Back to my Roots

In April 2017, after much thought, I made a big change in my life. I left a secure job in DC, a family I love and a great life to look for something “more”. I wanted something different, something that was closer to what I wanted to do with my life. Basically, it meant I wanted a job that was closer in line to my “sociologist” background, and something that let me be closer to “the ground”. I didn’t want to be in an office, although I wasn’t exactly sure what that something else would look like.

Although it wasn’t in my original plans, I ended up in Colombia, in Paipa to be exact. Paipa is a small town 3 hours away from Bogotá and everything about it is completely different to DC. Without planning it, I ended up “back to my roots”.

All Posts

I'm part of the 8% thanks to my parents and sister

Only 8% of Latinas in the US have a master's degree. I'm lucky to be part of that percentage (Picture: with my sister on the day of my graduation). This one is for my parents and sister. Although more than 10 years after the fact (I graduated in December 2014), it's never too late to say thank you! I'm not a fan of attending my own graduation ceremonies, and the master's one wasn't any different. But when the time actually came, I decided to set aside my personal objections.

Lorena Hillon

Mar 53 min read

2025: a year that made me face something I wish I hadn’t

Originally published in December 2025 This year has been…well, let’s call it tough. It tested me in every way I can possibly imagine; it made me question life decisions; and, ultimately, it made me rethink me. And while each and every one of those challenges deserves its own space, there’s one that brings me back to writing. Writing has always been something I cherish, something that never fails to make all the noise go away. But, at the same time, something that I’ve cast i

Lorena Hillon

Feb 174 min read

To My Mom & Grandma

Originally published in November 2018 The image I have in my head of her when she was young is her playing in the farm. Hiding in the corn field. Running away from her mother to avoid the punishment for the trouble she caused. I see her working alongside her mother and siblings, and I see her as she said goodbye to her father who died when she was little. Most of these images might just be in my head, but I do know that it was in fact that reality, of living in a house with h

Lorena Hillon

Feb 173 min read

From the Office to the Farm: A Year of Change Pt. II

Originally published in September 2018 The majority of my day is spent doing work around the farm, depending on the workload from my “real” job. I wake up early, drink coffee, eat breakfast, help with the farm chores, squeeze in some consultancies/translations in between, and tend to the 17 animals in our small but loving farm and, in general, do farm work. That part, living so close to animals, actually seeing them interact with us and with each other, and seeing them in th

Lorena Hillon

Feb 175 min read

From the Office to the Farm: A Year of Change Pt. I

Originally published in September 2018 About a year and a half ago, I left the stable job I had because I wanted more, I wanted to be “in the field”, and I wanted to do work where I could “get my hands dirty”. I wanted a job where I could work more with people and not just with a computer. I wanted to be closer to my sociology/research/rights background and passion. I wanted the space I worked in to be bigger than four walls. Although I learned a lot where I was, I wanted to

Lorena Hillon

Feb 173 min read

The hardest thing about moving: I’m missing my brother’s wedding

Originally posted on August 18, 2017 I’m missing my brother’s wedding, and that’s perhaps the hardest thing I’ve had to face since I moved to Colombia. Of course, changing my whole lifestyle, my job, going from a city to a farm, learning new things, it’s not always easy. The truth is, though, that you adapt. You learn, you move on, and you begin to enjoy it all, and I have. But facing the fact that I won’t be there for Diego’s “I do” is something I still can’t really begin to

Lorena Hillon

Feb 173 min read