DNA Self-Portrait

Here is a map of my haplogroup:

And some information about it. How strange to think that there are parts of me that are 26,000 years old.

Here are all of my chromosomes (except for X). Dark blue means European.

 

Here's a map that shows the similarity of my DNA to different population groups. The higher the column, the more similar our DNA is.

Here you can see some of the genotypes detected in my DNA tests and what they mean. I have the genotype most likely to produce blue eyes.

Here are the genotypes involved in hair color:



And here's the genotype associated with longevity. My mother and I share this genotype, as well as the blue eyes one.

Here's an interesting one. My mother has always been a little disappointed that I didn't turn out to be an athlete, like she was. Well, here's why:



My mother, in contrast, is CT.

All images from 23andme.

H2a2b1

We got our DNA test results from 23andme today, and I have to say it was extremely exciting. My maternal haplogroup is H2a2b1. H is the most common haplogroup in Europe, and H2 is common in Sweden (11% of southern Swedes have it); H2a2b1 is common among Finns and the Chuvash. My DNA is most similar to the DNA of people from Northern Europe. I'm 100% European (at least, as far back as these studies can go. Everyone is originally from Africa, but my line went to Europe). There's a feature of the site that is supposed to tell me which countries my DNA is likely to be from, but the results aren't there yet.

As for traits - nothing is off the mark, at least in the cases when I can tell. My genetic profile indicates that I am significantly more likely than average to have blue eyes and red hair. It also suggests that I am slightly shorter than average (I am) and that my adult teeth came in later than average (they did). Oh, and my "probable blood type" is O+ (it is). 

Also, my results suggested that my memory is better than average, and that I am more likely than average to live to be 100.

One of the more interesting tests measured my amount of Neanderthal ancestry (the average person's DNA is 2.5% Neanderthal). Without giving too much away, it's been a running joke in my family that a certain member of my family must be related to the Neanderthals because of the uncanny resemblance between this person and the reconstructed Neanderthal woman who was featured in a National Geographic a few years ago. Let's just say that the DNA results did not quash the joke.

More to come later, probably.

Map from Finland Travel Guide.

The clock

 

Today we went to an Antiques Fair and Farmers Market that was being held in honor of Memorial Day. There were a lot of neat things there (see the old irons above - they're heavy! - and the soda bottles) but our favorite, which we ended up buying, was an old clock. It's a 30-Hour steeple clock made by the Ansonia Clock company in Connecticut. The seller was Old Horizons Antiques. It works - it makes a lovely tick-tock sound and chimes on the hour.

They weren't sure when it was manufactured, but the symbolism on it suggests that it was made shortly after the Civil War. You can see the two hands shaking (the reunited union?) along with some sort of document, stars and a flag, and a fasces. This is where it's going to be in the living room. Right now it's in the cupboard, though, where it's going to stay until we get a chance to bolt it in place. Because, you know ...

Moonrise Kingdom

I don't often see movies in theaters (last one I saw: Black Swan) but I might see this. I love New England and the 1960s. Also, Bill Murray's madras pants.

Edited to add - I never realized how much Tilda Swinton looks like a young Maggie Smith.

Also, my mom wants to see this movie because it looks just like my father's childhood.

Toast Wrap 2

It occurred to me, now that my mind is back on things such as knitting, that I never posted pictures of my second Toast Wrap, made all the way back in October. You can see the first one here. I made it out of cotton so my mother could wear it. As it turns out, I can't wear the wool one, either. I do fine with wool hats, sweaters, etc. but my neck just won't have it. Consequently, I am knitting a new cotton Toast Wrap ... to be called Toast Wrap 3: The Return of the King or Paradiso, take your pick.

Pattern: My own Toast Wrap, based on fairisle twisted wrap from Toast UK
Yarn: Knit Picks Comfy Fingering Weight, white and whisker
Needle: US size 2
Started: September 12, 2011
Finished: October 30, 2011

Chapter 3

I like using photographs as inspiration as I write. These are for Chapter 3. The Enlightenment is now 20,000 words. Only 80,000 more words to go, if I'm lucky.

Photos from Toast, Quaint Living, Folkloric, and many more I don't remember ... 

Marimekko

I first encountered the Finnish brand Marimekko at Scandinavia House. Since then I've acquired one of their amazing striped shirts. Now it turns out they have a store on the Upper East Side. I can't wait to go, try on all of their clothes, and then not buy anything, because I am a graduate student.

Anyway - my family is of Scandinavian descent through William the Conqueror. I'm planning on having my DNA tested (like on Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates! Watch it on Sunday at 8!) and am curious to see if the Scandinavian connection is corroborated through the results.