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Things to do
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MATT WITTMETER staff photographer
Kari Smoker of Rochester is an assistant professor of accounting and finance at St. John Fisher College.
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Personal: 39, of Rochester, married with two sons.
Occupation: Assistant professor of accounting and finance at St. John Fisher College.
Community activities: Chairwoman of Women Helping Girls, a mentoring, enrichment, and college bound program for underserved girls in the Rochester City School District, sponsored by the Greater Rochester Area Branch of the American Association of University Women; board member and co-chair of the Events Committee for the Greater Rochester Association of Women Attorneys.
My favorite thing to do in Rochester: I love the outdoors, and Rochester is absolutely beautiful. I love hiking around the area parks, especially around Durand Eastman.
Biggest challenge I’ve overcome and how I did it: I traveled by myself to China for two weeks to adopt our second son, who is legally blind, when he was 3. Traveling alone in a Third World country and being handed a little boy who wanted nothing to do with me was the biggest challenge I’ve ever faced. But I absolutely loved the experience, and there was no way I was going to give up on him. I stayed calm, saw things from his perspective, and gave him time and love. He and I have grown incredibly close. I absolutely adore both my boys.
One thing I’ve always wanted to do but never have: Run a marathon. I’m working on it — I ran the Rochester Half Marathon this past September. It was a great experience. Yes, it was a little painful…
If I could change one thing about myself it would be: I would spend way less time worrying about things that don’t really matter.
The talent I would most like to have: I’d love to play the piano. I’m thinking of taking lessons if I can fit it into my schedule.
The one thing I can’t live without: Aside from my husband and my boys: my dogs, Sam and Phoebe.
My favorite movie: Oh, Brother, Where Art Thou.
One of my favorite sayings is: Life is stranger than fiction.
A person who has inspired me: Abraham Lincoln. I think he was a truly good man who did what he thought was right.
