Well that really did hurt. I just bought my ticket home to Australia. I leave the US on 22nd December and get into Oz on Xmas Eve. Then I get back on the 7th January after about 2 weeks at home. It wasn't cheap and I didn't have many options, and so I'm flying China Air with a layover in Taiwan. Some people might think it silly to dump about one and a half grand to be home for a religious holiday, but I haven't seen my parents since April of last year, which will be about 20 months come December. Additionally I haven't seen one of brothers since Xmas 2000 and my other brother since October 2001.