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