National Ice Cream Day in the United States is the third Sunday of July every year (7/16 in 2023). In 1984, President Ronald Reagan declared July National Ice Cream Month and designated the third Sunday of July National Ice Cream Day. Ice Cream Day is a special day to celebrate ice cream, allowing people to enjoy the refreshing treat in the hot summer weather and commemorate this delightful dessert.

Currently, there are various flavors of ice cream to choose from, such as chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, mint chocolate, and more. You can also indulge in creative ice cream desserts like ice cream sundaes, ice cream cakes, ice cream rolls, and ice cream sandwiches. There are also multiple ways to celebrate Ice Cream Day. You can create your favorite flavors, or explore local ice cream shops to try their unique offerings. Here are some famous ice cream shops in Austin where you can taste delicious ice creams.

1. Amy's Ice Creams: Amy's Ice Creams is one of Austin's most popular local ice cream chains.
Website: amysicecreams.com 
Rating: 5 stars

2. Lick Honest Ice Creams: Lick Honest Ice Creams is known for its high-quality, natural, and locally sourced ice cream. They use fresh organic ingredients to create a variety of unique flavors, such as chocolate mint, caramel vanilla, and natural fruit flavors.
Website: ilikelick.com/austin

3. Cow Tipping Creamery: Cow Tipping Creamery specializes in soft-serve ice cream. Their ice cream has a rich and creamy texture and can be paired with various toppings and mix-ins to create unique flavor combinations.
Website: cowtippingcreamery.com/austin

4. Museum of Ice Cream: The Museum of Ice Cream is a non-traditional art exhibition space focused on interactive experiences around ice cream. This conceptual museum originated in the United States and aimed to create joyful and blissful experiences by interacting with art, games, and ice cream.
Website: museumoficecream.com

5. Frozen Rolls Creamery: Thai-style rolled ice cream is a fun dessert that combines ice cream and thin crispy wafers. During the preparation, soft ice cream is spread on the light and crispy wafer, then rolled up to form a cylindrical shape. Additional ingredients such as fruits, chocolate chips, nuts, or syrups can be added to enhance the texture and flavor. Thai-style rolled ice cream is visually appealing, rich in texture, refreshing, and delicious, making it a favorite dessert for many.
Website: linktr.ee/FrozenRollsCreamery

6. Gelatoro Gelato & Coffee & Bakery: Italian Gelato is a globally renowned style of ice cream from Italy. It has a unique texture and flavor compared to traditional ice cream. Italian Gelato is typically made using fresh, high-quality ingredients such as fresh cream, milk, fruits, chocolate, and nuts. This results in a rich and creamy taste with a smooth and silky texture. Compared to traditional ice cream, Italian Gelato contains less fat and air, making it more intense and delicate.
Website: gelatoro.com
Rating: 5 stars

7. Dip Dip Dip: At Dip Dip Dip, they offer a unique and interactive dining experience centered around hot pot. While primarily focusing on hot pot dishes, they also have delightful ice cream options to complement your meal. You can enjoy it as a dessert after indulging in the hot pot experience. Whether you prefer classic flavors like vanilla and chocolate or more adventurous choices like matcha or salted caramel, they strive to provide all guests a pleasurable ice cream experience.
Website: dipdipdip-icecream.com
Rating: 5 stars

8. All Things Kids - Scoop: "All Things Kids Scoop" is a delightful ice cream shop located in Georgetown. It specializes in providing delicious ice cream treats for children. They offer a variety of flavors and toppings, and their rum-flavored ice cream is particularly unique and worth a try.
Website: allthingskids.us/scoops/
Rating: 5 stars
Please make the most of this special day, savor every scoop, and celebrate the joy that ice cream brings to our lives.

When it comes to ice cream, it is indeed important to consume it in moderation due to its high sugar content and cholesterol. If you have diabetes or other health concerns, you can consider alternatives like frozen yogurt, shaved ice, or sorbets. Remember to indulge in moderation and stay cool during the hot summer months.

​Happy National Ice Cream Day!

April 8th, Monday, 2024 Full Sun Eclipse comes to Texas.

After listening to Listen to Michelle Yeoh's Speech at Harvard Law School, I have to admit Michelle did an excellent job of providing three pieces of life advice in her speech (video): stay loose, know your limit, and find your people.

"Stay loose." encourages us to relax and embrace the uncertainties in life. When faced with failures or significant challenges, it's important to find a way to stay calm and navigate through them. "When falling, the tendency is to tighten up, to brace for impact. But in truth, the safest thing one can do is remain calm, even curious, about the shifting world around you."

"Know your limit." emphasizes the importance of believing in ourselves and working hard to push our own boundaries while not allowing others to set limits for us. "Learning how to fall teaches you how to land. And learning to land gives you the courage to jump higher."

"Find your people." means avoiding a zero-sum game mentality and instead seeking collaboration and support from those around us. "Compassion is the ultimate superpower within us."​

This experience resonated and reminded the "Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish." by Steve Jobs (Stanford University, 2005, Video) :

"Connecting the dots" highlights the significance of embracing uncertainty and fearlessly exploring, leading to remarkable discoveries. As Jobs eloquently expressed, "You can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something — your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever."

"Love and loss" act as catalysts for pursuing our passions. Jobs emphasized that true satisfaction comes from doing work we believe is exceptional. He underlined the importance of loving what we do: "Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. And don't settle." This connects to his famous phrase, "stay hungry and stay foolish."

"Death" reminds us of life's finite nature, urging us to make the most of our time. Jobs encouraged living each day as if it were our last, acknowledging that eventually, we will be right: "If you live each day as if it was your last, someday you'll most certainly be right."
These profound insights from Steve Jobs remind us to embrace the unknown, pursue our passions, and seize every moment.

As graduation season passed, it brought with it a wave of inspiring commencement speeches. To enhance your experience, I have included links to several impactful videos along with brief summaries. Please take the time to watch these speeches, as they contain valuable messages that can spark reflection and provide inspiration. 

• Mark Rober Address to MIT Class of 2023 (Video)​: Embrace Naive Optimism. Frame Your Failures. Foster Meaningful Relationships.
• "The Fringe Benefits of Failure, and the Importance of Imagination" by J.K. Rowling (Harvard University, 2008): the significance of perseverance and finding strength in adversity​

From the speeches, the main message is to embrace the uncertainty in life and strive to become the best version of ourselves with personal exertion and support from others. It's a wonderful experience to explore these videos and gain deeper insights. If you find another good one, please don't hesitate to share it in the comments section.

​Every year on June 10th, tea lovers from around the world celebrate National Iced Tea Day. In this blog post, we'll explore the origins of National Iced Tea Day and provide you with tips on how to spend the day indulging in this delightful and refreshing beverage during hot summer days.

The Origins of National Iced Tea Day Iced tea was first introduced at the St. Louis World Fair in 1904, when a tea plantation owner named Richard Blechynden who decided to serve tea over ice. The refreshing iced tea became an instant hit, and from there, its popularity spread like wildfire.

Tips to Spend National Iced Tea Day:

• Experiment with Flavors: Use National Iced Tea Day as an opportunity to experiment with different flavors and combinations. Try classic iced tea with a slice of lemon or go bold with fruity infusions like peach, raspberry, or mango. Get creative and infuse your tea with herbs like mint or basil for a refreshing twist.
• Host a Tea Party: Gather your friends and family for a delightful tea party. Set up a tea station with a variety of iced teas, sweeteners, and garnishes. Encourage everyone to bring their favorite tea-infused treats like iced tea popsicles, tea-infused cakes, or tea-infused cocktails for a unique and enjoyable experience.
• Discover Local Tea Establishments: Use this day as an opportunity to explore local tea establishments in your area. Visit a tea house, café, or specialty tea shop that offers a wide selection of iced teas. Engage with knowledgeable staff who can guide you through the world of tea, helping you discover new and exciting flavors.
• Support Tea-related Causes: Use National Iced Tea Day as an opportunity to give back. Look for organizations or initiatives that support sustainable tea farming, fair trade practices, or educational programs in tea-growing regions. By contributing to these causes, you can make a positive impact on the global tea community.

National Iced Tea Day is a celebration of the cool, refreshing elixir that brings joy and refreshment during the hot summer months. Whether you choose to host a tea party, discover new flavors, or support tea-related causes, make the most of National Iced Tea Day and savor every sip. Cheers to the simple pleasure of iced tea and the joy it brings to our lives!.