and am allowing it to be posted on the Internet, along with my medical history. The opportunity arose when the biologist George Church sought 10 volunteers to kick off his audacious Personal Genome Project. The P.G.P. has created a public database that will contain the genomes and traits of 100,000 people. Tapping the magic of crowd sourcing that gave us Wikipedia and Google rankings, the project seeks to engage geneticists in a worldwide effort to sift through the genetic and environmental predictors of medical, physical and behavioral traits. The Personal Genome Project is an initiative in basic research, not personal discovery. Yet the technological advance making it possible — the plunging cost of genome sequencing — will soon give people an unprecedented opportunity to contemplate their own biological and even psychological makeups. We have entered the era of consumer genetics. At one end of the price range you can get a complete sequence and analysis of your genome from Knome (often pronounced “know me”) for $99,500. At the other you can get a sample of traits, disease risks and ancestry data from 23andMe for $399. The science journal Nature listed “Personal Genomics Goes Mainstream” as a top news story of 2008. ....... http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/11/magazine/11Genome-t.html?_r=1

Cristmans in Italy

During Christmastime, one readily observable difference between Italy and the United States, for instance, is the lack of crass commercialism that threatens to swallow up and completely secularize the holiday. For instance, instead of writing letters to Santa Claus asking for presents (or, in the digital age, e-mailing Santa Claus), Italian children write letters to tell their parents how much they love them. The letter is normally placed under their father's plate and read after Christmas Eve dinner has been finished.
Italians have also adopted some of the northern European traditions as well. Nowadays, especially in northern Italy, a fair number of families decorate an evergreen tree in their home. Here are some other rituals, customs, and traditions practiced by Italians during the Christmas holidays:
Ceppo: The ceppo is a wooden frame several feet high designed in a pyramid shape. This frame supports several tiers of shelves, often with a manger scene on the bottom followed by small gifts of fruit, candy, and presents on the shelves above. The "Tree of Light," as it is also know, is entirely decorated with colored paper, gilt pinecones, and miniature colored pennants. Small candles are fastened to the tapering sides and a star or small doll is hung at the apex.
Urn of Fate: An old tradition in Italy calls for each member of the family to take turns drawing a wrapped gift out of a large ornamental bowl until all the presents are distributed.
Zampognari and Pifferai: In Rome and surrounding areas bagpipers and flute players, in traditional colorful costumes of sheepskin vests, knee-high breeches, white stockings and long dark cloaks, travel from their homes in the Abruzzi mountains to entertain crowds of people at religious shrines.
La Befana: Kindly old witch who brings children toys on the Feast of the Epiphany, January 6. According to the legend of la Befana, the Three Wise Men stopped at her hut to ask directions on their way to Bethlehem and to invite her to join them. She refused, and later a shepherd asked her to join him in paying respect to the Christ Child. Again she refused, and when night fell she saw a great light in the skies.
La Befana thought perhaps she should have gone with the Three Wise Men, so she gathered some toys that had belonged to her own child, who had died, and ran to find the kings and the shepherd. But la Befana could not find them or the stable. Now, each year she looks for the Christ Child. Since she can not find him, she leaves gifts for the children of Italy and pieces of coal (nowadays carbone dolce, a rock candy that looks remarkably like coal) for the bad ones.
Holiday Season: On the Italian holiday calendar December 25 isn't the only special day. Throughout December and January there are a number of religious holidays to mark the season.

Italian Handbag

They're fashionable and constructed from only the finest grade of materials. You can wear with them with everyday outfits, or with your favorite work attire. The Italian handbag should be an essential apparel accessory in every woman's wardrobe, no matter your personal style. Here are some handbag brands and styles that you can pick from, as well as the best places to shop for these great items. Prada This name brand is an upscale Italian handbag and fashion company; shoes, clothes, and other fashion accessories are also created by Prada, and each item will unquestionably make you feel dignified and refined. Prada bags are ideal for travelers, or for women who are constantly on the go; there are also messenger bags and wallets that are available for men. The design of each purse is elaborate yet clean and modern, and the leather and handles are long-lasting, and will give any outfit that additional boost that you want. There are also book bags wallets by Prada that you can select from, and you can buy watches and shoes from the stores or internet websites as well. Check out the Prada internet destination to acquire information on the latest fashion collections from this Italian handbag company, or visit department stores like Macy's or Bloomingdale's in your local area to discover Prada styles that will work for you. Versace Versace is for the refined socialite that is looking for a purse that is eye-catching and is practical as well. The leather and gold chain accents on these bags are certainly attractive, and the metallic tones of some of the bags will decidedly make your little black dress stand out at any social occasion. These type of bags are in the higher price range -you can very easily spend more than $500 on a bag, however this Italian handbag will last you for years, so the purchase is well worth it. If you take trips frequently, and are looking to make sure that your luggage bag is as stylish as it can be, the Camel Suede Tote Bag from Dolce and Gabana is an excellent choice. This Italian handbag is easy to carry around with you, and will help you to organize the items for your trip. You can be sure that this bag will last for a long time as well, so despite the fact that it is priced online for over $800, you will be able to carry this bag for many years to come. You can also visit the online destination of Handbagcrew if you want to pick from the large Italian handbag selection on the site. You'll be able to see pictures of each purse, and you can also read a short description of the item so that you can determine what you want to purchase. Purchasing a bag online will also save you money in most cases, since the prices are cheaper than in retail stores. Happy shopping!

Barack Obama, modern icon

Barack Obama has transcended politics and his quest to be President of the United States by adhering to the very old rule of dressing for the job you want. Most of the candidates and politicians in America like to appear in jeans to show they are one of the people, but Obama’s campaign was generated and fueled by the people, so he never had to dress down for the cameras. In the process, he has taught men how to wear suits again. The clean lines and drape of his jacket never seem ill-fitting or bulky. The trouser cuffs break across his cap-toe oxfords just enough to perfectly end the slim silhouette that begins with the soft shouldered jacket. More importantly, by always wearing a suit so well, he never looks out of place. Few realize that he began his campaign wearing Ermenegildo Zegna suits, but just as Nicolas Sarkozy was lauded in France for wearing Prada, Obama soon found himself at the center of sartorial questions. Rather than change his look, however, he merely changed to similarly designed and fitted suits from Hart Schaffner Marx. Here, then, is another lesson to be learned: Be yourself and true to your own style no matter the designer or manufacturer.

Let yourself be beautiful

"We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be?"

-Marianne Williamson

For the past week, I have been conducting an experiment. Every morning when I wake up, I close my eyes, breathe deeply, and ask myself this question: "If I were not afraid, I would..."
The answers have been fascinating, and far reaching. One that keeps appearing over and over again is, "If I were not afraid, I would let myself be beautiful."
I find this startling: What is so fearful about being beautiful? In our appearance focused culture, why would I shrink from being as ravishing as possible?
Here's why I'm afraid. I'm afraid of attracting envy. I'm afraid that I'll get too attached to my appearance, only to grasp when it fades. I'm afraid because if I feel beautiful and confident I won't have an excuse for not pursuing my passions and dreams. I'm afraid because I won't have a reason to hide myself from the world.
I'm afraid because I'll have to change my perception of myself, and accept my divine worth, abiding in the image of God.
Wow.
I am afraid of my goodness. I am afraid of being my physical best.
My revelations remind me of all the drop dead gorgeous women I know, who if you ask them if they think they're beautiful will say, "I'm beautiful on the inside," as if their fabulous outer package is the equivalent of scrap metal. By contrast, I remember an interview between Oprah and Selma Hayek, where Selma unselfconsciously owned her beauty. I found that so inspiring.
My friend Sabrina and I were talking about how if weren't afraid we would get out of our sweats and Eddie Bauer pants. Yet the last few times we've run into each other we've been wearing...sweats and Eddie Bauer pants.
As Marianne Williamson so eloquently reminds us, we serve no one when we hide our beauty. Enjoy it; it's a gift, no different from your intelligence, your empathy, or your compassion. Each is to be celebrated, enjoyed, and used.Yes, your beauty will change, and it isn't permanent, but just as a bright, sunny day will eventually turn to darkness or rain, that doesn't mean you can't dance in the sun while it shines.
Use your beauty. Embrace it. Share it with the world. Let yourself be beautiful. ( karly randolph pitman)

Belive, belive in the Power of Love

Believe, Believe in the Power of Love

byNicholas Gordon

Believe, believe in the power of loveTo save us all from death and sin,And God that way your heart will move.Christ came to Earth to free us ofThe state of vengeance we were in.Believe, believe in the power of love
To change the heart from snake to dove,To make dust bloom and goodness win,And God that way your heart will move.
Christ arose from death to proveThat we a new life could begin.Believe, believe in the power of love
To bring us to a life above,A life of glory near to Him,And God that way your heart will move.
Christ will all our sins removeAnd make us feel His joy within.Believe, believe in the power of love,