My New Summer Hobbies :)

So, this summer I decided start doing things on my spare time instead of watching t.v. etc. I have set a few goals for reading, going to institute (oh, my), and gym.

To start off, I decided that I was way over textbooks since I believe they are sooo boring and a waste of time to a certain point. Therefore, I decided to set my goal for 6 books this summer but I have already finished 3 of them so I'm going for like 15! I'm actually very excited to start reading and I feel that it really helps me take my mind of things that are going on and use my imagination. Sometimes, after I finish a book, I feel like writing one! I think it would be very fun and exciting.

I really Liked this one - highly recommend it!

Now, My next hobby is actually going to Wednesday night Institute - you heard right. I have been putting it off as much as possible but I thought about the importance of it and decided I needed it. So, I am now a student at Institute and I'm very excited because we are learning about the History of Christianity - really makes me think. The first week I went, I was extremely nervous and all of you know how nervous I get sometimes. I was shaking and when I got there - no institute for today: what? I was very, very relieved. I know this will be good for me and I am being very open to it, esp. with all it's social blessings, haha!

My third hobby is the gym! Finally, I'm very excited to have a membership at Lifetime Fitness. I have been taking Hot Yoga and let me tell you: it is extremely intense. You do yoga stretches and poses in a 100 degree room. I really like yoga and I have found it very relaxing - I highly recommend it. I have also been doing a bit less cardio and more machines that usual, and since then my body has been extremely sore but I'm definitely seeing results :)

I am very happy for my goals and feel very, very blessed to be home with my family at this time. If any of you have books to recommend me - let me know!

much love

Castles, Chateaus, and Villas . . . For Rent?

Yesterday, while sitting in the computer, I tried to think of where I would stay if I were to go to Europe. My imagination is a bit too big for my age or maybe it's my obsession with fairy tales, but I have always wanted to visit those classy and fancy places in Europe - castles, chateaus and the beautiful villas. This year my family and I are going to stay in a house we are renting in Resort, and that got me thinking - could I rent a house, lets say, in Hawaii or Italy, etc. Lo and Behold, through much search (overstatement) you can indeed RENT a Castle, a Chateaus or a Villa (of your choice, pick from the 100's of them) - I mean, who would've ever thought! Yeah, I was in my dream world, but as I started looking more into it, they are extremely cheap!!! Yea, you heard right - to rent a chateau would cost you only about $3500/week - which is nothing for a enormous house, pools, beautiful landscape ground (like in the movies) and more. Unbelievable! Now the question is, who want to come with?!? Haha, j/k but renting a Villa in a Italy is only the same price we are renting our house in Orlando - with the same number of rooms and everything. Well, one day I will reach my goal/dream but I thought it was extremely interesting to know this fact and spread the word - I almost feel like a salesman trying to sell a house or something. I'm posting some pics for all of you to enjoy and some of my personal faves (actually, thinking about it, I might rent a villa when I graduate college:)

http://www.holiday-chateau.com/

Much love!

My favorite villa in the outskirts of Florance Italy

Same house but in a different angle

Chateau d'Hermes - France

Chateau La Lindeau -France

Personal Fave: Chateau Palombe - France

Villa close to Rome, Italy

Castle Pearson -UK

So you get the Chateau Baloyne and the ruins :)

My First and New Blog: Crazy!

Well, what can I say - it's my first blog and I'm already being bogged down by it! Haha! Well, not really but the idea came from my good friend Ryanne. She told me that I should try blogging and so here I am. First of all, to name this thing was about the hardest I've had to think since I finished the semester - I quit at making names! I even texted Annie, my sis, who was in school to bother her with my pointless questions on what to name my blog. I first started with "Joyce and Spice" because, I don't know, couldn't think of anything. I then looked online for "how to make your blog name" (I would totally do that, haha) and I was seriously trying to find something like "Name your blog for Dummies," or something like it, and thank goodness I didn't find such things :) Then I was thinking how much I love Italian food and the language. I looked at phrases that sounded fun and could be integrated with Joy, and . . . Voila! I came across La Dolce Vita because it means the sweet life - so I went with it. I'm not going lie but I am not the most professional at writing but I hope all those who are reading (the two or three of you) to understand.

I'm very excited for this summer and can't wait to spend time with my family this summer, after all the kids get out of school. I will have to update later for pics on the family and everything. For now, this is what I'm starting with and hope you like it!

Ciao!