As Ultimape1 says, VHDL is a hardware language - and it is very different to programming languages - you have to think differently to normal code as much of it is asynchronous.  I should know I have written UI editors which generate VHDL/Verilog code, so if you really want to learn it, I can give you a hand - but I don't recommend it.  Its not really where the industry is headed.  System Verilog and SystemC are newer hardware languages.  Also don't try and learn a software language at the same time as a hardware language - you'll confuse yourself.  Pick one.

As for Modeltech, I think you probably mean ModelSim by Modeltech, a company owned by Mentor Graphics.  So since I work for Mentor Graphics and have worked extensively with ModelSim and know how much is costs I am just going to assume that you uncle is either very rich, also works for MG or has some sort of very unqiue licensing agreement....