Hello, I'm Sophia.

I have an interest in self-learning either Python, or Ruby.

The primary reason for my interest is to make my life more stable by having freelance work = $.

It seems that programming offers a way for me to escape my condition of poverty (I'm on the edge of homelessness right now) while at the same time making it possible for me to go to uni. I intend on being a math/philosophy major.

I have messed with Python a little bit in the past, but it didn't click super well.

The people who say I should choose Python say as much because it is considered a good first language/teaching language, and that it is general-purpose.

The people who say I should choose Ruby point out that I'm a very right-brained thinker, and having multiple ways to do something will make it much easier for me to write good code.

So, basically, I'm starting this thread as a dialog with people who know more than I do, as an attempt to make the decision. :-)

I've thought about asking this in stackoverflow, but they're much more strict about closing threads than here, and I'm sort of worried my thread will be closed. :/

TL;DR

Python or Ruby for freelance work opportunities ($) as a first language?

Additional question (if anyone cares to answer): I have a personal feeling that if I devote myself to learning, I'd be worth hiring for a project in about 8 weeks of work. I base this on a conservative estimate of my intellectual capacities, as well as possessing motivation to improve my life. Is my estimate necessarily inaccurate?

random tidbit: I'm in Portland, OR

I'll answer questions that are asked of me, if I can help the accuracy and insight contained within the dialog.