Thanks for the response!

Wow, Black Friday is really that bad? Think I'll take your advice and just stay indoors for that one.

I don't currently have a letter from my employer, but I'll look into getting one. I do currently have proof of funding though, along with proof that I have a home to return to.

My latest worry now is that I'm travelling to the Monterey area, a town a few hours north of LAX. The town itself does have an airport (MRY), but my friends insisted on picking me up directly from LAX instead because they felt I'd likely miss the connecting flight to MRY. Whilst I do intend to fly back from MRY on the trip home (I have an itinerary to prove this), I worry that CBP might think it's odd that they'd drive 4-5 hours to pick me up, rather than me simply flying to MRY.

I really worry too much. heh