Corn From A Jar

If you have spent your childhood years growing up in East Tennessee, then the tune of "Rocky Top" has probably been repeated as much as "Jesus Loves Me" or "The Star-Spangled Banner". Considering the level of importance that the National Anthem holds. Placing "Rocky Top" in the same league proves just how highly regarded and respected the song is in the Volunteer State. I will be the first to admit that my knowledge for football is well below average compared to the rest of my family, co-workers, and friends. But regardless of what score I would achieve or fall short of on a Football standardized test, a passion for the Orange and White is something that has been instilled in me at a very young age. It's simply been a way of life. When I was a little girl, my parents dressed me in UT cheer-leading attire often. This outfit was completed by a high side ponytail and an oversize orange glittered bow. My family hosted game day parties on most Saturdays at our house. Although we never watched the competition in stadium seating, game day was always a big deal at the Ramsey household. Consequently, "Rocky Top" blared all Saturday morning leading up to kick-off. My role as the designated UT cheerleader that day (and every other game day) was to sing as loudly as possible, dance accordingly, and kick my leg as high as possible after touchdowns.

Not much has changed since those days except I have traded my hand-made spirit outfits for game day dresses. I still sing at the top of my lungs however I choose to refrain from doing any high kicks while packed tightly in the student section. The lyrics and the sense of pride that comes from shouting "Rocky Top" can never leave me. And if you are a true Vol fan, then I know you have felt the same.

College is a time of learning.
Learning about various subjects academically, learning about all the wild and outrageous activities and people that your parents have sheltered you from, and learning about yourself. It wasn't until this past weekend that I fully understood one of the verses of "Rocky Top" that I have had memorized for years. As the song is written:

Corn don't grow at all on Rocky Top
Dirt's too rocky by far
That's why all the folks on Rocky Top
Get their corn from a jar.

The last line, "Get their corn from a jar" is something I must have said a thousand times. And as odd as it seems, I have always gotten the image of canned corn in my mind each time these words escape my lips. Strange? Yes, I know. This weekend was different, and the adult meaning of these word finally resonated with me. It is referring to moonshine! Who knew? Still surprised, shocked, and feeling a bit of childhood innocence fade away, I began to ponder how college learning experiences happen so often. Sometime by huge life-altering decisions and other times in subtle occurrences.

Perhaps all of our journey on Earth is set up this way. We may view situations, people, and experiences with the same perspective for years and then suddenly the truth and reality is unveiled causing us to see parts of our life with new eyes in the same way that the Rocky Top verse changed my understanding. The decision to be a UT fan is the easiest I have ever made, mostly because it was made for me! Regardless of our record, being a Tennessee fan ignites a bond between thousands that cannot be described. It is inspiring to witness how loyal, dedicated, and enthusiastic volunteer fans have been in the past and still continue to be. Who wouldn't want to be a part of such an atmosphere?

I want to leave you with one last thought. What if we all had this same excitement for Jesus? Can you imagine having this much hype, singing, discussion, or media coverage for our Savior? Think of what the University of Tennessee would look like if ESPN came to Knoxville hosted a College God-Day!
Praise be to God for Tennessee, football, Rocky Top, moonshine, and the ability to view everyday scenarios with new eyes, allowing us to grow into the southern ladies and gents that we are called to be. It's great to be a Tennessee Vol and it's even greater to be a child of God!

-jpr-

Bringing Class to the Company that Cuts Grass

Here's the low down on engineering students:

1. Every student believes that he or she is the smartest in the class.
2. 90% of all in class conversations between peers are about grades
3. 1/6 of all engineering majors are females
4. 1 out of every 20 females have similar interests as me. 
5. Only 2% of all male engineering majors are classified as "potential boyfriend"
6. Of those 2%, half of the males are eliminated once they begin speaking. As one professor once said, "The odds are good, but the goods are odd."
7. Most engineering students want to participate in co-op or internship opportunities while in college

This list could continue, but for the sake of keeping your interest, I will stop with the bullet points.

The engineering field has endless possibilities, job descriptions, and types of course work. This major is difficult, but very rewarding. I have always been very math oriented however, I have always been blonde as well. Both figuratively and literally. So lets recap. I am a white female engineering student, a sorority girl, a competitive sports fan, a follower of Christ, and, I happen to have blonde hair.  This description places me in a unique category of my own. This can be seen as a very positive or a negative scenario.

In the fall of 2011, several companies came to UT Knoxville recruiting engineering students for internship and co-op opportunities. I was reluctant to attend, but my mom encouraged me to at least go by and make an appearance. I distinctly remember feeling in the minority. As boys walked about in suits with a portfolio in hand, I pranced in with my blonde hair in curls wearing a pencil skirt, my favorite yet professional sweater vest, black heels, and carrying a handbag with my sorority letters embroidered on the front. Several company representatives were available to schedule interviews and collect resumes from all the prospective interns. I spoke to a few companies, but left feeling under qualified and over dressed.

The following morning, I attended a short interview with a logistics company from Brentwood, TN. The interview was very routine. Later that afternoon, a representative from the same company called me and offered me the co-op. Within two days, the plans for my college timeline were beginning to change.Thoughts raced in my mind.  I had just been offered a big girl job. I would have to leave my friends and family. I would have to live completely alone while working in an unfamiliar place. Exciting? Yes. Terrifying? Most definitely. I immediately called my parents and shared the news with them. Naturally, they were very proud, my daddy especially.
Within the next two weeks, Dad told this news to all of his friends. He told the news to his co-workers, the mail man, the gas station attendees, and the waitresses at Amy's Kitchen (the local southern kitchen joint) as well. He even told the random parents sitting beside him at my younger brothers middle school football game. Normally, this would  cause me to be super embarrassed. However, the random father happened to be the Manager over Operations at a Forbes Top 100 company that has a manufacturing plant in my hometown of Greeneville, TN. The two men spoke for a while, and the conversation ended with the Operations Manager suggesting that I apply for an Industrial Engineering position that is available at the local plant.

I applied.
I interviewed.
I accepted the position.
These three decisions happened as quickly as the words above. Little thought was needed. Do you know when you have a gut feeling of where God is calling you? I had that feeling. I was meant to take this opportunity for so many reasons. These decisions have impacted my engineering career more than I can even comprehend currently. Hours could be spent expressing the knowledge, relationships, and job experience I've gained. However, I will leave that for another time.

I am currently working at John Deere Power Products in Greeneville, TN. This is certainly a big switch from my college schedule and routines. My fellow engineers at John Deere are also having to adjust because I am the only female engineer in the department. They treat me as one of the boys and I enjoy participating in conversations about football, vehicles, and of course food. Being a woman in a man's world truly doesn't bother me. I  have always viewed myself as having equally valuable skills and ideas regardless of my gender. However, this view has not always been reciprocated by male students in my classes at UT.  To my surprise, others in the factory have acknowledged that my ideas are valuable and as a result I am slowly gaining a larger amount of responsibility and projects. Although I am being treated equally as all the men, I have made a decision to maintain my femininity and personal style despite the atmosphere. On my desk you will find an artificial plant, B&BW hand sanitizer, multiple pictures of my family and friends from school, a Vera Bradley clipboard, a pink JD cap, and my favorite French Vanilla coffee that I prepare from my Keurig every morning.

Engineering may not be as glamorous as I initially imagined, however I have discovered that I don't have to conform to the stereotypical engineer just to be successful. In fact, the adversity that young, social, and outgoing women face while earning their engineering degree may be the exact qualities that positively set them apart once entering the workforce. So ladies, just be you! Reinvent the norm! We are made by a purposeful God who does not make mistakes. I am so thankful that God has led me to John Deere to remind me that the gifts and personality He stamped on me CAN and WILL shine in any atmosphere if I will just stay true to who He has created me to be.

-jpr-