good points, AVB, good points... Singapore is an excellent option, i did not bring it up, as a lot of folks are afraid to move too far from alma mater... but in this case, Guam could be a good alternative - it is still the US, but it is a little paradise... the bad thing (or, maybe a good thing??), it is so remote, that you need to hop on 5 sea horses, 4 boats, 3 planes, 2 trains and one car ride, to get yourself somewhere in the civilized place...

In my line of work, i have realized, that all the planning is good and needed but a stray bullet or unannounced earthquake (or tsunami) can wipe you out before you have any chance to have fun... therefore, i try to interleave the fun with work... as much as it is possible... hope for the best, prepare for the worst...