NBC.com

Age: 26
Hometown: Phoenix, AZ
Occupation: Law Student

She knows she's hot, isn't afraid to speak her mind and will stir up the pot amongst the contestants. Definitely one who thinks any guy there is lucky to be with her.

Vanessa's afterthoughts July 6th

Who did you feel most connected to during the competition?
Without giving away too much of the show and in the most literal terms I know how to put it, I felt I was most connected to Steele out of all the other contestants.

What behavior surprised you the most from the other contestants?
What surprised me the most was that some of the contestants were not genuinely looking to find love. They were there to have fun and nothing else. I thought before I did the show that I was seriously ready to settle down and was hoping all the people on the show were too.I guess I was wrong. I shouldn't have been so naive. That's what I get for letting my guards down I guess. On a happy note, I was also surprised how much many of us got along so well.

Any fun anecdotes or run-ins with nature you'd like to share?
Nature was not my friend in Costa Rica. The floor was always so wet and slippery and I fell at least 20 times in one adventure. I was badly scratched and bruised by the jungle. Also, I have a huge scar on my shoulder that resulted from an infected bump. It either came from a poisonous tree (I was warned about that) or a bug bite. I was just glad it wasn't a bot fly which is native to that area. When the doctor opened my arm up, I was praying larvae didn't come popping out.

What did you learn about yourself through this experience?
What I learned in this experience is that I need to work on my body language and attitude. Others told me that I come off as uninterested and with a wall up. I am actually a really nice, caring, sometimes sensitive person with a good heart and that really concerned me. Not only that but that my personality needs some work. I don't want to be considered a bad person, and I am doing what I can now to remedy that.

I also learned that no matter how attracted you may be to someone, if there is a character flaw that you cannot stand, it will not work out. The show is about finding love and when you are looking for a relationship, you first choose him based on appearance. To me, appearance was everything and a lot of weight went based on that. Going through the show, I learned that appearance is actually not everything and does not define a person. His intelligence, ability to work as a team, and being genuine is what showed to be more important out of all characteristics for me. Now, I have realized that when I choose a partner, he has to have more prevailing qualities than just being attractive.

Why did you decide to take part in this show?
It was an extremely tough decision on whether to do the show or not, and I wanted to actually decline the offer because I was scheduled to study law in Argentina for my study abroad program.  However, I figured Buenos Aires and my law degree will always be there and this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity may not, so I chose to do Love in the Wild and maybe find Mr. Right.  I was thinking if I found someone, it could mean that it was meant to be.  So why not?

Would you call yourself an outdoorsy person? Why or why not? 
Generally, I would not call myself an outdoorsy person because I prefer the air conditioning (I live in the desert) and shade.  However, I love doing outdoor activities like hiking, mountain climbing, trail running, bike riding , etc. as a hobby and to try in stay in shape.

What is your biggest fear or phobia?
I really am not afraid of much.  Strangers scare me more than anything so my biggest fear or phobia is unfamiliar situations where I could physically get hurt. 

What surprised you most about being in the jungle?
I was mostly surprised that most of the days I spent in Costa Rica were sunny.  I figured it would be raining most of the time but I guess we were really lucky.

What was the hardest thing for you to live without? What did you miss the most?
The hardest thing for me to live without was my Internet and phone.  The first week I went insane wondering what I was missing from my friends, family, the news and my Facebook (yes I said it).  However in the second week, it became a lot easier and I never even thought about my missed technology.  It was actually quite refreshing because I live a quite hectic lifestyle and I had time to focus on myself and the show. I usually never give anything or anyone my undivided attention and it taught me to start paying attention to what is front of me for the first time in a long time, which is something I was able to take away from this whole experience.

What would other people say are your best qualities?
People would say that my best qualities are that I am a good debater, driven, motivated to succeed, independent, my ridiculous laugh, and my confidence level.  Some of the qualities my friends and family mentioned to me inspired me to choose law as a profession.

Describe the worst date you've ever been on.
I am trying to think really hard about the worst date I have ever been on but I can't for the life of me choose an example.  I think it is because I don't go on a date with anyone unless I know I really really want to spend time with him and I am really interested.  So most of the dates go really well because we both are having fun.  Sorry I wish I had a funny story but I don't.  Maybe that time will come but let's hope not.

What qualities do you find to be most important in your partner?
Without sounding extremely shallow (as I am sure I have already done that) I look for a man who is successful, has many things going for him, determined, motivated, blah, blah, blah... lets just say I look for the male version of me but six feet or taller and... modest. 

Describe your ideal date.
My ideal date would be for the man to pick me up, knock on my door, bring me flowers, take me to a nice quiet restaurant where we can maybe sit outside, and then the movies.  I would refrain from watching a comedy with him as I do not want to scare him with my horrific laugh.

What was it like sharing a cabin with a total stranger?
When I found out that I was to sleep in the same bed with my partner the first night, I thought, "Oh my God, what will my family think?"  I was mortified, but luckily I liked who I was going to share my bed with and happy that he was someone I could trust in that awkward situation. 

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