Month: June 2026

Oasis 82th Meeting | Club Officer Election

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What does it feel like to finally meet someone you truly click with? Someone who knows the stories you are talking about, understands the ideas behind them, and can continue the conversation with you. Sea Dragons Gavel Club President Bruce Yu experienced exactly that during his visit to Oasis Toastmasters Club in Shenzhen, China.

Before the meeting started, the new President of Oasis Toastmasters Club, Ivy Zhang, asked Bruce whether he was from Huizhou. Bruce was shocked—how could someone he had just met know that? It turned out that Ivy and Bruce had actually met before at the Division A Open House in August of last year. Ivy remembered Bruce standing on the stage and sharing his story as one of the youngest Toastmasters club founders in China.

The meeting began soon afterward. Bruce was first inspired by Tina Lin, who described herself as an introvert despite her energetic presence. Tina mentioned more than once that her MBTI type starts with an “I,” but her image was that of a sunny girl with a beautiful smile. During the club officer election, she spoke confidently and passionately. If someone were to ask what their first impression of a Toastmaster should be, Tina would certainly be one of the people they would want representing the organization.

During the Q&A session, Bruce heard the story of guest Nikki. Nikki first participated in Toastmasters while she was attending college in Zhuhai after being invited by one of her professors. She shared that her professor’s wife frequently spoke at the club. Nikki came to Oasis Toastmasters Club because she wanted to reconnect with Toastmasters after moving to Shenzhen.

While listening to others’ stories, Bruce also shared his own. As he introduced himself to members of Oasis, he found someone who truly understood many of the ideas behind his work and experiences in Toastmasters.

Cindy Zhang joined Toastmasters in Hong Kong more than twenty years ago, remained a member for two years, left for a long period of time, and recently rejoined in Shenzhen. Bruce was amazed by Cindy’s deep knowledge of Toastmasters. When Bruce mentioned Toastmaster magazine, unlike many members from other clubs who had never heard of it, Cindy shared that she still had several printed copies dating back to 2003. The same was true when the conversation turned to the Toastmasters–Rotary relationship. Cindy was already familiar with Rotary and even knew about the historic collaboration between Island Toastmasters Club and North Point Rotary Club in Hong Kong, one of the earliest examples of cooperation between the two organizations in the region.

To Bruce, Cindy felt like an elder with endless stories and experiences to share.

After the meeting, Bruce joined Cindy, Ivy, and another friend for a vegetarian dinner. The conversation flowed naturally throughout the meal. Cindy shared stories about her nephew, who studied at USC, found love during college, and married shortly after graduation. Cindy’s friend shared healthy eating habits and nutrition tips, while Ivy talked about the many different kinds of people she had met through Toastmasters.

For Bruce, the visit left a lasting impression. Oasis Toastmasters Club is not only a place to practice public speaking, but also a community of kind and experienced people who are willing to listen, share, and support one another. The evening ended with meaningful conversations, laughter, and friendship. When Bruce thinks of Oasis after this visit, he thinks of a group of people with rich experiences who are always willing to listen and share.

The Day Laborers of China

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For years, Shenzhen’s Sanhe Market was one of the most discussed labor markets on the Chinese internet. Many people knew it through stories about the “Sanhe Gods” and the idea of “lying flat.” To some, it represented freedom from social pressure. To others, it represented failure. However, behind the headlines, online discussions, and stereotypes were real people whose stories were rarely heard.

To better understand the reality behind these discussions, Frank Liu, Mason Liu, and Bruce Yu traveled to Shenzhen and Dongguan to produce a documentary exploring China’s day labor culture. The documentary begins in the former Sanhe area of Shenzhen before moving to Xiaobian Market in Dongguan, where many day laborers now gather in search of work. Through interviews, observation, and conversations with workers, the film examines what life is actually like for people living outside the traditional path of stable employment and long-term career planning.

One of the central themes of the documentary is freedom. Many day laborers have stepped away from conventional expectations surrounding education, careers, and financial success. Some view this as a personal choice, while others see it as a response to economic pressure and limited opportunities. Rather than presenting a simple answer, the documentary explores multiple perspectives and encourages viewers to think critically about the relationship between freedom, work, and personal responsibility. Its goal is not to criticize or romanticize day laborers, but to present a more balanced and human understanding of their experiences.

Like many documentary projects, the production process came with challenges. Before filming began, the team needed to identify safe locations and gain access to labor gathering areas while respecting the privacy of workers. During production, crowded environments, background noise, changing weather, and declined interviews created additional obstacles. In post-production, the filmmakers faced the challenge of organizing large amounts of footage while maintaining a realistic and balanced narrative. Through careful planning, additional footage collection, and thoughtful editing, the team worked to ensure that the final documentary remained both engaging and authentic.

A significant portion of the documentary follows a worker named Xiang, whom the filmmakers met at Xiaobian Market. Through Xiang’s experiences, viewers are introduced to the daily routine of a day laborer. The documentary follows him as he searches for work, visits internet cafés and pool halls, eats dinner, and spends time in public spaces where many workers gather. During interviews, Xiang speaks openly about temporary jobs, family relationships, labor agencies, and the uncertainty that comes with relying on day-to-day employment.

Some of the most revealing moments take place away from the labor market itself. Xiang leads the filmmakers through a nearby park where some workers spend their nights sleeping on public benches. He shares stories about labor agencies withholding wages and disputes between recruiters and workers. At the same time, the documentary does not avoid showing some of the social challenges surrounding day labor communities. One scene captures a drunk worker disturbing a local shop owner, providing viewers with an unfiltered look at a reality that is often overlooked. By presenting these moments without heavy narration or judgment, the documentary allows audiences to form their own opinions.

As the film progresses, its focus gradually shifts from labor markets to the people behind them. In one of the documentary’s most reflective moments, Xiang sits alone at night and speaks about his past, the decisions he has made, and the life he lives today. Surrounded by city lights and accompanied by soft background music, the interview encourages viewers to think beyond employment statistics and internet discussions. Instead, it highlights the human experiences behind larger social and economic questions.

When the project began, the goal was to explore what remained of Sanhe and understand the culture that once made it famous online. What the filmmakers ultimately found were not internet legends or stereotypes, but people. People waiting for work before sunrise. People spending long hours searching for opportunities. People trying to support themselves and navigate uncertain futures.

Sanhe Market may have disappeared, but the questions it raised remain. What is success? What is freedom? How much of life is shaped by personal choice, and how much by circumstance? Rather than providing definitive answers, the documentary invites viewers to reflect on these questions for themselves. Through the stories of the workers encountered in Shenzhen and Dongguan, the film seeks to move beyond stereotypes and encourage a deeper understanding of one of China’s most discussed yet least understood communities.

Happy 38th Meeting | One Day

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When talking about sunshine, almost everyone can think of a day filled with it. People’s definitions of a “day with sunshine” may vary. Some might describe it as a day of sleeping until lunchtime without work, while others might think of spending time with friends and enjoying life. Sea Dragons Gavel Club President Bruce Yu explored many stories of “one day with sunshine” during his visit to Happy Toastmasters Club in Shenzhen, China.

Bruce delivered a Table Topics speech at the meeting. He shared the story of how a single day spent reading Toastmaster magazine led him to discover the lack of youth voices in the publication and eventually inspired him to write an article himself. He spoke about the history of Toastmaster magazine, the writing process he went through, and the outcome that his article will be published this August. For many people at the meeting, it was their first time hearing about the magazine, and they were inspired by Bruce’s passion for Toastmasters. Bruce won Best Table Topics Speaker of the meeting. Among the many “one day” stories shared that evening, a common theme emerged: many members remembered the day they first stepped onto a stage to speak in English, served as a timer, or took on another meeting role. These ordinary moments became the sunshine that shaped their Toastmasters journeys.

Beyond the discussion of finding sunshine in everyday life, Bruce also listened to an interview with Song Rui, the first-place winner of the District 118 Chinese Speech Contest 2025-2026. Song shared that his winning speech was developed over the course of a year and refined through multiple revisions. He emphasized that authentic speeches come from real-life experiences. Song believed his success was made possible by the extensive preparation he invested in his speech on school bullying, a topic connected to his own childhood experiences. In addition to drawing from personal stories, he read numerous books to strengthen his speech and carefully considered which messages would resonate most with his audience. Song described Toastmasters International as a life-changing organization. Reflecting on what life might have been like without Toastmasters, he said he could not imagine where he or the hundreds of thousands of members around the world would be today. For him personally, Toastmasters opened doors to opportunities, growth, and meaningful experiences that he may never have discovered otherwise.

The atmosphere at Happy Toastmasters Club was one of the best Bruce has experienced among the many clubs he has visited. Filled with warmth, encouragement, and genuine connection, the meeting demonstrated how Toastmasters can bring people together through shared stories and personal growth. As members reflected on the ordinary moments that became their own “days with sunshine,” the evening came to a close with laughter, joy, and a renewed appreciation for the impact that a single day can have on a person’s life.