Hi jury…
I think the best thing for me to do here is explain my views and side of the game. My main strategy for this game was building relationships. I knew I couldn’t always rely on competition wins. I knew if I were to get far in this game, it needed to be because I made friends and was honest. For a LONG time in this game I felt “out of the loop.” At times, did I also feel targeted, sure, but that didn’t compare to how I felt about the information that was being given to me or mostly NOT given to me at any particular time. Let me explain…
I came into this game knowing some, but not really knowing a large group of you. I didn’t see this as a disadvantage, yet I saw it as an opportunity to make new friends.
When I swapped on to Praia is when I noticed that there was possibly a big alliance forming that I was not a part of. This was due to me being targeted the second I swapped, LOL, and I heard that Absol was the one who was trying to get me out. This was not great for me because I felt that 1 – this hindered any information coming to me from people I had not yet spoken with, and 2 – I felt blind as to who was more loyal to who in the game. It was a very confusing moment for me… lol.. but I got to work.
My closest allies in the game were Zach, Cam, Smu, and Rubes. I knew we could trust each other, but when Cam and Smu left, I needed to rethink my strategy.
My main goal was to build friendships and trust. Andrew was someone I knew in the game, and I promised him I wouldn’t target him, I kept him in the loop and anytime his name was thrown out, I diverted it, hoping he would do the same for me on his “side.” Eli was also someone I knew that wasn’t directly working with me, but I made him the same promise. I am proud that I upheld both of those promises until Andrew left at 6th. ☹ Andrew, I am sorry to have voted you but what you didn’t know is that I knew who had an idol and who had a nullifier, and because the others had locked you, I felt it best for my game to lock you with them. I am sorry.
Next, was Ethan. Ethan and I just clicked and honestly I think when you hang on a pole with someone for 24 hours straight, you just get to be really good friends (shout out to Nathan, too). I think it was mutual for Ethan and I, that we needed to build our friendship and trust as the game progressed before we solidified our allegiance to each other near the end. Brittany was another person that I am so grateful I got to know. I never asked her not to vote for me, and she never asked me not to vote for her, we knew we were on opposing sides, but again, a friendship gained. Ahmad, we had a friendship before as well and I knew he was an extremely honest person. And Nathan, Nathan had lied to me a couple of times, but when I tried to get him out, the cast was having none of it, so I knew I had to tread lightly there.
When Raul left (I explained my relationship with Raul above), an alliance was formed. By this point I was sort of at the mercy of this alliance and my own gameplay. To be honest I was scared much of the time. I felt left out of the loop. I felt lied to. Even through all that, I tried my very best to play the most HONEST and genuine game possible. I am really proud of the way I played. It got super hard at the end, as I had made many great friends.
When it came to voting, I voted with the people who had proven to me I could trust them. The numbers were SOO TIGHT this game and I couldn’t afford to be the person who flipped. I also couldn’t afford to place a bigger target on me than was already there. So, I hope that this explains enough for you all to award me the win. If not, it’s okay, because I truly believe I made new friends through this experience and for that I am grateful.
Much love xoxo
*hangs onto pole*