We saw undeclared freshman Katie Shay in front of Pei Wei on East University Bouelvard.
Wildcat: OK, you’re on the spot. What is your favorite subject in school?
Shay: Probably writing.
W: Why?
S: Because I’m the best at it. I’m awful at math. I just stick to what I’m good at, which is writing.
W: Are you taking English classes and stuff?
S: Yeah, well right now I’m doing basic, but I’m thinking about journalism.
W: I’m a journalism major.
S: Is it all right?
W: It’s OK. I’m almost done. Would you describe yourself as a happy person?
S: Yes. I think I’m pretty positive about everything. I’m working at Starbucks and you have to be happy there.
W: Would you describe yourself as liberal or conservative?
S: Liberal, because I’m more open-minded, and I don’t know, I’m just not really for conservative parties generally.
W: How many siblings do you have?
S: Just one, and she’s 9 years older than I am.
W: Is she going to college?
S: She just got her masters. She’s going to Santa Monica and then Pepperdine. She’s the overachiever.
W: I was just in California this weekend; the San Mateo area to see family.
S: Oh, I was just in Santa Monica.
W: Is that close?
S: I don’t know.
W: OK, if you were forced to eat only macadamia nuts and distilled heroin for the rest of your life, or watch your closest friend bleed to death in a puddle of sulfuric acid, what would you choose?
S: Probably the macadamia nut.
W: And distilled heroin that would keep you high all the time.
S: I think I’d prefer that than watching my friend die.
W: Yeah, but you could die though, yourself, with the heroin.
S: Yeah … I think it’s better me die with that …than die of agony.
W: OK, last question. Do you like Macs or PCs?
S: Macs. I have a Mac.
W: Me too.
– interview by Andi Berlin